Single Publication

Easy Fire Daily Update

August 12, 2024 

Quick Facts

Size: 2130 acres | Start Date: July 17, 2024 | Location: 17 miles west of Mazama, WA | Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning | Resources Assigned: 237

CURRENT SITUATION: At approximately 8:30 p.m. last night, after receiving nearly two inches of rain, a large mudslide occurred on the western side of the Easy fire near mile marker 152 of State Route 20. The Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) estimates that it will take approximately two days to remove the debris off State Route 20. However, due to continued hazards related to the Easy Fire, highway 20 will continue to be closed to public transportation until announced otherwise.

TODAY: Because of recent and expected forecasted rainfall, crews will be assessing ways to safely engage with fire suppression activities. The Team will also continue to evaluate suppression options that  account for moderated weather conditions. The plan continues to hold the fire at the ridgetop between Okanagon and Skagit County. 

WEATHER AND SMOKE: Overnight, thunderstorms with heavy rainfall impacted the Easy Fire. Today will be cooler today but remain unsettled, with a renewed threat of showers and thunderstorms by this afternoon. Drier conditions return on Tuesday with the chances of showers lowering to below 20 percent. Also, the marine layer will approach the fire area and bring higher humidity and cooler temperatures. Winds today and tomorrow will largely be from the northwest with speeds of 6 to 10 mph and gusts around 15 mph.  

For today, there is more certainty of increased smoke to communities southeast of the Easy and Pioneer fires in the lower Lake Chelan and Entiat areas. In these areas, expect moderate air quality in the morning to decrease to Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups in the evening and overnight. Overall air quality in the Stehekin Valley will be at unhealthy, while the Newhalem area and Methow Valley communities will have overall Moderate air quality.Read full smoke report: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/f79a6d6d

CLOSURES: State Route 20 is closed in both directions between Granite Creek (MP 148) and Rainy Pass (MP 157): https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/. State Route 20 will remain closed through the weekend as crews continue working to mitigate hazards. Washington Department of Transportation will reevaluate conditions on Monday August 12, 2024. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has closures in place for trails within the fire area: https://bit.ly/EasyFireClosures. This closure includes a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.  

EVACUATIONS:  There are no evacuations in place for the Easy Fire. Visitors recreating in the area should be vigilant of surroundings and stay out of closed areas.   

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-easy-fire   

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080  

Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM 

Email: 2024.easy@firenet.gov