Single Publication

Easy Fire Update        
August 16, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 2,130 acres                           

Start Date: July 17, 2024           

Location: 17 miles west of Mazama, WA
Containment: 29%                      

Personnel Assigned: 336          

Cause: Lightning

Resources Assigned:  10 crews, 16 engines, 6 water tenders

Command of the Pioneer, Easy, and Flat Creek Fires was transferred to Northwest Incident Management Team 3 at 6:00 a.m. today.

CURRENT SITUATION: The Easy Fire is burning in extremely steep terrain above State Route 20 North Cascades Highway. Firefighters have been taking advantage of cooler, wetter weather and moderated fire behavior taking direct suppression actions where possible to build fireline close to the fire’s edge. Crews have constructed a fireline by hand from the highway upslope and are working towards Swamp Creek. Firefighters are assisting Washington Department of Transportation to remove debris deposited from recent slides that affected State Route 20 also known as North Cascades Highway. The highway remains closed in both directions between Granite Creek (Mile Post 148) and Rainy Pass (Mile Post 157).

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Fire activity is expected to be low today with minimal spread. Along the southern edge of the fire, crews will continue securing a fireline from State Route 20 towards Swamp Creek to prevent fire spread to the east and south. Firefighters will also monitor the northern edge of the fire which continues to retain some heat but is holding in an unnamed creek drainage. 

WEATHER and SMOKE: There is a threat of significant heavy rain over the fire area today with most locations receiving up to a half inch of rain and some isolated locations receiving up to an inch. Heavy precipitation increases the risk of debris flows along the Highway 20 corridor. The area may also experience additional rain and thunderstorms on Saturday.

A smoke outlook for the Pioneer and Easy Fires is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/f79a6d6d.

CLOSURES: Highway 20 is closed in both directions between Granite Creek (Mile Post 148) and Rainy Pass (Mile Post 157): Stay up to date at 

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has closures in place for trails within the fire area, for more information visit Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). 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. Anyone 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