Yesterday, a cold front blew over the fire area bringing gusty winds that tested fire lines. Luckily, all contingency lines held strong and the fire didn’t exhibit any major growth. Now, the focus will shift from suppression to improving existing contingency line and mopping up hot spots. Firefighters will also work to secure a no-heat radius of 300 feet around structures in the fire area. No future burn-out operations are anticipated if conditions remain the same. Decreased acres are due to improved mapping of the fire perimeter. 
 
A virtual public meeting will be held tonight at 6:00-6:45 PM on the Okanogan County Emergency Management Facebook live.
The meeting will include short presentations from the Incident Management Team and the opportunity to ask questions. Questions can be submitted in advance to 2020.palmer@firenet.gov. 
 
Okanogan County Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Department are coordinating with fire personnel regularly to assess the status of evacuation levels. All road closures remain in place.
 
Please note: Some evacuation levels have been lifted or changed:
 
Level 3 Evacuations - GO (leave immediately)- From the intersection of Alemandi Rd and Loomis-Oroville Rd.
-Area to the south of Ellenmeham Rd to Ellis Barnes Rd -Area to the west of Wannacut Lake Rd. to the intersection with Ellis Barnes Rd.
-Any area in the burn perimeter
 
Level 2 Evacuations - SET (be set to evacuate):
-From the intersection of Alemandi Rd and Loomis-Oroville Rd southeast along the ridgetop to Bull Frog Mountain. 
-From Bull Frog Mountain southwest to Split Rock Day Use area.
-From Spilt Rock Day Use Area north on Loomis-Oroville Rd to the intersection of Alemandi Rd. 
 
Level 1 Advisory – READY (get ready to leave):
-Town of Loomis
-South of the burn perimeter to lower Loomis-Oroville Rd.
-West of Wannacut Lake Rd to the burn area
-East of Wannacut Lake Rd to the intersection with Ellis Barnes Rd-South of Ellis Barnes Rd to the intersection with Ellenmeham Mtn Rd.
-Area to the east and north of Ellenmeham Rd. 
 
Please contact the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 for assistance if you have been evacuated. For information on livestock evacuations, please contact Roger Sawyer at 509-429-8036.

Fire at a Glance
Size:  17,735
Containment: 49%
Location: East of Palmer Lake and Northeast of Loomis, WA. West of Highway 97
Cause: Unknown
Total Assigned Personnel: 606
Assigned Resources:
 Type 1 Crews - 2
 Type 2 Crews – 7
 Aircraft – 3
 Engines – 68
 Water Tenders – 21
 Dozers –  8
 
Closures:
 -Wannacut Lake Rd. at Ellemeham Mountain Rd.-Blue Lake Rd. at Lake Front Rd.
 -Washburn Lake Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd.
 -Ellemeham Mtn Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.
 -Loomis-Oroville Rd. at Toats Coulee to Chopaka Rd.
 
FIRE INFORMATION:509-906-8801
Staffed 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM
 
Email: 2020.palmer@firenet.gov
 
Facebook: Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management
 
Interactive Evacuation Map: https://arcg.is/1TP4WO0
 
InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/
 

Firefighters made significant progress yesterday. Burn-out operations continued in the vicinity of Loomis. Airtankers dropped retardant north of town helping to further secure the area. Burn-outs using aerial ignition also took place on the northern perimeter of the fire near Bull Frog Mountain. Team liaisons and incident commanders have worked with ranchers to preserve the integrity of grazing lands while aggressively fighting the fire. For the next few days, the focus will shift to mop-up and securing a 300 foot radius around structures in the fire area. 
 
 A virtual public meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 25th at 6:00-6:45 PM on the Okanogan County Emergency Management Facebook live. The meeting will include short presentations from the Incident Management Team and the opportunity to ask questions. Questions can be submitted in advance to 2020.palmer@firenet.gov. 
 
 All previous evacuation levels remain in place.
 
 Level 3 Evacuations - GO! (evacuate now, leave immediately):  -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.-Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville Road
 
 Level 2 Evacuations - SET (be set to evacuate): -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road-Town of Loomis
 
Okanogan County Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Department are coordinating with fire personnel regularly to assess the status of evacuation levels. 
 
The public is asked to help fire personnel by obeying all road and Level 3 evacuation area closures for their safety and the safety of those working in the region.
 
Please contact the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 for assistance if you have been evacuated. For information on livestock evacuations, please contact Roger Sawyer at 509-429-8036.

Fire at a Glance
Size:  18,077
Containment: 27%
Location: East of Palmer Lake and Northeast of Loomis, WA. West of Highway 97
Cause: Unknown
Total Assigned Personnel: 517
Assigned Resources:
Type 1 Crews - 2
Type 2 Crews – 8
Aircraft – 6
Engines – 58
Water Tenders – 18
Dozers –  9
 
Closures: -Wannacut Lake Rd. at Ellemeham Mountain Rd.
-Blue Lake Rd. at Lake Front Rd.
-Washburn Lake Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd.
 -Ellemeham Mtn Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.
-Loomis-Oroville Rd. at Toats Coulee to Chopaka Rd.
 
FIRE INFORMATION:509-906-8801
Staffed 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM
 
Email:
 2020.palmer@firenet.gov
 
Facebook:
Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management
 
Interactive Evacuation Map:
 https://arcg.is/1TP4WO0
 
InciWeb:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/
 

Palmer Fire 
Virtual Public Meeting
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
6:00pm - 6:45pm 

Okanogan County Emergency Management Facebook Live Event 
https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management 

Email questions in advance to 2020.palmer@firenet.gov
or use the Facebook comments section during the event.

Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/23/20

Okanogan County Emergency Management 

 Level 3 IMMEDIATE EVACUATION: 
-Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.
 -Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville Road

Level 2 GET READY TO LEAVE:  
-Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road. 
 -Town of Loomis 

 For an interactive map of evacuations, please click here: https://arcg.is/151TvO1

If shelter is needed call the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 and they will assist you.

 Despite wind gusts up to 48 mph yesterday afternoon, firefighters prevented the fire from making any large gains. Operations focused on improving existing contingency lines and further expanding lines north of Washburn Road and to the east of Palmer Lake. Overnight, firefighters saw an increase in fire activity on the southwest side of the fire. Fire breached established dozer lines north of Loomis. The fire settled down after 3 AM, aided by lighter winds and cooler temperatures. As a precaution, the town of Loomis is now under a Level 2 (be ready to leave) evacuation. Today, efforts will continue to establish contingency lines around the perimeter of the fire and on structure protection. Burn-out operations may take place, which would bring an increase in smoke to the air. More aircraft have arrived and will be dropping water on the fire throughout the day. 

Firefighters working overnight made significant progress conducting burn-out operations in the vicinity of Wannacut Lake and around Palmer Lake lodge. Today crews will focus on mopping-up hot spots and structure protection while reinforcing and improving fire lines. More burn-out operations may happen, but this will be dependent on favorable weather conditions and wind direction. This afternoon, a cold front is forecast to arrive over the fire bringing strong wind gusts up to 40 mph, challenging the strength of fire lines. National Guard helicopters will continue to support the fire with water drops.

All previous evacuation levels remain in place

Level 3 Evacuations (leave immediately): 
 -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.-Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville Road

Level 2 Evacuations (be ready to leave)
 -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road
 
Our highest priority is the safety of the public and all wildland fire personnel. To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe during the Palmer Fire, all fire personnel are expected to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes COVID-19 specific recommendations like social distancing, use of face masks, and limiting public access to the Incident Command Post (ICP).

Residents under evacuation are being notified by the Okanogen Country Sheriff’s Department. Evacuation levels may quickly expand. Leave immediately if you see fire in the area. Do not wait for an evacuation notice. You may contact the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 for assistance if you have evacuated your home. For information on livestock evacuations, please contact Roger Sawyer at 509-429-8036. 
 
Public use restrictions take effect today and all campfires and shooting of firearms are prohibited. Please visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/districts/NEWICC/index.html

Fire at a Glance
Size:  11,190
Containment: 0%
Location: 7 miles SW of Oroville, WA
Cause: Unknown
Total Assigned Personnel: 398
 
Assigned Resources
Type 1 Crews - 4
Type 2 Crews – 7
Helicopters – 3
Engines – 24
Water Tenders – 11
Dozers –  8
 
Closures: -Wannacut Lake Rd. at Ellemeham Mountain Rd
-Ellis Barns Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd
-Blue Lake Rd. at Lake Front Rd
-Washburn Lake Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.
-Ellemeham Mtn Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.
-Loomis-Oroville Rd. from Toats Coulee to Chopaka Rd.
 
FIRE INFORMATION:509-808-6720
Staffed 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
 
Email: 2020.palmer@firenet.gov
 
InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/
 

Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/20/20
 
A Type 2 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon assumed command of the Palmer Fire at 6:00 PM this evening. The incident command post is based at Tonasket.Firefighting efforts will operate around the clock. The fire burned actively last night as shifting winds pushed the fire north to Bullfrog Mountain. Throughout today, initial attack continued on the ground in conjunction with air support. Firefighters focused active suppression along the west side of Wannacut Lake, north of Loomis and in the Palmer Lake area. Structure crews are engaged in structure protection along South Palmer Lake and around Bull Frog Mountain.

Level 3 Evacuations (leave immediately):  -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.-Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville RoadLevel 2 Evacuations (be ready to leave): -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road

Residents under evacuation are being notified by the Okanogen Country Sheriff’s Department. Evacuation levels may quickly expand. Leave immediately if you see fire in the area. Do not wait for an evacuation notice. You may contact the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 for assistance if you have evacuated your home. For information on livestock evacuations, please contact Roger Sawyer at 509-429-8036. 

Expect increased fire vehicle traffic on roads in the vicinity of Loomis, Tonasket and Oroville.  Be cautious while driving in the area.

Fire at a Glance
Size:  11,191
Containment: 0%
Location: 7 miles SW of Oroville, WA
Cause: Unknown
Total Assigned Personnel: 398
Assigned Resources:Type 1 Crews - 4Type 2 Crews – 7Engines – 24Water Tenders – 11Dozers –  8
Closures: -Wannacut Lake Rd. at Ellemeham Mountain Rd.-Ellis Barns Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd.-Blue Lake Rd. at Lake Front Rd.-Washburn Lake Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.-Ellemeham Mtn Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.-Loomis-Oroville Rd. from Toats Coulee to Chopaka Rd.
FIRE INFORMATION:509-808-6720Staffed 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/
 

 

 Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/19/20
 
 Activities:  The Palmer Fire started on August 18th, 2020.  The fire quickly spread north with extreme fire behavior and was reported spotting ¼ to ½ mile away.  The fire quickly progressed north, then shifting winds in the afternoon transitioned the fire east.  The fire is primarily moving north.  A rough estimate is the fire burned 5,000 or more acres. District firefighters, DNR, BLM and others responded to the fire and worked in tandem with air resources primarily in structure protection and to slow the progression of the fire. 

• Wannacut Lake Road at Ellemeham Mountain Road
• Blue Lake Road at Lake Front Road
• Washburn Lake Road at Loomis-Oroville Road to Ellis Barnes Road
• Ellemeham Mountain Road to Ellis Barnes Road