August 09, 2019 – 9:00 a.m.

Acres: 450

Location: 3 air miles southwest of Stehekin, WA
Completion: Season-ending weather event
Cause: Lightning Estimated Cost: $965,000
Report Date: July 26, 2019 (ignited by the lightning storms that came through on July 23 and 24)
Personnel: 59, including 1 hand crew, 2 helicopters, 31 overhead personnel

Current Activity: Water drops, cloud cover and cooler temperatures combined to keep the Devore Creek Fire in check Thursday. An infrared flight overnight showed only 25 acres of growth in the last 24 hours. Higher humidity at the fire area today and more clouds means the chances for rapid fire growth today are small. No impacts to air quality are anticipated.

Yesterday a heavy lift helicopter made approximately two dozen bucket drops of water on the fire. The goal was to cool the fire’s edge and dampen some smaller areas of fire that are burning away from the main body of fire. This tactic was used strategically to knock down pockets of heat near rocky areas to strengthen the effectiveness of these natural barriers in limiting fire growth. With weather anticipated to slow the fire naturally today, no water drops are anticipated today. The fire is approximately three miles from Stehekin, burning in steep, rugged terrain. Firefighters are prepared to protect the community if the fire should advance that far.

Although the forecast calls for a good chance for rain tomorrow, it is unlikely to be enough to completely extinguish the fire. The Devore Creek area has not burned within recorded history and a tremendous amount of vegetation and woody debris has built up on the ground. In addition there are numerous standing dead trees. As a result, residents and visitors should expect to see smoke from this fire once again after things dry out. The fire is not expected to go out until regular fall rains or snow put it out.

Evacuations: None. (Stehekin on Level 1 or “Ready” status.) Visit Chelan County Emergency Management on Facebook for additional information. https://www.facebook.com/CCSOEM/

Closures: On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek Trail #1241 are currently closed for public safety. Company Creek Trail is closed at the trailhead in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The Stehekin River Trail in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is closed temporarily between Weaver Point and the Stehekin airstrip.

Smoke Information: Air quality monitoring stations are located throughout the area, including Chelan, Twisp, Winthrop and Stehekin. For today’s smoke outlook visit: http://bit.ly/2yIZ1w8 and more information on smoke and your health visit wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m.

Other: All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses are open, please consider supporting local tourism.

Devore Creek Fire Information: 602-726-5482

Email: 2019.devorecreek@firenet.gov

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463

Facebook: @DevoreCreekFire

Text Message: follow okawennf to 40404 (iphone)

Twitter: @OkaWenNF

#DevoreCreekFire #WaWildfire #FireForest

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A video of Operations Section Chief Jon Teutrine's August 8th Devore Creek Fire update has been posted to https://www.facebook.com/DevoreCreekFire/videos/643494402814143/.

August 08, 2019 – 11:00 a.m.

Acres: 425

Location: 3 air miles southwest of Stehekin, WA

Completion: Season-ending weather event

Cause: Lightning

Estimated Cost: $898,000

Report Date: July 26, 2019 (ignited by the lightning storms that came through on July 23 and 24)

Personnel: 59, including 1 hand crew, 3 helicopters, 31 overhead personnel

Current Activity: As predicted, fire activity increased Wednesday and the fire has grown an estimated 232 acres since it was last measured on Tuesday night. Fire managers took action to slow that growth by using a heavy lift helicopter to make water drops Wednesday afternoon. This tactic is designed as a delaying action to cool portions of the fire’s leading edges and prevent more “spot” fires. Spot fires are created when embers float out ahead of the main fire and start burning in new areas. A water drop can also cool hot spots at the bottom of the slope and prevent the fire from making an aggressive uphill run. The water drops are being used strategically, for example on any spot fires closer to Stehekin, and on areas where the trees and other vegetation is sparse enough that the water can reach the burning materials on the ground. And while the fire did move yesterday, the closest area of active fire is still three miles from Stehekin.

More hot temperatures, along with gusty winds, are predicted today. Additional water drops are planned today if conditions allow. Smoke will be visible from many points around the region again today and air quality may be impacted in the Twisp area. The forecast calls for rain in the area this weekend.

As of 11 a.m. today, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has placed Stehekin on Level 1, or “Ready” status to ensure community awareness as the fire grows. Residents can sign up for Chelan County emergency alert notifications at http://bit.ly/2YA3nVm.

Fire managers, working with federal, state and local cooperators, have developed a plan of actions to take if the fire continues to move down Devore Creek toward the Stehekin Valley. Those plans include a community protection fire line that follows a portion of the Stehekin River Trail. Other actions, such as the use of air resources, may be used if there is a good chance those actions will succeed, and the risk to fire personnel is acceptable.

Evacuations: None. (Stehekin on Level 1 or “Ready” status.) Visit Chelan County Emergency Management on Facebook for more information. https://www.facebook.com/CCSOEM/

Closures: On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek Trail #1241 are currently closed for public safety. Company Creek Trail is closed at the trailhead in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The Stehekin River Trail in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is closed temporarily between Weaver Point and the Stehekin airstrip.

Smoke Information: Air quality monitoring stations are located throughout the area, including Chelan, Twisp, Winthrop and Stehekin. For today’s smoke outlook visit: http://bit.ly/2yIZ1w8 and more information on smoke and your health visit wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m.

Other: All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses are open, please consider supporting local tourism.

Devore Creek Fire Information: 602-726-5482
Email: 2019.devorecreek@firenet.gov Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463 Facebook: @DevoreCreekFire Text Message: follow okawennf to 40404 (iphone) Twitter: @OkaWenNF #DevoreCreekFire #WaWildfire #FireForest

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For current Chelan County information visit https://www.facebook.com/CCSOEM.

Devore Creek Fire – Level 1 Advisement as of 11:00 today, 8/8/2019 - for the Stehekin Valley

A Level 1 Advisement has been issued as of 11am for the Stehekin Valley.

This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property, and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock.

This Post will be updated as new information becomes available. You can also monitor the Devore Creek Fire Facebook page.

Devore Creek Fire - Nivel 1 Asesoramiento a partir de las 11:00 de hoy, 8/8/2019 - Stehekin Valley

Se emitió un Aviso de Nivel 1 a partir de las 11 a.m. para el Valle Stehekin. Este es el momento de preparación y movimiento preventivo de personas con necesidades especiales, propiedad móvil y (bajo ciertas circunstancias) mascotas y ganado.

Esta publicación se actualizará a medida que haya nueva información disponible. También puede monitorear la página de Facebook de Devore Creek Fire.

August 07, 2019 – 9:00 a.m.

Acres: 193 Location: 3 air miles southwest of Stehekin, WA Completion: Season-ending weather event Cause: Lightning Estimated Cost: $800,400 Report Date: July 26, 2019 (ignited by the lightning storms that came through on July 23 and 24) Personnel: 83, including 2 hand crews, 3 helicopters, 33 overhead personnel

Current Activity: A temporary air quality monitoring station is now operational in Stehekin. While impact to Stehekin has been minimal, there is still potential for the fire to grow and for smoke to affect air quality in the village and surrounding area throughout the season. Air quality monitoring data for Stehekin is available online at https://tools.airfire.org/monitoring/v4/.

Today’s weather forecast calls for stronger winds around sunset, which could produce some additional fire activity. Smoke is expected to be more visible, especially later in the day. The Entiat Interagency Hotshot Crew will be leaving Stehekin today after a two-week assignment. Work on the Community Protection Line near the village is almost complete and the crew will return home tonight for a couple days of rest. Another 20-person crew, Columbia River Crew 22, will complete final work on the Community Protection Line on Thursday. The incident management team has been working with the US Forest Service, the National Park Service, the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and Chelan County to develop a long-term strategy to protect communities, assets, infrastructure in Stehekin, if the fire ever reaches the Stehekin Valley.

Evacuations: None

Closures: On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek Trail #1241 are currently closed for public safety. Company Creek Trail is closed at the trailhead in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The Stehekin River Trail in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is closed temporarily between Weaver Point and the Stehekin airstrip. Smoke Information: Air quality in the area remains ‘Good’ in the Stehekin and Chelan area. For today’s smoke outlook visit: http://bit.ly/2yIZ1w8 and more information on smoke and your health visit wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m. Other: All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses are open, please consider supporting local tourism.

Devore Creek Fire Information: 602-726-5482 Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463 Facebook: @DevoreCreekFire Text Message: follow okawennf to 40404 (iphone) Twitter: @OkaWenNF #DevoreCreekFire #WaWildfire #FireForest

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Smoke Outlook for 8/07 - 8/08
Central Washington - Devore Creek Fire
Issued at: 2019-08-07 06:54 PDT

Fire
The Devore Creek Fire is currently 193 acres, and continues to primarily burn timber litter and dead-and-down. The potential for increased fire behavior remains due to a warming and drying trend in the area.

Smoke
There are no significant smoke impacts at this time. A smoke monitor was placed in Stehekin yesterday. A warming but stagnant weather pattern is expected in the Lake Chelan area through at least Thursday.

Smoke Information: Air quality in the area remains ‘Good’ in the Stehekin and Chelan area. For today’s smoke outlook visit: http://bit.ly/2yIZ1w8and more information on smoke and your health visit wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m.
#DevoreCreekFire #WaWildfire #FireForest

Devore Creek Fire Update
August 06, 2019 – 9:00 a.m.

Acres: 193
Location: 3 air miles southwest of Stehekin, WA
Completion: Season-ending weather event
Cause: Lightning Estimated Cost: $729,000
Report Date: July 26, 2019 (ignited by lightning storms that came through on July 23 and 24)
Personnel: 83, including 2 hand crews, 3 helicopters, and 33 overhead personnel

Current Activity: While temperatures could top 100 degrees in Chelan today and tomorrow, temperatures at the Devore Creek Fire, which is burning at much higher elevations, will be about 25 degrees cooler. The fire continues to slowly burn in the Devore Creek drainage, at elevations between 5,700 and 6,800 feet. Despite the cooler temperatures in the fire area, the potential for increased fire activity exists over the next two days, until even colder weather is predicted at the end of the week. The fire is in an area that has not burned in recorded history, so it is likely to smolder until late season rains or snow, puts it out.

Firefighters are still working in the Stehekin area to complete work on a fire line that could be used to protect that community, in the unlikely event the fire spreads down Devore Creek towards the town.

Evacuations: None

Closures: On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek Trail #1241 are currently closed for public safety. Company Creek Trail is closed at the trailhead in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The Stehekin River Trail in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area is closed temporarily between Weaver Point and the Stehekin airstrip.

Smoke Information: Air quality in the area remains ‘Good’ in the Stehekin and Chelan area. For a daily smoke outlook, and information on smoke and your health, visit wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m.

Other: All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses remain open. Please consider supporting local tourism.

Devore Creek Fire Information: 602-726-5482
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463
Facebook: @DevoreCreekFire
Text Message: follow okawennf to 40404 (iphone)
Twitter: @OkaWenNF
#DevoreCreekFire #WaWildfire #FireForest

Smoke Outlook for 8/06 - 8/07
Central Washington - Devore Creek Fire
Issued at: 2019-08-06 07:22 PDT

Fire
The Devore Creek Fire grew 4 acres from the last infrared sweep, and is now 193 acres. The fire continues to primarily burn timber litter and dead-and-down. The potential for increased fire behavior remains due to a warming and drying trend in the area.

Smoke
There are no significant smoke impacts at this time. There could be minimal haze impacts from the Williams Flats fire west of Spokane. A warming but stagnant weather pattern is expected in the Lake Chelan area through at least Thursday.

Headlines

...No Significant Smoke Impacts Expected Today...Enjoy the Outdoors...

On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek Trail #1241 are currently closed for public safety. Please see the attached files for the complete order and map.

Fire
The current size of the Devore Creek Fire is 189 acres, primarily burning timber litter and dead-and-down. Little to no significant fire growth is expected today, even though the fire is expected to continue to burn. Fire behavior could slightly increase with a warming trend expected in the Lake Chelan area.

Smoke
A mostly stagnant weather pattern will continue in and around the Lake Chelan area. Light winds mean little to no smoke impacts. Like yesterday, there is a chance for light haze from the Williams Flats fire west of Spokane.

Headlines
...No Smoke Impacts Expected Today...A Great Day to Be on the Lake...

Please see attached pdf file for more information.