Wildfire Update/Lake Chelan Area: Air, ground resources to assess options on Devore Creek Fire
July 27, 2019 - 9:00am

• Acres: 100
• Personnel: 30
• Location: 3 miles southwest of Stehekin, Washington
• Cost: Unknown
• Start Date: July 23, 2019
• Cause: Lightning
• Completion: 0%

Due to the fire’s location in extreme terrain above 8,000 feet in heavy timber, fire managers will focus on limiting fire spread toward the community of Stehekin, Washington. Today ground based firefighters will hike into the Stehekin River Trail area to scout the condition of the community protection line established in 2015 on the southwestern edge of the community. If high winds allow, air resources ordered yesterday evening will provide aerial support, including bucket drops to cool hot spots.

Prevailing winds from the west should help limit fire spread toward this community and will likely push the fire east towards Castle Rock. Firefighters observed no new growth overnight and the fire remains three miles from the community. The naturally ignited fire is entirely within the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Evacuations: None.

Closures: The Devore Creek Trail #1244 and Company Creek Trail #1243 are currently closed for public safety.

Smoke: Smoke may be highly visible from Chelan and Winthrop. Air quality is currently ‘good’ for area smoke monitors. For more information on smoke and your health, please visit: wasmoke.blogspot.com

Fire Information:
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463
Text Message: follow_okawennf to 40404 (iphone)
Facebook: facebook.com/OkaWenNF
Twitter: twitter.com/OkaWenNF

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Wildfire Update/Lake Chelan Area: Minimal new fire growth; winds likely to push fire east

July 29, 2019 - 10:00am

• Acres: 150
• Personnel: 45
• Location: 3 air miles southwest of Stehekin, Washington
• Cost: $84,000.00 • Start Date: July 23, 2019
• Cause: Lightning
• Completion: No estimate at this time

Current Activity: On Sunday an additional 20-person crew arrived to bolster efforts to reopen the historical community protection line on the southwestern edge of the community of Stehekin. With calmer winds, fire managers were able to fly over the fire where they observed low-intensity smoldering and creeping fire behavior.
On Monday winds are expected to be light to moderate and will likely push any new fire growth to the east towards Castle Rock. Ground crews will continue to improve the protection line. Due to the extreme terrain, firefighter safety, and lack of roads or other natural holding features, some portions of this fire will likely continue to grow in the fire-adapted landscape of the North Cascades. This naturally ignited fire is burning entirely within the Glacier Peak Wilderness at an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Evacuations: None.

Closures: The Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek #1241 are currently closed for public safety.

Smoke: Crews reported clear skies in Stehekin and air quality remained ‘Good’ throughout the day on Sunday in the Chelan area. For more information on smoke and your health, please visit: wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m

Other: An information meeting is currently being planned for the community of Stehekin. All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses remain open, please consider supporting local tourism.

Fire Information:
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463
Text Message: follow_okawennf to 40404 (iphone)
Facebook: facebook.com/OkaWenNF
Twitter: twitter.com/OkaWenNF
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Wildfire Update/Lake Chelan Area: Firefighters reopening community protection line; additional resources arrive

July 28, 2019 - 10:00am

• Acres: 120
• Personnel: 45
• Location: 3 air miles southwest of Stehekin, Washington
• Cost: $200,000.00 • Start Date: July 23, 2019
• Cause: Lightning
• Completion: No estimate at this time

Current Activity: On Saturday a hotshot crew arrived by boat to begin reopening a community protection line built in 2015 on the southwestern edge of the community of Stehekin. While prevailing winds in the area are most likely to push any new fire growth east towards Castle Rock, fire managers are still preparing this additional public safety measure should conditions change. Due to high winds, air resources were unable to safely fly.
On Sunday, ground based firefighters will continue to scout and improve the historical protection line. If winds allow, air resources will continue to monitor fire behavior and spread. However due to the extreme terrain, firefighter safety, and lack of roads or other natural holding features, some portions of this fire will likely continue to grow in the fire-adapted landscape of the North Cascades. This naturally ignited fire is burning entirely within the Glacier Peak Wilderness at an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Evacuations: None.

Closures: The Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek are currently closed for public safety.

Smoke: Air quality remained ‘Good’ throughout the day on Saturday in the Chelan area. For more information on smoke and your health, please visit: wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m.

Other: An information meeting is currently being planned for the community of Stehekin. All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses remain open, please consider supporting local tourism.

Fire Information:
Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463
Text Message: follow_okawennf to 40404 (iphone)
Facebook: facebook.com/OkaWenNF
Twitter: twitter.com/OkaWenNF
#DevoreCreekFire #WaWildfire #FireForest
Chelan County Emergency Management

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Wildfire Update/Lake Chelan Area: No new fire growth; team arrives for long-term strategy

July 30, 2019 - 8:00am

Acres: 150

Location: 3 air miles southwest of Stehekin, Washington

Completion: Season ending weather event Cost: $110,000.00 Cause: Lightning Start Date: July 23, 2019 Personnel: 55

Current Activity: Fire managers were able to fly over the fire on Monday where they once again observed minimal fire activity and no new growth. However, there is still active fire in the area and over the coming days, ground crews will continue to improve the existing protection line as a preparedness measure. An incident management team will take over command of the fire on Wednesday July 31, 2019 to develop a long-term strategy for the Devore Creek Fire. Due to firefighter safety in extreme elevation and the limited effectiveness of water drops in heavy timber, there is the potential for some fire to remain on the landscape until a season ending rain or snow event.

This naturally ignited fire is burning entirely within the Glacier Peak Wilderness at an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Evacuations: None.

Closures: The Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek Trail #2141 are currently closed for public safety.
Smoke Information: Crews reported a third day of clear skies in Stehekin and air quality remained ‘Good’ throughout the day on Monday in the Chelan area. For more information on smoke and your health visit wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m.

Other: An information meeting is currently being planned for the community of Stehekin. All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses remain open, please consider supporting local tourism.

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6463
Facebook: @OkaWenNF
Text Message: follow okawennf to 40404 (iphone)
Twitter: @OkaWenNF
#DevoreCreekFire #WaWildfire #FireForest

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Incident management team personnel flew over the fire yesterday where they observed active fire in unburned pockets of vegetation within the fire’s perimeter. Increased fire activity is primarily in drainages with steep slopes and dense fuels. Minimal perimeter growth occurred yesterday. Today the Phoenix National Incident Management Organization, a Type 1 Incident Management Team, took command of the fire. Handcrews have completed 2.5 miles of saw work and brush clearance to improve the community protection line, located west of the community of Stehekin. Crews are working to finish strengthening an additional mile of line in this area. This naturally ignited fire is burning entirely within the Glacier Peak Wilderness at an elevation of 5,700 – 6,800 feet.

Evacuations: None.

Closures: The Devore Creek Trail #1244, Company Creek Trail #1243, and Ten Mile Creek Trail #2141 are currently closed for public safety. Smoke Information: Crews reported some visible smoke from the fire. However, air quality remained ‘Good’ throughout the day yesterday in the Stehekin and Chelan area. For more information on smoke and your health visit wasmoke.blogspot.com or en Espanol tinyurl.com/yanjrv7m.

Other: A community meeting will be held at the Stehekin Community Center at 5:30 PM this evening. All Chelan and Stehekin area businesses remain open, please consider supporting local tourism.

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

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News Release July 28th, 2019 10:00 AM

FINAL RELEASE

Cheney, WA – Full containment has been achieved and the final shift under the Type 3 Incident Management Team is scheduled to end this afternoon. Local authorities will continue to patrol all four fires for the next several days. The fire management transition to the local districts for patrol of the area is scheduled to occur at 4 p.m. today.

The Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 wishes to express our sincere appreciation for the support given to our efforts by the community of Cheney and surrounding areas.

News Release July 27th, 2019 8:00 PM

Cheney, WA – Despite challenging weather conditions today, firefighters made excellent progress on all four fires. Their work today brought total containment to 90%. This afternoon some crews began the process of being demobilized off the fire lines and are now available to be reassigned to another incident and or return to their home unit. Fire mangers expect to be able to turn all the Cheney Area Fires back to the local jurisdictions early tomorrow afternoon.

All evacuation orders have been lifted. Motorists are reminded to exercise caution when driving in the area of the fires and be mindful of firefighters working in the area.

Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team is assisting with four separate fires in the Cheney area including the Graham Fire, the Grogan Fire, the Lake Badger Fire, and the Badger fire.

News Release July 27th, 2019 8:00 AM

Cheney, WA – With a change in weather today firefighters are on a heightened state of alert due to red flag conditions. Crews will be working on all four fires today as well as keeping their equipment available to assist if any new fires start in our immediate area. Infrared heat detection equipment will be out on the fire line today to assist in locating any additional areas of concern. All evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and use extreme caution outdoors. Fire managers continue to pay close attention to weather conditions around the region and will have crews available to assist the local jurisdictions with any new fires in the area. Motorists heading out for the weekend are reminded to exercise caution when driving in the area of the fires and be mindful of firefighters working in the area. Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team is assisting with four separate fires in the Cheney area including the Graham Fire, the Grogan Fire, the Lake Badger Fire, and the Badger fire.

News Release July 26th, 2019 7:30 PM

Cheney, WA – Firefighters made excellent progress today in anticipation of the forecasted increase in winds tonight and tomorrow. Mop up of hot spots was a priority today on all four fires. Infrared heat detection equipment arrived this afternoon and was immediately deployed to begin looking for any additional areas around the fires that crews should focus on. This equipment is an important tool to help identify areas that may pose a risk in the future.

All evacuation orders have been lifted. Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and use extreme caution outdoors. Fire managers continue to pay close attention to weather conditions around the region and will have crews available to assist the local jurisdictions with any new fires in the area.

Motorists heading out for the weekend are reminded to exercise caution when driving in the area of the fires and be mindful of firefighters working in the area.

Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team is assisting with four separate fires in the Cheney area including the Graham Fire, the Grogan Fire, the Lake Badger Fire, and the Badger fire.

News Release July 26th, 2019

Cheney, WA – There are four separate fires in the Cheney area including the Graham Fire, the Grogan Fire, the Lake Badger Fire, and the Badger fire.

Crews have accurately measured the footprints of the four fires and sized them at 171 total combined acres

At this point we have attained 20% containment of the fires and we expect that to increase significantly over the next couple days. Last night there was a burnout operation on the Graham fire which went well. There are no other burnout operations planned on any of the fires. All fires in the complex have been 100% lined. That means that hand or dozer lines are in place and crews will begin moving toward the interior of the fires 100 feet from the perimeters checking for heat and ensuring there is no possible chance of fire spread. Infrared devices will then be used to ensure that any heat detected can be addressed. Evacuation Level 1 remains in effect for the six residents south of SR904 near the Graham fire. All other evacuation orders have been lifted. With warmer temperatures and winds expected to pick up later this evening, we will be closely monitoring the situation.

Motorists heading out for the weekend are reminded to exercise caution when driving in the area of the fires and be mindful of firefighters working in the area.