As of 6 p.m.:
At least five more fires were reported today in the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, bringing the total to nearly 40.
An early morning lightning storm passed through the
Wenatchee Valley today, leaving a trail of small spot fires on the Okanagon-Wenatchee National Forest.
Two new fires were confirmed near the Tronsen Ridge/Sheep Rock area. Both fires are an acre in size, with rappellers and smokejumpers responding to the remote, steep terrain.
Crews continue to search for smokes from today’s storm.
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to continue for the next several days, as a weak cold front moves through the area. Heavy rains are expected to accompany the storms.
One of the largest fires in the Wenatchee Valley is the Devil’s Gulch Fire, located six miles southwest of Wenatchee. A recent estimate puts the blaze at 35 acres.
Today was the first day that firefighter crews were able to begin constructing fire line in that steep and heavily timbered area. Three helicopters dropped water on the fire as well.
People are asked to avoid using roads and trails in the following areas: Mission Creek, Sand Creek, Devils Gulch, Beehive Reservoir, Liberty-Beehive Road and Tronsen Ridge.
Forest Service Road No. 9712 is closed to public access.
Late this afternoon, crews were responding to fires in Yaksum and Nahahum Canyons near Cashmere.
Helicopters, air tankers, and crews from local fire districts and the Forest Service pitched in fighting the blaze, last estimated to be 500 acres.
A Level 3 evacuation was issued for 25 homes in upper Nahahum Canyon, which means they’re strongly urged to leave immediately. Others are under the least severe Level 1 evacuation warning.
The Tripp Fire, burning on state protected lands three miles southwest of Cashmere, is about 70 acres in size.
Residents of Tripp Canyon are still on a Level 2 evacuation notice.
A Type 2 Incident Management Team will take over suppression actions of the Wenatchee River Complex tomorrow morning.
Additional small fires continue to be spotted as reconnaissance continues. Torrential rains associated with the storm helped douse many of the small fires.
Occasional smoke can be seen rising from the Swakane Fire near Entiat, thanks to hot and dry weather.
The fire is still nearly 19,300 acres.
Incident Commander Michelle Ellis says a perimeter line is established around the fire, but there is active burning of downed logs, snags, and stumps.
Fire personnel continue to patrol on a daily basis.
Firefighters are still unable to access the steep drainages deep within the fire parameters because of hazardous conditions.
Although the fire is showing very little smoke, it is expected that the fire will not be controlled until significant precipitation falls.
Management of the fire will change on Wednesday.
A smaller team will take over, with two engines and a 20-person hand crew assigned to the fire.
Road access into the fire area continues to be closed for both public and firefighter safety.
Closures include: Swakane Road from Highway 97A to Nahahum Saddle, Burch Mountain Road from the end of the pavement, Mills Canyon at Old Camp Road out of the Entiat Valley, and at the Mills/Dinkelman Junction below the Entiat Ridge and Summit Road.
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