Wildfire
[1/28/20] A local bird is gaining ground after a long-time ranching family takes steps to protect its habitat
The state’s few remaining Greater Sage-Grouse, which are known for the males’ flamboyant mating dance, just got a helping hand in securing their future. Listen to how a family’s five-generation ranch partnered with the Chelan-Douglas Land Trust to make it happen.
[10/3/19] Okanogan Firefighter Succumbs to Injuries Sustained in Spring Coulee Fire
Okanogan County Fire District #3 Media Contact: Maurice Goodall Okanogan County Emergency Management (509) 429-2576 em@co.okanogan.wa.us October 3, 2019 0800 Hours For Immediate Release Okanogan Firefighter Succumbs to Injuries Sustained in Spring Coulee Fire Okanogan, Wash. – Assistant Chief Christian Johnson with Okanogan County Fire District #3 Okanogan, succumbed to his injuries sustained while engaged […]
[9/16/19] Shoofly Fire near Lake Wenatchee
A small wildfire is burning 12 miles west of Lake Wenatchee, about 30 miles northwest of Leavenworth, says the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Forest visitors using Forest Road #6701-500 to access Top Lake Trail #1506 may see smoke from a half-acre lightning caused fire burning nearby. Named the Shoofly Fire, it was ignited earlier this month, […]
[9/3/19] Washington Creek Fire Burns Residence and Vehicles
A three alarm fire yesterday at the 50 block of Washington Creek Road claimed one residence, several vehicles and at least one RV. The fire was reported at 2:28 Monday afternoon and went three alarm by 2:45. There was strong support on the fire with seven brush trucks and five tinders on scene along with […]
[9/3/19] Okanogan Firefighter Airlifted with Burns
Fire broke out in Okanogan County around 4 p.m. Sunday near B&O Road N between Fletcher Loop Road and Spring Coulee Road, severely injuring an Okanogan County Firefighter who suffered second and third degree burns to 50-60% of his body. The injured firefighter was identified as Assistant Chief Christian Johnson of Okanogan County Fire District […]
[8/30/19] Smoldering Fires Remain Active
Hotter and drier weather this week, coupled with a few nights of low relative humidity, resulted in increased fire activity on the wildfires being managed on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Smoke from the 180-acre South Fork Fire, burning in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness about 14 miles northwest of Leavenworth was seen late Wednesday afternoon. The […]
[8/27/19] Prescribed Burns This Fall
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has plans to treat over 11,000 acres of forest lands this fall, from the Canadian border to the Yakima Valley. Firefighters in Central Washington are planning to burn thousands of acres this fall to increase forest health and protect nearby communities, Forest Fire Management Officer Rob Allen said. Excluded from the […]
[8/21/19] DNR Adds Another Huey to Fight Fire
An aircraft nearly 50-years-old is being restored to help fight wildfires in Washington. The State Department of Natural Resources is using one million dollars from the state’s budget to bring the Huey helicopter back to life. The helicopter was first built in 1970 and used in Vietnam. DNR already has nine former Hueys in their […]
[8/19/19] Fire that Burned 45,000 Acres in Mop Up
Crews are starting mop-up on the Williams Flats Fire near the Colville Reservation and Lake Roosevelt, the largest wildfire currently burning in the state. It’s now 85 percent contained at nearly 45,000 acres. Fire managers said firefighters are holding containment lines, watching for unburned pockets in the fire perimeter. About 500 personnel are working the […]
[8/12/19] Colville Indian Reservation Fire Now 62 Square Miles
Firefighters are trying to prevent a fast-growing wildfire from jumping the Columbia River. The fire on the Colville Indian Reservation was likely started by lightning last Friday and has since grown to about 62 square miles. The fire, southeast of the town of Keller, Washington, is moving east and has almost reached the banks of […]