Two Small Brush Fires Contained Quickly – Community Urged to Use Caution

Update from Chelan Fire & Rescue: 4/4/19

Yesterday at 2:55pm Chelan Fire & Rescue crews were dispatched to a reported brush fire in the area of Chelan Ranch Road and Purtteman Gulch Road.  Arriving crews found a fully engulfed chicken coop threatening adjacent structures with fire that had spread into approximately 2 acres of grass and brush behind the residence on Whitetail Lane.  Chelan Fire & Rescue called for a second alarm with notification to CWICC due to the rapid fire spread that was driven by 10 mph winds.  A third alarm was called when the fire threatened nearby structures and the eastern fire spread had moved towards Union Valley.

This early season fire was eventually brought under control by Chelan Fire & Rescue with mutual aid assistance from Chelan County Fire District 5 (Manson), Chelan County Fire District 8 (Entiat), Douglas County Fire District 4 (Orondo), US Forestry Service, Department of Natural Resources, and Chelan County Sheriff.  Total size for this fire was estimated at 7.5 acres with the only structure loss being the chicken coop.  Cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.

Chelan Fire & Rescue would like to remind all Fire District residents that the 2019 fire season has started early and we expect a busier than normal fire season due to the low moisture snow pack and the drier than normal grass and shrubs.

Original Story: 4/3/19 by Dennis Rahm

Two small brush fires fanned up Wednesday afternoon in the Lake Chelan Valley. Both were extinguished after a quick response from Chelan Fire and Rescue as well as surrounding fire districts and the Department of Natural Resources.

The first fire occurred in the Purtteman Gulch/Boyd Road area on Whitetail Way. The fire apparently started behind a home in the area and was called in about 2:53 pm. Initially 6 homes were issued a Level 1 notification which was later lifted as the fire was being mopped up.

A second fire in the Union Valley area was reported 5:49 pm. The fire was small in size and was able to be contained quickly by firefighters.