DNR Officials Hope to Fully Contain the Fire this Weekend
Information and photos released by DNR and Okanogan County Emergency Management
The haze drifting down into the Lake Chelan Valley yesterday and today is the result of the nearly 300-acre Swanson Mill Fire, burning along O’Neil Road between Tonasket and Oroville. The fire, which is reported to have been sparked by a tractor on Wednesday, is 50 percent contained as of this morning.
A release issued by fire officials indicates, “The hard work and dedication of the members of the local fire districts is particularly noteworthy and greatly appreciated. There remains much to be done to button up this incident and bring it to acceptable turn-back standards.”
The British Columbia Wildfire Service was brought in to assist the Washington Department of Natural Resources and Okanogan County, Tonasket and Oroville firefighters in fighting the fire. BCWS has provided two air tankers to attack the fire from the air. Firefighting crews are hoping to reach full containment this weekend.
