Firefighters responding to 8 small fires ignited in the area
LCN will update this story as we receive new information. Photo above by Jenna Rahm.
The summer storm that blew through Washington last evening and into Wednesday morning produced a mixture of weather including thunder, lightning, rainbows, brilliant cloud formations, and gusty winds. It ignited several small fires and has put the entire area on alert for sparks that might be smoldering out of sight waiting for an opportunity to flame.
Fire officials remind the public to immediately call 9-1-1 if you think you see smoke – even if you aren’t sure what you are seeing. “We would rather respond to a false alarm than allow a fire to go unnoticed.”
As reported by the National Weather Service: Lightning, and lots of it!
Here are 24 hour lightning count maps ending 5 am this morning. The map domain chosen indicates 3,499 Cloud to Ground strikes, and 28,630 Cloud Flashes!
As reported by the U.S. Forest Service, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
“Lightning/Wildfire Update: As of 4pm Tuesday, July 23, 2019, crews are responding to 8 wildfires from 15 smoke reports in Chelan County. All of these naturally ignited wildfires are currently under .25 acres in size with most being a tenth of an acre or single tree ignitions.
Our firefighters will closely monitor public lands near communities as well as in back-country and Wilderness areas as some strikes may not become visible for several days. Each and every new wildfire will be evaluated for the right response, at the right time, in the right place.”
Fire Related Resources:
