Brush Fire on Lake Chelan's North Shore Signals Early Fire Season

Fortunate Outcome to Likely Human Caused Fire

By the LCN Team

Spring breezes contributed to the quick ascent of flames and smoke from a fast-moving brush fire Sunday morning that made its way up the hill from the Manson Highway towards the homes lining Orchard View Drive between the Golf Course and Chelan Hills. A handful of newer homes were fortunate to escape damage.

Initial response to the fire included the stationing of structure protection crews near the homes on Orchard View Drive at the upper portion of the fire. Chelan Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief Mark Donnell told LakeChelanNow that the cause of the 6.6 acre fire has not been officially determined, however a discarded cigarette is one suspected cause.

Donnell says the fire “easily could have been much worse. We were fortunate to get a jump on this”.

There were approximately 35 firefighting personnel and about 20 apparatus assigned to the fire including crews from Chelan Fire and Rescue District 7, Manson District 5, Entiat District 8, Orondo District 4, Douglas/Okanogan County District 15 and the Department of Natural Resources.

Photo courtesy of Taylor Ann Codomo

A DNR helicopter crew making water bucket drops proved to be instrumental in helping contain the east and west flank of the fire. Several of the nearby homes were evacuated for a short time. Highway 150 was closed to traffic in both directions for a period of time with the Chelan County Sheriffs Office assisting with traffic control.

Check out our video below.