Good News From The Stormy Creek Fire
Update as of 9:00 am, Wednesday, 7-4-2018
Fire officials report making great progress yesterday and last night on the 85-acre Stormy Creek Fire, located 18 miles northwest of Entiat in an area of steep and rugged terrain. Fire Information Officer Michael J. Krueger says the fire as of Tuesday night was at 50 percent containment and that firefighters are now in full mop up mode. For more details, visit our story here.
Winds are Driving Fire in Remote Area
Update as of 7:00 am, Tuesday, 7-3-2018
Fire officials report a sense of optimism after a quiet night on the Stormy Creek Fire 18 miles northwest of Entiat. Moving into its third day, the size of the fire remains at 80 acres as the hard work of firefighters coupled with a compliant “mother nature” kept the fire from growing overnight.
Fire Information Officer Michael Krueger told LakeChelanNow this morning that “things are looking really good”. Two crews worked last night to completely circle the outside edge of the fire. They will now work from the outside edges in as the middle area of the fire is very hazardous due to high heat and rolling rocks. This area, which was a part of the 1994 Tyee fire, contains a lot of fuel with debris, snags and downed trees. 140 firefighters are currently engaged on the fire which is located on the west side of the Entiat River in steep, rugged and treacherous terrain.
Two helicopters worked the fire yesterday and one is on call for today if needed. Firefighters have also been able to pump water from Tyee Creek. Krueger also notes a favorable weather forecast for today with minimal winds expected and a forecast high temperature of 74 degrees.
There are approximately 61 homes/cabins in the area from Potato Creek Road north to Kelsey Lane. While some homes had earlier been given a Level 2 evacuation notice, officials yesterday lowered the entire area to a Level 1. The cause of the Stormy Creek Fire continues under investigation. Fire officials anticipate another fire briefing around 7:30 p.m. this evening.
There are currently no fire closures — campgrounds, trails, and forest roads are accessible to the public. Contact the Entiat Ranger District at 509-784-4700 for recreation related information. Motorists are encouraged to use caution on Entiat Valley Road due to the presence of firefighting apparatus and personnel.
For more information about the Stormy Creek Fire, check the updates at InciWeb.
Update as of 2:00 pm, Monday, 7-2-2018
A noon briefing on the Stormy Creek Fire was held at the Incident Command Post located at Entiat High School. There were no changes in acres burned, and containment is still listed at 10%. There are approximately 100 personnel on scene including three 20-person hand crews. Two additional hand crews have been ordered. Wind continues to be a major concern, along with an expected warming trend in the next few days.
Noon briefing at the Incident Command Post.
All Level II evacuation notices have been downgraded to Level I.
The Stormy Creek Fire is located within the footprint of the 1994 Tyee Fire and downed trees and snags make difficult and at times dangerous work for the firefighters.
Nolan Brewer, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Wenatchee Office, who was the initial Incident Commander on the Stormy Creek Fire. Lake Chelan Now will post the interview later today. He spent yesterday and overnight on location. The Type III Interagency Team led by Tony Gilmer of the DNR’s Southeast Region has now taken command of fire operations.
Update as of 11:00 am, Monday, 7-2-2018
As of 11:00 am, the fire is reportedly 10% contained, and Robin DiMario, Public Information Officer on the Stormy Creek Fire, stated there was little fire activity overnight last night. All areas that had been under Level II evacuation notice have been lowered to Level I.
The cause of the fire, last listed at 79 acres, is still under investigation. DiMario reports that a Type III Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Tony Gilmore will take over management of the fire this afternoon. The most recent report indicates 100 personnel are on the scene with more firefighters expected to arrive later today.
The video footage below is from Mark Sullivan, and was provided courtesy NCWLife.
Update as of 6:00 am, Monday, 7-2-18.
The Central Washington Interagency Communication Center reports the Stormy Creek Fire, located about 18 miles up the Entiat River, has grown to approximately 79 acres.
A unified command crew fought throughout the night, and report that one flank of the fire is in “pretty good shape” said Jim Duck from CWICC. The firefighters on the ground will be supported with additional resources throughout the day, including numerous aircraft.
According to CWICC, most of the structures are located along the Entitat River. The fire is moving upslope away from the river toward Tyee Ridge. Duck indicated the terrain is “still fairly green” and they feel confident today’s effort will show progress.
Level 2 evacuation notices are in effect for the Riverwood Development and Level 1 notices are in place for both sides of Entiat River Rd from mile post 20 to Potato Creek Road. Chelan County Fire District is asking everyone to avoid the area.
Update as of 8:00 pm, Sunday, 7-1-18 . Reported by Dennis Rahm with photos from Diane Gould
The Central Washington Interagency Communication Center reports the Stormy Creek Fire about 18 miles out of Entiat now stands at 35-plus acres.
The fire started Sunday afternoon on the west side of the Entiat River near Stormy Creek in steep and rugged terrain. Federal and state resources on scene include three hand crews, 4 engines crews, four helicopters and one fixed wing aircraft. The Incident Commander is Nolan Brewer of the Department of Natural Resources.
Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Natural Resources
As of 7:15 p.m. it was reported there were a total of 70-75 personnel on hand, not counting firefighters from several local fire districts. It has also been reported that additional resources are on order and motorists on 97-A near Entiat should use caution when driving in the area. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Reported 5:30 pm, Sunday, 7-1-18
A fast moving brush fire, which DNR has identified as Stormy Creek Fire, located 17 miles up the Entiat River road was first reported at 1:56 this afternoon resulting in a multi-agency response that has involved firefighters from fire districts in Chelan, Manson, Entiat, and Orondo.
Also on scene are personnel from the Forest Service, Chelan County Sheriff’s office and the Department of Natural Resources. It has been reported the fire originated about a quarter of a mile from the nearest structure and about one mile up a driveway from the main road.
Chelan Fire and Rescue Chief Tim Lemon, Manson Fire Chief Arnold Baker and Richard Magnuson of the Sheriff’s Departments Emergency Management Office all report as of 5:30 p.m. this afternoon that information is still sketchy as the remote area where the fire is located has no cell service. It is known that two helicopters were dispatched to assist in firefighting efforts. Officials report five brush trucks and a water tender are among the resources on site. The size and cause of the fire, which is in a sparsely populated area, are unknown at this time.
LakeChelanNow will update this story as more information becomes available. Thank you to our LCN followers who have assisted with information and photos.
