Regional fire update August 11, 2024

information released

Lightning storms on August 9th ignited many fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Most of the fires are small, less than a tenth of an acre, the largest fires are approximately 5-10 acres in size and are burning on the Cle Elum Ranger District.

With over 700 lightning strikes from the storm front occurring in Washington state, there may be more fires that have not yet been detected. Aerial observation aircraft will be flying over the forest in coming days looking for new fires.

Following is a list of recent lightning-caused fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Cle Elum Ranger District

  • Daniel Ridge Fire is a tenth of an acre, smokejumpers are assigned to the fire.
  • Cherry Garcia Fire is a tenth of an acre and is contained.
  • Waptus Fire is 1 acre and is contained.
  • Davis Peak Fire is 1 acre, rappelers are assigned to the fire.
  • Three Lakes Fire is a tenth of an acre; resources have not yet been assigned to the fire.
  • Skeeter Creek Fire is a tenth of an acre and is contained.
  • Stave Creek Fire is estimated to be 5 to 10 acres and is located16 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA, just a couple miles southwest of Owhi Campground. Crews are making progress with construction of direct fireline at the fire’s edge. Resources at the fire include three hand crews and four scoopers.
  • Thomas Mountain Fire is estimated at 5 to 10 acres and is burning in steep, inaccessible terrain on Thomas Mountain 12 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA. Rappellers and a hotshot crew have been inserted into the fire. Helicopters were able to check the western spread of the fire on Saturday. There has been minimal perimeter growth over the last 24 hours.

Wenatchee River Ranger District

  • Little Wenatchee Fire is about 2-3 acres and is located 21 miles northwest of Plain, WA.
  • Tip Top Mountain Fire is a tenth of an acre; it is contained and in patrol status.
  • Black Pine Fire is three quarters of an acre and is located 2 miles west of Black Pine Horse Camp and 15 miles west of Leavenworth, WA. Rappelers are assigned to the fire.
  • Incident #590 is a third of an acre and is located in between Mount David and Mount Mastiff on 150-200% cliffy slope. Due to its location, crews are unable to staff the fire. Helicopter crews reported that it is smoldering with a little bit of smoke.
  • Lichtenwasser Lake Fire is a tenth of an acre and is 100 percent lined.

Chelan Ranger District

  • A 2-acre fire is burning in the Safety Harbor area approximately 23 miles northwest of Chelan, WA. Initial attack crews from the Pioneer Fire are working on this fire.

Naches Ranger District

  • Cub Creek Fire is a tenth of an acre, it is contained and controlled

Methow Valley Ranger District

  • Fox Peak Fire is a tenth of an acre; it is contained and controlled.
  • Lookout Fire is a tenth of an acre and has been called out.

A fire is considered contained when a control line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fires spread.

Recreationists are reminded that forest-wide campfire restrictions are in effect. Please be very careful with any activity that might cause a spark which could ignite a wildfire. Firefighting resources are stretched thin due to the many wildfires burning throughout the west. Please do not add any human-caused wildfires to the mix.

Recreationists are urged to keep away from aerial resources, such as helicopters and scoopers, utilizing local lakes and rivers as a water source for firefighting suppression efforts.