30 mile-per-hour wind drives flames in fire near Orondo
information released
Three dwellings burned in a wind driven fire located at the Sun Cove Community in Orondo. The fire was reported just after 5 pm Sunday. Residents of the fire origin smelled smoke and found fire burning under their permanently installed travel trailer. Driven by 30 mile per hour winds, the fire quickly spread to a shed, fence and then a neighboring travel trailer and dwelling.
First arriving units seven minutes into the call found the travel trailers and home fulling engulfed in flames with a fourth residence on fire with a hedgerow of arborvitaes burning as well as a vinyl fence and the outside of the dwelling. The first incoming engines where able to knock the fire down on the fourth dwelling and then concentrate on the initial areas of fire.
The two travel trailers and one dwelling were a total loss. The fourth dwelling suffered outside damage and smoke to the interior of the house. There were no human injuries, however two rescue cats are feared lost in the fire.
This fire occurred during a fire weather watch. Simultaneously a three alarm wildland fire was burning in Wenatchee and a motor home fire was occurring in Chelan. All fires were adequately staffed due to the mutual aid agreement between all fire departments in Chelan and Douglas Counties.
There were 18 first responders on scene from Orondo Fire, Chelan Fire 7, Douglas County Sheriff and LCH EMS. Additional units from several other fire departments were cancelled enroute once the fire was brought under control so they could respond to other incidents.
The community of Sun Cove installed a water tank and fire hydrants several years ago. These hydrants provided a water supply adequate for the firefighters to stop the spread of fire that in high wind conditions could have spread to dozens of houses.
Homeowners and communities are encouraged to install fire hydrants and water supply to aid firefighting and reduce insurance rates.
