Cedar/Delancy 7/25
Video Briefing...
https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires202 ... 4851475667
Morning Update
July 25, 2021
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Fire Information Line - Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires: 509-557-0740 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)
Winthrop, WA — Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in very steep and rocky terrain in heavy down fuels.
Cedar Creek Fire: Fire is currently estimated at 24,647 acres and 11% contained. Firefighters have solidified the eastern portion of the line between Looney Creek and Badger Creek continuing to mop-up and patrol. Between Boulder Creek and Falls Creek, the fire is backing downslope where resources are holding the containment line. Last night, the fire burned actively between Falls Creek and Wolf Creek reaching containment lines along the 5005 Road where firefighters currently are holding the line.
Yesterday, resources prepared dozer line from Wolf Creek to Forest Service Road 4410 continuing up Thompson Ridge. Today, crews will continue with proposed handline following the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness boundary with the support of aerial resources. Fire managers are also preparing contingency line south of the fire along the 4410 and 4415 Roads.
On the western perimeter, fire continues to slowly back down avalanche chutes along the Silver Star drainage. Fireline along State Route 20 between Silver Star Creek and Early Winters Campground has backed down to the road where firefighters continue to monitor the fire’s edge. Fire between Cedar Creek and Looney Creek is slowly progressing downslope where firefighters are securing the line as fire reaches the base of Sandy Butte ridgeline.
The current strategy is to construct containment lines in areas with a high probability of success. The objective is to keep the fire in the higher elevations above the valley and away from values at risk.
Delancy Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with decreased smoke and movement over the past couple days. The fire is expected to continue to creep and smolder in steep, rocky, sparsely vegetated terrain. Fire managers are evaluating values and risks. Containment opportunities are being actively scouted on the east side up Lost River Road. The fire is being monitored by aircraft. The estimated size of this fire is approximately 223 acres.
Resources for additional information:
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires2021
Inciweb:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7655/
Smoke Blog:
https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Email:
2021.cedarcreek@firenet.gov
Highway Information:
https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/traffical ... fault.aspx
Evacuations:
https://www.okanogancounty.org/.../emer ... /index.php
Methow Conservancy (Wildfire Preparedness):
https://methowconservancy.org/discover/ ... ecovery%20
Wildfire Ready Neighbors (House Assessments):
https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/
Resources: Total personnel - 520: 2 - type 1 hotshot crews 1- type 2 IA crew, 5 - type 2 hand crews, 2 - camp crews, 4 - type 1 (heavy) helicopters, 1 - type 2 helicopter, 2 - type 3 helicopter, 36 - engines, 5 - dozers, 17 - water tenders,1 - masticator, 2 - skidgens, and 148 overhead.
Closures:
For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting these fires, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been placed over the area. Please consult the “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) for specifics. Wildfires are a “No Drone Zone” and any drones sighting in a TFR will immediately ground aerial firefighting resources and delay suppression actions.
State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway) remains closed at milepost 185 (7 miles west of Winthrop) to milepost 165 to all traffic due to fire activity.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented a Fire Emergency Area Closure as of July 15, 2021. The Closure includes facilities, roads, and trails. The Closure may be viewed in its entirety at the “Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021” Facebook page.
The Forest Service Fire Emergency Area Closure is separate from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) closure of portions of State Route 20 and may change or be lifted at different times depending on operational needs. WSDOT is working closely with the Forest Service and Okanogan County to identify where fire activity and firefighting operations warrant closure.
Evacuation Information: The Okanogan County Emergency Management (OCEM) continues to reevaluate evacuation levels. For the most up to date evacuation levels see the OCEM’s website above. Residents entering Evacuation Level 3 areas need to slow down and watch for firefighters and equipment in roadways.
Weather: Warm temperatures will continue, with upslope/upvalley winds in the morning. Wind will become northwesterly during the afternoon, slightly increased from yesterday gusting to around 20 mph during the afternoon and evening. Smoke will still persist through much of the day. There are indications that dryness above the ridges will increase overnight Monday. Maximum temperatures 80-88 valleys and 75-80 ridges. Relative humidity will be 18-23 percent valleys and 23-28 percent ridges.
Air Quality: Slope and valley winds will prevail over the fire area today with west winds on ridges in the afternoon. Air quality in Mazama will improve with the west winds. Smoke around the fire area should lift by noon. Smoke from Canada will impact communities in the Okanogan Valley in the morning with down-valley winds in Oroville and Tonasket. Air quality improvements from Pateros north through the Okanogan Valley should start mid-morning. Upper Methow Valley smoke impacts could decrease Sunday with W/SW winds and more instability.
Fire Restrictions: Campfire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are prohibited throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, including developed campgrounds and congressionally designated Wilderness — call local ranger district offices for more information.
https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq
This incident is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team 8.
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