Smoky conditions are expected in the Wenatchee Valley and surrounding communities throughout the weekend. While the smoky conditions are unhealthy for the public and fire fighters, the lack of wind coupled with the smoky conditions has also prevented fire activity from increasing while allowing for burnout activities to be conducted. The smoke has also prevented any air operations from occurring. If the air clears today, the assigned helicopters currently at Pangborn Field will be moved to the Leavenworth area and the Chelan airport. An aggressive air assault will be launched as allowed by good visibility. A weak cold front is predicted to move through the area again today resulting in southwest to west winds with potential gusts of 6 to 12
mph over ridge tops.
An additional camp will be set up today at the Entiat City Park and resources assigned to the First Creek and Byrd fires will work from
there to reduce travel time and increase time on the fire lines.
Canyon Fire, directly west of Wenatchee, continues burning in shrubs and grass and is approximately 7,900 acres. Today firefighters will
continue to clear around homes and hold current lines in Number 2 Canyon. Crews which completed fire lines connecting Number 1 and 2 Canyons allowed for a burnout to start about 2:00 pm on Friday continued through the night. Reports from this morning indicate this
operation was successful. The fire remained above the Gun Club and to the north. Fire suppression objectives are to protect life and
provide structure protection. No structures have been lost on this fire. Evacuation levels will be reassessed this morning and adjusted
as necessary. This fire is considered to be 25% contained.
Byrd Canyon Fire, is approximately 13,900 acres, and is located just north of Entiat, Washington. The fire is burning in grass and shrub
land. The burnout was completed and fire lines are holding with no movement overnight. Crews today will reinforce fire lines and continue mop up around structures. This fire is considered 45% contained.
The Peavine Canyon Fire, located southwest of Wenatchee in upper Mission Creek/Devils Gulch, is burning in shrub and pine forest and is approximately 4,600 acres. Crews scouted and prepared control lines in the Liberty Beehive area. Firefighters overnight completed a burnout operation along the USFS 9712 Road and in the Beehive Mountain area. There was increased fire activity within the Devils Gulch area within the fire perimeter in the afternoon. Crews will continue with control line construction to keep the fire out of Pitcher Canyon. This fire is considered 5% contained.
The Poison Canyon Fire, located south of Cashmere, is burning in shrub and pine. It is approximately 2,500 acres. Today, crews will work on constructing containment lines on the western and northwest flanks in order to keep the fire out of Brisky, Brender and Tripp Canyons to the north and west of the current fire perimeter. Overnight crews patrolled and provided structure protection. This fire is considered 10% contained.
The First Creek Fire, located 10 miles west of Lake Chelan, is approximately 1,300 acres. It is burning in very difficult and steep
terrain. Today, additional resources are assigned to continue line construction started on Slide Ridge and develop a structure protection
plan for the area. A Level 3 evacuation remains in place for First Creek and Granite Falls Creek. This fire is considered 5% contained.
The Pyramid and Klone Fires, north of Entiat are approximately 260 and 50 acres respectfully. These fires are burning in timber that was
impacted severely by disease and insects. Friday these fires experienced increased fire behavior and a plan has been developed to
begin suppression efforts as resources become available.
As a reminder, the area is extremely dry and conditions are set for rapid fire growth on existing and new fire starts. All outdoor burning
is restricted and campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds on State and Federal Lands. Hunters and recreationists are asked to be aware of and conform to fire restrictions in place.
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