UPDATES: Fire Burning Near Fields Point on Lake Chelan

12:30 PM UPDATE from Chelan County Emergency Management-

Chelan, WA – The Fields Point Fire was reported this morning at 5:00 a.m. July 20, and is estimated to be over 60 acres. The fire started west of Fields Point Landing on the South Lakeshore Rd, and the cause is under investigation. The fire is burning on national forest, county managed and some private land.

Fields Point Landing remains open for access to the Lady of the Lake ferry service.

The fire is being managed under unified command by Incident Commander Rob Kephart with resources from Chelan County Fire District 7, DNR, and the Forest Service.

Partial Road Closure: One lane has closed on the South Lakeshore Road near the incident; access is being coordinated with fire resources, watch for flagger controlling traffic. Anticipate fire traffic when traveling around this area. Please limit travel though this area and be aware of increased traffic from fire fighting vehicles. DO NOT SLOW OR STOP on roadway or shoulders!

Evacuation Advisories: A level 2 fire advisory notification is in effect for residences between milepost 6 and 7 on the South Lakeshore Road. Chelan County Sheriff’s Department has issued Level 2 notifications indicate those residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

Fire management agencies are currently monitoring the fire movement and will advise if evacuation levels need to be upgraded. If Level 3 evacuation notifications become necessary, the Chelan County Sheriff will notify residents.

Fire Activity: The fire continues to burn slowly in dry grass and scattered timber; the steep terrain has potential to make the response by ground crew challenging. Air support through use of helicopters and retardant planes have been effective on slowing fire spread, while hand crews construct line around the fire.

There are approximately 100 firefighting personnel on scene, 3 initial attack crews, 3 type III engines, 7 brush trucks, 2 air tankers, 1 helicopter, various overhead are working on this fire. Additional resources have been requested.

Fire is burning in the 2015 First Creek Fire burn scar with the sparse amounts of heavy fuels (trees, down logs) the fire activity is slow and smoldering.

• Public safety and the safety of firefighters is crucial. Firefighters will be moving equipment and personnel throughout the area. Travelers should use extra caution when traveling around on the South Lakeshore Rd near mile post 6 – 8.

11:15 AM UPDATE

The fire near Fields Point on Lake Chelan's South Lakeshore Drive has grown to between 60 and 70 acres in the latest reports according to Jim Duck, manager at Central Washington Interagency Communications Center Dispatch.  The fire is just uplake from Fields Point "We have numerous aircraft trying to slow the spread upslope and we have groudcrews working their way up the flanks"

Duck described the terrain as steep, rugged access for the ground crews but "they seemed to be making progress with the aid of the aircraft"

The fire was reported just before 5:30am near South Lakeshore Road. The Sheriff's Office lists Level 2 evacuation notices for 2 mile perimeter around the location of the fire at MP 7  One lane is open on South Lakeshore road for people meeting Lady of the Lake arrivals at Fields Point.

10:00 a.m. UPDATE: The Fields Point Fire is 50 acres in size burning in grass, brush and timber near milepost 7 of South Lakeshore Road. Crews from Department of Natural Resources and the Forest Service are assisting local fire districts with the fire both on the ground and in the air including two helicopters and a tanker plane. Level 2 evacuations remain in effect for a 2-mile radius around milepost 7.

The earlier fire on Navarre Coulee Road was in mopup mode about an hour to an hour and a half after it was reported.

The Original Story:

Fire crews are battling a five acre and doing structure protection near Fields Point on South Lakeshore Road at MP 7  The fire was reported near the road about 4:25am.  The Chelan County Sheriff's Office lists Level 2 evacuation notices for 2 mile perimeter around the location of the fire.  Homes east of the fire near MP 6 have also been notified.

The fire is being fought with ground crews and air support.

There is access to Fields Point Landing with one lane 1 lane open on South Lakeshore Road around MP 7 for people needing to reach arrivals or departures of The Lady of the Lake.