USDA Forest Service News:
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Fire Update
Forest Service News Release
Media Contact:
Robin DeMario, 509-664-9292
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Fire Update
Wenatchee, WA (August 2, 2022) — Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest firefighters, along with interagency personnel, have responded to seven wildfires since July 25. Most of these fires were small in size averaging 1/10 acre. Following is a brief synopsis of each fire.
- Morse Creek Fire (started on July 30), is now estimated at 21 acres. The fire is burning 40 miles northwest of Naches, WA. The fire is 40% contained and stayed within its footprint overnight; firefighters are continuing to mop-up and secure firelines. The cause is undetermined.
- Soda Springs Fire (started on August 1), is small, about 1/10 of an acre, and is located 1.5 miles north of Soda Spring Campground (29 miles northwest of Naches, WA) adjacent to the Bumping River. This lightning-caused holdover fire was *contained on August 1 and rappellers assigned to the fire will be hiking out this evening. The fire will be called out once firefighters leave the incident.
- Nile Creek Fire, which started on July 30 as a result of a vehicle fire, is 1/10 acre and has been declared out. The fire was 10 miles northwest of Naches, WA.
- Mineral Fire (started on August 1), is 1/10 acre, and is located in between Keechelus and Kachess Lakes on the Cle Elum Ranger District. This human-caused fire is contained and **controlled, and in patrol status.
- North Scatter Fire (started on July 30) is 1/10 acre. It is contained and controlled, and now in patrol status. Cause–escaped campfire.
- Cooper Pass Fire (started on July 27) is 1/10 acre and near Cooper Lake on the Cle Elum Ranger District, approximately 20 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA. The fire is contained and controlled. Cause–escaped campfire.
- Fortune Creek Fire (started on July 25), is 1/10 mile and the cause is undetermined. The fire, located 21 miles northwest of Cle Elum, is contained and controlled and in patrol status.
The majority of these fires were human caused with just one lightning caused and two undetermined cause fires. Campfire restrictions are in effect across the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. We can’t stress this enough–please make sure that all campfires are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving a campsite.
There is a Red Flag warning out today due to breezy and gusty winds; little or no precipitation is expected through the week and conditions will be unseasonably dry. The combination of dry conditions, warm temperatures, and gusty afternoon and early evening winds will increase the risk for rapidly spreading wildfires with any new ignitions.
You can help by continuing to do your part to reduce the risk of human-caused fires and following campfire restrictions: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053600
* Containment is the status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.
** A control line, also referred to as a containment line, is an inclusive term for all constructed or natural barriers and treated fire edges used to control a fire.
