Single Publication

Swauk Creek Fire 

September 19, 2024

Estimated size: 348 acres

Containment: 48%

Start Date/Time: 9/8/2024 at 3:54 PM

Area of Origin: Adjacent to Highway 97, 14 miles east of Cle Elum, WA

Cause: Human                                                      

Structures Damaged: 0

Update: Overnight operations had mostly clear skies and cooler conditions for their shift.  Focusing on patrolling and holding the fire line during the night, crews had a unique visibility to be able to see smoldering fuels and hotspots. Crews completed mop up along the perimeter and monitored for hazards such as trees that may fall across it which could cause the fire to escape.

Last night the weather was favorable allowing for a National Infrared Operations (NIROPS) flight which provides infrared detection and mapping of the fire.  These missions are critical in fire suppression efforts and fire intelligence for the incident management team.  Precise and accurate mapping was received from the flight, and in conjunction with work completed by firefighters walking the perimeter, a more accurate account of acreage burned is being reported.  

Today’s weather will bring additional testing of control lines on the fire perimeter as a cold front will be moving in across the fire this afternoon and into the evening bringing variable and gusty winds.  During weather events like these, crews have a high level of awareness for the potential of changes in fire conditions.  Working in their divisions, crews continue to engage in suppression efforts, improving containment lines in preparation for increased winds over the next 24 hours. 

While the interior burn area continues to consume dry and downed fuels, citizens and travelers in local communities and along Highway 97 may continue to see smoke coming from the fire. The fire continues to be fully staffed to monitor and maintain control lines.

Forest Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has area, road, and trail closures due to the Swauk Creek Fire. For a detailed list of closures, including a map of the closure area, please visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=90533.

Road Closures: Highway 97 remains open. Due to the increased flow of fire vehicle traffic traveling in and out of the fire area, we ask that people drive slowly through the area using caution.

Weather: With mostly sunny conditions today, temperatures will range from 68-74 degrees. Relative humidity will range from 30-36% during daytime operations. Winds will stay low this morning but by early afternoon, west to northwest winds will increase bringing a steady flow of 10 to 20 mph with potential gusts up to 27 mph in the evening. Recoveries tonight will not be as good as previous nights though temperatures will cool to 42-47 degrees, becoming mostly clear overnight.

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels remain the same. They were updated as a precaution; there is no immediate residential threat from this fire. Evacuations can be found on the interactive map. Many Forest Service roads are affected in this area; please review the map if you want to know about a specific location/road.

Live map of active fires from Kittitas County:

https://kitcogis.maps.arcgis.com/.../minima.../index.html...

The First Creek area is currently closed to the public.

Notification Level 3 (Go Now) is shown on the map; however, this area has no residential structures.

Notification Level 2 (Get ready)

• Residences east of US 97 north of fire to Liberty Rd
• Forest Service Road 3506 south of fire to Upper Green Canyon Rd

Notification Level 1 (Be Fire Aware)

• The town of Liberty
• All Liberty Rd
• Forest Service Road 9726 and all of its extensions (including Deer Gulch, Pine Gulch, Robinson Gulch, and Harkness Gulch)

Currently, no evacuation notices are issued for residents south of First Creek or west of US Highway 97.

As always, conditions can change quickly; please stay alert and avoid the area if you feel unsafe.

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