Single Publication

Easy Fire Update          
August 21, 2024

Quick Facts

Size: 2,130 acres

Start Date: July 17, 2024           

Location: 17 miles west of Mazama, WA

Containment: 36%

Personnel Assigned: 115

Cause: Lightning

Resources Assigned:  2 crews, 5 engines, 5 water tenders

This will be the final daily fire update on the Easy Fire unless conditions change.

Virtual Community Briefing on Wednesday, August 21, at 5:30 p.m.- on the Pioneer and Easy Fires Information Facebook Page at facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080 Please submit questions in advance to 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov or via Facebook Messenger.   

CURRENT SITUATION: Recent wet weather and cooler temperatures have helped to moderate fire activity on the Easy Fire. Firefighters on the ground, aided by helicopters dropping water from the air, have successfully held the fire within its current footprint over the last several days. Steep, inaccessible terrain and overhead hazards including snags and potential for rolling debris limit firefighters ability to access parts of the fire. Resources have secured areas of the fire along Highway 20 and within Swamp Creek drainage where safe to do so. Where the fire has not reached the highway, the forest along the roadway has been prepared to receive fire by removing heavy concentrations of vegetation to limit fire activity should the fire spread that direction. Natural features on the north and south are also being used to limit fire spread on the Easy Fire.

The Easy Fire will be on the landscape until there is a significant change in the weather pattern like multiple consecutive days of wetting rain that typically signify the wind down of fire season. Visitors to the area will continue to see smoke interior to the fire as heavy fuels continue to burn and smolder. Firefighters will patrol the fire to ensure that any heat stays within the current fire footprint.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES:  Today firefighters will continue using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to search for any residual hot spots. Aided by strategically placed water bucket drops, firefighters will work to extinguish any heat that might contribute to fire spread. Firefighter crews will also continue to coordinate with Washington Department of Transportation to remove debris that resulted from last week’s mudslides and clear ditches along Highway 20. 

WEATHER: Temperatures will be in the 60s to low 70s and there is a 50% chance of rain today.

CLOSURES: Highway 20 is closed in both directions between Granite Creek (Mile Post 148) and Rainy Pass (Mile Post 157): Stay up to date on the closure by checking the Washington Department of Transportation Facebook page for updates and viewing current highway conditions at wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has closures in place for trails within the fire area, for more information visit Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). This closure includes a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail and more information may be found at https://closures.pcta.org. Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_2247.html 

EVACUATIONS:  There are no evacuations in place for the Easy Fire. Anyone recreating in the area should be vigilant of surroundings and stay out of closed areas. 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-easy-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080 

Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: 2024.easy@firenet.gov