Single Publication

Acres: 50                                                                                                                                                          

Location: 36 air miles northwest of Entiat, WA                          

Fuels/Topography: heavy dead and down timber, rugged terrain                                                                             

Yesterday (June 13): Smokejumpers responded within an hour to a wildfire first reported by a hiker in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on the morning of June 13th. Throughout the day on Friday, a helicopter and two scooper planes worked continuously to limit new growth on the Pomas Fire. Inaccessible by road, the fire is burning midslope at over 5,000 feet in elevation in heavy dead and down timber from the 2015 Wolverine Fire. While there has been no lightning in the area since late-May, it is not unusual for a strike to smolder for weeks, only becoming visible when the right combination of wind, sun, and drying happens.  

“This weekend smokejumpers are going to continue firefighting efforts on the ground with heavy backup from air support,” said Holly Krake, Entiat-Chelan District Ranger for the Forest Service. “Our goal is to corral this thing as safely and quickly as we can.” 

Today (June 14): Firefighters will continue actively suppressing the fire as well as scouting for natural containment lines, such as rock avalanche chutes, that could be effective at stopping new growth. Up to four scoopers will be working the fire, primarily dipping out of Lake Chelan though they may use the Columbia River if needed. A helicopter will also be dipping out of the local Fern and Mrytle Lakes for targeted bucket drops. Steep terrain will likely limit the ability of air tanker pilots to safely fly the fire area even if retardant were effective in dense timber where typically little, if any, retardant reaches the ground.

“Central Washington is 30 to 45 days head of normal for how hot and dry it is,” added Krake. “While air and ground resources are working as hard as they can to catch the fire in these first few hours and days, the Pomas Fire may be here for a while.” 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Holden and Lake Chelan areas as well as the Trinity/Chiwawa area. For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Closures: Mrytle Lake is still accessible. However, backcountry rangers have signed trails limiting access to Fern Lake, Larch Lakes, and further up the Entiat River trail in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. 

Evacuations: None, there are no structures or homes threatened at this time.