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 White River and Irving Peak Fires Update for September 2, 2022. Lightning started the White River and Irving Peak Fires on August 11. The fires are burning on the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest, northwest of Plain, WA. \
Suppression Strategy – Fire managers are refining a long-term strategy including the use of primary and contingency perimeter lines for containment. Tactics include completion and reinforcement of fire lines (roads and hand line). Smoke could be visible for the near future.
Operations – Today’s hot, dry, and windy weather will be a test on the work completed so far to contain the fires. It’s anticipated the weather, along with terrain alignment, could result in a very active fire day with visible smoke columns.
White River Fire Acres: 1,194; 1% contained Location: Sears Creek area of the White River drainage, approximately 14 miles NW of Plain, WA.
Yesterday, the White River Fire remained active along the west edge and the fire burned over the top of Wenatchee Ridge. Crews worked to remove flammable materials from around a remote automated weather station (RAWS) and a University of Washington seismic monitor. On the southeast perimeter, firefighters completed indirect hand line from spur road 111 into the green meadow using these natural wet features as a containment line. Today, firefighters will remain ready to respond to initial attack on any new fire starts while back hauling unused equipment, and monitoring the fire for increased activity.
White River Fire Acres: 1,194; 1% contained Location: Sears Creek area of the White River drainage, approximately 14 miles NW of Plain, WA.
Yesterday, the White River Fire remained active along the west edge and the fire burned over the top of Wenatchee Ridge. Crews worked to remove flammable materials from around a remote automated weather station (RAWS) and a University of Washington seismic monitor. On the southeast perimeter, firefighters completed indirect hand line from spur road 111 into the green meadow using these natural wet features as a containment line. Today, firefighters will remain ready to respond to initial attack on any new fire starts while back hauling unused equipment, and monitoring the fire for increased activity.
Irving Peak Fire Acres: 2,381; 2% contained Location: Approximately 16 miles NW of Plain, WA
Yesterday, firefighters worked to complete the burnout operations on a portion of the southwest perimeter bringing fire down to the prepared containment line along Forest Service Road (FSR) 6504 to FSR 200 removing fuels to secure the edge of the fire. Masticating and chipping along spur road 200 to the 311 isongoing. Today, firefighters will focus on the clean-up of any pockets of unburned fuels remaining from yesterday’s burn-out operations and continue road prep work.
Weather and Fire Behavior – A Heat Advisory has been issued for the area. Today’s forecasted combination of additional atmospheric instability, 95-degree temperatures, low relative humidity near 15%, and southeast winds with gusts to 20 mph have the potential to create active fire behavior.
Air quality and smoke outlook - Smoke levels in the Lake Wenatchee area have a high probability to increase throughout the day. The current smoke outlook, along with information about air quality health recommendations during smoky conditions, is available at: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/84d849be and at Washington Smoke Blog https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Closures – Several road and area closures are in place for the safety of firefighters and the public. Fire managers are asking people to please respect these closures while recreating in the area. An emergency closure, issued by the Forest Service, remains in place for the Little Wenatchee Road (Forest Service Road [FSR] 65) to include the section between the National Forest boundary and the junction of FSR 65 and FSR 6700. For additional information about current closures, please visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - Home (usda.gov).
Restrictions - Campfires are not allowed anywhere within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Stage 2 Restrictions are now in effect for the entire forest, including campgrounds and wilderness areas: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053600
Evacuations- Current Chelan County evacuation levels include a Level 2 evacuation (Be Prepared) for Sears Creek Road and Level 1 (Stay Alert) for White River Road and Little Wenatchee Road. https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/emergency-management/pages/active-emergencies
Recreation impacts- In addition to the Forest closure and fire restrictions, fire officials recommend avoiding recreating in the Little Wenatchee and White River Road (FS Roads 6500 and 6400) areas. Smoke is visible from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT remains open and is not directly impacted by the fires. However, the Little Wenatchee Ford and White River Trailheads are closed and cannot be used to access the PCT. The Buck Creek-Spider Meadow Loop is open and accessible, but smoke and nearby fire activity may impact the area.
Safety message – Increased visitor activity is expected beginning today with the holiday week-end approaching. The public is asked to please watch out for firefighters and firefighting vehicle traffic in the area. Are you pulling a trailer or boat this holiday weekend? With the low humidity and high temperatures, a small spark from a dragging safety chain can quickly create a large fire. Please be responsible and take a moment to check your tow chains.