Single Publication

Swauk Creek Fire Update

Incident Commander: Leonard Johnson
Fire Information Phone: 509-210-2928
Email: 2024.swaukcreek@firenet.gov
Facebook: Swauk Creek Fire Information
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-swauk-creek

September 10, 2024

Estimated size: 200 acres 
Containment: 0%
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: Vehicle Fire/Under Investigation                   
Structures Damaged: 0

Update: Southeast Washington IMT Team 2 took over management of the Swauk Creek Fire yesterday, September 9, 2024, at 8:00 PM. As more crews continue to arrive, local crews have been released home to rest and return back to their normal shifts. Some of the new crews will be assigned to dayshift while others will be assigned to work the nightshift. More resources have been ordered and are expected to arrive over the next few days.

Air resources will continue to drop water and retardant on the fire to help slow forward progression. Crews will be identifying existing roads and trails that can be used as fire line. In other areas, handlines or dozer lines will be used. In areas where the terrain is too steep for firefighters to safely engage the fire, they will prepare line at a safe distance and allow the fire to slowly backdown to that new line affectively stopping forward spread of the fire.

Evacuation Levels: Deer Gulch in the Liberty area is under a Level 2 advisement. Liberty area and Harkness Road is under a Level 1 notice.

Level 1 “GET READY” Be aware of the danger in your area and start preparing for possible evacuation. Monitor local media and check on neighbors. If you do not already have an evacuation plan or a Go! kit, assemble these now. Conditions can change suddenly, and you may not receive a Level 2 "Be Set” warning before you are ordered to Level 3 “Go!” Prepare both the inside and outside of your home for fire. Leave if you feel unsafe -- do not wait for an official evacuation order.

Level 2 “GET SET” Be prepared for sudden or short-notice evacuation. People who need help or more time to evacuate -- such as people with disabilities, people with small children, people with medical conditions, and people with large animals -- should evacuate now. Ensure your evacuation plan checklist is complete and your Go! kit is in your vehicle. Stay informed and be aware of alerts from local law enforcement and fire departments. Always remember to leave if you feel unsafe, do not wait for an official evacuation order.

Level 3 “GO NOW” Go now! Danger in your area is current or imminent and you should evacuate immediately. Follow directions from law enforcement or fire departments and do not return home until officials have determined it is safe. Notification it is safe to return home will be given as soon as possible.

Road Closures: Highway 97 will be restricted to one lane of travel with a pilot car for today. Please be patient as there may be delays due to active fire in this area and heavy fire equipment traffic.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today expect temperatures in the low to mid-70s with some haze throughout the day. Winds from the west at 5 to 8 mph with ridgetop winds reaching up to 10 mph. Tonight temperatures should be upper 40s to lower 50s with northwest winds remaining around 5 to 8 mph.

Smoke: There are no current air quality alerts for Kittitas County. Communities close to active wildfires could see air quality worsen as the fire and wind conditions change. Dry and windy conditions could lead to rapid fire spread; please continue to recreate responsibly as any fire starts could spread quickly. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com)

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