Single Publication

Swauk Creek Fire

September 14, 2024

Estimated size: 335 acres

Containment: 14%

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: Yesterday crews made great progress on the fire lines and improved containment. They were able to strengthen up the southern edge of the fire perimeter with solid containment lines and put in work on the north and eastern flanks. Overnight the fire did not experience any growth and remained within the perimeter while crews continue their vigilant watch over the fire. Crews will continue monitoring the fire during evening hours to ensure nothing spots outside of the fire lines.

Today crews will be working on the fire perimeter and improving containment lines. Dozers and masticators continue improving and opening areas around the perimeter and containment lines. Outer contingency lines are also being worked on and placed for protection should unfavorable or unexpected weather pattern impact the fire.

Crews are preparing for an upcoming firing operation.  This will bring the edge of the fire up to the control line on the northern portion of the fire. This tactic will allow crews to remove dense fuels near fire lines and fuels that may be hazardous to safety or firefighting operations. During these controlled burning operations, smoke will likely be visible from Highway 97 and surrounding communities.

This type of fire suppression tactic safely consumes the available fuels ahead of an active fire edge while reducing the potential for negative impacts and resource damage caused by higher-intensity fire. The primary purpose for a firing operation in this area of the fire is due to the steep terrain where the fuel and the fire continue to smolder. The firing area is difficult for ground crews to access to construct direct fire lines. Without removing the dense, unburned materials there is a higher likelihood that the fire could grow large in a rapid pace and overrun the current fire lines.

The structure protection group will continue working on property identification and evaluation ensuring homes and other buildings are identified and we are aware of their presence. The structure groups will also be assigned as structure protection during the firing operations to ensure no embers or other hazards from the burn threaten homes or structures.

Road Closures: Highway 97 remains open. Please use caution when traveling through the area. There is a heavy flow of fire vehicle traffic traveling in and out of the fire area.

Evacuation Levels: There are no changes to the evacuation levels. 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.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A weak disturbance will move across the area today bringing some light showers with dry weather is anticipated for tomorrow. The disturbance today will bring gusty winds, especially in the afternoon and evening with calmer winds on Sunday. Today’s temperatures are anticipated to be highs of 63-66 degrees and lows of 43-46 degrees.