Single Publication

Swauk Creek Fire

September 17, 2024

Estimated size: 331 acres

Containment: 37%

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: Human                                                      

Structures Damaged: 0

Update: Yesterday, crews began a firing operation along the fire's northern flank. Crews spent multiple days preparing fire lines and ensuring the burn area was ready for firing. Around 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon, the weather conditions were favorable, and crews began the firing operation. Overnight, crews staffed the fire, monitoring for any unexpected flare-ups. The firing operation will continue today while crews continue monitoring and working the fire edge. Mop-up has begun around the burnt areas and will continue into the coming days.

Firing operations are being used to safely consume the available fuels ahead of the active fire edge, reducing the potential for negative impacts and resource damage caused by higher-intensity fire. This improves our ability to contain the fire with direct control lines against the fire’s perimeter.

Smoke will remain visible to citizens and travelers in local communities and along Highway 97 during the firing operation. The fire will continue to be fully staffed to monitor and maintain control lines on the northern flank.

Forest Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has area, road, and trail closures due to the Swauk Creek Fire. For a detailed list of closures, including a map of the closure area, please visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=90533.

Road Closures: Highway 97 remains open. Due to the increased flow of fire vehicle traffic traveling in and out of the fire area, we ask that people drive slowly through the area using caution.

Weather: Low pressure dropping down the coast will bring cooler air, moistening humidity trends, and some cloud cover in the afternoon and evening. The chance for showers has decreased. Breezy to gusty northwest winds will be the main impact on the fire. Temperatures will be 67-72 degrees, with sunshine in the morning and increasing clouds in the afternoon and evening. Tonight, temperatures will cool to 46-48 degrees, becoming mostly clear overnight.

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels remain the same. 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.