Firefighters working overnight made significant progress conducting burn-out operations in the vicinity of Wannacut Lake and around Palmer Lake lodge. Today crews will focus on mopping-up hot spots and structure protection while reinforcing and improving fire lines. More burn-out operations may happen, but this will be dependent on favorable weather conditions and wind direction. This afternoon, a cold front is forecast to arrive over the fire bringing strong wind gusts up to 40 mph, challenging the strength of fire lines. National Guard helicopters will continue to support the fire with water drops.

All previous evacuation levels remain in place

Level 3 Evacuations (leave immediately): 
 -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.-Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville Road

Level 2 Evacuations (be ready to leave)
 -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road
 
Our highest priority is the safety of the public and all wildland fire personnel. To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe during the Palmer Fire, all fire personnel are expected to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes COVID-19 specific recommendations like social distancing, use of face masks, and limiting public access to the Incident Command Post (ICP).

Residents under evacuation are being notified by the Okanogen Country Sheriff’s Department. Evacuation levels may quickly expand. Leave immediately if you see fire in the area. Do not wait for an evacuation notice. You may contact the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 for assistance if you have evacuated your home. For information on livestock evacuations, please contact Roger Sawyer at 509-429-8036. 
 
Public use restrictions take effect today and all campfires and shooting of firearms are prohibited. Please visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/districts/NEWICC/index.html

Fire at a Glance
Size:  11,190
Containment: 0%
Location: 7 miles SW of Oroville, WA
Cause: Unknown
Total Assigned Personnel: 398
 
Assigned Resources
Type 1 Crews - 4
Type 2 Crews – 7
Helicopters – 3
Engines – 24
Water Tenders – 11
Dozers –  8
 
Closures: -Wannacut Lake Rd. at Ellemeham Mountain Rd
-Ellis Barns Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd
-Blue Lake Rd. at Lake Front Rd
-Washburn Lake Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.
-Ellemeham Mtn Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.
-Loomis-Oroville Rd. from Toats Coulee to Chopaka Rd.
 
FIRE INFORMATION:509-808-6720
Staffed 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
 
Email: 2020.palmer@firenet.gov
 
InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/
 

Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/20/20
 
A Type 2 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon assumed command of the Palmer Fire at 6:00 PM this evening. The incident command post is based at Tonasket.Firefighting efforts will operate around the clock. The fire burned actively last night as shifting winds pushed the fire north to Bullfrog Mountain. Throughout today, initial attack continued on the ground in conjunction with air support. Firefighters focused active suppression along the west side of Wannacut Lake, north of Loomis and in the Palmer Lake area. Structure crews are engaged in structure protection along South Palmer Lake and around Bull Frog Mountain.

Level 3 Evacuations (leave immediately):  -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.-Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville RoadLevel 2 Evacuations (be ready to leave): -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road

Residents under evacuation are being notified by the Okanogen Country Sheriff’s Department. Evacuation levels may quickly expand. Leave immediately if you see fire in the area. Do not wait for an evacuation notice. You may contact the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 for assistance if you have evacuated your home. For information on livestock evacuations, please contact Roger Sawyer at 509-429-8036. 

Expect increased fire vehicle traffic on roads in the vicinity of Loomis, Tonasket and Oroville.  Be cautious while driving in the area.

Fire at a Glance
Size:  11,191
Containment: 0%
Location: 7 miles SW of Oroville, WA
Cause: Unknown
Total Assigned Personnel: 398
Assigned Resources:Type 1 Crews - 4Type 2 Crews – 7Engines – 24Water Tenders – 11Dozers –  8
Closures: -Wannacut Lake Rd. at Ellemeham Mountain Rd.-Ellis Barns Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd.-Blue Lake Rd. at Lake Front Rd.-Washburn Lake Rd. at Loomis-Oroville Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.-Ellemeham Mtn Rd. to Ellis Barnes Rd.-Loomis-Oroville Rd. from Toats Coulee to Chopaka Rd.
FIRE INFORMATION:509-808-6720Staffed 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM
InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7029/
 

 

 Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/19/20
 
 Activities:  The Palmer Fire started on August 18th, 2020.  The fire quickly spread north with extreme fire behavior and was reported spotting ¼ to ½ mile away.  The fire quickly progressed north, then shifting winds in the afternoon transitioned the fire east.  The fire is primarily moving north.  A rough estimate is the fire burned 5,000 or more acres. District firefighters, DNR, BLM and others responded to the fire and worked in tandem with air resources primarily in structure protection and to slow the progression of the fire. 

• Wannacut Lake Road at Ellemeham Mountain Road
• Blue Lake Road at Lake Front Road
• Washburn Lake Road at Loomis-Oroville Road to Ellis Barnes Road
• Ellemeham Mountain Road to Ellis Barnes Road

Level 3 IMMEDIATE EVACUATIONToats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville Road.Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action NOW.Persons should evacuate away from the fire towards Loomis or Nighthawk.https://arcg.is/151TvO1 If shelter is needed call the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 and they will assist you.2020-08-19 9:39 PM

Lost Oak Fire: 375 acres, 100% contained
Location: Approximately 8 miles east of Johnson City

The Lost Oak Fire is 375 acres and 100% contained. This fire has been transferred to local resources to monitor.

Lost Oak Fire: 375 acres, 75% contained
Location: Approximately 8 miles east of Johnson City

Local resources monitored the burn area last night. Texas A&M Forest Service resources are on scene. Minimal fire behavior observed at this time. There is some juniper duff under trees smoldering. Ground resources are currently engaged in improving containment lines as well as mop up and patrol of hot spots. 

Fire Weather: Temperatures will reach 100 degrees with minimum relative humidity in the mid to upper 20s. Light southerly winds at 4-7 mph are expected through the afternoon.

Lost Oak Fire: 375 acres, 70% contained
Location: Approximately 11 miles east of Johnson City

Today, dozer and engine crews made progress building and improving containment lines and aerial resources were utilized. There are still pockets of heat in the interior. Tomorrow, ground resources will return to continue containment and mop up operations. 

Lost Oak Fire: estimated 150 acres, 40% contained
Location: Approximately 11 miles east of Johnson City

Local resources monitored the fire last night. Texas A&M Forest Service resources are on scene. Minimal fire behavior observed at this time. Dozer and engine crews are currently engaged in constructing containment lines. Aerial resources have been requested. A Temporary Flight Restriction has been requested for the area. 

Fire Weather: Temperatures will reach 100 degrees with minimum relative humidity dropping to 19 degrees. Today's east winds are expected to stay around 6 mph or less and trend out of the south east later today. 

 This page will not longer be updated as the Bear Fire is part of the North Complex. Information for this fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6997/