7-25-14 9:30 AM Carlton Complex East Zone Update

This Update Covers the Carlton Complex’s EAST ZONE

On the East Zone, the Sullivan Creek and Loup Loup drainages are the areas of greatest potential for fire growth as the weather changes and humidity drops.

Yesterday’s Accomplishments: Firefighters have established solid line in many parts of the East Zone, including the area between Malott and the mouth of the Okanogan River. Few hot spots remain along this line, and engine crews continue to monitor it. 

On the east side of Fox Mountain, fire lines are established and crews are extinguishing hot spots up to 150 feet from the exterior lines. Crews used information gathered from hand-held heat detectors to locate and suppress hot spots within 300 feet around homes in this area, and pump sites and hose lines are being installed to help them extinguish hot spots along mopped-up sections of line.

Today’s Activities: As fire crews continue reinforcing containment lines, a helicopter with infrared equipment will fly over the northern perimeter of the fire today to search for hot spots. The objective today is to complete fire line and have at least 50 feet inside the line that is secure; this will be a challenge in the difficult terrain.

Recovery: An Emergency Operations Center has been established at Okanogan High School to coordinate community recovery activities; the center hosted its first public meeting Thursday night. An all-hazards team from Pierce County is assisting Okanogan County with the recovery, including removal of dead livestock, distribution of donations to displaced residents and advising residents about flood insurance, water purification and land rehabilitation. The EOC can be reached at 509-422-2422, 509-422-2428 or 509-422-2420.

Safety Awareness: Fire-related traffic remains heavy on Highway 20, and drivers should take extra precautions on local roads and highways. Communities along Highway 20 remain in Evacuation Level 2, as fire behavior might change with warmer and drier weather. For updated road conditions, contact the Washington Department of Transportation (www.wsdot.com or call 511).

Carlton Complex Overview: Three incident management teams and a National Incident Management Organization remain in place. The fire is divided into three management zones, with incident camps at Omak, Winthrop and Chelan. About 900 firefighters are assigned to the East Zone of the fire.

The fire acreage is 250,489 acres with 55 percent containment. Today, 2,943 personnel are assigned, including 78 crews, 190 engines, 19 dozers and 16 helicopters.  Air tankers are available, if needed.