7/22/14 7:45 a.m Carlton Complex East Zone Update

 7/22/14 7:45 a.m Carlton Complex East Zone Update

East Zone Public Meeting to be held at 7:00 PM tonight Malott Grange, 54 B&O Rd. Malott

TOTAL FIRE AREA IS 243,291 ACRES AND IS 16% CONTAINED

This update covers the EAST ZONE of the Carlton Complex. Firefighters are working 24 hours a day to continue to build and maintain line. Yesterday was a good day with all the constructed containment line being held and no additional structures lost. As firefighters continue to work in the Loup Loup drainage Highway 20 remains closed.

Fire crews face difficult challenges working in several steep canyon areas that are heavily forested and covering a long distance fire perimeter. The National Guard Blackhawk helicopters will continue dropping water to assist with establishing and maintaining containment lines.

Firefighter and public safety remain the priority and crews will continue to remain heads up with changing weather conditions. The humidity will be higher today, but winds may be a bit stronger with gusts up to 25 mph.

About the entire Carlton Complex:

Carlton Complex is now the largest fire in Washington State history. There are two Type 2 Incident Management Teams (IMT), one type 1 IMT, and a National Incident Management Organization assigned to this fire. The entire fire has affected 243,291 acres and IMTs have divided it into three zones of manageable size. Incident Management Posts (fire camps) are located in Omak, Winthrop, and Chelan.

Currently there are 2,110 firefighters assigned to the Carlton Complex including 53 fire crews, 134 engines, 12 dozers, and 18 helicopters.

Highway 20 between Twisp and Okanogan is closed to public traffic. For road closure information, contact the Washington Department of Transportation (www.wsdot.com or call 511). For current information on evacuations please contact the Okanogan County Emergency Management Center (509-422-2422; 509-422-2428; 509-422-2408; 509-422-2420 or Okanogan County Sheriff’s Facebook page).