7/23/14 900 am Cartlon Zone Morning Update

Carlton Zone Fire Update

                                                                 July 23, 2014  -  9:00 AM

** NEW PRIMARY FIRE INFORMATION CALL CENTER PHONES (7 AM – 8 PM):

            (509) 664-9353 or (509) 664-9277

SECONDARY FIRE INFORMATION

Cell: (360) 688-0560 or (360) 688-0148 (accessible from cell phones or numbers outside the area)

Landlines: (509) 996-9971 or (509) 996-3568 (only accessible from phones with a 996 or 997 prefix – persons calling from cell phones or a long distance number cannot reach these phones)

Email:  carltoncomplexfire@gmail.com

Media briefings held daily at 11:00 AM at the Carlton Zone ICP located at the Liberty Bell High School south of Winthrop.

Community Meeting at 6:00 PM Wednesday, July 23 at The Barn in Winthrop.

Safety Message: The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Flash Flood Watch for a portion of North Central Washington. The Flood Watch covers the Eastern Slopes of the Northern Cascades, the Western edge of the Okanogan Valley and the Wenatchee area.  This Flood Watch will be in effect on July 23 from the morning until the evening.  A Flood Watch is issued when conditions are favorable for a specific hazardous weather event to occur. It does not mean flooding will happen, but it is possible.  Emergency responders and residents need to be aware of this potential.

There is a strong potential for heavy rains on July 23.  Meteorologists anticipate up to a half an inch in the higher elevations, accompanied with winds and possibly hail.  However, this will be followed by hot and dry weather, with temps getting into the low 90’s.  Firefighters will remain vigilant with suppression activities at the Carlton Complex and staffing levels will not decrease due to weather.

The Carlton Complex has disrupted telephone communications.  Cellular phone service has been intermittent and is not operating at 100%.  This disruption, combined with the increase in cell activity, has stressed the repeater towers.  It is advised that citizens in the affected area limit their cellular activity during daytime hours so that the lines are available for emergency traffic.

As well, the 911 system has been overtaxed with heavy phone traffic.  Please limit 911 calls for actual emergencies; questions about utilities, fire information, road closures and evacuations levels can be addressed by calling other numbers.  For a listing of these numbers please contact Carlton Complex Fire Information at (509) 664-9353 or (509) 664-9277.

The Washington National Guard will be in the community today, providing wellness checks to affected residents.  They will be traveling in military Humvees and will distribute sundry items such as food and water to those in need. 

Fire Operations: Yesterday’s day shift crews continued to secure perimeter lines, strengthening fire line along the western edge between Winthrop and Twisp.  The Libby/Gold Creek area continues to be an area of concern and staffing in the area remains heavy as crews continue constructing direct line and providing point protection.  The fire remains south of Libby Creek.  Though containment percentage is still 16%, crews have added depth to existing containment lines and will continue to do so.  A burnout operation around the Pearrygin Lake area on the north side of the fire was cancelled due to unfavorable weather conditions.   Attempts will be made later in the week to complete this operation and updates will be provided.  When this occurs, residents can expect to see increased smoke conditions at the north end of the fire.

Tuesday night shift crews picked up where the day shift left off, securing line and providing point protection where needed.

The Carlton Complex has been divided into three management zones.  One Incident Management Team is based in Winthrop, one in Omak, and one in Chelan, respectively. The three areas are called the Carlton Zone, the Carlton East Zone, and the Carlton South Zone.

A Fire Information Call Center for all three zones of the Carlton Complex is open in Wenatchee from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM; the Center numbers are (509) 664-9353 or 664-9277. The Center was opened to provide additional information because the Fire Information Office telephones in Winthrop are working intermittently. Fire information for all three zones of the Carlton Complex will be posted on the websites listed above.

Highway Closures: High Road closures may be in effect and closures can change quickly due to the dynamic fire situation.  Contact the “511” automated Washington Department of Transportation Travel Information line for updated information, or call (509) 667-2802.

With the dynamic fire situation, information on specific evacuation areas can change quickly.  Up to date information should be obtained from the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office or Emergency Services at (509) 422-2422, (509) 422-2428, (509) 422-2448, or (509) 422-2420. Information is also available on the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Facebook.

Several evacuations have occurred and continue.  There is a Red Cross Shelter at the Fellowship Church in Omak.  Displaced public can make contact with the Omak Red Cross Shelter at (509) 663-3907.  Additional shelters are open at The Barn in Winthrop, the Chelan High School, and at the Brewster High School.

Forest Service Area Closures:  All USFS land south of the Twisp River Rd. and the #37 Rd are closed.  This includes the entire Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness on both the Methow and Chelan sides of the ridge, with the exception of the Lakeside Trail near Chelan.  Also included is the South Summit area of the Methow Ranger District.