FINAL Fire Update 8-28-14

TWISP, WA: The Upper Falls, Little Bridge Creek, and Carlton Complex Fires are all at 100% containment. Fire crews are finishing all suppression repair work within the burn areas and then fires will all go into a monitoring status. The incident command center located on the Twisp-Carlton Road will begin to be disassembled and removed over the weekend into early next week.

This is the final fire update for all three fires. Information boards have been removed from the communities of Twisp, Carlton, Winthrop, and Mazama.

Inciweb, the Google Blog Site, and the Google e-mail lists used during the incident will no longer be active or updated. For continuing questions, please contact the Methow Valley Forest Service Ranger District in Winthrop at (509) 996-4003 or go to their website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen   

With Labor Day Weekend fast approaching, there are key pieces of information that will be useful to those planning trips to National Forest Lands in Okanogan County.

Campfires are allowed in developed fire pits in the designated campgrounds and in the Pasayten and Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness areas.

Campsite number three in Foggy Dew campground is closed because of concerns about flooding and debris flows.  The remaining 11 campsites in Foggy Dew Campground are open.

There are still some road and area closures associated with this summer’s fires and the recent flooding.  The South Summit area, south of Highway 20, remains closed.  The area around Falls Creek Road is closed, as is the area around Little Bridge Creek Road.  Finley Road #4100300 and Pole Pick Mountain Roads #4100500 and 4100535 are impassable.

The Incident Management Teams and Firefighters involved would like to thank the local communities that were impacted, for their patience and support during the suppression of the Carlton Complex, Uppers Falls, and Little Bridge Creek Fires.

Post Clean-Up and Recovery Helpful Links

The Okanogan Conservation District: www.okanogancd.org/Carlton

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/#actualContent.

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/

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Fire Update 8-27-14

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

TWISP, WA:  High pressure in the area continues a warming and drying trend. Above normal temperatures expected through Thursday. Smoldering in the heavy dead and down fuels is still a possibility as things dry out in all three burn areas. Crews continue to backhaul excess equipment and complete suppression repair work.

On yesterday (8/26), a Type 2 Initial Attack Crew, the local district engine, and two Type 3 Helicopters responded to a report of fire near Doe Creek. The fire grew to approximately 1/10^th of an acre but was quickly contained by the Initial Attack crews. No structures were threatened.

The Upper Falls, Little Bridge Creek, and Carlton Complex Fires are all at 100% containment as of Monday (8/25).

For updated information on area and road closures throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest impacted by the fires, please visit the forest website for details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen

Approximately 187 fire personnel still remain assigned to the three fires. Demobilization will continue and crews will be heading back to their home units. All initial attack responses are being handled by the Methow Valley Ranger District.

Clean-Up and Recovery Efforts

The Okanogan Conservation District is working with local, state, and federal agencies to seek funding to assist landowners who need post-fire help to restore forest and pastures and to reduce the risk of flash flood damage. For more information go to:

www.okanogancd.org/Carlton

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, which responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. For more information, please go to: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/#actualContent.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team to analyze post-fire conditions of burned watersheds and to plan emergency stabilization treatments for the Carlton Complex and other Central Washington Wildfires. For more information and to stay updated on efforts regarding post-fire efforts, please go to:

http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/

Email Address:          upperfallslittlebridgefire@gmail.com

Wildfire blog:            upperfallslittlebridgefire.blogspot.com

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Fire Update 8-26-14

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

TWISP, WA:  A high pressure building over all three fires will continue to result in a gradual warming and drying trend. This is expected to last until the end of the week. High winds are predicted for Thursday and Friday over the fire areas. With this increase in temperatures, interior smoke from smoldering in heavy timber and brush may be seen from the fire areas as things dry out. Crews continue to mop-up and complete suppression repair work.

The Upper Falls, Little Bridge Creek, and Carlton Complex Fires are all at 100% containment as of yesterday (8/25).

Clean-up and recovery efforts are being coordinated on the local, state, and federal levels. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program, which responds to emergencies created by natural disasters. For more information on how landowners impacted by these fires can possibly be eligible for financial and technical assistance, please go to http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/#actualContent.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team to analyze post-fire conditions of burned watersheds and to plan emergency stabilization treatments for the Carlton Complex and other Central Washington Wildfires. For more information and to stay updated on efforts regarding post-fire efforts, please go to http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/

The Methow Valley Ranger District has re-opened the entire West Chewuch Road. FS Road #51 is re-opened from Eight Mile Ranch to the end of the road at the 30 Mile Trailhead. The Eight Mile #5130 is now open from the intersection at West Chewuch Road to the intersection at Ortell Creek Road #5220. The remainder of the Eight Mile Road north of the intersection will remain closed. The Billygoat Trailheads are not accessible. The portion of FS Road #4410 that goes over Thompson Ridge from Thompson Pass to Twisp River is now open. FS Road #4415, Little Bridge Creek, remains closed. See the forest website for details of closures: http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen

There is a Forest Closure for areas surrounding the Carlton Complex. This order closes Road 41 from Hwy 20 to the intersection at FS Road #4150. FS Road #4150 is also closed from Benson Creek on National Forest Lands to Road 41. See the forest website for details of closures: http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen

Approximately 173 fire personnel still remain assigned to the three fires. Demobilization will continue and crews will be heading back to their home units.

Email Address:          upperfallslittlebridgefire@gmail.com

Wildfire blog:            upperfallslittlebridgefire.blogspot.com

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Fire Update 8-25-14

Monday, August 25, 2014

TWISP, WA:  Today, a Type 3 Team led by Incident Commander Aaron Thompson took over all three fires from Beth Lund’s Type 1 National Incident Team. IC Thompson will oversee all crews still assigned to the incident. Suppression repair work will continue on all three fire burn areas. Partly cloudy skies and warmer temperatures with a slight chance of showers should allow for crews to be very productive today. A warming and drying trend is expected to begin on Tuesday.

Fire activity on the Upper Falls Fire is limited to smoldering in the heavy dead and down fuels. Containment is now at 100%. Resources will continue to complete suppression repair work today.

The Little Bridge Creek Fire is now at 100% containment. Fire activity is limited to smoldering. Much of the Forest closures associated within the Little Bridge Creek Fire have been lifted.

Fire suppression repair will remain the focus on the Carlton Complex. Containment for the complex is at 100%.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessment team to analyze post-fire conditions of burned watersheds and to plan emergency stabilization treatments for the Carlton Complex and other Central Washington Wildfires. For more information and to stay updated on efforts regarding post-fire efforts, please go to http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/

The Methow Valley Ranger District has re-opened the entire West Chewuch Road. FS Road #51 is re-opened from Eight Mile Ranch to the end of the road at the 30 Mile Trailhead. The Eight Mile #5130 is now open from the intersection at West Chewuch Road to the intersection at Ortell Creek Road #5220. The remainder of the Eight Mile Road north of the intersection will remain closed. The Billygoat Trailheads are not accessible. The portion of FS Road #4410 that goes over Thompson Ridge from Thompson Pass to Twisp River is now open. FS Road #4415, Little Bridge Creek, remains closed. See the forest website for details of closures: http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen

There is a Forest Closure back in place for areas surrounding the Carlton Complex. This order closes Road 41 from Hwy 20 to the intersection at FS Road #4150. FS Road #4150 is also closed from Benson Creek on National Forest Lands to Road 41. See the forest website for details of closures: http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen

Approximately 317 fire personnel still remain assigned to the three fires. Demobilization will continue and crews will be heading back to their home units.

Email Address:          upperfallslittlebridgefire@gmail.com

Facebook:                  Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1

Wildfire blog:            upperfallslittlebridgefire.blogspot.com

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Fire Update 8-24-14

TWISP, WA:  Slow-moving thunderstorms are predicted today over both the fire camp and all three fire burn areas. Heavy rain producing localized flash flooding on burn areas, gusty outflow winds, and frequent lightning are possible.

Fire activity on the Upper Falls Fire is limited to smoldering in the heavy dead and down fuels. Containment is at 94%. Resources will continue to complete suppression repair work as well today. No increase in burned acreage.

The Little Bridge Creek Fire is now at 86% containment. Much of the Forest closures associated within the Little Bridge Creek Fire have been lifted. See the forest website for details of closures.

 http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen.

Fire suppression repair will remain the focus on the Carlton Complex. Containment for the complex is at 100%.

At the end of shift today, all three fires will be turned over to a Type 3 Incident Command Team.

Approximately 405 fire personnel still remain assigned to the three fires. However, large scale demobilization is continuing and crews will be heading back to their home units.

Email Address:          upperfallslittlebridgefire@gmail.com

Facebook:                  Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1

Wildfire blog:            upperfallslittlebridgefire.blogspot.com

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Fire Update 8/23/14

TWISP, WA:  Scattered showers and thunderstorms were predicted through Friday evening with the potential for additional flash flooding. Luckily, storms skirted around the locations of the fires and fire camp, giving personnel time to regroup and focus on mop up operations, suppression repair work and cleaning up fire camp. Saturday is predicted to see a return of drier and warmer conditions. Fire fighters will take advantage of the drying out and continue to mop-up, chip along contingent lines, and back haul equipment off the Upper Falls and Little Bridge Creek fires.

Fire suppression repair will remain the focus on the Carlton Complex. Much of the Forest closures associated within the Little Bridge Creek Fire have been lifted. See the forest website for details of closures. http://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen

Crews did initial attack one small single tree fire started by lightning. The fire was quickly suppressed.

Approximately 500 fire personnel still remain assigned to the three fires. However, large scale demobilization is in process and crews will be heading back to their home units.

Email Address:          upperfallslittlebridgefire@gmail.com

Facebook:                  Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1

Wildfire blog:            upperfallslittlebridgefire.blogspot.com

Flash Flooding Impacts Fire Camp, Operations

Friday, August 22, 2014

509-997-0878 or 509-997-0880

TWISP, WA:  Heavy rains and strong winds affected operations on the Little Bridge Creek and Carlton Complex fires Thursday evening, causing flash flooding on the Carlton Complex and throughout the incident command post and fire camp located on the Twisp-Carlton Road. All personnel are safe and will be staying at the Incident Command Post (ICP) until we can determine the best course of action for the day. As several of the command post yurts flooded, personnel are setting up new work space for the team.

Last night while returning to ICP, one firefighter’s vehicle was swept off the road, trapping him temporarily in his vehicle until he was able to self-extricate. He remained stranded on the opposite side of Benson Creek from the rest of the fire crew on his division for approximately an hour. Two operations supervisors worked to find a safe place for him to cross, while also helping two citizens get to higher ground. Debris flows impacted several roads in the area. As of Friday morning Hwy. 20 was closed from Twisp to Okanogan and Hwy. 153 was closed from Twisp to Carlton.

Approximately 500 fire personnel remain assigned to the three fires. About 100 personnel working on the Upper Falls Fire 17 miles north of Winthrop are staying in a spike camp off Eight Mile Road, which was  unaffected by flash flooding. Those crews are back out working on the Upper Falls Fire. Line supervisors are assessing the Little Bridge Fire area to determine if it is safe for firefighters return to today. Crews assigned to the Carlton Complex will be staying in camp, helping to clean up and repair damage to the ICP.

Friday’s weather is forecast to be similar to yesterdays, with thunderstorms developing this afternoon that could include heavy rains and strong winds again. Fire personnel are drying out their tents and preparing for additional rain.

Email Address:          upperfallslittlebridgefire@gmail.com

Facebook:                  Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1

Wildfire blog: upperfallslittlebridgefire.blogspot.com

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