7/20/14 12:30 PM Carlton Complex - East (Omak) Update

7/20/14 11:00 am Carlton Complex - East  (Omak) Update

Washington State Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Bruce Holloway is managing the East Zone of the Carlton Complex out of Omak, Washington.

Omak--- This update covers the southeastern area of the  fire from Highway 20 at Loup Loup Pass over to Highway 97 then south to the junction of highways 97 and 17, involving the communities of Omak, Okanogan and Malott.

Firefighters are working hard to take advantage of today’s predicted quieter winds to help them get the remaining portions of the fire lined. They are focusing near homes and communities where needed.

FIRE TEAM SETS PUBLIC MEETING AT OMAK HIGH SCHOOL TONIGHT 7 PM 

Washington State Incident Management Team 3 will be holding a public meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Omak High School gym. Representatives from the fire team will provide information on current fire status and expected fire behavior.

Yesterday evening a bulldozer accidentally rolled off steep fireline on the southeastern part of the fire.  The dozer operator had only minor injuries.

Firefighters continue to arrive in Omak adding to about 300 already working on the southeast portion of the fire complex. The Omak Stampede grounds are covered with firefighters‘ tents and contractors are on scene with showers, food, and toilets.  The fire’s air attack is being supported from the North Cascades Smokejumper Base in the Methow Valley.

Community Emergency Response Teams are working with the Okanogan County Sherriff’s office to make an accurate assessment of the number of homes burned.  Early estimates set the number between 80 and 100 homes lost in both the Okanogan and Methow valleys.

For East Zone information in Omak call 509-557-4211.