7-31-14 Updated Evacuation Information 7pm

The Okanogan County Sheriff confirmed today that the two areas in level 2 evacuations (areas in orange) and all of the areas in level 1 evacuations (areas in yellow) will remain in level 1 through the weekend unless there is a significant change in the fire situation.

7-31-14 Okanogan County Burn Ban 4pm

Okanogan County Commissioners' established burn ban on outdoor burning of combustible materials in the County.  Combustible materials may include, but are not limited to, outdoor burning of yard waste and non-emergent agricultural burning.

For information about DNR and FS contact:

DNR' s  - 800- 323-BURN(2876), the U. S.

Forest Service Tonasket Ranger District at 509- 486-2186

Methow Valley Ranger District at 509- 996- 4003

Smoke Column Update

Smoke column from the Lone Mountain 1 Fire is visible to the northwest of the Carlton Complex. More information about the Lone Mountain 1 Fire can be found on it's Inciweb page.
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3978/

7/31/2014 Carlton Complex IR Map from overnight 1:30 PM

This map shows where heat was still on the #CarltonComplex overnight last night 7/30/2014

Carlton Complex East Zone Update Thursday, July 31, 2014

This Update Covers the Carlton Complex’s EAST ZONE

The fire (total complex) is now 71% contained, with a size of 251,698 acres.

Today’s activities: Firefighters are continuing the hot, difficult work of “mopping up” and strengthening the fire line, especially in the areas south of Highway 20 towards the summit of Loop Loop.  In addition, a structure protection group continues to work in the Chiliwist Valley, searching for and putting out hotspots to a distance of 300 feet around homes and other buildings.  Flare-ups were reported in the Chiliwist Valley yesterday, in riparian areas that have only partially burned.

Because the complexity of the fire is decreasing and the fire line is secure in many areas, a Type 1 Incident Management Team can now handle day-to-day operations, in place of the previous three teams.  The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team 1, Pete Blume, Incident Commander, will assume control of the East Zone of the fire the end of the day shift, today.  The new team is in the process of taking command of all three fire zones, however there is no significant change in the number of firefighters or resources on the incident.  Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 3 wishes to thank the residents of the Okanogan Valley for their cooperation and support during the past two weeks.

Wednesday’s Highlights:  As expected, flare-ups continued within the fire perimeter, due to lingering hotspots and the hot, dry weather.  Smoke columns from the Carlton Complex and from two large fires to the south, were visible across the area.   Flare-ups and smoke from within the fire perimeter are expected again today.  Much of the smoke visible from Omak and Okanogan has been coming from the Leecher Mountain area, and firefighters and air resources from other zones have been working to contain those flare-ups.  Other crews burned a small section south of Loop Loop Summit in order to isolate an unburned “island” of fuel and thereby strengthen the fire line.  That operation was a success.

Omak camp is moving: Fire camp is moving today, to the Okanogan County Fairgrounds, so the Omak Stampede can get ready for its opening on August 7^th.  Please watch out for extra traffic and drive defensively.  

Evacuation levels and local road closures: Some residential areas along Highway 20 west of Okanogan remain at Evacuation Level 2.  Updates will be on the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Facebook page and the Carlton Complex blogspot.  Roads may open and close at any time if fire conditions change. 

Road Conditions:  Afternoon increases in fire activity could affect safety for travelers in the region.  For updated road conditions, contact the Washington Department of Transportation (www.wsdot.com or call 511).

Carlton Complex South Zone July 31 Update

Fire Name: Carlton Complex (South Zone)

 Acres: 251,698 (total complex)               Start Date:  7/14/2014               Cause: Lightning               

Location: The Carlton Complex South Zone is located on private, state and federally managed lands north of Chelan, Washington.

Current Information:

Fuels are extremely dry and helicopters have been drenching the fireline to help crews secure and hold the fire within containment lines. Interior islands of fuels continue to burn making smoke columns visible.  Helicopters and fire crews remain prepared for any new fire starts in the area with engines, water dropping helicopters and airtankers. Patrol and mop-up around structures along highway 153 and 97 corridors will continue.  Estimated containment of the fire in the South Zone is 97%. Firefighters have made great progress constructing handline in the heavy vegetation and steep terrain, while working to safeguard containment lines. There is no threat from fire activity to the cities of Pateros, Brewster, Chelan, or Manson.

Demobilizing of crews has started as the South Zone of the Carlton fire nears containment.

The weather forecast is predicting winds to be light in the morning with isolated gusts this afternoon.

Effective immediately, donations of goods are no longer accepted for victims of wildfires Carlton Complex.  The generosity of donors has exceeded the capacity of the Okanogan County resources to manage and store donations.  Items will be collected and moved to a central location and then distributed to members of the community.  If you want to help victims of the wildfires Carlton complex wildfire, monetary donations can be made to the American Red Cross or other agencies that provide assistance to those affected.

Advisories:                                               

Portions of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest remain closed due to the fire activity.  Please contact the Fire Information line listed at the top of the page for more specific information.

The community of Lake Chelan would like the public to know that businesses are open as usual.

Carlton Complex Update 7-31-14

Carlton Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team- Pete Blume, Incident Commander          

Information Center:  509-996-9971

Hours of operation: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Email: carltoncomplexfire@gmail.com

July 31, 2014

8 a.m.              

Special Message:  All businesses are open in the Methow Valley to residents and visitors. Traffic in residential areas impacted by fire is limited to local residents.

The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team and Carlton Complex firefighters express our deepest condolences to the family and fire crew of the firefighter who died on the Launch Fire in Oregon yesterday (wildfireoregondeptofforestry.blogspot.com).

Current Situation:

Multiple smoke plumes were visible from the Methow Valley yesterday. The majority of the fuels burning were within the existing fire perimeter. The fire increased 673 acres in size. Air resources continue to play a significant role on the fire with the steep terrain. Helicopters with water buckets were used to keep the fire within containment lines. The helicopters will be using Campbell Lake and Davis Lake for water. The fire was very active in the Leecher Mountain Lookout area, but the lookout itself was not damaged. A helitack crew dispatched to assist with a spot fire in the south fork of Gold Creek. Aggressive measures are being taken to contain the spot fire utilizing crews and air support. Good progress was made containing the portion of the fire near Foggy Dew. Two spot fires were present in the Tripod Burn scar on the north end of the fire. Engines continue to patrol neighborhoods and respond to resident fire and smoke concerns 24 hours a day. Early this morning, a half-acre reburn occurred near the westside of Beaver Creek, south of Highway 20.

Residents can continue to expect hazy conditions due to smoke. Today’s fire suppression priority areas include: Foggy Dew, the Leecher Mountain Lookout, north of Highway 20 and south of the southfork of Beaver Creek, and the north end of the fire near Pearrygin.  Activities include strengthening the containment lines on active portions of the fire line and mop up on fire containment lines behind homes. Five dozers will be working in the 2012 burn area on Leecher Mountain. Rehabilitation of containment lines in the valley areas has started.

Weather:  A Haines Index of 5 is predicted for today.  The Haines Index measures the stability and dryness of the air over the fire.  A Haines Index of 5 indicates that there is a moderate potential for large fire growth. 

Evacuations and Closures:  For information on evacuations please check with the Okanogan Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Service Center (509) 846-2122.

For information on highway closures: Washington Department of Transportation, www.wsdot.wa.gov. Information on trail, road and campground closures: Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest, (509) 996-4000.

Media Briefings:  Media briefings are available upon request.

Fire Statistics:   

Location: 5 Miles SW of Okanogan, 7 Miles south of Twisp             Start Date: 07/14/2014   

Complex Size:  251,698 acres                                                       Percent Contained: 71%

Cause:  Lightning                                                                       Total Personnel: 3,116

Resources Include:  13 Type 1 hand crews,  42 Type 2 hand crews,  27 Type 2 initial attack crews, 171 engines,

45 water tenders, and 722 overhead personnel

Air Resources:  8 Type 1 helicopters,  7 Type 2 helicopters, and  7 Type 3 helicopters, 1 air support module

Places to get information:

Blog: carltoncomplex.blogspot.com

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3967/

Twitter:  #carltoncomplex; Rocky Mountain IMT @rmt1pio

Facebook:  Carlton Complex Fire; Rocky Mountain IMT: https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs.

Information Boards:  Information is posted on community boards in Winthrop, Twisp, and Carlton.