Cedar Creek/Delancy/Cub Creek Fires

[pasayten]

SR 20 Both Directions - On SR 20 North Cascade Highway between milepost 165 and 178 (approximately 15 miles west of Winthrop) there is a reduced speed zone of 35 m.p.h. and pilot car to move traffic past ongoing fire response activity. Crews continue to be present on the roadway. Travelers should expect significant delays. Do not attempt to pass pilot car or pull over on the side of the road. Cross-state travel is available and recommended on US 2 and I-90.
Last Updated: 8/9/2021 9:01 AM

[pasayten]

Cedar Creek. Morning briefing. August 9th

https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires202 ... 9551478207

Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires
Daily Update
August 9, 2021
Winthrop, WA — The Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and public and private lands within Okanogan County. These fires are being managed by Great Basin Incident Management Team 1.
Fire Information Line: Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires: 509-557-0740 (Staffed 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily)
Fire Weather: After a cool start Monday, temperatures will rise quickly by Monday afternoon. This will also bring much lower humidity levels to the region. Skies will remain mostly clear, with some fair cumulus along higher mountain peaks. Light and variable winds in the morning will gradually turn back to the northwest during the afternoon, with some higher gusts along aligned valleys in the evening.
Cedar Creek Fire: The fire is currently estimated at 52,859 acres and is 33% contained.
At Vasiliki Ridge crews continued to construct a direct line parallel to the base of the ridge. Heavy equipment was used to remove down and dead timber. Firefighters will continue to improve this direct line and plan to hold the fire here. A fire line running east from Early Winter Creek to the face of Vasiliki Ridge is an alternative containment feature.
Along WA-20 the perimeter is contained from Silver Star Springs to the 4410 Road near Paterson Lake, with the exception of a short section at Free Stone. Firefighters are dealing with the snag patch (concentration of dead and fire-damaged trees) that has prevented them from mopping up the fires edge at Free Stone. Sprinkler systems that were installed several days ago are still in operation, soaking the ground inside the perimeter to extinguish concealed heat sources. Smoke may be visible on the hillside along Lucky Jim Bluff, but the hot spots are well within the contained perimeter.
Containment has been achieved from the 4410 Road, around Gobblers Knob and up to Thompson Ridge. Homeowners in the Pine Forest subdivision may see smoke from the interior until there is a significant rainfall. Residents are reminded that the forest is still closed and that entering the fire area may be hazardous. Residents are asked to not hike into the burned area.
Firefighters are strengthening lines along Cow Creek and the 040 Road up Thompson Ridge and into Little Bridge Canyon. We are confident that as a result of the firefighter’s hard work this area it will soon be contained.
Helicopters have been dropping water on hot spots along the top of the Little Bridge burn scar. This effort has been effective and fire activity has diminished.
Uncontained fire line exists along the southern perimeter of the fire in the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness. This is a remote area with many natural terrain barriers. If the fire were able to make its way over these rocky natural barriers it might push around Midnight Mountain. Contingency lines will be constructed along the Twisp River Road. Work on this contingency line will begin today.
The Mobile Retardant Base (MRB) stationed along the Twisp River was released from the Cedar Creek fire. The MRB will be relocated to provide fire retardant for helicopters working on the Muckamuck Fire northwest of Conconully.
Delancy Fire: No fire activity has been observed. The Delancy Fire remains at 223 acres. This fire is being actively monitored but is unstaffed.
Virtual Public Meeting for Cedar Creek, Delancy, Cub Creek 2, and Muckamuck Fires: We will be hosting a joint virtual meeting via Facebook live on Monday, August 9, 2021, at 6:00 p.m. Visit https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2 to view the meeting. You do not have to have a Facebook account to participate. Questions may be submitted before and during the meeting.
Live Radio Public Meeting for Cedar Creek Fire: Immediately following the virtual public meeting, Great Basin Team 1 Incident Commander Evans Kuo will take your questions live on the air at American Legion Radio 105.5 FM. The call-in number for radio questions is 509-997-1527.
Resources: Total personnel – 685 firefighters and 225-line supervision and support personnel. Resources include 2 - type 1 hotshot crews, 9 - type 2 hand crews, 1 - type 2 initial attack hand crews, 1 - camp crews, 6 - type 1 (heavy) helicopters, 1 - type 2 helicopter, 2 - type 3 helicopter, 52 - engines, 6 - dozers, 5 – tactical water tenders, 18 - water tenders,1 - skidgen, 3 – skidders, 3 – excavators, and 2 – feller bunchers.
Air Quality: Good air quality throughout the forecast area yesterday! Did you get out and enjoy the clean air? Expect another day of mostly good conditions although with hot and dry weather expected this week, the clear air may not last much longer. Methow Valley air quality will benefit from fires that are increasingly being brought under control. Okanogan Valley will see periods of moderate smoke due to active fires nearby.
Resources for additional information:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires2021
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7655/
Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Email: 2021.cedarcreek@firenet.gov
Highway Information: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/traffical ... fault.aspx
Closures: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting these fires, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been placed over the area. Please consult the “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) for specifics. Wildfires are a “No Drone Zone” and any drones sighting in a TFR will immediately impede aerial firefighting resources and delay suppression actions.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented a Fire Emergency Area Closure as of July 22nd, 2021. The Closure includes facilities, roads, and trails. The Closure may be viewed in its entirety at the “Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021” Facebook page.
Fire Restrictions: Campfire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are prohibited throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, including developed campgrounds and congressionally designated Wilderness — call local ranger district offices for more information. https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq

[pasayten]

#CubCreek2Fire – August 9, 2021 Update

Fire Information Public Phone Line: (406) 426-9595
Email: 2021.cubcreek2@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7675/


Acres: 62,368
Percent Containment: 26%
Date/Time Detected: July 16th. 1:27 PM
Structures burned: 3
Number of Resources: 523
Cause: Under investigation
Origin/Location: 5 miles North of Winthrop, WA.


Firefighters successfully mopped up the Sweet Grass area, adding to the total containment. Along Forest Road 51, crews are focused on suppression repair in Forest Service Camp Four Campground. In addition to suppression repair, crews are monitoring the fire activity as it heads north at a slow rate into the Farewell Fire scar north of Disaster Creek and mopping up on the west side of the road. Heavy equipment, including dozers and chippers, continues moving north prepping Forest Road 39. Indirect line is being connected on Forest Roads 200 and 300, using heavy equipment. Resources are monitoring the heat pocket within the interior of the fireline by Pebble Creek.

Resources for additional information:
Muckamuck Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7786/
Cedar Creek Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7655/
Clean Air Methow: cleanairmethow.org
Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Highway Information: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/traffical ... fault.aspx
Evacuations: https://www.okanogancounty.org/governme ... /index.php
Methow Conservancy (Wildfire Preparedness): https://methowconservancy.org/discover/ ... ecovery%20
Wildfire Ready Neighbors (House Assessments): https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/
Closures: Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest Closure Page: https://bit.ly/3yrUivU
Colville National Forest Closure Page: https://bit.ly/3ymgkjD
Air Quality: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com
Fire Restrictions: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq

-End-

[pasayten]

Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021

In the Free Stone area we have been removing hazard trees. This video will show you why it takes time to contain the fire, especially in the Free Stone area. This area has many hazard trees or snags which is a danger to our firefighters. In order to keep them safe we send in felling teams to fell the trees so the firefighters can go in and mop up. This also will make it safer for everyone after we are gone.

https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires202 ... 8220354741

[pasayten]

Cub Creek August 8th evening operations update...

https://www.facebook.com/Cubcreek2/vide ... 7189177016

[pasayten]

Newly updated evacuation levels map...
Green - No Level
Yellow - Level 1
Blue - Level 2
Red - Level 3

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/view ... 22,48.6848

[pasayten]

#Cubcreek2 Cedar Creek and Cub Creek 2 Virtual Public Meeting

We will be hosting a virtual meeting via Facebook live: https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2 on Monday, August 9, 2021 at 6:00 p.m.

Questions may be submitted before and during the meeting.
You do not have to have a Facebook account to view.

[pasayten]

RAIN!!!!

[pasayten]

8/8 Smoke Outlook
Fire
Cloudy, cool, and breezy in the morning, clearing in the
afternoon. Moderate to minimal fire behavior expected today.
Cedar Creek is now 52,859 acres (+0) and 32% contained. Cub
Creek 2 is 62,368 acres (+977) and 24% contained. Delancy
remains at 223 acres.
Smoke
Breezy conditions should keep smoke moving around and
prevent accumulations today. Air quality should remain good
throughout most of the day in the Methow Valley. The
Okanogan Valley area is more likely to see periods of smoke
during the day today although overall conditions for the day
are expected to be moderate.
Health
Enjoy the improved air quality. Although watch for periods of
smoke at times, especially in the Okanogan Valley.

[pasayten]

Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires
Daily Update
August 8, 2021

Briefing video... https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires202 ... 8208468402

Winthrop, WA — The Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and public and private lands within Okanogan County. These fires are being managed by Great Basin Incident Management Team 1.
The Okanogan County Office of Emergency Management reduced evacuation levels for the Pine Forest and Eastern Wolf Creek-South areas from Level 3 – Leave Now to Level 2 – Be Ready. These were the last two areas bordering the Cedar Creek fire under mandatory evacuation. All residents are now able to return to their homes. For detailed information, visit the Okanogan County OEM website at: https://bit.ly/OkanoganCountyEM
State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway) remains closed from Mile Post 165 to Mile Post 177, (east of Early Winters Campgrounds). For more information visit the Washington Department of Transportation at: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/
Fire Information Line: Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires: 509-557-0740 (Staffed 8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily)
Fire Weather: North to northwest winds continue through the day Sunday, keeping cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels in place. Light rain showers will be possible through early afternoon, but overall accumulations will be minimal. Winds will begin from the northwest, switching more northerly and gusty during the afternoon. A warming and drying trend returns early next week.
Cedar Creek Fire: The fire is currently estimated at 62,368 acres and is 24% contained.
Lower temperatures and higher humidities have moderated fire behavior. Grasses and other fine fuels readily absorb humidity from the air, increasing their moisture content and making them more difficult to ignite. While heavy fuels, such as large diameter branches and logs, remain dry. These heavier fuels are less likely to burn without light fuels to preheat them. This reduces the risk of spot fires outside the fire perimeter.
Crews are constructing an indirect fire line at Early Winter Creek on the west side of Vasiliki Ridge. Additional heavy equipment is being moved from divisions where it is no longer needed to Vasiliki Ridge to help speed up the process.
From Silver Star Creek to Free Stone, the fire line is controlled and is now in monitor and patrol status.
The snag patch (area containing many dead standing and fire-damaged trees) in the Free Stone area remains a threat to firefighter safety. Due to these concerns, firefighters opted to install sprinkler systems to wet down the edge of the burned area. This is to ensure that no concealed heat sources remain that might flare up to threaten structures.
Smoke may be visible from Highway 20 along the Lucky Jim Bluff. When the fire moved through this area, it did not burn intensely. Patches of green fuel remain. This is referred to as a “dirty burn.” As these islands of fuel are consumed, flames may be visible. Burning well inside the fire perimeter does not pose a threat to the community.
The perimeter around Gobblers Knob and the slop-over at the 4410 Road is now contained. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor this area. Mop up from the 4410 Road to Forest Road 040 is nearing completion.
Fire managers are scouting locations to construct shaded fuel breaks as contingency lines along the 100 Road in the Twisp River drainage and up Canyon Creek from the Twisp River to the Little Bridge burn scar. Once completed, these control features could be used to defend homes in the Twisp River in the event the fire in the wilderness moves south through natural barriers on Abernathy Ridge.
Delancy Fire: No fire activity was observed. The Delancy Fire remains at 223 acres. This fire is being actively monitored but is unstaffed.
Resources: Total personnel – 759 firefighters and 238-line supervision and support personnel. Resources include 2 - type 1 hotshot crews, 9 - type 2 hand crews, 2 - type 2 initial attack hand crews, 1 - camp crews, 6 - type 1 (heavy) helicopters, 1 - type 2 helicopter, 2 - type 3 helicopter, 60 - engines, 6 - dozers, 5 – tactical water tenders, 23 - water tenders,1 - masticator, 3 - skidgen, 6 – skidders, 3 – excavators, and 8 – feller bunchers.
Air Quality: Breezy conditions should keep smoke moving around and prevent accumulations today. Air quality should remain good throughout most of the day in the Methow Valley. The Okanogan Valley area is more likely to see periods of smoke during the day today although overall conditions for the day are expected to be moderate.
Resources for additional information:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires2021
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7655/
Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Email: 2021.cedarcreek@firenet.gov
Highway Information: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/traffical ... fault.aspx
Closures: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting these fires, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been placed over the area. Please consult the “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) for specifics. Wildfires are a “No Drone Zone” and any drones sighting in a TFR will immediately impede aerial firefighting resources and delay suppression actions.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented a Fire Emergency Area Closure as of July 22nd, 2021. The Closure includes facilities, roads, and trails. The Closure may be viewed in its entirety at the “Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021” Facebook page.
Evacuation Information: The Okanogan County Emergency Management (OCEM) continues to reevaluate evacuation levels. For the most up to date evacuation levels see the OCEM’s website above. Residents entering Evacuation Level 3 areas need to slow down and watch for firefighters and equipment in roadways.
Fire Restrictions: Campfire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are prohibited throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, including developed campgrounds and congressionally designated Wilderness — call local ranger district offices for more information. https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq

[pasayten]

Cub Creek Fire... August 8th morning briefing...

https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2/vide ... 8288549832

#Cubcreek2 Fire Update and PIO Map for August 8, 2021
Update: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7675/63114/
Map: https://tinyurl.com/4w49rhhy
Fire Information Public Phone Line: (406) 426-9595
Email: 2021.cubcreek2@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7675/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2Fire2021
Acres: 62, 362, Percent Containment: 24%
Date/Time Detected: July 16th. 1:27 PM
Structures burned: 3
Number of Resources: 589
Cause: Under investigation
Origin/Location: 5 miles North of Winthrop, WA.
Firefighters focused efforts on putting out remaining heat pockets in the Sweet Grass area, while other resources on the western flank backhauled supplies and equipment. Along Forest Road 51, crews mopped up along the western side, and monitored any active areas of the fire. Resources remain in place at the Brevicomis Cabins to ensure there is sufficient protection, by utilizing sprinklers and fireline. The northeast flank has exhibited little activity, primarily slow moving, creeping, and isolated heat sources burning. Firefighters are engaged with the fire, and monitoring for any increases in fire behavior. Crews have been working to prep Forest Road 39 to Tiffany Springs Campground, and yesterday they successfully reached the campground. Having met that objective, they will continue heading north along Forest Road 39, using graders and masticators. The work along Forest Road 37 will continue to the junction with Forest Road 38. Indirect line is still being established and connected from Cougar Creek Road to Lester Road to protect values at risk in the Chewuch Valley. Resources continue to monitor the heat pocket by Pebble
Creek which remains in the interior of the fireline.
A little after 2pm August 7, Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the Muckamuck Fire. For information on the Muckamuck Fire, please call: (509) 202-4184.
Resources for additional information:
Cedar Creek Fire: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7655/
Clean Air Methow: cleanairmethow.org
Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Highway Information: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/traffical ... fault.aspx
Evacuations: https://www.okanogancounty.org/.../emer ... /index.php
Methow Conservancy (Wildfire Preparedness):
https://methowconservancy.org/discover/ ... ecovery%20
Wildfire Ready Neighbors (House Assessments): https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/
Closures: Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest Closure Page: https://bit.ly/3yrUivU
Colville National Forest Closure Page: https://bit.ly/3ymgkjD
Air Quality: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com
Fire Restrictions: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq

[pasayten]

Cub Creek August 7th evening operations update...

https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2/vide ... 6560842631

[pasayten]

Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021

At the base of Vasiliki Ridge, that comes down from Silver Star Mtn to Highway 20, we removed timber that was at the bottom of a avalanche chute. The logs were in the way of fire line construction. The large logs were then hauled away by a logging truck to a area not far away. Watch the video for more explanation.

https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires202 ... 5612871727

[pasayten]

*** Admin Note ***

With nearly 36,000 views in the last few weeks, some of you may have experienced delays in the bulletin board loading response... I have upgraded the server resources to alleviate any further issues. You should not see any interuption of service during the upgrade.

Thank You!
Ray Peterson (aka pasayten)

[pasayten]

#Cubcreek2 Mosaic Burn Patterns

Article on Inciweb: https://tinyurl.com/4yezc855

Burn patterns are the characteristic configuration of char left by a fire. In wildland fires burn patterns are influenced by topography, wind direction, length of exposure, and type of fuel. They are influenced by severity and intensity within a stand.

Fire Glossary: https://www.nwcg.gov/glossary/a-z

[pasayten]

Cub Creek 2 Fire-2021

If everything goes as planned, the anticipated opening for Hwy 20 with a pilot car is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9

[pasayten]

#Cubcreek2 Planned Activities and Progression Map for August 7, 2021

For updates, maps, photos and videos, visit Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7675/

[pasayten]

Cub Creek August 7th morning briefing video...

https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2/vide ... 3106144647

#Cubcreek2 Fire Update and PIO Map for August 7, 2021
Inciweb Update: https://tinyurl.com/b455pkn7 and
Map: https://tinyurl.com/nmnf3r28
Fire Information Public Phone Line: (406) 426-9595
Email: 2021.cubcreek2@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7675/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2Fire2021
Acres: 62, 368, Percent Containment: 24%
Date/Time Detected: July 16th. 1:27 PM
Structures burned: 3
Number of Resources: 633
Cause: Under investigation
Origin/Location: 5 miles North of Winthrop, WA.
Crews mopped up and held the fire on the western side of Forest Road 51. On the western flank, firefighters are continuing to do suppression repair work and backhauling extra supplies. Crews on the northern edge of the fire near Forest Road 51 are monitoring minor fire spread in the area, while ensuring the Brevicomis Cabins are adequately protected using sprinklers and fireline. Resources are using heavy equipment and hand crews to move north along Forest Road 39 and estimate it will take crews a few days to complete the indirect line. On the southeastern flank, resources are connecting dozer lines and prepping Cougar Creek Road and Lester Road to connect to the larger containment line to the north. Fire activity near Pebble Creek is being monitored as fuels in the interior of the fire continue to burn.
Resources from the incident continued to support initial attack on the Muckamuck Fire in coordination with local firefighters. As the Muckamuck fire continues to exhibit active fire behavior, additional firefighters have moved to support the incident. Weather today looks favorable for firefighters with cooler temperatures and higher humidity, however there is a chance of increased wind this afternoon.
Resources for additional information:
Clean Air Methow: https://www.cleanairmethow.org/air-quality
Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Highway Information: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/traffical ... fault.aspx
Evacuations: https://www.okanogancounty.org/.../emer ... /index.php
Methow Conservancy (Wildfire Preparedness): https://methowconservancy.org/discover/ ... ecovery%20
Wildfire Ready Neighbors (House Assessments): https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/
Closures:
Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest Closure Page: https://bit.ly/3yrUivU
Colville National Forest Closure Page: https://bit.ly/3ymgkjD
Air Quality: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com
Fire Restrictions: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq

[pasayten]

Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires
Daily Update
August 7, 2021

Briefing Video... https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires202 ... 1205599264

Winthrop, WA — The Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and public and private lands within Okanogan County. These fires are being managed by Great Basin Incident Management Team 1.
The Okanogan County Office of Emergency Management adjusted evacuation levels for communities bordering the Cedar Creek Fire; most were reduced. For detailed information, visit the Okanogan County OEM website at: https://bit.ly/OkanoganCountyEM
Fire Information Line: Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires: 509-557-0740 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)
Fire Weather: Westerly flow will continue to overspread maritime air into the region Saturday and Sunday, producing much cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels. Light rain showers and drizzle will be Saturday night into Sunday, but rainfall accumulations will be light and focused on the western portions of the fire. Northwest winds will continue to be gusty both days, especially on ridgetops and along Highway 20.
Cedar Creek Fire: The fire is currently estimated at 52,859 acres and is 26% contained.
Fire burned through retardant along the primary containment line on Vasiliki Ridge. With the help of helicopter water drops, firefighters held the slope over on a rocky natural terrain feature. Yesterday heavy equipment was used to construct a contingency line from the toe of the slope to connect with hand line near Early Winters Creek. Today, firefighters will lay hose along the fire line to provide water for suppression (plumb the line) to make it more defensible.
Along WA-20, the chipping work on the road and around structures is nearing completion. Fire managers are working with Resource advisors for the forest to develop rehabilitation a plan. Fire suppression repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities.
Work continued at Free Stone and along Lucky Jim Bluff to secure those portions of open line. Smoke was visible on Lucky Jim Bluff as pockets of unburned fuel continue to be consumed.
Fire crews have completed direct fire line from near the Sun Mountain Lodge south around Gobblers Knob, across Thompson Ridge to Sheep Creek and on to Little Bridge Creek. This line has been mopped up, and while it is not considered contained, firefighters have a high degree of confidence in its ability to hold. They hope to be able to call this line contained within the next few days.
Delancy Fire: A recognizance flight over the Delancy fire revealed no fire activity. The Delancy Fire remains at 223 acres. This fire is being actively monitored but is not staffed.
Resources: Total personnel – 759 firefighters and 238-line supervision and support personnel. Resources include: 2 - type 1 hotshot crews, 9 - type 2 hand crews, 2 - type 2 initial attack hand crews, 1 - camp crews, 6 - type 1 (heavy) helicopters, 1 - type 2 helicopter, 2 - type 3 helicopter, 60 - engines, 6 - dozers, 5 – tactical water tenders, 23 - water tenders,1 - masticator, 3 - skidgen, 6 – skidders, 3 – excavators, and 8 – feller bunchers.
Air Quality: Air quality has improved significantly and undoubtedly residents of the area are breathing a sigh of relief. The fires are not extinguished yet though so smoke will remain a factor at times in the Methow Valley. The Okanogan Valley area may be impacted by some of the new fires burning in the area of Conconully and Loomis. The growth on these fires is a big uncertainty for possible smoke impacts to the area. There's an incident management team headed to those fires to manage the situation.
Resources for additional information:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires2021
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7655/
Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Email: 2021.cedarcreek@firenet.gov
Highway Information: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/traffical ... fault.aspx
Closures: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting these fires, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been placed over the area. Please consult the “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) for specifics. Wildfires are a “No Drone Zone” and any drones sighting in a TFR will immediately impede aerial firefighting resources and delay suppression actions.
State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway) remains closed at milepost 185 (7 miles west of Winthrop) to milepost 165 to all traffic due to fire activity. Authorities hope to be able to lift this closure next week.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented a Fire Emergency Area Closure as of July 22nd, 2021. The Closure includes facilities, roads, and trails. The Closure may be viewed in its entirety at the “Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021” Facebook page.
The Forest Service Fire Emergency Area Closure is separate from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) closure of portions of State Route 20 and may change or be lifted at various times depending on operational needs. WSDOT is working closely with the Forest Service and Okanogan County to identify where fire activity and firefighting operations warrant closure.
Evacuation Information: The Okanogan County Emergency Management (OCEM) continues to reevaluate evacuation levels. For the most up to date evacuation levels see the OCEM’s website above. Residents entering Evacuation Level 3 areas need to slow down and watch for firefighters and equipment in roadways.
Fire Restrictions: Campfire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are prohibited throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, including developed campgrounds and congressionally designated Wilderness — call local ranger district offices for more information. https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq
-End-

[pasayten]

8/7 Smoke Outlook
Fire
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity will keep the fires in
the Methow Valley fairly quiet today. The main area of burning
in the Cedar Creek fire is currently in the Sheep Creek/Bridge
Creek area. The main burning in the Cub Creek 2 fire is in the
northern Lake Creek, and west of Chewuch river area. Cedar
Creek is now 52,859 acres (+26) and 25% contained. Cub
Creek 2 is 61,391 acres (+365) and 24% contained. Delancy
remains at 223 acres.
Smoke
Air quality has improved significantly and undoubtedly
residents of the area are breathing a sigh of relief. The fires are
not extinguished yet though so smoke will remain a factor at
times in the Methow Valley. The Okanogan Valley area may be
impacted by some of the new fires burning in the area of
Conconully and Loomis. The growth on these fires is a big
uncertainty for possible smoke impacts to the area. There's an
incident management team headed to those fires to manage
the situation.
Health
Enjoy the improved air quality. Although watch for periods of
smoke at times, especially in the Okanogan Valley.

[pasayten]

NFIC Fire Perimeter KML data layer... August 7th morning...
Continued growth into Lake Creek/Black Lake drainage...

[pasayten]

WSDOT

Multiple wildfires likely to keep stretch of SR 20 closed until further notice
Update: August 3, 2021

Fires and fire response activity in the area means that the SR 20 closure will remain in place at least through this week. Firefighters have made great strides in the containment of the Cedar Creek and Cub Creek 2 fires, but with hot, dry conditions and low visibility due to smoke, it is not yet safe to fully reopen the road.

Closed means closed

At the moment, the closure points are between milepost 165 and 179, west of Mazama in the Methow Valley. However, the east side closure point has changed several times and local evacuation levels have been raised and lowered over the past several days. Air quality in the area also rates from “unhealthy” to “hazardous”.

We continue to see people who are trying to force their way through a closure sign or who are not prepared for the road closure when they reach the area. This is a problem the crews working this fire should not have to deal with – we all want them focused on the fire and keeping themselves and nearby residents safe. There is no local access or Forest Service detours. Cross-state travel is available on US 2 and I-90.

Still opportunities to enjoy the North Cascades

From the west you can still access as far at The Overlook on SR 20, and Diablo Lake and Ross Lake are far enough from the fires that air quality is much better. It is still essential to be prepared for hot summer driving conditions with plenty of water, a full tank of gas and well-researched travel plans. These fires are not the only things happening that could affect your travel plans this summer.

When will it reopen? Can’t you make an estimated guess?

The short answer is “not really.” Our agency supports the Incident Command Team that is managing the fire response. Everyone is eager to get the road back open and traffic flowing, and the ICT has specific goals for what conditions are needed for that to happen. Every day we meet to get updates and coordinate our effort to reach those goals, but the fact remains that fire conditions remain hazardous and dynamic, and the priority is safety for you and the crews working out there.

If you are trying to make plans for your late summer trip, the best thing you can do is keep checking our travel alerts map and check for updates on Facebook, the WSDOT app and this post.

Resources for additional information:

Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021: www.facebook.com/MazamaFires2021

Cub Creek 2-2021 Fire: www.facebook.com/CubCreek2Fire2021

Smoke Blog: wasmoke.blogspot.com

Evacuations: www.okanogancounty.org/government/emerg ... /index.php

Methow Conservancy (Wildfire Preparedness): https://methowconservancy.org/discover/ ... ecovery%20

Wildfire Ready Neighbors (House Assessments): https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/

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Cub Creek Fire...

Evening Ops Update... https://www.facebook.com/CubCreek2/vide ... 9811412058

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#Cubcreek2 Afternoon Update

Fire is looking good on the west side. On the north side crews are successfully holding the 51 road, keeping the fire to the west. Fire is backing down the hill in the Twentymile and Honeymoon drainage area. Crews and equipment are working on the 39 road. Resources from our fire are supporting the Muckamuck fire.

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#Cubcreek2 Infrared (IR) and Progression Map for August 6, 2021

IR: https://tinyurl.com/szw2xtue and
Progression: https://tinyurl.com/2xn95xz4