Wildfire — Wenatchee Area, Washington

2013-07-27 to 2013-07-31 · Wenatchee Area, Washington

Event narrative

The wildfire was human caused and started near the intersection of Colockum Road and Tarpiscan Road. The fire spread south into neighboring Kittitas County and remained west of the Columbia River. The fire continued to burn into the month of August. Numerous homes, three major power lines, a natural gas line, two wind farms, timber, water quality, wildlife habitat and range resources were all threatened at one point or another. Three primary residences and several outbuildings were burned. Two fire fighters suffered minor injuries.

Wider weather episode

The month of July was warmer and drier than normal. Fuels across the area became receptive to fire very quickly during this time. Breezy winds on the 27th and 28th also were a contributing factor for rapid fire spread.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 460083. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.