Wildfire — Kittitas Valley, Washington

2013-08-01 to 2013-08-16 · Kittitas Valley, Washington

Event narrative

Colockum Tarps Incident Commander Mike Barnett's Final Update.

Wider weather episode

Report as of 8/15/13: The Colockum Tarps Fire started at approximately 8:00 a.m. on Saturday July 27 in the vicinity of the intersection of Colockum Road and Tarpiscan Road, south of Malaga, Chelan County, Washington. Malaga is near Wenatchee, Washington.

Although there has been significant helicopter, aircraft and ground effort made, it has burned actively, spreading quickly to the south and west for several days. Evacuation notifications occurred in Chelan County (currently has a Level 1 site) and Kittitas County (currently has Level 2 and 1 areas) as the fire grew and conditions evolved.

Many resources including homes, three major powerlines, a natural gas line, two wind farms, timber, water quality, wildlife habitat and range resources have been threatened by this fire.

Three primary residences and several outbuildings in Chelan County and several minor outbuildings in Kittitas County have burned.

The approximately 80,184-acre incident is now 98% contained. Crews continue focusing on patrolling the fire containment line along the western perimeter. Building and reinforcing this containment line through timber canyons has been very challenging and required carefully-planned and executed burn out operations. Although large amounts of smoke have been visible from surrounding communities, the burnout operation went according to plan and is complete. Smoke continues to come from burning activity interior to the perimeter.

Excellent cooperation is occurring between the major fire management partners and the landowners affected by this fire to reduce threats and minimize damage as safely, rapidly and efficiently as possible.

At 0600 on Sunday, August 11, management of the Colockum Tarps Fire will be taken over by Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #1, lead by Incident Commander Mikael Barnett as they manage the nearby Milepost 10 Fire which started at approximately 11:00 p.m. on Friday August 9.

Team 4 appreciates the support of everyone who contributed to the successful containment of Colockum Tarps.

Fire crews are keeping a close eye on the weather. The region is under red-flag warnings for thunderstorm activity, with the potential for dry lightning and erratic winds until 11 p.m. Thursday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 469616. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.