Update: Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire 9/8/15, 9 a.m.

Fire Map of Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fires as of the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015.
Fire Map of Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fires as of the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015.

Okanogan Complex and Chelan ComplexFire Update

Sept. 8, 2015, 9 a.m.

Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Okanogan Complex

Chelan Complex

Size: 148,576 acres

Size: 88,684acres

Containment: 85 percent

Containment: 75 percent

Estimated Cost to Date: 36.9 million

Estimated Cost to Date: $17.9 million

Injuries: 7

Injuries: 9

Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123

Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23

Total Personnel: 1,232

Total Personnel: 629

Committed Resources: 25 crews, 63 engines, 9 helicopters

17 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 7 masticators

Committed Resources: 11 crews, 37 engines, 5 dozers, 14water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator

CURRENT FIRE SITUATION

Yesterday, firefighters completed work in many areas to increase fire-perimeter containment on both complexes.California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5), under the command of Mike Minton, would like to thank cooperators and community members for their support throughout the suppression efforts.CIIMT 5 will transfer command of the Okanogan and Chelan Complexes tomorrow at 6:00 a.m. to a type 2incident management team—Pacific Northwest Team 3—and a NIMO (National Incident Management Organization). CIIMT 5 will assume command of the Tunk Block and North Star Fires tomorrow at 6:00 a.m.

OKANOGAN COMPLEX

The Lime Belt Fire, which encompasses the Beaver Lake Fire, is 132,634 acres and 75 percent contained.Containment on northwest trip of the fire is almost complete, and firefighters expect to finish mopping up the area today. Portions of the western side remain uncontained because crews have been unable to conduct firing operations between an indirect dozer line and the fire perimeter near Forest Road (FR) 42. However, the fire is not threatening to escape the fireline, which is secure. Crews are prepared to conduct the defensive firing operation when weather and fuel conditions are favorable.Firefighters continue to remove fire-weakened hazard trees along FR 42. On the northeast side, firefighters are mopping up and patrolling the canyon rim to keep the fire from spreading into the Sinlahekin WildlifeArea. Crews on the southern end are mopping up, patrolling, and assisting the suppression-repair group.

CHELAN COMPLEX

The fire continues to be minimally active on the northwest tip near Saint Luise Creek and is being monitored by air. Aircraft are also monitoring the southern half of the fire.On the northern half, firefighters continue to mop up the fire perimeter and repair areas affected by fire-suppression efforts.

EVACUATIONSAND ROAD CLOSURES

  • TheOkanogan Wenatchee NationalForest issued an area closure, effective Sept. 4, 2015, for federal lands in the fire area: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4534/29367/or http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices
  • Okanogan County Emergency Operations Center provides information on evacuations and road closures: 509-422-7348, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management