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 was dispatched to assist with a spot fire in the southfork 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 Paerrygin. 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. There is a 30% chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon which may bring erratic winds over the fire area. 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.
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.
