Flaming trees pose threats to firefighters It’s a bit like watching a suspenseful movie. Firefighters wielding gasoline-powered chain saws cut down massive trees, flames still licking the base of the tree trunks. Then the sawyers make their way through mounds of gray ash, stepping over carbon-black trees on the ground to reach the next smoldering […]
Fire
USFS declares ‘triage mode’ for firefighting
Citing “a national crisis,” the U.S. Forest Service stated that the agency will focus on fighting fires that threaten communities or infrastructure. The agency needs to safeguard public and firefighter safety above all else, Forest Service Chief Randy Moore said in an Aug. 2 letter to Forest Service leadership. At the start of August, more […]
Methow fires’ containment increases with help from weather
Firefighting crews’ assignments to change this week After nearly a month of fighting the Cedar Creek and Cub Creek fires, crews reported positive news at a Monday evening (Aug. 9) meeting — that both fires have significant containment. Southwest Area team Incident Commander Dave Bales reported Monday the Cub Creek fire was at 62,368 areas […]
Franz cites DNR efforts, tours fires in Methow Valley visit
Topics include forest health, firefighting resources As of Friday (Aug. 6), 1,300 wildfires had been reported in Washington this year, and 300,000 acres had burned — more than 100,000 of them in the Methow, split between the Cedar Creek and Cub Creek fires. “We’re projecting this to be one of the worst wildfire seasons on […]
Highway 20 reopens, with restrictions
A portion of Highway 20 west of Winthrop that has been closed due to the Cedar Creek Fire since the middle of last month reopened early this week, under restrictions. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) on Tuesday (Aug. 10), the highway between mileposts 147 and 171 will be open with a […]
Big wildfires wreak havoc on wildlife habitat
For some, recovery can take decades Evacuation levels are dropping at the Cedar Creek and Cub Creek fires, and most evacuated residents are now able to go home and get back to their normal lives. However, animals in the affected areas may not have a home to go back to. So far this fire season, […]
Cedar Creek Fire heads southeast, Twisp River Road evacuated
Combined fires surpass 100,000 acres, 1,200 fire personnel Last week, Okanogan County Emergency Management Director Maurice Goodall announced at a community fire meeting in Twisp that effective the following morning (July 29), a level 1 evacuation advisory would be implemented for a portion of the Twisp River drainage. “We should all be on a level […]
Fickle weather conditions continue to complicate firefighting efforts
Cedar Creek fire generates thunderstorm Whether it’s excessive heat, afternoon winds, heavy smoke, predicted rain and flash floods or fire-generated thunderstorms, weather conditions are continuing to cause trouble for crews attempting to contain the Cub and Cedar creek fires. On Friday (July 30), a portion of the Cedar Creek Fire near Milton Mountain became very […]
Smoke, fire have unhealthy effects on physical and mental well-being
Stress takes a valleywide toll Smoke, fires and the unending pandemic are taking a toll on people’s physical and mental health. “It’s mostly mental health — everyone’s just so fried. They can’t focus and are constantly checking their phones for fire updates and air-quality information,” Clean Air Methow Director Liz Walker said. Walker left the valley this […]
Great Basin firefighters are back in familiar territory
Revisit scene of Carlton Complex Seven years after coming to the Methow Valley to fight the Carlton Complex Fire, Great Basin Incident Management Team 1 is back, working in familiar territory — and their own fire lines from 2014. Incident Commander Evans Kuo is one of a handful of personnel on the fire who was […]
