Emergency managers are breathing a sigh of relief with predictions for area river levels to crest 2 feet below the forecasts from less than a week ago. Expectations for rapid melting of the mountain snowpack — still at 95 percent of normal — have been revised to a gradual melt-off, Eric Fritts, …
Okanogan County Emergency Management
Okanogan PUD commission fires general manager Grubich
John Grubich, Okanogan County Public Utilities District (PUD) general manager, was fired by the PUD board of commissioners on Monday (Sept. 25).
Commissioners voted unanimously to fire Grubich, who has been general manager for 10 years.
Diamond Creek Fire:
What you need to know
Sept. 14 update
Level 2 evacuation declared By Marcy Stamper and Ann McCreary Fire managers raised the evacuation alert for the Diamond Creek Fire to Level 2 (be prepared to leave) for Mazama, Lost River and the Rendezvous on Wednesday (Sept. 13). The heightened alert came a week after the management team issued a Level 1 alert for […]
Emergency alert system strives for balance
At an informational meeting about the Canyon Creek Fire last week, a Carlton-area resident thanked Okanogan County for the alerts sent through its automated system. “It was incredibly helpful — the phone kept ringing till we got the message,” she said.
Carlton Complex Fire recovery continues three years later
Efforts focused on rebuilding, better communications, preparedness By Marcy Stamper and Ann McCreary Methow Valley residents may have felt an uneasy sense of déjà vu this week as temperatures heated up and smoke drifted into the valley from British Columbia wildfires. Three years ago on July 14, a lightning storm sparked four separate fires — three in […]
Mid-May goal for Highway 20 repairs over the Loup
Highway 20 over Loup Loup Pass is expected to remain closed until at least mid-May, while contractors repair damage from erosion and mudslides that forced the closure of a 16-mile stretch of the highway earlier this month.
On Highway 20 over the North Cascades …
Okanogan County urges signing up now for free emergency alerts
There’s no emergency right now, but that makes it a propitious time to sign up for notifications through Okanogan County’s emergency-alert system.
The automated system provides customized notifications of fires, mudslides and evacuations by phone, cell phone, text message or email.
When signing up …
Valley and county to get modern emergency communications
A 40-foot-tall wooden pole and a yurt that have housed the Methow Valley’s emergency communications equipment for half a century are being replaced over the next few weeks with new structures and modern wireless technology.
Once completed, the system will use microwave transmission instead of the existing …
Agencies plan and build relationships for fire season
Armed with experiences and knowledge from the last two record-breaking fire seasons in the state, about 75 representatives from diverse firefighting agencies gathered last week to plan, share information, and brainstorm about how to be better prepared to handle a fast-moving disaster.
The “large-fire” meeting brought together firefighters and fire managers, emergency personnel, weather forecasters and staff from local, state, federal and tribal agencies. While many of them …
Preparing for the worst
After three days of heavy rain from spring storms, the Methow Valley is experiencing widespread and severe flooding. Mudslides are reported throughout the valley, blocking more than a dozen roads near steep drainages with mud, debris and water.
The valley is …
