Fire Updates-Lake Chelan area

Date: August 8, 2007
Contact: Kerry Olson, Stehekin District Interpreter, 360 854-7365 ext.13

“Let’s hold what we have and take what we can get,” said Todd Rankin, Plans Chief and Incident Commander Trainee, explaining today’s strategy for the Tolo Fire.

The Tolo Fire is a 271-acre lightning-caused fire located 15 miles northwest of Stehekin and is currently 35% contained. The fire is slowly backing downhill on the northwest side and smokejumpers are working hot spots on the southwest corner. With no water source on the northeast side of the fire, firefighters are “dry mopping”—putting out hot spots using soil only. 

Fire managers are not looking at downsizing at this time; all crews coming off the fire for days off will be replaced. Three helicopters and 77 fire personnel are working on the Tolo Fire today. 

On the Castle Fire located across Lake Chelan about 1 1/2 miles from Stehekin, a 3-person initial attack crew and a helicopter worked the fire yesterday and contained it by 1630. Firefighters put about 1000 gallons of water on the fire using bucket drops and blivets, which are pyramid-shaped water containers holding about 50 gallons of water. This morning, firefighters continued to mop-up and cold trail on the Deedee Fire about 10 miles north of Stehekin near McAlester Peak. This fire is also contained, and firefighters from both fires are returning to Stehekin this afternoon.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team is working on the Domke Lake Complex, which is located in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest just south of Stehekin.

Washington Interagency Management Team 2 was delegated responsibility for management and suppression of the Domke Lake Complex as of 0600 hours, Tuesday, August 7th.  The Complex consists of two fires:  Domke Lake and Bear Creek.  Today the team is establishing the infrastructure required to support fire suppression efforts, and is scouting the fires for development of action plans.  Base Camp for the incident will be located at Twenty Five Mile Creek Fire Camp and a spike camp for suppressions forces will likely be in place near Lucerne by Wednesday evening. 

The Domke Lake Fire is burning within the Glacier Peak Wilderness southwest of Domke Lake approximately 8 miles from Holden Village and is estimated at 200 acres in size. The fire is burning primarily in Douglas Fir and sub alpine fir stands with a heavy down woody debris component.  Portions of the area also have extensive bug killed timber that can contribute to greater fire intensity.

No evacuations have been called for at this time.  The Sheriff's department, WIMT2 and the Forest Service will closely monitor the situation.

The Bear Creek Fire is burning east of Emerald Peak near the headwaters of the north fork of Bear Creek and is estimated at 10 acres in size.  Timber species and condition are similar as for the Domke Lake Fire.

These fires are located in remote areas with extremely steep terrain which will be a continuing challenge for suppression efforts.

For further information, go to www.imtcenter.net or www.inciweb.org or call Chuck Turley, Information Officer, at 360-481-6311.  Information on the webpages will be updated each morning and evening until further notice.

Fires in the vicinity of Stehekin are often located in steep, hazardous terrain and involve special logistical considerations. When transporting crews and their gear and supplies to and from the fires, transportation by air, water, ground or a combination of these may be required.