Tolo Fire Update

Date: July 20, 2007
Contact: Kerry Olson [phone], ext. 13

Rain and cooler weather have calmed the Tolo Fire, located in North Cascades National Park approximately fifteen miles up-valley from Stehekin, Washington. The Stehekin Valley received more than three-quarters of an inch of rain since Wednesday morning. The fire grew very little in the last two days.

The Tolo Fire, which was started by a July 13 lightning strike, has burned approximately 154 acres. This is an increase from the previous size, which is due to more accurate mapping, not an increase in fire size. The fire was observed to be smoldering and creeping at a low intensity today. A light helicopter is continuing to drop water on a few hot spots. A medium helicopter also arrived to assist with bucket drops. The North Cascades Smokejumpers remain in Stehekin working with the North Cascades National Park Fire Crew and park fire management. Fire management is still seeking additional resources. Because the fire is burning in very steep and rocky terrain with high danger of rolling and falling debris, crew safety is the first priority and air support continues to be an important tool.

The Tolo Fire is within a mixed conifer forest on the northeast flank of the steeply sloped Tolo Mountain. The mountain is located west of the Stehekin River between High Bridge and Bridge Creek camps.

A community meeting is set for noon tomorrow, Friday, July 20, to discuss the Tolo Fire and the strategy for fighting the fire. Representatives from the National Park Service, U. S. Forest Service, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office and Stehekin Fire District #10 will be present. The meeting will take place at the Golden West Visitor Center in Stehekin.

All businesses in Stehekin are open and are not affected by this fire. No trails or camps in North Cascades National Park Service Complex, which includes Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, or the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest have been affected by this fire. No smoke was visible in Stehekin today.