FIRE REPORT: Kachess Complex continues burning
A firefighter uses a chainsaw to cut up a fallen hazard tree on Highway 12 near the Retreat Fire. The fire, which is increasing in containment daily, has burned 45,600 acres and is the largest active fire in Washington.
COURTESY PHOTO/WA DNR
CLE ELUM — The Kachess Complex consists of three lightning-sparked fires that began in the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on Aug. 9 and 10 according to InciWeb, an interagency wildfire-tracking website.
Recent updates to mapping have provided a more accurate estimate of the acreage of the fires, except for the Stave Creek Fire, which remains approximate due to challenging terrain that hinders access.
The Stave Creek Fire measured an estimated 20 acres Wednesday and is on steep and rugged terrain, making it hard to contain. Firefighters are concentrating on establishing a secure fire line along the eastern flank while considering direct and indirect tactics for the north/northwestern side. Also, aircraft are helping containment efforts by performing aerial water bucket drops on the western flank.
The Thomas Fire spanned 9 acres Wednesday and was 20% contained, with firefighters successfully creating a fire line around the entire perimeter. Their current focus is on securing the fire's edge through mop-up operations to prevent further growth and progress toward full containment.
Largest Washington fires:
Retreat Fire: Washington’s largest active blaze was at 45,600 acres and 70% containment Wednesday. The fire started at 4 p.m. July 14 about 14 miles southeast of Naches.
Pioneer Fire: Washington's second-largest active wildfire was at 38,400 acres and 13% containment Wednesday The fire started around 1 p.m. June 8 and is located 10 miles southwest of Stehekin. 15 personnel were involved in suppressing the blaze Wednesday.
Cougar Creek Fire: Washington’s third-largest fire had burned 24,100 acres and was 60% contained Wednesday. The fire blazed up around 8 p.m. July 15 approximately 1 mile west of the intersection of Highway 129 and the Grand Ronde River, south of Walla Walla. 353 personnel were on the scene.
No new fires were reported or contained Wednesday.
Other fires:
Easy Fire: 2,100 acres. 0% containment. Began at 8 p.m. July 17. Located 17 miles west of Mazama along North Cascades Scenic Highway. 300 personnel.
Flat Creek Fire: 20 acres. 0% contained. Started on Friday. Located in Chelan County, near Flat Creek. Crew size not specified.
Miners Complex Fires: 1,100 acres. 0% containment. Began on July 17. Located 21 miles east of Darrington. Fire crew detail unavailable.
Pincer Two Fire: 190 acres. 0% containment. Began on July 18. Located one mile east of Mineral Park. 15 personnel.
Ruby Fire: 750 acres. 0% containment. Began 7 a.m. Friday. Located in Whatcom County. 71 personnel.
Shoofly Fire: 104 acres. 63% contained. Ignited on July 8. Located nine miles north of Stevens Pass. No crew information available.
Williams Mine Fire: 11,200 acres. 0% contained. Started noon Aug. 5. Located near Mount Adams Wilderness in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 288 personnel.
Wolf Fork Fire: 130 acres. 95% containment. Started 2 p.m. Aug. 5. Located in Columbia County. No crew information available.
Other fires reported throughout the state have burned less than 10 acres and are not included in this report. The majority are less than 1 acre.
The Columbia Basin’s wildfire danger continues to be very high. The Grant County Sheriff’s office has asked area residents to be careful with anything that could cause a wildfire.
Air quality was moderate Wednesday for the Columbia Basin.
Sources: InciWeb/NIFC/WildCAD/AirNow