Single Publication

Easy Fire Update for July 21, 2024

 Incident Commander Lonnie Click 

Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 3  

(541) 861-5808, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov  

Quick Facts

Size: 345 acres

Start Date: July 17, 2024

Location: 17 miles west of Mazama, WA
Containment: 0%

Cause: Lightning

Resources Assigned:  1 crew, 3 helicopters, 5 engines

CURRENT SITUATION: Easy Fire is burning in dense timber and extremely steep terrain. The fire is backing and flanking with short upslope runs, single tree torching, and short-range spotting. The steep slopes with continuous timber contribute to difficulty with fire suppression. Easy fire is a full suppression fire and firefighters are utilizing strategies and tactics that provide the highest likelihood for success while mitigating risks to firefighters and the public. 

Easy Fire extends over Mt. Hardy, threatening the Pacific Crest Trail, while also moving down slope toward State Route 20 (SR 20) North Cascades Highway.

State Route 20 is closed in both directions between Granite Creek (MP 148) and Easy Pass Trailhead (MP 157). Ground crews are removing dead trees between the active fire edge and SR 20 to help limit fire spread in that direction.  This work, along with the very active fire behavior, necessitates a closure to protect the public from hazards like falling trees or rocks along with fire growth.

Helicopters assisted firefighters Sunday morning with water bucket drops to slow the spread of Easy Fire. Hot, dry, and unstable weather conditions led to very active burning and visible smoke columns from the Easy Fire during the afternoon and evening. 

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Extreme terrain prevents direct attack. Instead, firefighters are identifying and establishing indirect firelines that take advantage of natural barriers such as avalanche chutes. Firefighters will continue snagging operations above and parallel Highway 20 and continue work to establish safe access to the right and left flanks of Easy Fire. Crews are actively establishing fireline and setting up sprinkler systems. 

WEATHER: Critical weather conditions continue to contribute to very active fire behavior. The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning through Monday at 8 pm. A Red Flag Warning is in place for hot dry, and unstable conditions today. Temperatures will remain in the upper 90s to low 100s with cooling expected early next week. 

EVACUATIONS:  There are no evacuations in place for the Easy Fire. Anyone recreating in the area should be vigilant about being aware of surroundings and stay out of closed areas. Please visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information about evacuation levels.  

FOREST CLOSURE: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has closures in place for trails within the fire area: https://bit.ly/EasyFireClosures. Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080 

Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM

Email: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov