Single Publication

Easy Fire Update for July 24, 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: 397 acres
Start Date: July 17, 2024
Location: 17 miles west of Mazama, WA
Containment: 0%
Personnel Assigned: 118
Cause: Lightning
Resources Assigned:  3 crews     3 engines

CURRENT SITUATION:  Cooler temperatures on Tuesday reduced fire behavior and overall fire growth on the Easy Fire in the morning. Fire activity increased Tuesday night producing single and group tree torching along with a visible plume of smoke. The fire is burning in extremely steep terrain with large dense timber, abundant dead trees and ground vegetation. The fire continues to move slowly down slope towards State Route 20 (SR 20) North Cascades Highway. 

Yesterday, helicopters continued to assist firefighters with water bucket drops to slow the spread of the fire. Crews set up structure protection sprinkler systems around Easy Pass Trailhead and established sites to provide water for containment line hoses. Firefighters also constructed containment lines connecting into a previous burn scar on the northern side of the Easy Fire. Rolling rock, falling trees, and active fire near the highway continues to necessitate a closure on SR 20 to protect the public from hazards associated with fire behavior and suppression tactics. Crews are felling dead trees between the active fire edge and SR 20 to reduce the fire spread toward the highway.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES:  Firefighters will bolster the indirect fireline on the northern section of Easy Fire. Crews may conduct chipping operations to remove fallen trees across State Route 20. Additionally, firefighters will continue felling dead trees above and parallel to State Route 20 which will help with removing hazards to the highway. 

WEATHER: Temperatures tomorrow will continue to cool with highs in the high 80s and low 90s with mild Northwest winds around 6mph.  Today will be drier then yesterday, however it is expected cooler and moist air will move over the fire tomorrow. 

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.  

CLOSURES: State Route 20 is closed in both directions between Granite Creek (MP 148) and Easy Pass Trailhead (MP 157).

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has closures in place for trails within the fire area: https://bit.ly/EasyFireClosures. This closure includes a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. 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. 

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Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM  
Email: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov