Single Publication

Easy Fire Update for July 31, 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: 528 acres*  
Start Date: July 17, 2024  
Location: 17 miles west of Mazama, WA
Containment: 0%  
Personnel Assigned: 127  
Cause: Lightning  
Resources Assigned:  3 crews     6 engines
*no updated IR data due to weather conditions  

CURRENT SITUATION: Fire spread remained minimal yesterday with continued fire activity within the fire perimeter. On the north side of the Easy Fire crews completed work on helicopter landing zones for crew transportation to minimize extensive hike-in travel times. Firefighters also worked to remove hazard trees and widen indirect firelines. Chipping operations continued along State Route 20 to remove vegetation from the highway. Debris was trucked out of the fire area to the Cedar Creek Trailhead. On the south side of the Easy Fire crews tested sprinkler systems and continued work to bolster indirect firelines.   

State Route 20 remains open to through traffic with a pilot car escorting vehicles through mileposts 148-157 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Expect 30 minutes delays as firefighters continue removing trees and debris from the roadway and conduct full suppression tactics on the Easy Fire. Please do not stop or pull over between mileposts 148-157. With wildfire and firefighting operations still active, the highway may need to close again on short notice. Be sure to check https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/ for the latest information on State Route 20.  

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Given the incoming hot and dry weather, fire activity is expected to increase slightly with continued smoldering and occasional flare ups. Crews will continue to chip vegetation and tree debris off the shoulder of State Route 20 and widen indirect firelines. Firefighters will also implement the use of helicopter transportation to the higher elevation areas of the Easy Fire to begin work along the Mt. Hardy ridge line. Crews continue to scout opportunities to further secure the ridgetop and indirect lines with future strategic firing operations.  

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for all aircrafts not involved in wildfire suppression operations. Do not fly a personal drone over or near the Easy Fire. Any incursions create a safety hazard to fire aircraft and require air operations to stop.  

WEATHER: Temperatures today will continue to increase as a warming and drying trend begins with a strong ridge building into the Northwest. Expect scattered clouds in the morning and mostly sunny sky weather in the afternoon. Winds will be northwest 1-4 and increase to 7-10 mph after 10:00 a.m.  

CLOSURES: 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.  

EVACUATIONS:  There are no evacuations in place for the Easy Fire. Anyone recreating in the area should be vigilant of surroundings and stay out of closed areas.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080   
Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM  
Email: 2024.easy@firenet.gov