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Kachess Complex Fire FINAL Update August 17th, 2024 08-17-2024
Kachess Complex
Publication Type: News - 08/17/2024 - 12:00
Kachess Complex FINAL Fire Update August 17th, 2024
Reported date: August 9th &10th, 2024 Cause: Lightning
Total complex size: ~23 acres Personnel: 155
Fuels: Timber, timber litter, timber understory
Strategy: Full Suppression
Fire behavior: Smoldering, creeping, single tree torching
Location: On the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest northwest of Cle Elum. The Stave Creek and Thomas fires are between Kachess and Cle Elum Lake. The Waptus fire is further north in the wilderness near Waptus Lake.
CLE ELUM, Washington: This evening at 6:00 PM, the Albuquerque Zone Type 3 Incident Management Team will transition fire management responsibilities back to the Cle Elum Ranger District. Recent days have seen significant progress towards containment of the complex, and this will be the final report unless notable developments arise. A smaller, type 4 organization will continue to manage the fire in the coming days. For further information, please direct inquiries to the local district.
The Kachess Complex Includes:
- Stave Creek Fire: Approximately 12.5 acres and 35% contained located on steep, rugged, and remote terrain. Firefighters are reinforcing the eastern flank and trying various strategies to safely contain the western flank. Two hotshot crews are on site, focusing on securing accessible areas of the fire line today. Although aerial resources couldn’t operate in the fire area yesterday, they are expected to conduct bucket drops today. All personnel will leave the fire line early this evening due to expected thunderstorms in the area.
- Thomas Fire: Currently 9 acres and 95% contained. A recon flight is scheduled today to monitor for any remaining smoke.
- Waptus: Currently one half acre and 100% contained. All fire personnel were extracted via helicopter on August 14th, 2024.
A message from the Albuquerque Zone Incident Commander, Lino Baca: “We would like to thank the community, local district, and cooperators for your kindness and support during our time on the incident. Safety has been our biggest priority, and significant measures were taken to ensure fire line tactics mitigated risk to the greatest extent. It is always a pleasure working with various area resources and we look forward to working with the Okanogan-Wenatchee fire staff again."
Weather: Showers and thunderstorms are predicted for Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning in the fire area. A flood watch will be in effect Saturday evening for areas within a wildfire burn scar. Marine layers settling over the fire may inhibit aerial operations today.
Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the top priority. Members of the public should avoid the Kachess Complex area. A new TFR (temporary flight restriction) is in effect around the fire otherwise noted. Unmanned aircraft such as drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”.
Temporary flight restriction: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.jsp
Closures: There are no closures in place for the Kachess Complex, however, the public is encouraged to avoid the surrounding trails of the Stave Creek and Thomas Fires. Fire restrictions are in effect on the Cle Elum Ranger District, for additional information visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053600 .
Incident Information