UPDATE: Fire sparks up Merry Canyon on Memorial Day

UPDATE: Despite halting the growth of the fire at 15 acres by 6 a.m. on May 27, the fire continued to grow throughout the day, reaching an estimated 153 acres by 4 p.m., according to a Twitter update from WA DNR. Chelan County Emergency Management elevated the situation to a Level 1 evacuation advisory for the intersection of Merry Canyon Road and three miles up Second Creek Road. 

Chelan County Fire District #3 announced a ban on all outdoor debris burning effective May 28, due to current fuels moisture and fire weather.

LEAVENWORTH – Firefighters have halted the growth of a brush fire up Merry Canyon that started over the Memorial Day holiday.

At approximately 11:45 a.m. on May 26, Chelan County Fire District #3 (CCFD #3) received a call about a two-acre brush fire on Second Creek Road in Merry Canyon, which is located roughly eight miles up Chumstick Highway. According to CCFD #3 Deputy Fire Chief Mike Smith, the fire was an estimated five acres when CCFD #3 and Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue (LWFR) arrived at the scene at approximately 12 p.m. 

The departments initiated a call to Central Washington Interagency Communication Center (CWICC) for ground and aviation resources from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR). 

According to a CCFD#3 update at 5 p.m. that day, the fire was an estimated 10 acres, with two rotors and approximately 60 personnel on scene, which included Chelan County Fire Districts 3, 6, and 9, as well as USFS and WA DNR. 

By 6 a.m. on May 27, CCFD#3 reported that the fire’s growth was contained at an estimated 15 acres, with crews working through the day to complete a handline around the perimeter. The fire was turned over to a WA DNR Incident Commander. The fire size was updated to an estimated 20 acres on the CWICC incident website.

Smith said the fire had started on private property and spread to USFS land, but the cause had yet to be determined. 

“It isn’t and wasn’t threatening structures, so we got really lucky,” Smith told Ward Media. “Be careful this time of year. We’re about to enter a burn ban. All it takes is one ignition source.”

Chelan County typically implements burn restrictions from June 1 to Oct. 1. More information about restrictions can be found at both CCFD #3 and LWFR websites.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media