Firefighters respond to new fire in Alpine Lakes Wilderness

LEAVENWORTH — Firefighters are responding to a new fire in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Paddy Go Fire was spotted by hikers on the Wenatchee River Ranger District on Monday, Aug. 10. The fire is estimated at 4 to 5 acres and is located in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, southeast of Granite Mountain.

Shortly after the fire’s discovery, the agency said four smoke jumpers were inserted during the initial attack with support on the ground by Type 1 helicopters. 

Though the fire is said to be receiving full suppression tactics, firefighting efforts are challenged by steep, rocky and inaccessible terrain. However, rocky natural features are being leveraged in containment strategies. On Tuesday afternoon, firefighters inserted pumps to secure lines, with water being pumped from French Pothole Lake. Three rappelers were inserted Tuesday evening, according to the agency.

The cause of the fire is currently undetermined.

The Paddy Go Fire is the latest addition to several active fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. There are three large fires — Three Queens, Little Giant and Ptarmigan Fires —burning from the Methow Valley Ranger District to the Canadian border, down to the Cle Elum Ranger District located along I-90.

With ongoing fires across the region, the Forest Service reiterated that Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place forest-wide, prohibiting all wood, wood stove, and charcoal briquette stoves and other open flames. Use of pressurized liquid gas stoves is an acceptable alternative, provided such devices are used in areas that are barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material. 

The agency emphasized the importance of preventing human caused fires from starting during an already active fire season, where extremely dry fuels are enabling rapid spread. Fire danger is considered extreme across the region.

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