Lightning storms cause more fires over Labor Day Weekend

OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST — Dry lightning storms over Labor Day Weekend have sparked more fires on public forest land across North Central Washington. On Monday, the U.S. Forest Service said it was responding to six new fires across the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

Lake Wenatchee Area

There are two fires with high spread potential on Sugarloaf Mountain, located 5 miles east of Plain. Resources include one 20-person hand crew, engines, Heli-tack module and 3 engines. The response team is utilizing a type 3 helicopter for bucket work, with additional aircraft on order. According to Wildcad, the Lower Sugarloaf Fire is an estimated 25 acres.

Located 11 miles northeast of Lake Wenatchee, the Cougar Fire has burned three acres along Tyee Ridge and also has high spread potential. Smokejumpers, rappelers and a type one helicopter were ordered. 

Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

Two fires are located in the Enchantments area of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The Jack Creek Fire, south of Stuart Lake, is estimated at a tenth of an acre. Four smokejumpers have been assigned. The Stuart Lake Fire is currently being assessed.

Mission Ridge Area

The estimated two-acre Mission Ridge Fire is located in the vicinity of Beehive Reservoir, and is visible from Wenatchee. The fire is burning in timber, grass, and brush, and is single tree and group torching. A 20-person crew, aerial support helicopters and “fire boss” water scoopers have been assigned to the fire. 

Cle Elum Area

The Labor Mountain Fire, located between Standup and Stafford Creek drainages, is actively burning in brush and heavy timber in steep terrain. Resources are working to contain the fire with aerial support. The fire is about 13 miles northeast of Cle Elum.

The Forest Service is asking hikers to stay off all trails and roads in the French Corral area from the Entiat Valley. Recreationists are also being asked to avoid areas where aerial fire support is flying; drivers should use caution when using forest roads with increased emergency fire response traffic and activity. Forest-wide campfire restrictions are also in effect. Any activity that could cause a spark should be done with caution. Smoke or flame sightings on public lands should be reported to 9-1-1.

“Firefighting resources are committed to many wildfires burning throughout the west, please do not add any human-caused wildfires to the mix. There may be several "hold over" fires that become visible over the next several days as those lightning ignitions have sun and drying,” the Forest Service wrote in an update.

The recently reported fires are in addition to a slew for lightning-caused fires across the region. The Forest Service reported six fires in the Wenatchee River, Naches, and Cle Elum Districts over the weekend, including the 10-acre Allen Creek Fire in the Blewett Pass area. In the days leading up to the holiday weekend, a lightning storm sparked the 116-acre Martin Fire burning two miles northwest of Holden, and the 1170- acre Wildcat Fire burning 30 miles northwest of Naches.

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