By Ann McCreary More than 200 people were at a standing room only meeting at the Methow Valley Community Center to learn about the fires ravaging the valley. They were told that until the weather changes, the fires cant be contained. The three Carlton area fires have merged into one fire. The Cougar Flat Fire has grown to 25,000 acres. The total combined acreage Thursday night is estimated at 47,362 and growing. Some highlights from speakers: +Peter Goldmark, commissioner, Department of Natural Resources -The 60 fires in the state now are huge drain on resources. We didnt have enough (firefighters) after the lightning storm came through. + Don Waller, fire chief Okanogan County Fire District #6 -Mother Nature is going to win. This is the worst fire behavior Ive ever witnessed. +Nathan Rabe, Incident Commander, Washington Incident Management Team -All resources are focused on point protection, meaning protecting people and property. There are no resources to try to contain the fire. -A National Incident Management Organization (NIMO team will arrive tomorrow to help because fire is so complex. -Expect 1200 firefighters to be involved before its over. + Jeremy Wolf, National Weather Service, Spokane -Were going through a weather transition to cooler weather, but that means winds will continue through Friday. + Ben Curtis, fire behavior analyst -In 17 years of analyzing fires, Ive never seen fire grow like this -The Cougar Flat Fire went from 65 acres Wednesday to 25,000 acres Thursday. -Were not getting a break at night because temperatures are still warm, humidity is low and winds are continuing. + Scott Miller, Okanogan County Emergency Manager -As of Thursday night, Finley Canyon, Lower Beaver Creek Road, Balky Hill Road, Benson Creek Road all on level 3 evacuation. -The Carlton fires have reached highway 97 at Pateros. -4 miles of the PUD transmission line is in area that is burned. -Highway 20 over Loup Loup remains closed. -Highway 153 from McFarland Creek to Gold Creek is closed intermittently due to hazardous conditions. + Rebecca Thompson, Red Cross -Shelter is open at the Grange on Second Avenue. -Shelter can use water and nonperishable foods. +Mike Liu, Methow Valley District Ranger -With the wind out of the northeast, the town of Twisp is sheltered from major threat. +Loren Torgerson, resource manager for the incident management team -With help from the NIMO team, will try to begin containing the fire when there a change the weather.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 05:37:03 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015