Glacier Peak wildfire slowly burns downed timber and brush

Pomas Fire burning northwest of Entiat June 15

The newest Chelan County wildfire is smoldering in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, northwest of Entiat.

Smokejumpers and air resources were on the scene over the weekend, after the fire was reported by a hiker on Friday.

The fire has burned an estimated 163 acres as of Monday morning in downed timer and brush at five thousand feet elevation.

"Our goal is to corral this thing as safely and quickly as we can," said U.S. Forest Service Chelan District Ranger Holly Krake.

Firefighters were aided by air scoopers dipping out of Lake Chelan and Fern and Myrtle Lakes for targeted bucket drops. Steep terrain is limiting the ability of air tanker pilots to safely fly the fire area even if retardant were effective in dense timber where typically little, if any, retardant reaches the ground.

"Central Washington is 30 to 45 days ahead of normal for how hot and dry it is,” added Krake. “While air and ground resources are working as hard as they can to catch the fire in these first few hours and days, the Pomas Fire may be here for a while.”

Wildfire smoke from the fire, northwest of Entiat, may be visible from Holden and Lake Chelan.

No structures or homes threatened at this time.