Sugarloaf wilderness fire grows; firefighters hopeful

The Lower Sugarloaf wildfire continues to threaten Ardenvoir, along the west side of the Entiat River and the upper Mad River basin, where a ‘get out’ evacuation advisory is in effect.

Chelan County Emergency Management issued a ‘get ready’ to evacuate advisory Sunday night for the Entiat River Valley.

The Sugarloaf burning west of Entiat and  northeast of Leavenworth has grown to an estimated 11,252 acres as of midnight Monday.

"We looking at favorable conditions over the next couple of days," said Nathan Goodrich, Operations Chief on the fire. "Sugarloaf Peak lookout has been protected. Burgess Cabins is all looking good."

Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity Sunday helped moderate fire spread throughout the day. Firefighters were able to complete burn operations along the southwestern edge tying the powerline corridor to the fire’s edge. Prep work for burn operations continued from Chumstick Creek to Second Creek. Dozer line was constructed near Beaver Creek to secure the north-northwest edge.

A weather system to our west will move through the area with increased northwesterly winds later today and overnight. Winds are expected to be 8-12 mph with gusts up to 20 mph up on ridgetops. Tuesday is the strongest chance for wetting rain in this current weather pattern.

Considering the break in the weather on Sunday, Goodrich said, "The clearing weather is going to help provide some opportunities to likely do some strategic, not necessarily defense, but strategic burning in the future."

Chief Goodrich said citizens can expect to see more aerial resource support due to increased visibility. Firefighters are preparing Forest Service Road 78 for burn operations and continuing mop-up operations around structures above Forest Service Road 78 and upper Chumstick Creek

The blaze, which started September 1 from lightning, is burning in timber and brush.

New lightening sparked fires began Sunday west of highway 2.

A new fire was reported west of Fish Lake in Okanogan County.

As many as 15 new starts, from north of Omak, into the northeast. The largest wild fire burning northwest of the Columbia River due east of Electric City.

Evacuations: Chelan County Emergency Management has issued level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation advisories and notices for parts of the fire area. Click here for the latest evacuation information.

Closures: For firefighter and public safety, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has put a forest closure in place around the fire. Check the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest’s website Alerts for current closures in the area.

Smoke: Smoke is very visible to the communities of Plain, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, and Entiat. The National Weather Service has issued an Air Quality Alert for the area. Go to WASmokeBlog or AirNow for air quality information.

Chelan Fire and Rescue and Lake Wenatchee Fire are issuing free masks for those in need.