2014 Leavenworth Forest Fire Update
September Update – Leavenworth Forest Fire September 14, 2014
The Tumwater Fire in Leavenworth is currently burning in steep terrain at the edge of town above the Heidleburger Restaurant and above Marson Drive, west of Ski Hill Road. There are a few helicopters with water buckets working the fire as well as hand crews. Marson Drive is on a level 1 evacuation notice, but no structures are directly threatened at this time. Tumwater Fire Update Release Date: Sep 16, 2014 Tuesday, September 16, 2014 – 9 a.m.
Fire activity was minimal overnight on the 20-25 acre Tumwater Fire burning just west of the town of Leavenworth. Only a few glowing spots were visible on the hillside during the night. On Monday, approximately 120 firefighters were able to construct fire lines around 50 percent of the fire. Today, plans are to burn out a 2-acre area at the base of Tumwater Mountain above Marson Road where evacuation level 1 remains in effect. The objective of the burnout is to secure the fire lines that have been constructed in that area by removing fuels adjacent to the lines. Due to the steep terrain, the fire has been spreading as debris rolls downhill and ignites new spot fires; removal of these fuels diminishes the potential for new spot fires to start in this area. If weather conditions are conducive, the burnout will occur around 2 p.m. resulting in an increase of smoke coming from the eastern flank of the fire. Fire crews will continue mopping up on the southern flank of the fire near the gravel pit, and helicopters will continue dropping water on hot spots burning above Tumwater Canyon and on the eastern side of the fire. The fire is being managed under unified command with support from Rural County Fire District No. 3, US Forest Service Chelan County Sheriffs, and Washington State Patrol.
Continue below for Summer 2014 Fire News
Many of our readers have been concerned about the Chiwaukum Creek fire near Tumwater campground and have been looking for a 2014 Leavenworth forest fire update. The fire started as a result of a lightning storm than hit the area on Monday, July 14th and then the fire really took off on Tuesday with warmer temperatures. Some spot fires across the Wenatchee River and highway 2 prompted Level 3 evacuations for River Road and the Ponderosa Estates neighborhood in Plain. While the evacuation notices in the area have been reduced, US Highway 2 remains closed between Coles Corner (Lake Wenatchee Turnoff) and Leavenworth. Access to Leavenworth via Stevens Pass is still available through Plain and the Chumstick Highway. As of Thursday, July 24 we have had a couple of rainy days recently which have certainly slowed the fire’s growth and brought cooler temps and higher humidity to the area. This rain won’t be a “season ending event” which usually comes in the form of snow in October, but it certainly does help. The fire is approximately 12,000 acres in size and about 20% contained at this time. For the latest updates we recommend a number of great sources: http://millscanyonfire.wordpress.com/ http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3976/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Chelan-County-Emergency-Management/188543097925415 If you are looking to help those affected by the fires, the Windermere Foundation has set up a fund and is matching the first $2500. https://www.windermere.com/foundation
