Washington State Fires Hold Steady

Summary

Fires were burning across more than 270,000 acres on Monday, with most of the state's significant fires holding steady.

Story Published: Sep 4, 2006 at 3:19 PM PST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 7:37 AM PST

MAZAMA, WASH. - Fires were burning across more than 270,000 acres in Washington state on Monday, with most of the state's significant fires holding steady.

A "red flag" warning for low humidity and gusty winds was issued for the lightning-caused Tatoosh and Cedar Complex, north and south of Mazama in the Pasayten Wilderness.

The complex had burned more than 15,000 acres, or more than 23 square miles, crossing the Pasayten River to the northwest and moving into Canada.

Firefighters continued suppression and structure protection Monday, while forest officials planned to meet with their Canadian counterparts to discuss management of the fire.

In southeast Washington, the Columbia Complex of fires was 25 percent contained at 88,652 acres Monday, more than 138 square miles.

Over the Labor Day weekend, warm, dry weather helped those fires increase about 4,000 acres by Sunday, mostly at the north end where the blaze moved toward the site of the August 2005 School fire that burned 50,000 acres and 109 houses.

Temperatures in the mid-90s were expected through Tuesday, with possible thunderstorms.

About 1,572 fire crew members were working the Tripod Complex northeast of Winthrop. That complex had burned 240 square miles, or 153,836 acres. It was 56 percent contained.

In Western Washington, the Dewatto fire on the Kitsap Peninsula, near Hood Canal, has burned more than 150 acres and prompted the evacuation of a Boy Scout camp and several homes. Helicopters dropped water over the holiday weekend and more than 100 firefighters were working on extinguishing hot spots Monday.

A fire reported Sunday along the west fork of the White River, about 17 miles southeast of Buckley in Pierce County, quickly spread to 350 acres in steep, brush- and tree-covered terrain, said Allen Gibbs of the Forest Service. No homes were threatened. Firefighters from nearby Mount Rainier National Park were fighting the 7440 Fire, as were Forest Service crews, while three helicopters dropped water Monday.

Other Washington fires of note:

-Crews continued to monitor the 5,612-acre Flick Creek fire on the east shore of Lake Chelan. That fire was 40 percent contained.

-About 113 firefighters were working the lightning-caused 6,789-acre Tinpan fire in the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

-A 327-acre wildfire on Quinns Meadows Road near Colville, in northeast Washington, was 85 percent contained.

-The Carbon Copy Complex near Carbonado in Western Washington covered 280 acres and was 75 percent contained.

-The Bear Gulch fire near Olympic National Park stood at 800 acres and was 60 percent trailed.