Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Multiple wildfires merge into Wenatchee Complex, burning in Wenatchee, Washington - @King5Seattle

by KING 5 News

KING5.com

Posted on September 11, 2012 at 6:40 AM

Firefighters now believe three wildfires merged into one, creating the Canyons Fire that is burning dangerously close to homes in Wenatchee -- but it's still only part of what firefighters are calling the Wenatchee Complex.

The Byrd Canyon Fire near Entiat makes up the other main part of the complex, still burning strong in 6,500 acres of steep slopes above the Columbia River.

The Canyons Fire has burned about 1,200 acres. Tuesday, flames came within a quarter mile of the Broadview subdivision, where just some of the 450 homes under an evacuation order in Okanogan and Chelan counties are located.

Firefighters said part of their plan includes allowing the fire to burn through dry fuel, but standing guard in neighborhoods ready to spray down any flames that creep close to homes.

Firefighters advised homeowners to leave their sprinklers on and close all the windows in their homes before evacuating.

A total of 98 homes are under a Level 3 evacuation order; 280 homes are under a Level 2, and 76 homes are under a Level 1 order.

Officials described the Level 1, 2 and 3 akin to a "Ready, Set, Go" level of evacuation notices. Level 1 asks residents be ready to evacuate if conditions change, Level 2 means residents should be set to go at a moment's notice, and Level 3 means authorities are advising residents to evacuate because homes are in imminent danger.

Related: Photos from Canyons Fire near Wenatchee

Related: Photos from Byrd Canyon Wildfire near Entiat

The Wenatchee Complex includes as many as 110 wildfires that all started Saturday during a lightning storm.

SR 97-A is intermittently closed between Chelan and the junction with Navarre Coulee Road.

Along with the fire danger, there is danger from rock slides triggered by the flames.

The local Red Cross chapter has set up shelter for evacuees at the Wenatchee Seventh-Day Adventist Church, located at 508 North Western Avenue and available at 509-663-3907.

A public information phone line has also been set up: 509-667-6636.

Pets can be evacuated to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society.