Local News

Fires Erupt in Extreme Heat

Jul 29, 2020

A one car accident over an embankment off the Tunk Creek Road in the area of J H Green Road ingnited a wildfire Monday afternoon. The driver was able to get out, but the car burned along with 700 acres as the high temperatures and low relative humidities made for explosive fire growth.

Initially Level 1 alerts were sent out, but Level 2 evacuation notices were issued at 5pm for both the J H Green Road and the Chewilliken Road.

Mulitple aircraft both fixed wing and helicopters were sent to the fire along with at least 6 engines from DNR along with local fire district equipment and personnel.

At approximately 5:30pm several fires were reported along the north side of State Route 20 near milepost 273 to 270. One of the fires, named the Anglin Fire, at milepost 271.5 was burning rapidly to the north.

Okanogan County Deputies were in the area and immediately started making Level 3, Leave Now, notifications in the Cayuse and Island Mountain areas.

Aircraft were diverted from the Green Fire in the Tunk area to the Anglin Fire. As of this morning, DNR says that fire is 1,000 acres in size. A type 3 team has been ordered and will take command of that fire at 9 am today.

Highway 20 was closed in both directions shortly after 8pm, however the fire had moved away from the highway by 11pm and they were able to reopen at 11:19pm according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.

Structures have been lost in the Anglin fire, with at least one home destroyed.

The Red Cross was activated Monday night to help those affected by the fire. And the Okanogan County Fair Grounds is available for the housing of animals.

The cause of the two fires along SR 20 is under investigation.