WENATCHEE, Wash. - Helicopters, dozers, engines, and hand crews are working to hold and strengthen fire lines on the Swakane Canyon wildfire north of Wenatchee.
Some 400 firefighters are on the scene of the fire that has scorched nearly 20,000 acres. Firefighters have it about 30 percent contained and hope to have it fully contained by Saturday.
The fire, reported Saturday in canyons west of the Columbia River, destroyed a hay barn and threatens about 70 homes along Highway 97A.
Karen Ripley, Washington Interagency Incident Management Team, said unburned fuels deep within the fire perimeter continue to be an issue.
"As these fuels dry out in windy warmer conditions in the next few days, and as the summer season progresses, they contribute to active fire behavior and have the potential to re-ignite if conditions are right," she said.
The fire has directly affected nine miles along Highway 97A with fire activity and fire personnel present near the roadway. The speed limit has been reduced to 45 mph in the vicinity of Swakane Canyon. Drivers are asked to avoid stopping along Hwy 97A and consider using Hwy 97 on the east side of the Columbia River if possible.
The following road closures are in effect within the vicinity of the fire:
- Swakane Canyon is open to local access only;
- Burch Mountain Road is closed at the end of the blacktop;
- Nahahum Canyon is closed 6.7 miles north of Highway 2; and
- Highway 97A (along the west side of the Columbia River) has been subject to intermittent closures due to fire activity and fire traffic.
- The Mill Canyon Road (FS Road 5200) is closed from Milepost 3.5 (T25N, R20E, S27) to the intersection with FS Road 5210 (T25N, R29E, S27, in the vicinity of Chumstick Mtn).
- FS Road 5212 is closed south of T25N, R20E, S29.
