by Richard Uhlhorn
Busy fire month:
Chelan Fire and Rescue had an extremely busy July, responding to eight brush fires and seven other fires and accidents. The responded to two separate State Mobilization call outs which included the Pioneer Fire in Stehekin and the Black Canyon/Reach fire in Yakima.
July’s biggest fire was the destruction of the Recycle Center on July 24.
Chief Brandon Asher reported to the commissioners that August is also far above normal so far. However, he was surprised that on-water call numbers are way down. There was also wildfire start on Chelan Butte July 4 which the department immediately squashed. “We were super aggressive on that fire and were lucky that there was no wind.”
The department sent a wildland fire truck to Stehekin and the rescue boat was also put into action for many days with Captain Russ Jones working night shifts. As of August 20, Jones was still in Stehekin and attended the commission meeting via Zoom and the department’s Starlink account allowing communications from uplake.
Four firefighters, two from Chelan and two from Manson mobilized to Stehekin.
On August 20, Chelan Fire was called to a brush fire off Stayman Flats road. It quickly became a 3 Alarm fire with wind driving it up-slope into Downey Canyon and up to the ridgeline above Hawk’s Meadow and over.
Commissioner Mark Donnell said he was overwhelmed by the quick response. At one point the evacuation level went to Level 3. The aerial attack was quick and overwhelming with scooper planes and DC-10s dropping copious amounts of water and retardant to stop the advance into the Lake Chelan Valley.
The Northwest Team took the fire over and managed it until it was contained. Chelan residents and visitors had quite a show to watch. Russ Jones, before heading back to Stehekin with the fire and rescue boat, helped the Sheriff’s Department keep boaters away from the lane the scooper planes were using to pick up water.
When completed the Stayman Flats fire burned 3,450 acres within a space of approximately 7 hours.
Assistant Chief Shaun Sherman stated that District 7 and 5 have had excellent training. “We are working well together.”
Rumor: There is a rumor that the first phase of the Weidner Apartment Complex has begun.
There has been no real new forthcoming regarding the TIF, but I informed them that the $9 million requested from the U.S. Congress for the project has passed out of the House and is now in the Senate’s hands.
Insurance woes:
Mark Donnell said he went to a NW. Insurance Council meeting and that it was “pretty interesting on homeowners insurance” issues. He reported that one homeowner saw his homeowners insurance go from $3,000 per year to$10,000 because their home was over 10 miles from a fire station. This is a huge issue throughout the State. “I don’t think it is going to get any better.”
During commissioner comments, Karyl Oules said, “Your guys are doing a killer job. Thanks for all the firefighters.”
Russ Jones added, “I think the community is feeling pretty good about our fire department right now.” Donnell added that everyone should remember these times.
Karyl Oules brought up the potential purchase of a Side by Side vehicle for the department.
Jones replied that with paragliders dropping like flies a side by side would be able to get to them quickly. Donnell added that a side by side could put four people on a situation really quick.
I brought up the issue of communications with local media so we can get the word out to the public about what is happening, especially when the second and third alarm siren goes off. Donnell agreed that the Department needs to consider how to do this.
The good news for the week was the evacuation level reduced to Level 1 in Stehekin which will allow the Valley to accept visitors.
All Things Lake Chelan 