Firefighters make headway in Lower Sugarloaf Fire containment efforts

OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST — The Lower Sugarloaf Fire, located 12 miles northeast of Leavenworth, has reached 11 percent containment.

According to fire officials, the containment is a result of days-long line construction, burning operations and securing efforts. The contained areas include southwest portions of the fireline – by the powerline corridor near Chumstick Creek – and eastern portions, such as a portion of Rothrock Road near Tillicum Creek, according to the operations map.

Over the weekend, firefighting personnel continued to use direct and indirect firefighting tactics to implement a full suppression strategy, taking advantage of precipitation and high humidity to mop up areas and subdue fire activity.

On Saturday, burning operations were implemented along the southern, southeastern and western portions of the perimeter, including north of Roaring Creek Ridge and Forest Service roads 315 and 52. Firefighters targeted pockets of unburned vegetation to bring the fire towards established boundary lines. On the northwest corner of the fire, firefighters mopped up, held established fire lines, and secured the perimeter.

Crews continued to hold the fire perimeter through Sunday as northwest winds and cooler weather passed through the area. Firefighters reinforced fire lines by intensifying mop-up operations inside the secured perimeter. According to fire officials, fire behavior was most active near Roaring Creek on Sunday, where firefighters constructed, held, and improved the fire line with assistance from helicopters. Crews and dozers also continued to prepare and construct fire lines along Gold Ridge to the north, as well as Dinkelman Ridge and Forest Service Road 52 in the southeast.

With favorable wind and weather conditions expected on Monday, crews plan to improve and progress line construction on the fire perimeter. If conditions remain favorable, officials said crews would resume fire burning operations along Forest Service Road 52 in the southeast, strengthening previously constructed fire lines. Structure protection groups continue to work throughout the Entiat Valley and Chumstick Creek corridor to assess and prepare structures near the fire perimeter.

The lightning-caused fire has burned over 17,000 acres since it started on Sept. 1. As of Monday, over a thousand personnel are working on the fire, with 31 crews, 63 engines, six helicopters, nine dozers, and 17 water tenders assigned. Last week, Chelan County Commissioners declared a state of emergency in response to the Pomas and Lower Sugarloaf fires, in order to streamline emergency response efforts.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media