Easy Fire - Along SR 20 in NCP

[Rideback]

2 new fires near the East Fire just being reported. Sadly this could just be the beginning as the lightning strikes smolder.

[just-jim]

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Im pretty sure the lookou has been stabilized and ‘re-built’….I know there were numerous work parties up there is years pat.
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[mister_coffee]

Anybody here even been to Mebee Pass and the ruins of the lookout?

[Rideback]

USFS update
Lightning Sparks Easy Fire in Methow Valley; Highway 20 Closed
Easy Fire (new Wildfire)- Thursday, July 18, 2024
Location: 18 air miles west of Mazama, WA
Acreage: 300+ acres
Containment: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Personnel: 35
Yesterday: Firefighters responded to a new wildfire sparked by dry lightning storms moving through the Easy Pass area of the Methow Valley and immediately reported explosive fire growth and running crown fire into the evening. Crews stayed on the fire overnight but weeks of extreme temperatures, record dry conditions, and dangerous terrain with no road access hampered initial response efforts.
“Our goal is to stop any new growth on the Easy Fire, but this is a really rough spot,” said Chris Furr, Methow Valley District Ranger for the Forest Service. “Another day of low humidity, extreme heat, and dangerous ground conditions isn’t going to help.”
Today: Firefighters will continue scouting terrain where containment lines would be effective at stopping any new growth on the Easy Fire. Since there are no existing roads or other natural features to limit fire spread, fire managers will use a combination of ground crews to put in containment lines and air resources to cool off hotspots with water. Steep terrain will likely limit the ability of air tanker pilots to safely fly the fire area even if retardant were effective in dense timber where typically, little if any retardant reaches the ground.
“This is just a nasty piece of ground for ground and air resources,” added Furr. “In this first 24 hours we’re going to look at every option, every tool, we have to safety corral this thing but we're also bracing for the long-haul.”
Smoke: Air resource advisors are anticipating persistent smoke remaining at Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy possible during evening hours as smoke settles into valley bottoms for the greater Methow Valley area. For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Closures: Trails: Pacific Crest Trail in the Easy Pass/Rainy Pass area is closed as well as the Heather Maple Pass Trail due to closed road access. More details on other area trail closures will be shared as they become available. Roads: Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) is fully closed between Granite Creek (MP 148) and east of the Rainy Pass Trail Head (MP 158) due to wildfire activity. Please check Washington State Department of Transportation information at https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/
Evacuations: None, there are no structures or homes threatened at this time.

Fire Information:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.. ... -easy-fire
Facebook: U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
X: twitter.com/OkaWenNF
Fire Information: 509-557-0718
Photo: Crown fire runs through dense timber on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on the evening of July 17, 2024 approximately 20 air miles east of the Mazama community in the Methow Valley in Washington. Source: USFS

[PAL]

Wow! Here we go again. Thanks for posting. Will impact the Blues Fest somewhat, I would think.
Another closure that should be happening is the Eagle Cr. trail up Twisp River. Fire was headed towards Middle Oval last I checked yesterday. Have not checked Cal Topo this morning.
Just saw the map on the Pioneer. Also, West Fork Buttermilk would be closing. I called the Forest Service 2 days ago to ask about contingency plans but she just said they were working on some roads for ingress and egress for firefighters, which I knew one is the Black Canyon. I'll see if there is any activity starting over here.

[pasayten]

The fire has CLOSED Highway 20...

[pasayten]

07/17/24 1955
WAOWF-435
P6 R3U9 (0617)
Wildfire
EASY
Skagit Co., Easy Pass
48.597033, -120.790217 48°,35.82 x 120°,47.41

[pasayten]

Dang... Another bad place to fight...
Wil take a few hours for good data to log proper location and status.



07/17/24 1922
WANCP-205
Skagit Co., Easy Pass
48.597033, -120.790217 48°,35.82 x 120°,47.41
T36 R16 S26

[just-jim]

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New fire reported along SR 20 near Easy Pass TH.

Central WA dispatch lists it at 100 acres. ‘Easy Fire’

Looks like on the NE side of 20, rather than Easy Pass side.
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IMG_1820.jpeg (94.17 KiB) Viewed 7108 times

From a FB post - taken around 9 pm tonite.
Some posters say approaching Hwy, already?
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I would re-think any HWY 20 travel or hiking plans….
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