Pasayten's Methow Valley Bulletin Board

Update 1:35 Sunday
Stud Horse Mountain Fire
UPDATE: August 3, 2025
Start Date/Time: July 31, 3:18 P.M.
Known structures lost: No primary structures
Estimated size: 543 acres
Containment: 60%
Resources:
Engines: 14
Crews: 2
Dozers: 0
Tenders: 3
Total Personnel: 129
Summary: Southeast WA Type 3 Incident Management Team has command of the response to the Stud Horse fire, located 2 miles east of Winthrop, WA. The fire started in the Stud Horse Mountain area on Thursday July 31 at 3:18 P.M., the fire spread was threatening primary structures near Winthrop and spreading rapidly, growing to 543 acres. State Mobilization was approved on July 31 at 8:00 P.M. The cause is confirmed lighting strike.
Yesterday (Aug. 2): Some resources were released as operational objectives were met. Hand crews continue monitoring and mopping up hotspots as well as validating fire lines in preparation for forecasted weather events. Crews completed building fire lines around two small fires to the east of the primary fire.
Evacuations were lowered, with just one area east of the fire remaining under a Level 2 evacuation level. The latest updates on evacuation levels can be found on the Okanogan County Emergency Management website.
An investigation confirmed that the fire was caused by a lightning strike.
Today (Aug. 3): Over the next 48 hours, crews will continue mopping up hot spots and improving fire lines around high-risk properties in preparation for forecasted winds. Crews are also looking for additional lightning strikes that could be smoldering from the July 31 weather event.

Issued: 08-02-2025: 01:21 PM

Level 3 has been removed.

Level 2 has been downsized and moved.

Area affected by the Level 2 Be Ready:

Bear Creek Road 210 to 375

Sunflower Hill Road

Meshugass Lane

STAY CLEAR DON'T BE THE PROBLEM
Even though Evacuation Levels have been reduced, there is still fire crew working throughout the fire.
If you do not live directly withing the affected areas of the fire STAY CLEAR.

Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action if needed.

Issued: 08-02-2025, 08:00 AM

Studhorse evacuation areas have been reduced in size.

Level 3 area includes:

Studhorse Mountain Road 168 to 292
Miktu Way
Sun Dog Road
Studhorse Ridge Road
Bear Creek Gold Course
Bear Creek Road 28-375
Sunflower Lane
Hill Drive

Level 2 area includes:

Bear Creek Road south to the Northend of Davis Lake east of the Chewuch Canal.

Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action if needed.

Emergency Management will be monitoring the situation and will update as needed.

Nancy Aadland

Aerial photos of the Studhorse Fire. None of the homes were lost but the fire is still not considered contained and the evacuation orders have not yet been lifted. My neighborhood is to the left on the first photo at the bottom of the Mountain. A combination of Northerly winds and expert fire fighting kept yesterday from being a worse tragedy. My heart is sick for the vegetation, forests, trails and the animals who inhabited these 550 acres.

Okanogan County Emergency Management

UPDATE for the Studhorse Fire, Winthrop, WA.
Issued: 08-01-2025. 12:03 PM.
The fire held in its footprint overnight, still having some smoke activity mostly on the east end towards Bear Creek Road.
Four outbuildings were destroyed with no homes lost.
Evacuation levels are expected to reduce today but the Levels 3 and 2 will remain in place until the incoming Incident Management Team finishes their assessment of the fire.
There is heavy fire personnel and equipment activity around the entire fire, if you do not live in the direct area of the fire remain clear.
The Red Cross shelter at the Liberty Bell Elementary School has been CLOSED.
There is a Temporary Flight Restriction in place over the fire.
National Weather Service is forecasting thunderstorm activity occurring throughout Okanogan County again this afternoon.
Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action if needed.
Emergency Management will be monitoring the situation and will update as needed.
For more information go to, Okanogan County Emergency Management's, active incident web page at okanogancounty.org

I've had hard rain for over an hour, letting up but I see lightning strikes, cloud to ground, hitting the valley. At least this will help finish off the Stud Horse fire. It looks like McClure was beat up by strikes earlier.

Absolutely insane rainfall here right now. For sure there will be some flooding.

Fire Dist 6 reporting no structures lost, dozer line around the fire. There are great pics on their facebook page.

Nancy LaRiviere Aadland

Some of the photos that my grandson, Trevin Leon, took this afternoon and evening of the Studhorse Fire.

https://www.arcgis.com/home/webmap/view ... 08,49.2381

OCEM: Level 3 Immediate Evacuation issued for Upper Bear Creek Road.

For an active FIRE in the area of Stud Horse Mountain, Winthrop, WA.

Issued 07-31-2025, at 06:20 PM

Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action immediately.

Level 3 for Sunflower Lane and Bear Creek Road

Be cautious of emergency vehicles responding.

Do not wait for door-to-door notification, EVACUATE NOW!

This may be your only notice, Evacuate now.

OCEM: Red Cross is opening a shelter at the Eagle Gym at Liberty Bell Elementary School
18 Twin Lakes Road, Winthrop for those residents being evacuated.

Pictures from Twin Lakes...

5:25 the smoke seems to be lowering and smudging out and I'm not seeing black smoke so hopefully no homes were burned. I've watched 2 planes for the last half hour over the fire.

Okanogan County Emergency Management

Level 3 Immediate Evacuation issued for Stud Horse Mountain
FROM PEARRYGIN LAKE SIDE TO HALF WAY
DOWN WINTHROP SIDE
For an active FIRE in the area of Stud Horse Mountain, Winthrop, WA.
Issued: 07-31-2025, 04:26 PM.
Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action Immediately!
Evacuate north away from fire.
Be cautious of emergency vehicles responding.
Do not wait for door to door notification.
This may be your only notice.
Evacuate now. Evacuate north away from fire.
Emergency Management will be monitoring the situation and will update when needed.
Again, this is a Level 3 immediate Evacuation for a fire burning in the area Stud Horse Mountain, Winthrop, WA
For more information go to, Okanogan County Emergency Management's, active incident web page at okanogancounty.org

I'm seeing substantial flames on the N side of Studhorse on the slope between there and Pearrygin Lake.

Big fire in Studhorse area... Between Pearygin and Davis lakes... Heading south and east...

We live on the East Chewuch about 2 miles N of Pearrygin

Big fire in Studhorse area... Between Pearygin and Davis lakes

PAL wrote: Thu Jul 31, 2025 4:37 pm Where are you located David?

Far above the Chewuch above Cub Creek. Uphill Road.

The smoke column is tilted over to the E so I suspect the fire is rapidly spreading in that direction. I've been seeing substantial flames on this side.

Where are you located David?

Level 3 Immediate Evacuation issued for Stud Horse Mountain
FROM PEARRYGIN LAKE SIDE TO HALF WAY
DOWN WINTHROP SIDE
For an active FIRE in the area of Stud Horse Mountain, Winthrop, WA.
Issued: 07-31-2025, 04:26 PM.
Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action Immediately!
Evacuate north away from fire.
Be cautious of emergency vehicles responding.
Do not wait for door to door notification.
This may be your only notice.
Evacuate now. Evacuate north away from fire.
Emergency Management will be monitoring the situation and will update when needed.
Again, this is a Level 3 immediate Evacuation for a fire burning in the area Stud Horse Mountain, Winthrop, WA

I am not seeing any aircraft. They may be engaging on the S or E sides of the fire though.

Flames are visible from here.