Burn victim still critical
OMAK — Patricia “Tracy” Boyd, a 48-year-old Omak woman who was seriously burned escaping a camper trailer fire early Monday, is still in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, a hospital spokeswoman said this morning. Boyd was taken to Harborview after Omak police discovered the camper in flames ...Published 4/25/2012
Woman burned in trailer fire is critical
OMAK — A 48-year-old Omak woman suffered serious burns early Monday escaping a fire in her 18-foot camper trailer. Patricia “Tracy” Boyd was burned on her arms, legs and possibly her face, according to Omak police. She was able to make her way to an Omak police officer who noticed ...Published 4/24/2012
Wildfire threatens homes, damages porch
WINTHROP — No structures were lost but a porch on one home was damaged in a wind-driven wildfire in a residential area between Twisp and Winthrop Tuesday afternoon. Firefighters from Okanogan and Brewster joined Okanogan County Fire District 6 after the 3 p.m. blaze was reported. In the next three ...Published 4/18/2012
Fire damages Orondo shop
ORONDO — A 2,600-square-foot shop in Orondo suffered heavy fire damage Saturday, but the building was saved thanks a good response by firefighters, Douglas County Fire District 4 Chief Jim Oatey said. The blaze at 127 Nollmeyer Road was reported at 2:30 p.m., and firefighters arrived to find the north ...Published 3/26/2012
Lake Chelan’s south shore may get not one, but two fire stations
Published 2/1/2012
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Couple died of smoke inhalation
WENATCHEE — Dick and Karen Van De Mark, a Malaga couple who perished in a house fire Saturday, died from smoke inhalation, Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris said. Their deaths were ruled accidental.Published 1/26/2012
Malaga fire victims identified
MALAGA — The names of a Malaga couple who perished in a house fire Saturday were confirmed by the Chelan County Coroner this morning as Dick D. Van De Mark, 66, and Karen L. Van De Mark, 67. They were longtime Malaga residents, and Karen ran the Super Kids Day ...Published 1/24/2012
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Restaurant destroyed by fire
CONCONULLY — One of four restaurants in the resort town of Conconully was destroyed by fire early Saturday morning. Firefighters arrived shortly after the 2:53 a.m. call to find Lucky D’s, at 123 N. Main St., almost fully engulfed in flames, said Conconully Fire Chief Sam Martin, who is also ...Published 10/31/2011
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Arsonist ordered to pay feds for wildfire
OKANOGAN — A Nespelem arsonist convicted in August of purposely lighting wildfires on the Colville Indian Reservation two years ago was ordered Monday to pay the $715,490 it cost to fight them. Elam Sunny Rae Baker, 35, is serving 10 years in prison for igniting three fires in September 2009, ...Published 10/29/2011
Hospital fire displaces patients
OMAK — A fire in the boiler at Mid-Valley Hospital in Omak early this morning sent smoke into rooms of a few patients, prompting the hospital to move them to the emergency room, a fire official said. Omak Fire Chief Kevin Bowling said he believes there were five patients in ...Published 10/24/2011
Light year in NCW for wildfires
WENATCHEE — With wildfire season coming to an end, fire managers in North Central Washington are left with one question in mind: What wildfire season? This summer was the slowest wildfire season on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in more than 18 years, and possibly much longer, fire officials said.Published 10/12/2011
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Burning near Lake Wenatchee starts today
LAKE WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee River Ranger District will begin burning piles of slash from a timber sale near Lake Wenatchee today, and continue over the next few days. About 50 acres along the north shore of Fish Lake and near Meadow Creek will be treated, a news release from ...Published 10/7/2011
Out of the blue
Published 9/29/2011
Brush fire burns abandoned house
GRAND COULEE — A fast-moving brush fire near Leahy Junction between Grand Coulee and Bridgeport destroyed an abandoned home and charred about 300 acres Tuesday afternoon, a fire official said. Firefighters saved a barn and several outbuildings, said Chief Dale Rinker of Douglas County Fire District 3.Published 9/28/2011
Jake's Meats fire ruled accidental
Quincy Jake’s Meats fire was accidentalPublished 9/23/2011
Home threatened in Douglas County fire
Published 9/16/2011
Tumwater fire calms
LEAVENWORTH — Residents of Chelan and Douglas counties can breath easier — literally — as firefighters gained the upper hand on a fire burning in Tumwater Canyon. The Chelan-Douglas Health District reports that, after several days of heavy smoke, air quality has now improved to the highest standard everywhere in ...Published 8/23/2011
Containment expected today on 1,100 acre fire
GRAND COULEE — Firefighters today hope to contain a wildland fire that has blackened 1,100 acres northwest of Grand Coulee Dam. An evacuation advisory remains in place for up to 20 structures in the area, said fire spokesman Jeff Sevigney.Published 8/23/2011
Air clears as fire winds down
LEAVENWORTH — Residents of Chelan and Douglas counties can breath easier — literally — as firefighters gain the upper hand on a fire burning in Tumwater Canyon. Air quality has improved to the highest standard everywhere except areas immediately surrounding the fire, where it is slightly downgraded to moderate, The ...Published 8/22/2011
Fewer burns ahead
WENATCHEE — Lightning strikes and human-caused sparks normally have wildland firefighters hopping by mid July. Not this year.Published 7/15/2011
Brushfire blazes above East Wenatchee
Douglas and Chelan County fire districts responded shortly after 4:30 p.m. to a brush fire burning in high winds off 10th Street N.E. in East Wenatchee.Published 6/6/2011
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Forest Service seeks comments on fire retardant
WENATCHEE — On Thursday, the U.S. Forest Service will host a ‘listening session’ to hear what local resident think about a proposed new rule limiting fire retardant drops on national forests across the country. The hearing will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Wenatchee Convention Center, 121 N. ...Published 6/4/2011
Canadian fires send their smoke to us
Wildfires in Alberta, Canada, blamed for haze.Published 5/30/2011
Wenatchee council approves firefighter shift change
One councilman wonders what this means for consolidation
Published 1/15/2011
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Chimney fire damages Wenatchee home
Published 12/14/2010
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Firefighters find body of man
EAST WENATCHEE — Firefighters found the body of a man after putting out a house fire late Saturday night.Published 11/28/2010
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Some agencies lift burn bans in NCW
OKANOGAN — Okanogan County commissioners lifted a county-wide burn ban Tuesday, allowing outdoor burning of natural materials on private property. Bans remain in effect in Chelan and Douglas counties. Douglas County’s burn ban is lifted automatically on Oct. 1.Published 9/25/2010
Fire crews mopping up Quincy-area fire
QUINCY — Fire crews today continue to patrol the remnants of the Baird Springs Fire, a blaze that burned almost 7,700 acres of grass and sagebrush northwest of Quincy. The 140 people assigned to the fire — 90 percent contained this morning — were planning to demobilize today, said Kay ...Published 9/13/2010
Grant County fire burns 9,400 acres, homes no longer threatened
QUINCY — A fire in Grant County had burned 9,400 acres as of Saturday morning. The Baird Springs Fire began at about 12:30 p.m. Friday, according to Kyle Foreman, public information officer for Grant County Emergency Management.Published 9/11/2010
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Study of Tripod fire reaffirms the value of thinning forests
Published 9/1/2010
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Trails reopen in Stehekin area as fire dies down
STEHEKIN — Some trails and camps in the Stehekin area have reopened as the threat from the Rainbow Bridge Fire continues to diminish. The entire length of the Rainbow Lake Trail, and the Rainbow Creek Trail from McAlester Pass to Bench Creek Camp, have been reopened, along with Bowan and ...Published 8/28/2010
Forest Service employees recount memories of burned warehouse
Published 8/28/2010
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Fire near gun club burns about 100 acres of grassland
Published 8/25/2010
Fire near gun club in East Wenatchee
EAST WENATCHEE — Firefighters expected to contain a large brush fire on Badger Mountain by the middle of this afternoon. The fire never threatened any structures and burned only grassland, said Doug Miller, fire marshal for Douglas County Fire District 2. He did not have an estimate of acreage burned.Published 8/24/2010
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Weather cools hot spots
LEAVENWORTH — The weather continued to cooperate for firefighters managing three wildfires in wilderness areas of the Wenatchee River Ranger District over the weekend. “It sprinkled on all three of the fires, which is really good news for us,” Susan Peterson, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest spokeswoman, said this morning.Published 8/23/2010
Fire danger in NCW still high, despite cooler temperatures
NCW —A handful of forest fires are still burning in North Central Washington and have resulted in the closure of some hiking trails. Despite cooler weather, fire danger is still high, according to a news release from Susan Peterson, spokeswoman for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. As of early Saturday morning, ...Published 8/21/2010
Cooler temperatures slow growth of fires
LEAVENWORTH — Three wildfires burning near Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee were tempered by cooler temperatures Thursday.Published 8/20/2010
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Natural barriers containing fire near Eightmile Lake; some trails closed
Two other fires burning nearby
LEAVENWORTH — Three wildfires burning in the Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee areas will be closely monitored but allowed to burn themselves out.Published 8/19/2010
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Fire caused by lightning grows to 100 acres
LAKE WENATCHEE — A lightning-caused fire in a remote area of the Glacier Peak Wilderness has grown to about 100 acres this morning. The fire was confirmed by fire officials Tuesday and is burning in an area known as Thunder Basin, said Forest Service spokeswoman Susan Peterson. The fire is ...Published 8/18/2010
Small fires burn as new fire threat looms
LAKE WENATCHEE — Several trails in the Lake Wenatchee area are still closed this morning as fire crews mop up four small fires from the weekend. The closures include the Mt. David Trail in the White River drainage and the Basalt Ridge, Minnow Creek and Rock Creek Tie trails and ...Published 8/16/2010
One fire reignites while others start
WENATCHEE — Hot and dry conditions over the last two days caused the Rainbow Bridge Fire near Stehekin to reignite, and started the Finner Creek Fire in the Chiwawa Drainage north of Lake Wenatchee. Crews at the Rainbow Bridge Fire were able to mop up and secure the fire quickly, ...Published 8/14/2010
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Road closures lifted for Swakane fire area
WENATCHEE — With the 19,291-acre Swakane Canyon Fire contained, roads in the area have been reopened to the public. People can now use Swakane Road, Burch Mountain Road, Mills Canyon Road and the Mills-Dinkelman junction area below the Entiat Ridge, and Summit Road, said Robin DeMario, a spokeswoman for the ...Published 8/12/2010
Most campfires are banned, so follow the rules, Forest Service reminds
WENATCHEE — Douse that campfire! Or better yet, replace it with a camp stove that can simply be turned off. Firefighters have been called to put out escaped campfires once or twice a week in spite of campfire restrictions that are in effect throughout most of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, ...Published 8/6/2010
As lightning strikes let up, firefighters pack up for home
WENATCHEE — The spectacular lightning storms from the past week are winding down and firefighters are heading home from the Rainbow Bridge and the Wenatchee River Complex fires. Lightning sparked eight new starts in the Chelan-Entiat and Okanogan regions on Wednesday, all less than an acre and quickly contained, said ...Published 8/5/2010
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More fires ignited by lightning, next wave of storms on the way
NCW — Firefighters throughout North Central Washington were busy with numerous reports of lightning-caused fires Tuesday night, but so far, none of them have turned into a major new wildfire, officials say. About 1,500 lightning strikes hit Chelan, Douglas and southern Okanogan County on Tuesday afternoon and evening, said Ron ...Published 8/4/2010
Firefighters contain fire above Fancher Heights
FANCHER HEIGHTS — Fire officials estimate close to 2,000 acres of grass, brush and wheat burned Tuesday night as flames raced southwest down Badger Mountain, coming close to homes in the Canyon Hills subdivision above Fancher Heights. No homes were evacuated, but officials knocked on doors of about 50 homes ...Published 8/3/2010
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Crews keep a wary eye on the sky
Cooler temperatures, calmer winds help firefighers — but thunderstorms are headed this way, forecasters warn
CASHMERE — Slightly cooler temperatures and light winds aided fire crews working on major North Central Washington fires Monday, but the situation could change today as thunderstorms move through the area. Much of Chelan and Okanogan counties is under a flash flood watch today.Published 8/3/2010
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Good day on the firelines
Slightly cooler temperatures and mild winds aided firecrews working on two major fires today.
Slightly cooler temperatures and mild winds aided firecrews working on two major fires todayPublished 8/2/2010
Rain helped fight fires over weekend
Investigators say lightning caused them
NCW — Fire investigators say lightning was the cause of fires in Nahahum Canyon near Cashmere and another near Stehekin. Both were helped by rain Saturday, but fire officials say hot, dry weather is expected to increase fire activity today and Tuesday. “We made excellent progress yesterday on all fires,” ...Published 8/2/2010
Expo Center a safe haven for pets
Calm atmosphere helps skittish horses and dogs
Published 8/2/2010
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Couple sifts through memories after wildfire
Most of their belongings burned in storage container
Published 8/2/2010
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Smoke causing unhealthy conditions
WENATCHEE — Smoky air in Wenatchee and parts of the Methow Valley has been deemed unhealthy for people with sensitive medical conditions. In Winthrop, the air is considered unhealthy for all people, according to the state Department of Ecology.Published 8/2/2010
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Evacuation lifted — Nahahum Canyon residents can return home
CASHMERE – Nahahum Canyon residents can return to their homes this morning for the first time in two days after wildfire swept through the area and burned more than 1,500 acres.Published 8/1/2010
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Rain slows blaze in Stehekin as crews set fire lines
STEHEKIN — Thunderstorms dumping up to an inch of rain and hail here Saturday helped crews push the Rainbow Bridge fire higher up surrounding hillsides.Published 8/1/2010
Evacuation order remains for Nahahum Canyon
CASHMERE – Folks living at the top of Nahahum Canyon won't be returning home tonight, fire officials determined this afternoon.Published 7/31/2010
More than 50 Nahahum Canyon residences under mandatory evacuation
CASHMERE — Authorities ordered the evacuation of 53 Nahahum Canyon residences Friday afternoon as a wildfire burned through brush and scattered timber on steep slopes north of here. The 600-acre blaze, beginning about three miles up Nahahum Canyon, scorched some outbuildings, vehicles and trailers, according to online reports from residents.Published 7/31/2010
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Fire burns to Stehekin Valley floor, threatens a dozen homes
Published 7/31/2010
Fire near Stehekin now at 4,000 acres, structures threatened
STEHEKIN — The Rainbow Bridge Fire near Stehekin has burned 4,000 acres as of 10:30 a.m. Saturday, officials say. The Chelan County Sheriff's Office issued Level 3 (mandatory) evacuation notices for residences within 3/8 of a mile of the Stehekin School and the historic Stehekin schoolhouse on Friday night.Published 7/31/2010
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Nahahum Canyon Fire has burned 600 acres
CASHMERE — The Nahahum Canyon Fire has burned 600 acres, as of Saturday morning, officials say. Authorities ordered the evacuation of some residences Friday afternoon as the wildfire burned through the grassy canyon north of Cashmere.Published 7/30/2010
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Storm-spun fires threaten buildings
NCW — Three wildfires burning in Chelan County near Stehekin, Cashmere and Mission Ridge grew out of control Thursday. The largest by far is the Rainbow Bridge Fire near Stehekin, which grew to an estimated 1,200 acres Thursday night, and is not immediately threatening structures in the small community at ...Published 7/30/2010
State team called in to fight fire near Cashmere
CASHMERE — Firefighters are battling a 70-acre blaze this morning, but no structures are currently threatened in the Tripp Canyon area near Cashmere, a fire official said. The lightning-sparked blaze was reported at about 10:45 a.m. Thursday, and is burning through grass and light timber on state Department of Natural ...Published 7/30/2010
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Wildfire reported near Stehekin
STEHEKIN — Wildland firefighters are battling a blaze in North Cascades National Park near Stehekin. The fire is burning in the Rainbow and Boulder creek drainages in the Stehekin ValleyPublished 7/29/2010
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Lightning sets off the backwoods — crews fighting 20-plus fires
WENATCHEE — Lightning sparked at least 20 wildfires Wednesday, from tiny burn spots to a 40- to 60-acre blaze in the Devils Gulch area south of Cashmere. The fire dispatch center for Chelan and Douglas counties received more than 500 reports of smoke or fire as thunderstorms rolled through the ...Published 7/29/2010
New fire restrictions begin today
WENATCHEE — Expanded campfire restrictions go into effect today on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest due to the increasing fire hazard. On the national forest in Chelan County, all campfires or stove fires are prohibited except at designated campgrounds, summer home sites under special permits, and in certain parts of wilderness ...Published 7/28/2010
Wildfire starts on log deck
LAKE WENATCHEE — Firefighters are working to contain a quarter-acre fire that started Sunday afternoon on a log deck full of logs off Beaver Valley Road, near Lake Wenatchee. The cause of the 4:15 p.m. fire is under investigation, said Jim Duck, coordinator for the Central Washington Interagency Communications Center ...Published 7/26/2010
Children playing with matches start rural fire, officials say
LEAVENWORTH — Children playing with matches started a fire in the 9600 block of Marson Drive about 2:40 p.m. Thursday, said Bill Horner, deputy chief for Chelan County Fire District 3. “The fire had a lot of potential,” Horner said. Two factors kept it to about 50 feet by 50 ...Published 7/23/2010
Wildfire threat grows as 100-degree temperatures approach
WENATCHEE — Fire officials say the cool, wet spring spurred grass to grow twice as high as it normally does in some parts of North Central Washington this year. And come late July, that can only mean one thing: more fuel for fires.Published 7/23/2010
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Fire crews monitor two Douglas County fires
EAST WENATCHEE — High humidity and not-completely-dry grasses helped firefighters get a handle on two brush fires Wednesday night, but they continue to monitor the blazes in Fancher Heights and north of East Wenatchee. Chuck Fenton, chief of Douglas County Fire District 2, said several fire districts first responded at ...Published 7/22/2010
Firefighters save home, garage after power lines spark blaze
CASHMERE — Power lines jarred by tumbling rocks sparked a brush fire here Monday that slightly scorched a home and damaged a detached garage. Thirty firefighters on six crews battled the four-acre blaze on East Nahahum Road, a half-mile from the Cottage Avenue junction, said Cashmere Fire Chief Rob Sweigard. ...Published 7/19/2010
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Firefighters douse brush fire in south Wenatchee
Published 7/19/2010
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Crews standing by as fire winds down
Published 7/16/2010
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Lunch crew forms a food line for fire crews on the front line
Published 7/15/2010
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Firefighters corner Swakane fire — blaze is 60 percent contained
WENATCHEE — Firefighters have corralled 60 percent of the Swakane Canyon Fire, thanks to moderate temperatures and light winds Wednesday. Fire officials expect 100 percent containment by Saturday.Published 7/15/2010
Biologist tracking herds as winter habitat burns
Published 7/14/2010
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Firefighters’ goal: Swakane blaze contained by Saturday
Published 7/14/2010
Onlookers flock to see the fire
Published 7/13/2010
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Highway 97A open to one-way traffic
WENATCHEE — Highway 97A north of Wenatchee was reopened to one-lane traffic at 7:40 p.m. after about a half-hour closure due to falling rocks.Published 7/12/2010
Red alert for Swakane fire
Winds, warnings pick up
Published 7/12/2010
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Nervous neighbors exhale as fire passes
Published 7/12/2010
Firefighters get Mission Creek under control
CASHMERE — Crews are putting the finishing touches this morning on a fire up Mission Creek Road that burned 53 acres. Roland Giller, spokesman for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, said firefighters found no new flare-ups Sunday night, despite wind gusts as high as 40 mph.Published 7/12/2010
PHOTOS
- Fire off of Gun Club Road east of the Gun Club in East Wenatchee.
- Fire off of Gun Club Road east of the Gun Club in East Wenatchee.
- Fire off of Gun Club Road east of the Gun Club in East Wenatchee.
- The Eightmile Fire is burning partway up the mountainside above Eightmile Lake, about 10 miles southwest of Leavenworth.
- Fire on Badger Mountain near the Canyon Hills subdivision above Fancher Heights.
- Fire on Badger Mountain near the Canyon Hills subdivision above Fancher Heights.
