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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
FIRE REPORT: Second Creek fire continues blazing, one other fire mostly contained
May 29—LEAVENWORTH — The Second Creek Fire is sitting at around 75 acres as of Thursday night, growing around 9.9 acres since Wednesday, according to a statement from Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue. The fire started Monday around 11 a.m. with the fire being assumed to be human caused and under investigation. There is around 20% containment as of Thursday night. The fire is located on steep, remote terrain approximately eight miles north of Leavenworth, near the community of Plain, according to the statement. Around 150 personnel are working on containing the blaze, according to Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue. The fire overall showed minimal growth or increased fire activity Wednesday. There was moderate rainfall over the fire footprint Thursday morning and temperatures have lowered in the fire area after the high found Wednesday. "It is a pretty steep terrain that is presenting some challenges to containment, but crews are working hard despite those challenges," Department of Natural Resources Wildfire Communications Manager Ryan Rodruck said. Highway 261 Fire The Highway 261 fire started Tuesday around 1:19 p.m., according to a statement from the State Fire Marshal's Office. The fire was an estimated 200 acres and located near Washtucna on State Route 261 and Lyons Ferry Road. According to Deputy State Fire Marshal Amy Thornton, the fire is mostly contained at around 5 p.m. Thursday night. "Things are pretty much being wrapped up this evening," Thornton said. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation, according to the statement.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hot, dry, windy WA weather raises wildfire danger concerns
The Brief The Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth has burned 64 acres and is 20% contained, with 200 personnel working to control it. Dry, hot conditions and high winds are raising concerns about an early and potentially severe wildfire season in Washington. Officials urge caution with campfires and outdoor burning, as 90% of wildfires are human-caused. LEAVENWORTH, Wash. - Wildland firefighters and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continue working to extinguish the Second Creek Fire, about eight miles north of Leavenworth. The DNR said the wildfire was first reported on the afternoon of May 26. As of Wednesday afternoon, the wildfire had burned an estimated 64 acres and was approximately 20 percent contained. "Crews have been making significant progress on the Second Creek Fire, and we're ready for what 'Mother Nature' may throw at us," said Ryan Rodruck, wildfire communications manager for DNR. Dry, hot temperatures on Wednesday were felt across Washington, and high winds were forecast for Thursday. The weather conditions raised concerns of wildfire danger on the east side of the state. "We are only at the end of May right now, and we're already seeing some of these extreme hot conditions," said Rodruck. The DNR said at least 200 personnel would be staffed on the ground and in the air for the Second Creek Fire on Wednesday to battle the flames in the hot weather conditions. Washington could see an above-average wildfire season, according to the DNR's early estimates. However, with the Second Creek Fire already burning, Rodruck said firefighters weren't expecting wildfires to spark so soon. "It is early in the season. We are experiencing hot, dry conditions. It is definitely early to see these sorts of fire starts," said Rodruck. "Hot, dry days can certainly exacerbate that fire behavior. We can see increased fire activity. We can see increased fire spread." Though the DNR said crews have resources to safely handle the Second Creek Fire, officials emphasized it is everyone's responsibility to prevent future fires from sparking. "Caution is absolutely warranted at this point. We need to start being careful with those campfires, being aware of what the burn restrictions are in the area you're recreating. And also be aware of what the burn restrictions are when it comes to outdoor burning," said Rodruck. The DNR said about 90 percent of wildfires are human-caused. Since it's an earlier, drier, hotter start to the wildfire season, Rodruck said people should act now by creating defensible space to protect their property from flames. "Make sure that your eaves are clear of pine needles. Make sure that you don't have any low-hanging branches that are over your property that could start a fire. Make sure all that flammable material is moved well away from any structures," said Rodruck. "It's incumbent upon all of us to make it as safe as possible both for our neighbors and for our firefighters." The Source Information in this story came from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A religious group held a protest outside Seattle City Hall. Here's why LIVE: Updates on Seattle's Tuesday protest, arrests, more Crews battle Second Creek Fire near Leavenworth, WA 2 injured in separate Seattle shootings Teen, child killed in Lacey, WA mobile home fire Crews investigate explosion at Woodinville, WA hardware store College Inn Pub announces closure after 50 years in Seattle Dave's Hot Chicken to open 4 new locations in Seattle area. Here's where To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news.
