PLAIN, Wash. — A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered to manage the White River and Irving Peak Fires sparked by lightning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest last week.
Residents on Sears Creek Road remain at Level 3 Evacuation alert, which means 'leave now', due to the White River Fire. Also, residents on White River Road are currently on a Level 2 notice, 'be set'. Meanwhile, residents on Little Wenatchee Road are at Level 1, 'be ready,' after the Irving Peak Fire.
As of Monday, the White River Fire has burned an estimated 516 acres and is burning in the Sears Creek area of the White River drainage, approximately 14 miles northwest of Plain, according to the U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
The Irving Peak Fire, which is approximately 16 miles northwest of Plain, has burned 160 acres. Both of the fires are re zero percent contained.
The cause of the fires is believed to be due to lightning storms that passed over the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest this past week, which ignited several wildfires in the Wenatchee River Ranger District, according to the U.S. Forest Service - Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Smoke from the fires is highly visible in the Lake Wenatchee area, and recreationists are advised to stay away from the Little Wenatchee and White River Roads where these fires are burning.
Aviation resources are been utilized and scooped from Lake Wenatchee. Fire officials are asking water recreationists to clear the area and stay away from these aircraft as they work.
For updates on the White River Fire, visit the Chelan County Emergency Incident Map website.
For updates on the White River Fire, visit the Chelan County Emergency Incident Map website.