OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. — A fire burning in Okanogan County Friday afternoon has prompted Level 3 and Level 2 evacuations.
According to WSDOT East, SR 20 west of Winthrop, fires have intensified and the closure points are now milepost 165 to 185. They said It looks like this closure could last at least a few more weeks.
The fire is being called the Cub Creek 2 Fire.
The Level 3 evacuations are for east and west Chewuch Roads starting from approximately four miles north of Winthrop to the confluence of the Eight Mile Creek and the Chewuch River on the east and north, and along both sides of Cub Creek Road in the west.
There is additional Level 2 evacuations which mean to be ready. They are issued for residences along east and west Chewuch Roads approximately two miles north to four miles north of Winthrop, and one for residences on the north end of Rendezvous Road and along both sides of Little Cub Creek in the south, the 5215 Road in the north and wets
Several roads have been cleared for authorities to fight the fire.
- Rendezvous, Banker Pass, East and West Chewuch, and at the junction of the Forest Service Roads 39 and 37 due to down powerlines, rolling debris, and falling trees.
- Goat Creek Rd. at the junction of the 52 and 5225 Rd.
- 100 spur of West Fawn will be closed at the 5217 Rd.
- 100 spur of East Fawn will be closed at the 5217 Rd.
- 5215 Rd.
- 5008 Rd. 100 spur road in Bear Creek
- 5009 Rd. 100 spur road in Ramsey Creek
- 5009 Rd. 100 spur road in Pearrygin Creek
- 4225 Rd.
- 4235 Rd.
The fire started at around 1:30 p.m. on July 16.
The Cub Creek 2 Fire is currently burning 42,786 acres, according to Department of Natural Resources Communications Manager Janet Pearce. The fire is 10% contained.
Red Cross will have an emergency shelter at Liberty Bell Elementary School in the Eagle Gym. They will be ready to accept people between 4:30 and 5 p.m.
According to the alert, their post might be the only notice the community receives. They added that there will not be any door-to-door notifications because there may not be enough time.
A new Forest Area Emergency Closure has been issued by the Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest which closes the use of multiple roads, campgrounds, and trails.
Additionally, another fire called the Cedar Creek Fire has also created level three and level one evacuations.
This is a developing story and we will provide more updates when we receive them.