Labor Mountain fire near Cle Elum grows to nearly 38K acres, 7% contained

The Labor Mountain fire near Cle Elum has rapidly grown to 37,843 acres as of 10 a.m. Monday, InciWeb announced.

The fire is currently at 7% containment, as of this reporting.

Level 3 “Get out now!” advisories are in effect for Mission Creek Road, Blewett Pass (US 97), Camas Creek Road, Ingalls Creek Road, and all of Valley Hi.

Additionally, Level 2 “Be prepared to leave” advisories currently affect Old Blewett Road, Camas Creek Road, and Niles Lane.

The fire initially started due to a lightning strike on Sept.1. Heavy smoke in the area caused US 97 to remain closed due to ongoing fire operations. The closure affects the section between the junction with SR 970 and Ingalls Creek Road, stretching from milepost 149 to 178.

There is no estimated time for when the roadways or advisories will conclude. Dangerous conditions, including falling rocks, hazardous trees, and heavy smoke, make travel through this area treacherous.

The Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest is considered the most difficult forest to fight a fire in the country, according to InciWeb. More than 1,000 personnel are assigned to the fire, including 27 crews, 73 engines, 29 pieces of heavy equipment, 22 water tenders, and seven helicopters.

Firefighters’ techniques to increase containment

On Monday, firefighters conducted tactical firing operations by intentionally setting low-intensity fires along the 9737 Road, ahead of the main uncontrolled fire. This method helps to “consume fuel and create a wider fuel break.”

Fire activity in the Stafford Creek area continues to be monitored, while a dozer line — bulldozers removing vegetation — is ready for firing operations from the Bear Creek Trail to Road 9714, Road 200, and Highway 97.

Structure protection operations remain underway for structures on Highway 97, in Camas Land, and in Valley Hi. Night crews will patrol neighborhoods, monitoring fire growth and completing unfinished work from the previous day.

Moisture moving from the south to the north is expected to bring light scattered rain showers to the area Tuesday morning. By the afternoon, rain showers are expected to intensify.

Temperatures are forecasted to remain in the 50s and 60s with a rise in humidity. A 15% chance of an isolated thunderstorm in the afternoon is also forecasted with gusts between 10 and 15 mph later in the day.

Later in the week, an increased chance of rain showers will be seen, which could lower the size of the Labor Mountain fire coverage.

Air quality is forecast to range from “good” to “moderate” in Cle Elum and Ellensburg.

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