Two Wenatchee area wildfires quickly contained, community on alert as fire season heats up

WENATCHEE—In just one weekend, two wildfires ignited in the Wenatchee area, threatening hundreds of structures and prompting large scale evacuation notices. Due to the combined efforts of local and state firefighters, the US Forest Service, and local law enforcement, these fires were confronted and contained within hours. 

Following Fourth of July festivities, a fireworks related brush fire ignited in the foothills at around 3 a.m. on July 5. Due to its location in the Balsamroot Trail area along Horselake Road, authorities named it the Balsamroot Fire. Fed by vast hillsides of dried vegetation, the fire grew rapidly to around 100 acres by 10 a.m. and eventually reached a size of 250 acres by 11 a.m. 

Throughout the morning, Chelan County Emergency Management (CCEM) issued level 3 (get out now) evacuation notices in the Horselake Road area including Westview Place, Westwick Road, Kookaburra Run, West Morland Drive, and the Maiden Lane area. 

To help local firefighters contain the rapidly spreading fire, the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan mobilized state fire assistance as early as 5:30 a.m., ensuring an immediate response to the Balsamroot Fire, which threatened over 150 structures. As the morning advanced, local firefighters already assessing the emergency worked in partnership with members of the resource mobilization plan to contain the fire and protect any nearby structures within the evacuation zones. 

By 11:30 a.m., all evacuation notices were lowered to a level 1 (stay alert) notice following 30% containment of the Balsamroot Fire. By 4 p.m., officials reported 50% containment, and by the evening of June 7, CCEM announced 100% containment, lifting all evacuation notices in the Wenatchee Foothills area. 

Sgt. Jason Matthews of the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office later shared that a 16-year-old boy had been arrested in connection with the fire though further details have yet to be released. 

Fire officials reported the overall size of the Balsamroot fire to have reached 305 acres, with the total estimated cost of containment amounting to $446,859. In total, around 106 personnel responded to the incident. No lives or structures were reported lost in the fire as law enforcement worked alongside fire response teams to help evacuate hazardous zones and establish safety perimeters around each at-risk structure.

As containment for the Balsamroot Fire was finalized on June 6, another worrying fire broke out in the late morning within the Squilchuck region of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Igniting and spreading within the Beehive reservoir area, officials referred to the incident as the Beehive Fire.

As a forest fire, the Beehive Fire posed extra difficulties to local firefighters. For example, Wenatchee Valley Fire Chief, Brian Brett shared that the area is much more remote than the Wenatchee foothills, making the establishment of efficient communications far more difficult. 

“It’s limited cell phone service, so communications are challenging,” he said. “There’s no cell coverage in there.”

The forest also contains what Chief Brett refers to as “heavy fuel,” a build-up of understory vegetation that can burn at extremely high temperatures and fully ignite fire-resistant trees. 

By 1:15 p.m., CCEM and Chelan County Sheriff's Office issued a level 3 (get out now) evacuation notice for the Squilchuck area from Hampton Road and beyond. As the fire progressed around 2:20 p.m., a Level 2 (be prepared to leave) notice had been released along Squilchuck Road from Wenatchee Heights to Hampton Road. Finally, a Level 1 (be alert) notice had been issued for lower Squilchuck Road from Pitcher Canyon to Wenatchee Heights roads.

In just a few hours, by 5 p.m., CCEM dropped all evacuation notices to level 1 (be alert) in a grateful statement. 

“We got lucky on this one. Great job, everyone!” CCEM released in an alert.

The lowering of evacuation advisories came as the combined teamwork of the US Forest Service, Wenatchee Valley Fire Department, and local law enforcement quickly contained the fire to just around five acres.

Though the Beehive Fire resided within US Forest Service jurisdiction, Wenatchee Valley firefighters assisted in containing the incident alongside law enforcement who once again helped in alerting and evacuating all residents within the level 3 (get out now) zones. Due to this exceptional joint effort, no structures or lives have been reported lost in the fire, a major success considering all the factors that made the Beehive Fire so concerning. 

Investigations into the cause of the fire remain underway.

Red flag advisories have been issued for the Wenatchee area, warning of excessive heat, high wind, and low humidity as the Summer continues to ramp up. In the dried brush-covered hills of Wenatchee, these factors make for the perfect wildfire recipe, requiring homeowners, motorists, and pedestrians to take all the necessary precautions to avoid igniting any fires. 

As we saw over the Fourth of July weekend, local firefighters are exceptionally skilled at responding to a variety of fires at a moment’s notice. However, with many parts of the Wenatchee community at high risk during wildfire season, it is crucial for every resident to do their part in preventing such catastrophic incidents. 

One of the main ways for community members to protect their property and themselves from fires is to actively remove loose vegetation and debris that could ignite their building or safe zone. In clearing any possible fuel from around their property, residents are advised to form a 30-foot perimeter, ensuring a minimal level of possible fuels surrounding their place of refuge. Chief Brett also warns of loose chains and pieces of metal attached to motor vehicles which, if struck, may produce fire starting sparks along the road. Finally, residents are urged to use extreme caution in extinguishing cigarettes. For example, Chief Brett has warned against putting out cigarettes in plant pots. Though a common habit for some smokers, Brett warns that potting soil makes for an effective fuel, capable of smoldering for hours. 

After a long weekend of non-stop action, local and state firefighters deserve a much-needed rest. Though, with red flag warnings going into effect and the Pioneer Fire remaining strong in the Chelan area, it remains unclear if that rest will come during the scorching heat of the Summer.

Visit co.chelan.wa.us/emergency-management for current information on the status of local wildfires and to access a live Emergency Incidents Map. 

For more information about local wildfires and the simple actions you can take to prevent and protect yourself from them, visit wenatcheevalleyfire.org/wildfire. 

Will Nilles: (509) 731-3211 or will@ward.media