Early winter weather moderates Labor Mountain Fire, complicates access

CHELAN COUNTY — A mid-October snowstorm brought both relief and new challenges to firefighters battling the Labor Mountain Fire, slowing its spread but complicating access to steep, muddy terrain.

Containment of the fire, which has burned about 42,800 acres since early September, has increased to 30 percent – about a 10 percent difference from over the weekend.

Leading up to the storm, fire officials reported an uptick in fire activity through spotting – where an ember from the main fire travels and sparks a new fire – and slopover – when the main fire breaches a natural barrier or control line. This behavior was attributed to burning debris rolling downslope as well as dry and windy conditions.

As the storm moved through the region Sunday, fire activity began to moderate. According to the fire’s weather outlook, the storm brought three to five inches of snow on Blewett Pass, down to around 3,200 feet in elevation. The melted water equivalent of the snowfall was 0.15 of an inch on ridges, with lesser amounts below. 

The change in weather has complicated some efforts as mud, ice and snow make roads inaccessible. Fire officials say crews are continuing to patrol and maintain firelines where they can safely gain access; they are also winterizing equipment when feasible. Despite accessibility challenges, the recent storm has been favorable.

Fire officials said snow helped calm lingering fire activity in higher elevations, allowing firefighters to work on removing fire weakened trees and suppression repair to help the landscape recover.

While recent precipitation hasn’t put the fire completely out, it has minimized fire growth. In lower elevations, crews are still working to secure firelines and patrol problem areas. Fire officials say some heat remains in areas between Ingalls Creek and Etienne Creek, Devil’s Gulch, and in the Bear Creek drainage, where firefighters are assessing options to bring the fireline closer to the fire edge. Conditions have also enabled recent tactical firing operations in areas as well as support from air resources.

Monday evening, all evacuation levels were lifted for Kitittas County. In Chelan County, previous Level 3 areas were lowered to Level 2, and the Level 1 advisory was dropped for No. 1 and 2 Canyons. The Level 2 on Mission Creek Road above Sand Creek and the Valley Hi area has remained the same. An updated view of evacuation areas can be found on the Chelan County Emergency Management map.

Closures are still in effect for forest areas within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and Teanaway Community Forest. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the Labor Mountain Fire area. 

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media