Lower Sugarloaf Fire 55 percent contained as crews begin suppression repair

CHELAN COUNTY — Firefighting crews have made significant progress on the 41,000-acre Lower Sugarloaf Fire, which has reached 55 percent containment.

With containment secured around over half of the fire, suppression efforts are now focused on the south end of the fire. In the Swakane Creek area, firefighters are engaging in a variety of suppression activities reinforcing containment lines. Part of this work is being accomplished through controlled ignitions using an Unmanned Aircraft System. In the southern area of the fire, firefighters are holding containment lines and using strategic firing as conditions permit. The structure protection group is also continuing to maintain a presence in Sunnyslope and Nahahum Canyon. Aviation resources are also helping with delivering water and retardant as needed, and when conditions allow.

According to Fire Behavior Analyst Nolan Brewer, fire growth is expected to be minimal moving forward. As crews work inward from their established containment lines, potential for spot fires – where embers carried by wind ignite new fires – is decreasing, which Brewer calls “a good sign.”

“We continue to strengthen our containment lines…And we’re quickly moving over to suppression repair, which is really critical to restoring access to public lands. The process is going to take a little bit of time,” said Northwest Team 10 Deputy Incident Command Richard Parrish during a Oct. 6 community meeting for the Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf Fires.

Suppression repair efforts are underway along the northern and eastern perimeter of the fire, focusing on repairing damage and reducing soil erosion caused by firefighting activities. This work often utilizes heavy equipment and includes restoring hand and dozer lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones and drop points used during suppression operations.

“Over time we will be sort of lowering the number of engines and crews…and increasing the number of heavy equipment and their operators,” Northwest Team 10 Operations Section Chief Pete Suver said in an Oct. 7 update.

Chelan County Emergency Management has also removed all evacuation advisories along Entiat River Road. Warner Canyon, as well as the area of homes on Burch Mountain Road, has been reduced to a Level 2. The Swakane Canyon area, as well as the area above the homes on Burch Mountain Road, remain at a Level 3. Sunnyslope and the area from Hay Canyon to Eagle Creek Road are Level 1.

Evacuation updates and resources can be found at the Chelan County Emergency Management website. Air quality conditions can be tracked at AirNow.

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