Update: Multiple Fire Vehicles Destroyed On The Chelan Hills Fire In Washington. The Human Caused Fire Is Now Under A Criminal Investigation.
A view from inside the fire.
After yesterday’s report, many individuals on the fire reached out to relay their experience during the fire’s blowup. Below is footage of what happened inside the fire as crews escaped the flaming front, which forced their hand when the wind switched direction and increased to 40 MPH.
People were shaken up, as is expected, but everyone made it out ok. Multiple fire vehicles were destroyed or damaged. Crews were conducting structural assessments in the McNeil Canyon area when the event occurred. It was a harrowing experience, and it shook all involved, dispatch, aviation, and boots on the ground.
Also, yesterday, Fire Marshal Tyler Caille stated that the fire was human-caused and a criminal investigation is underway.
“We will find them.”
Fire Marshal Tyler Caille
First, a look from the outside: when the winds shifted, the fire made a significant run up the canyon.
Here is the view of the fire activity that firefighters rode out when the wind event moved in. One crew carrier was lost, and other apparatus were damaged. It was relayed to me that embers were suspected of getting into the engine compartment, which ultimately caused the vehicle to catch fire. A thorough after-action review will take place to provide further insight into the event.
I’ve talked about these types of situations before, and sometimes driving through a flame front to punch to the other side is the best option. I’ve done it myself; it’s a split second decision.
All firefighters were accounted for.
This is the reality of the situation on the ground that many wildland firefighters face. It’s ever present in the wildland-urban interface where the difficult decisions are made to go in and try to save homes.
I’m glad everyone made it out ok, and hopefully the individual who started this fire is brought to justice. 100 structures are reported to have been destroyed, including 25 primary homes, livestock, and dozens of outbuildings.
Stay heads up. Fire conditions on the ground remain critical, and the fire enviroment changes quickly. Thank you to the individuals at all levels who reached out to tell their story about this event.
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Thank you for this update. The lives of wildland firefighters and all those they protect are precarious. Stay safe out there.
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LCES was not in place