UPDATE: September 30 at 4:30 p.m.
A Level 1 Fire Advisory has been issued for the ridgelines west of Wenatchee due to the Labor Mountain Fire.
The advisory is a call for residents to stay alert as firefighters work to contain the blaze. Currently, no homes are impacted by the advisory.
UPDATE: September 29 at 3:55 p.m.
The Labor Mountain and Sugar Loaf fires continue to affect local areas, with road closures and evacuation notices in place.
The Labor Mountain Fire has grown to 35,362 acres with just 7% containment. U.S. 97 remains closed as structure protection resources work along the highway in Camas Land and Valley Hi.
The Sugar Loaf Fire now covers 39,135 acres and is 38% contained. The rugged terrain of the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest presents challenges for firefighting efforts.
Crews are focusing on protecting structures at the bottom of Swakane Creek.
Evacuation orders have been downgraded for areas affected by the Sugar Loaf Fire. For detailed evacuation information, visit Chelan County GIS.
UPDATE: September 27 at 4:19 p.m.
According to the Northwest Team 2 Complex Incident Management Team, the Labor Mountain Fire is burning 29,583 acres and remains 7% contained.
Throughout Saturday, fire crews will be focused on holding the fire along the 9737 Road on the western perimeter and maintaining hose lays. Crews will also continue working to construct the fire line along the southern flank, while others will be proactively establishing control lines to the east, ahead of the fire’s edge.
Structure protection teams are continuing to work in Kittitas County and Chelan County communities, attempting to minimize damage in those areas.
In Cashmere, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 3 evacuation order for the area of Mission Creek Road, south of Sand Creek. All residents in this area need to leave immediately.
UPDATE: September 26 at 11:07 p.m.
The Labor Mountain Fire, 14 miles north of Cle Elum, has been rapidly spreading. The fire is only 7% contained and has burned more than 25,000 acres.
Northwest Emergency Management reported that windy conditions on Thursday caused the fire to intensify, jumping Highway 97 into Chelan County.
Level 3 evacuations are in place along Highway 97, as well as in the Cougar Gulch and Mineral Springs communities. The town of Liberty is under Level 1 evacuation orders, while Level 2 evacuations are in effect for wilderness and forest roads between Highway 97 and Liberty.
Residents can stay informed by signing up for emergency and evacuation alerts by texting “LABOR FIRE” to 888-777.
UPDATE: September 25 at 10:28 p.m.
As the Labor Mountain Fire continues blazing, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office announced Level 2 fire evacuation notices for the Upper Sunnyslope area, including West Mountain Brook, Avalon Lane, East Mountain Brook, Pheasant Canyon Court, Burch Hollow Lane and Lone Ram Lane.
Level 2 evacuation notices have also been issued for West Eagle Rock from Lupine Lane, April Drive from Rue Jolie, Adel Lane, Anna Lane, Crestview from Rue Jolie and Knowles Road from Knowles Heights Lane.
All residents in these areas need to prepare to leave on short notice.
Any large animals and livestock displaced by evacuations can be sheltered at the Chelan County Fairgrounds and Expo Center in Cashmere, specifically at the Tillicum Riders club located at 6204 Kimber Road.
UPDATE: September 25 at 9:05 p.m.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has issued a Level 3 fire evacuation for the town of Cashmere.
All residents in the area of Nahahum Canyon and Warner Canyon have been ordered to immediately leave, as officials reported that the current conditions pose threats to the life and safety of all people within the area.
An emergency shelter has been established for those evacuated due to the Lower Sugarloaf Fire and the Labor Mountain Fire. The shelter is located at Christ Center, 5800 Kimber Road in Cashmere.
Additionally, an emergency shelter has been established in Entiat at the Entiat Warehouse Community Church, located at 14916 US 97A.
The CCSO also issued a Level 1 fire advisory for the Sunnyslope area, including West Eagle Rock, April Drive, Mary Lane and Upper Crest View. All residents in this area have been instructed to monitor local radio stations as well as the Chelan County Emergency Management Facebook page and Incident Map for updates.
UPDATE: September 25 at 6:55 p.m.
Chelan County Emergency Management has upgraded the evacuation status for all of Blewett Pass to Level 3 “Go Now! Do Not Delay!”
The affected area is Ingalls Creek Rd and the Valley Hi community.
UPDATE: September 25 at 6:25 p.m.
Chelan County Emergency Management has updated its list of evacuation notices for the Labor Mountain Fire.
Level 1 Fire Advisory: Brender Canyon Rd. from Sky Meadows Rd. to the end. All of Sky meadows Rd. All of Brisky Canyon Rd. Mission Creek Rd. from Tripp Canyon Rd. to the end. Level 2 Prepare to Leave: Ingalls Creek Rd. and all of Valley Hi.
Residents in these areas are advised to stay alert for updates and be prepared for potential evacuation orders.
CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. — Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders have been expanded for the Labor Mountain Fire due to fire growth fueled by high winds, according to Chelan County Emergency Management.
Officials said the expansion affects only a small number of homes. Emergency management staff were headed to Blewett Ridge Drive on Tuesday to notify a few residents in person.
The updated evacuation zones are:
Level 3 (Go Now): Milepost 163.5 to 174 on U.S. 97, both sides of the highway.Level 2 (Be Prepared): Milepost 174 to 177.5.Level 1 (Advisory): Milepost 177.5 to 180, including the Ingalls Creek Road area.
Level 2 and Level 1 evacuation zones north of Blewett Pass remain unchanged.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE: September 25 at 3:40 p.m.
