Single Publication

Easy Fire Update for July 27, 2024  
Incident Commander Lonnie Click  
Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 3   
(541) 861-5808, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov  

Quick Facts
Size: 410 acres
Start Date: July 17, 2024
Location: 17 miles west of Mazama, WA
Containment: 0%
Personnel Assigned: 107
Cause: Lightning
Resources Assigned:  2 crews     5 engines

CURRENT SITUATION: After a multiday closure due to the Easy Fire, State Route 20 re-opened to through traffic yesterday afternoon. A pilot car will escort vehicles through mileposts 148-157 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Expect 30 minutes delays as firefighters continue removing trees and debris from the roadway and conduct full suppression tactics on the Easy Fire. Please do not stop or pull over between mileposts 148-157. With wildfire and firefighting operations still active, the highway may need to close again on short notice. Be sure to check https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/ for the latest information on State Route 20. 

Fire activity on Friday was minimal and within the current fire footprint. Firefighters continued to widen indirect firelines and successfully installed and tested sprinkler systems on both the south and north side of the Easy Fire. Additionally, crews scouted for opportunities to conduct strategic firing operations on the south side of the fire to burn out vegetation between the fire and constructed firelines.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES: Pending favorable weather conditions, crews may conduct strategic firing operations on the south east side of Easy Fire using aircraft. Air ignitions will use Plastic Sphere Dispensers (PSD) to conduct burning operations. Firing tactics utilizing aviation can reduce risk to firefighters on the ground working in steep terrain and can cover more ground than a human can on foot. Strategic firing operations create a more controllable slow-moving fire by reducing ground fuels, or vegetation. Crews will also continue working to bolster indirect firelines and check sprinkler systems on both the north and south side of the Easy Fire. 

The Easy Fire has a Temporary Flight Restriction in place for all aircrafts not involved in wildfire suppression operations. Do not fly a personal drone over or near the Easy Fire. Any incursions create a safety hazard to fire aircraft and require air operations to stop.

WEATHER: Temperatures today will cool slightly with highs in the low to mid 80s. Sky weather is mostly clear in the morning with partly cloudy conditions in the afternoon and a 10% chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Winds will increase slightly with a northwest direction around 10-14 mph.

CLOSURES: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has closures in place for trails within the fire area: https://bit.ly/EasyFireClosures. This closure includes a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail. Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.

EVACUATIONS:  There are no evacuations in place for the Easy Fire. Anyone recreating in the area should be vigilant about being aware of surroundings and stay out of closed areas. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080  
Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM  
Email: 2024.easy@firenet.gov