The Palmer Fire started on August 18th, 2020. High winds created extreme fire behavior and accelerated rapid fire growth. Many homes were threatened and Level 3 evacuation orders were issued.
Local and federal firefighters responded to the fire and worked in tandem with air resources, prioritizing structure protection and slowing fire progression. Over the next several days, additional resources arrived to assist, constructing containment lines along multiple flanks and conducting burnout operations where necessary and appropriate.
Fire activity decreased significantly over the following weekend, and firefighting efforts began to shift from suppression and containment to holding and mop-up.
The Okanogan County Sheriff's department and the Okanogan County Emergency Management Department are notifying the public of changing evacuation levels in the area.
NW IMT Team 6 (Sheldon) is currently managing the incident.
Current as of | |
Incident Type | Wildfire |
Date of Origin | Tuesday August 18th, 2020 approx. 03:00 PM |
Location | 7 miles SW of Oroville, WA |
Incident Commander | Ken Powell Type 3 Team |
Coordinates | 48.837 latitude, -119.575 longitude |
Total Personnel | 231 |
Size | 17,988 Acres |
Percent of Perimeter Contained | 91% |
Fuels Involved | timber (grass, litter and understory) and brush |
Significant Events | Moderate fire behavior, backing, smoldering creeping Unburned drainages will continue to burn out with group torching, surface fire and backing/flanking fire. |
Planned Actions | Div A: Mop up around structures and mop up along lines to limit escape potential Div B: Hold completed line, mop up to standard Div Y: Hold existing line, patrol status Div Z: Mop up around structures and line |
Projected Incident Activity | Unburned drainages will continue to burn out with group torching, surface fire and backing/flanking fire. Potential movement is low. |
Weather Concerns | Partly cloudy. North winds strengthening through the day. Strongest winds expected late afternoon and evening. Temps:79-83 RH:20-25% High Haines: 3 |