The Chelan Complex fire is the biggest wildfire in the state. The fire has charred 63,000 acres and destroyed 35 homes and many more outbuildings and structures.
Twenty-nine-hundred people remain under an evacuation order – with no timetable yet on whey they may return home.
Firefighters have not lost a structure in the past two days, fire managers said Tuesday. But more than 450 structures are still considered threatened by the multiple fires that make up the complex.
Eighty to 100 homes are in immediate danger, but fire managers say work to protect them is going well. The other homes considered under threat may not be in immediate danger for the next few days.
The National Guard already has teams out on the fire lines, but incident commander Chris Schulte says he doesn’t believe Army troops will be part of the firefighting efforts on the Chelan Complex. Map of the Chelan Complex
Lighter winds and higher humidity is expected to help firefighters, but temperatures were expected in the high 80s Tuesday.
The Chelan County Sheriff’s office says 35 homes and 21 outbuildings have been destroyed. Evacuation orders are being lifted in some areas. About 1,000 homes remain under a mandatory Level 3 evacuation.
But the sheriff’s office says there has been an increase in burglaries of evacuated homes. Days off for deputies will be canceled so they can do more patrols. Residents returning to the area will have to show identification to prove they live there.
State Route 150 from Chelan to Chelan Falls remains closed.
The Red Cross shelter is now set up at Morgen Owings Elementary, 497 East Woodin Avenue.
Chelan Complex Fire as of Aug. 18
Size: 63,425 acres (99.1 square miles – about 1.5 times the size of Tacoma)
Containment: 30%
Total Personnel: 506
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