Cooler temps help firefighters battle wildfire near Stehekin
Cooler temperatures and rain are helping firefighters in the battle against stubborn wildfires in central Washington.
The weather is good news for crews on the Moore Point Fire, about seven miles southeast of Stehekin, where a 1,500-acre fire continues to burn. The area didn’t get any of the heavy rain that was seen in Chelan, but firefighters say the cooler temperatures will help limit fire growth as they continue mop up efforts around three private homes. So far no structures have burned in the Moore Point Fire.
The fire in the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness was started by lightning on Sunday. The fire continues to smolder on brushy slopes and fuel leftover from the 2001 “Rex Creek” fire.
Most of the fire has been determined to be unsafe and inaccessible for firefighters due to the steep and rocky terrain. Fire Managers on the Chelan Ranger District will continue watching how fast the fire spreads, by watching it from the air and ground.
Closures remain in place for the Moore Point Campground, and the Meadow Creek Shelter along Lake Chelan. Trails affected by the Moore Point Fire include the Lakeshore Trail #1274 from Prince Creek to Flick Creek, Moore Point Trail (#1247.1) , North Fork of Fish Creek Trail (#1248.1), Fish Creek Trail (#1245), and the Horton Butte Trail (#1250.01). These trails are posted closed to public access due to the fire danger.
Residents in the area will see smoke from the fire from the Lake Chelan area, as well as from the Stehekin Valley. There are no threats to the community of Stehekin.
No additional fires have been reported in the Chelan Ranger District from last night’s lightning storm.