Incident Overview
The Yakima Complex started on Saturday, September 8th during a significant lightning storm. Over 3,000 strikes occurred in Eastern Washington, igniting well over 100 fires. The Yakima Complex was managed by Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #1 (WIIMT#1); the Team focused on lightning fires in Kittitas and Yakima Counties. There were approximately seventy-five fires in the complex. Staffing of each fire was based on assessment of risk to life, communities, and resources.
Initial attack responsibilities will shift back to local resources. A smaller type 3 incident management organization will be in place for the Wild Rose Fire. Smoke may be visible on Wild Rose and some of the more remote wilderness fires until snow and rain arrive to fully extinguish them. Fire personnel will continue to patrol and monitor fires in the Yakima Complex.
Incident Commander Bob Johnson and all the members of Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #1 would like to express their thanks to the communities of Kittitas and Yakima Counties for their support during the suppression of the Yakima Complex.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Saturday September 08th, 2012 approx. 08:00 PM |
| Location | Yakima/Kittitas Counties |
| Incident Commander | Bob Johnson |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 385 |
|---|---|
| Size | 2,300 acres |
| Percent Contained | 90% |
| Fuels Involved | Timber, grass and understory, tall grass, brush, and medium logging slash. |
| Fire Behavior | Slow ground fire spread rates, individual tree torching with very short range spotting. |
| Significant Events | Firefighters continue mopping up on Wild Rose Fire and French Cabin Creek Fire. Managers are assessing continued resource needs today and reassigning personnel, when possible. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Patrols are monitoring contained fires. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | Medium |
| Terrain Difficulty | High |
| Remarks | Smoke is still visble from within fire perimeters and will likely remain visible until fires are completely extinguished by rain and snow. The weekend brings an increase in traffic and recreationalists. Travellers are advised to use extra caution with increased fire traffic, especially along Highway 97 and Highway 12. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 5-9 mph SE |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 65-73 degrees |
| Humidity | 41-30% |
