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.
Basic Information
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, -119.575
Current Situation
Total Personnel:
231
Size (Acres):
17,988
Containment:
91%
Estimated Containment Date:
Friday August 28th, 2020 approx. 12:00 AM
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 Outlook
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 Synopsis
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
Incident Contact
Incident Contact
Fire Information
Phone: 000-000-0000
Hours: M-F 7:30 AM - 8:30 PM SS Same
Fire Unit Information
Spokane District
Bureau of Land Management
Washington
Spokane, WA 99212
Dispatch Contact
Northeast Washington Interagency Communications Center | Colville, WA
Phone: 509-685-6900
Website: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/districts/NEWICC
