Chelan, Washington – Orchard Burn Develops into Brush Fire

Chelan, Washington (May 22, 2019) – An orchard burn developed into  brush fire after the burn got out of containment and spread to a gully filled with orchard prunings on Wednesday morning. The fire was contained through the efforts of response crews from Chelan County Fire District. There were no injuries reported from the fire, and no word if there has been any property damage.

The crews were dispatched just before noon to the scene of the fire at Chelan Butte Road off Stayman Flats Road. The response team was also aided by Forest Service, Department of Natural Resources and Bureau of Land Management personnel. The fire was controlled around 1:15 p.m, where firefighters contained the fire in the gully between two orchards to prevent it from spreading up north to Chelan Butte Road.

About Fire

Washington counts as the 5th state most prone to wildfire from 2017 wildfire risk analysis, and ranks 8th in a 2018 study by number of fires that happened. The US Fire Administration has recorded 15 home fire fatalities this year within Washington, showing the destruction fire is capable of doing. Even within city areas, one must be wary of fires that can happen near residential areas.

If your home is near an area with risk of brush fire, there are few safety reminders to keep in mind. Homeowners are urged to complete their spring cleaning, and to create a defensible space around the home by clearing trees and brush. Additionally, the limbs of trees should be cut to at least 15 feet off the ground. Any object that send out fires should be handled with absolute care. Common objects such as lit matches and cigarette butts can also easily cause a fire within dry brush. Should fire be used in an outdoor space, one must assess the surroundings to make sure fire would not have a possibility to spread out. Finally, before leaving an area where fire was used, one must ensure that any fires must be extinguished completely. Preventing brush fires from happening is everyone’s responsibility, and careful use of fire can ensure the safety of not only one’s self, but hundreds of others.

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