[Chico]

Teanaway Road now closed at the West/Middle Fork junction. All residents of the West/Middle and North Fork being evacuated.

[Secret Agent Man]

[Navy salad]

I just got back from a Goldmyer Hotsprings to Waptus lake to PCT then back to I-90 loop on the 28th. The smoke was highly variable -- some days the smoke would literally wake me up, other days there wasn't so much. But it seemed to get worse as time passed. At least from Waptus river back to I-90 as of 8/28, none of the PCT in section J was closed. The trail to Pete Lake from the PCT was closed, but mostly (I was told) because they were worried the fire could reach the Pete Lake access road coming from Salmon la Sac (which as most know, isn't far from Jolly Mtn). I met one hiker whose plan was to take that very trail and meet up with his 80+ year old father at the Pete Lake trailhead and get a ride back. To my surprise, he somehow sent a text message to his dad and told him to drive around the road closed signs and continue with the original plan!

[contour5]

Cleared considerably yesterday and today out around Ramparts/Lila/Alta Pass. Was smokey the previous 3 mornings, clearing somewhat in the afternoons. Monday and Tuesday I could see a vertical column of smoke- by Wed afternoon it was a horizontal brown cloud. Blew off half my planned trip and then walked out under clear skies...arrrg...boohoohoo...argh...

[DIYSteve]

[cartman]

[Bird in Hand]

Smoke here in Ellensburg from both the Jolly Mountain fire and the Norse Peak Complex. Jolly Mtn appears to be fought mostly from the air but it grew by 3,000 acres yesterday. There's a huge plume of smoke visible here from the Norse Peak fires. As of this morning the Jolly fire was listed as zero percent contained.

[Joey]

Level 2 evacuation notice includes all of Ronald and Roslyn. https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/press/default.aspx?prID=9981

[Chico]

Cle Elum on level 1. Asked to bring my 92 yo mother here for now. Younger brother just south of the Last Resort. Says he's staying. Ex USFS and wildfire so he's comfortable with that decision. Some going to nephews in Eburg if they have to. Older sister has horses already farmed out elsewhere. Her chickens I guess will be on their own if they have to go.

[Chico]

[BdCast]

Latest inciweb annoucement about evacuations... Kittitas County, WA - 09/02/2017 - The Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office has updated the following evacuation notices for the Jolly Mountain Fire: Level 3 – all residences north of Double O Ranch Road all the way north to the Boulder Creek area Level 2 – all residences between Double O Ranch Road and Ronald; the entire town of Ronald; the entire City of Roslyn to the Bullfrog Road roundabout; Cle Elum Ridge (including Summit View Road, Ridge View Drive, Big Sky Vista Drive, Horizon Ridge Drive, Deer Creek Road, Meadow Ridge Drive, Big Tail Road, Forest Ridge Road, Jack Pine Drive, Game Trail Road, Owl Ridge Drive, Timber Tiger Drive, Lum Road, the north part of White Road, Lannigan Springs Road, Winch Road, Buena View Road, Adobe Road) Level 1 – Suncadia Resort; all residences/homes south of SR 903 and north of I-90 from Bullfrog Road to Cle Elum city limits; the City of Elum north of I-90; east of Cle Elum and north of Airport Road. Law enforcement officials are actively notifying residents of the Level 3 and Level 2 advisories. The Red Cross shelter is open at the Putnam Centennial Center, 719 E. 3rd Street, Cle Elum, for any evacuees needing a place to stay. Anyone needing evacuation assistance for animals or livestock can call the EOC, 509-933-8305, for animal shelter information. Stay informed on evacuations and general fire information with the following resources: Kittitas County Emergency Operations Center: (509) 933-8305 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kittitas-County-Sheriff- 580139428811803/ Jolly Mountain Fire Information: (509) 596-2423 Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/5496// Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollymountainfireinfo/ Press Release 9-2-17 Evac Updates Letterhead.pdf Kittitas County, from the Cascades to the Columbia, and online at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us ### Contact: Jill Beedle, Public Information Officer 509-933-8308

[DIYSteve]

Vibes to all in the evac alert zones

[jimmymac]

Sure, all the dead trees promote fire intensity and propagation. Interesting how the snags also restrict options for fire suppression strategy. Sort of like a fire that starts out small in an abandoned building too dangerous for a quick, interior stop. Observers wonder why crews allowed the fire to get so out of hand and burn through the roof. Great summary on the spruce budworm and the Jolly Mountain Fire.

[AlpineRose]

Very informative. Thanks for sharing. Log the largest fire (and pest) resistant trees, then suppress subsequent fires. In march the spruce budworm. What could go wrong?

[zephyr]

That's a great explanation on the forest's condition over time and then the recent Spruce Budworm infestation these past several years. Thanks for posting, jimmymac. Meanwhile I just noticed this video of water tankers loading up at Cle Elum Lake two days ago. ~z

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