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Sekhar Padmanabhan, Staff Reporter
Aug 6 at 12:41 PM EDT
Update from Northern Rockies Incident Management Team:

Current Situation: An infrared flight from yesterday, August 5th, showed scattered isolated heat throughout the fire perimeter, with isolated pockets of intense heat primarily in Ice Creek, Pomas Creek, and the upper Entiat River corridor.

Due to challenges from the fire being located in rugged, roadless terrain, firefighters along with heavy equipment focus on completing fuel reduction efforts along secondary control lines…

The Initial Attack contingency working in the Entiat River corridor, south of the fire, completed fuel reduction efforts and road cleanup along the 5606 road; similar work on the 5608 road continues. These crews remain ready to support local fire suppression efforts with any new starts. In the Chiwawa River valley, heavy equipment and crews are progressing on the secondary control line construction, removing heavy fuels and clearing brush along the road corridor.

Fire activity is expected to be minimal over the next couple of days as moisture and cooler temps enter the area. Pomas Fire Updates will be published every other day unless fire activity increases.

Weather: Today, expect temperatures in the low to mid 60s with steady light to moderate rain in the morning ahead of a cold front...

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Jaimee Whitfield, Reporter
Aug 2 at 12:08 PM EDT

Future updates will occur less frequently unless fire activity or conditions change.

Current Situation: Rainfall amounts varied widely across the fire area yesterday. Entiat Meadows received up to half an inch of precipitation, creating slick conditions and safety concerns for crews working near the fire’s edge.

Overall fire behavior remained low across the incident. Despite the rain, the potential for future fire spread remains, especially in areas with dense tree canopy or heavy downed logs that prevent moisture from reaching deep-seated hotspots. Aviation resources assisted in initial attack of newly discovered lightning caused fires to the north in Okanogan County.

Today, crews continued strategic fuel reduction efforts along the Chiwawa River Road. Work includes brushing, felling trees, mastication, chipping and hauling woody debris. Trucks removing material from this shaded fuel break are returning with gravel for ongoing road repair. Resources remain available to support initial attack efforts across the region as needed.

Evacuations: A Level 1 Fire Advisory remains in effect for Holden Village, including the Rio Tinto Mine water treatment plant; this advisory does not include Lucerne.

Read the full update from NW Team 10 HERE https://production-watchduty.s3.amazonaws.com/inbound_emails/36065b11c132c19e6147ccef90231b92030b52338775661d0620a0fd4d6d11cf/MediaRelDalyUpdate_20250802_000242_FINAL.pdf

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Yusra Kauppila, Reporter
Jul 29 at 12:26 PM EDT
Daily Update from Pomas Fire 2025

Firefighters are facing rugged, roadless terrain that presents significant access and suppression challenges. Over 700 personnel are actively engaged in a full suppression strategy, with an emphasis on limiting fire spread and safeguarding the values at risk in Holden Village and Lucerne as well as in the Entiat and Chiwawa River drainage corridors. Protecting firefighter and public safety remains the top priority on the incident.

The Incident Strategic Alignment Process is a comprehensive and continuous effort used by Agency Administrators and Incident Management Teams to collaboratively identify and protect critical values through risk-informed actions. On the Pomas Fire, critical values include nearby communities, infrastructure and natural and cultural resources. Due to hazards presented by the incident’s challenging access and terrain, fire managers are utilizing a combination of primary and secondary control features to best ensure a high probability of success at protecting values while minimizing risk to firefighters.

Current situation: Yesterday, fire activity increased slightly. Initial attack crews in the Entiat River drainage continued secondary line preparation along the roadway and inspected structure protection features including sprinkler systems and structure wrap.

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Justin Roberts, Reporter
Jul 28 at 11:46 AM EDT
Daily update from Pomas Fire 2025:

Firefighters are facing rugged, roadless terrain that presents significant access and suppression challenges. Over 700 personnel are actively engaged in a full suppression strategy, with an emphasis on limiting fire spread and safeguarding the values at risk in Holden Village and Lucerne as well as in the Entiat and Chiwawa River drainage corridors. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority on the incident.

Current situation: Fire behavior remained low yesterday, though rising temperatures and lowering humidities are expected to increase activity today and for the next few days. Lookouts at Ice Lakes observed single tree torching, creeping and smoldering within the fire perimeter. Truck drivers and heavy equipment operators began staggering their hours to allow for increased efficiency and enhanced safety on the narrow roadway. Short term weather forecasts predict thunderstorms with a chance of lightning across the Central Washington Cascades by the end of the week. In preparation, the team’s Incident Meteorologist and Fire Behavior Analyst took a reconnaissance flight over the fire to assess for potential fire movement.

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Jaimee Whitfield, Reporter
Jul 27 at 12:15 PM EDT

Current situation: Yesterday, helicopters conducted reconnaissance flights and swapped out lookout personnel at Ice Lakes. Crews completed structure preparation in Holden Village and fire managers repositioned crews to do the same work in Lucerne and around Domke Lake. Firefighters and heavy equipment operators continued fuel reduction and mastication efforts within the Chiwawa River Valley.

Today, crews in the Entiat and Chiwawa River drainages will continue masticating and chipping large woody debris along roads to reduce fuel loads along these secondary control lines. Crews continue improving access for fire personnel along the FS Road 6210. In the Lucerne area, firefighters are preemptively preparing structures and an indirect line near Railroad Creek as precautionary measures to protect nearby values at risk. Aerial resources will switch out medical personnel assigned near Myrtle Lake and support the maintenance of firefighters’ communication equipment.

Evacuations: A Level 1 Fire Advisory remains in effect for Holden Village, including the Rio Tinto Mine water treatment plant; this advisory does not include Lucerne.

Read the full update HERE https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19UMXAdqkx/?

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Jaimee Whitfield, Reporter
Jul 26 at 1:02 PM EDT

Both the Chiwawa and Entiat River drainages are currently under a closure order due to firefighters and heavy equipment working along the narrow roadways. Considerations for closure also include the potential for fire spread and time needed to evacuate campgrounds and remote backcountry sites. The Forest is working closely with fire managers to reduce the closure area as soon as it is safe to do so. Numerous alternative recreation opportunities remain available outside of the closure area.

Current situation: Yesterday, air operations flew reconnaissance over the fire, further familiarizing fire managers with the complex terrain and associated challenges for ground crews. Helicopter pilots also conducted sling load missions, swapping gear for specialized wildland fire module crews working in remote areas south of the fire near Myrtle Lake Campground. A firefighter lookout near Ice Lakes reported small pockets of smoke well within the existing fire footprint in the Ice, Pomas and Entiat Creek drainages. Crews continued improving contingency lines and supporting suppression efforts across the fire area.

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