Latest updates can be found here. 9/6/06 update here.
At this point the Tripod Spur Complex Fire is at 57,535 acres and is 10% contained. The estimated containment date is not until October 1, 2006. The fire is located approximately 6 miles northeast of Winthrop, Washington. The cause has been determined to be a lightning strike and there are over 1,700 personnel working to contain it. What the final toll as far as number of acres is anyone’s guess.
This is not the only fire in the area either. There is also the Tinpan Fire encompassing just over 4,000 acres and the Flick Creek Fire which encompasses almost 4,200 acres. So neither of those are near the size, but all three are within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
Information and photo: InciWeb: Incident Information System
More recent news here.
amazing photo…
should i worry about you and yours?
please take care
No, hNAV, you shouldn’t worry, though I truly appreciate it! I am in Ohio and though my Dad lives in the area, the fire is about 50 miles from them. They can see the smoke, but not flames. So far, the fire has been contained within the National Forest, so no homes involved.
Glad to hear that no homes are affected….Also, thanks for stoppin’ by my blog:)
No problem, LB, I really enjoy your beading…very beautiful!
ohhh… that’s right…
i think i knew you were in O-HI-O !
just forgot for a moment…
your Father lives in a gorgeous place in this Country…
happy to know he is well, and no homes have been touched.
Thank you hNAV. Yes, it is gorgeous out there, but alas, it is very California-like politically which drives my dad a little nuts! (being the staunch conservative that he is!)
My sis said the valley is filled with smoke.
I’m not surprised, jgf. The wind will kick it over into the valley one day and then back out the next, but I think this fire is close enough to the valley that the smoke could linger as long as the fire’s burning. Which could be until October! Tell your sister to stay inside as much as possible so she doesn’t get carbon monoxide headaches or respiratory difficulties!
October 1st? That’s almost 2 months! I can’t imagine it taking that long to get it into containment. But it’s good to know there are no homes involved. At least Mother Nature was responsible — & not some crazy person starting it on purpose (like happens far too often, here in CA!)
Oh, they’ve had their share of loonies with matches, too. Usually kids, though. Yes, it’s the terrain that will keep them from containing it sooner, Trish. It’s very steep, terrain and the fire just flies right up the sides of the hills.
For the record, I just got back from Winthrop. The fire is now over 80,000 acres, with no real viable containment. They are working hard at keeping it from traveling 5 miles south into the town. I am not sure what is happening at Conconolly. I was told by someone who had spent some time at the fire camp that it could concievably burn all through the winter, through the roots etc.
That’s a lot of plywood and paper going up in smoke, huh?
Thank you, Eileen. I have to update my update as they are saying it is now over 94,000 acres, but 25% contained.
GUYK, my Dad, a staunch conservative, believes that many of the policies imposed by the “hippie group” (as he calls them) restrict the way Forest Services can fight these fires. One such restriction (not allowing the helo’s to use water from a specific river because of salmon!), led to the deaths of several forest service workers several years ago!
Hi all just found this site and thought Id update the tripod one more time for ya, I live in twisp which is roughly 11 miles south of winthrop, and that thing is still going just fine and dandy were still at 25% containment here, though the acrage did rise too 94,838. this is as of today the 16th. Personel has also risen and is now a whopping 2,962 with i believe 500 troops from fort lewis to act as relief crews. It has deffinately made for some great smells in the morning and interesting sunsets in the eve. Take care and hope this info helps some of ya. Oh yeah and thanks for the concern in the valley =-)
oh yeah also if any of you would care to see more detailed info regarding this and other fires you can click this link and you will be blessed with a wealth of information;)
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/341/
Thank you Aerrick. I have done an additional update with the new numbers. My Dad had sent me the InciWeb link and I have been trying to check it often. My Dad has been working more behind the scenes at both the Tripod Fire and the Tinpan Fire over the last several weeks.
Well send him my best wishes, I worked fires last year but for locals was a VERY slow season. Stayed off this year and see what happens?! Hopefully your dad will be getting a little relief here this week, I was watching personel and buses all weekend coming into the valley Ive heard alot of interesting stories since this fire took off back on the 24th. We even had word they might cut power to the valley at one point due to the fire pushing too close to the power lines on the loup. Yeah deffinately give your father a big thanks from twisp for us. And tell him E.stablish S.hade & L.ocate C.ooler
Best to you all from the Methow Valley, also did you see NASA has pics of the fire also, never knew satalite picked up smoke so well… though I would guess it makes sense. =-)
Aerrick, thank you for the good wishes. I will pass them along! (he reads my blog, so he’ll see your posts!)
I saw those pics from space…they are amazing!
This is a big enough fire that they really can’t ‘contain it’; all they can do is keep it from Winthrop and Conconully but otherwise it won’t be stopped until late October when the rains start again. Oct 1 is probably a bit optimistic. Nov 1 is more like it.
With how large it is now, Chris, I’m sure you’re right. We can certainly pray for early rains, though!
Hey all just another update….
Size 103,291 acres
Percent Contained 30%
Estimated Containment Date 10/01/2006 at 2000 hrs.
Total Personnel 2,663
The town of Winthrop and the town of Conconully is open for business (please call local business owners for available recreational opportunities).The Tripod Fire is now proximately 42,766 acres and the Spur Peak is approximately 60,525. There has been approximately 115.8 miles of direct line and 127 miles of secondary or contingency lines constructed to date.
A contingency of Australian and New Zealand overhead has arrived at Conconully fire camp. The US Army Task force Blaze from fort Lewis, WA, began fire mop up and rehabilitation operations.
Hoping you all have wonderful weekends
Thanks Aerrick. I have posted numbers close to those just the other day. (link can be found at the bottom of this post).
Thanks for the update, though and you have a great weekend, too! Stay out of the smoke!