The Wenatchee World Online
UPDATE: 160 more families ordered to leave Badger Mountain
By Rachel Schleif
World staff writer
Posted July 12, 2008

WENATCHEE — Evacuations increased to about 210 homes total as the Badger Mountain Fire burned into timber lands along Melvin and Red Field roads today.



At 7:45 p.m., the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office ordered 160 families on Badger Mountain to leave immediately, said Undersheriff Don Culp.

Earlier today, evacuation notices had increased from Level 1 to Level 2, which means families must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Those evacuations are now Level 3, which means it’s time to go.

Another 50 families were ordered to leave Friday night in the Longview area north of
Lincoln Rock State Park.

The only structures lost so far were a few chicken coops Friday night, said fire spokesman Dave Cox.

About 370 firefighters are taking shifts digging lines, but the terrain is so steep that the crews are relying on water and fire retardant drops from the air, Cox said.

“They can get up on top of the ridge or over the edge and build a fire line, but you have to be part mountain goat to do that,” Cox said. “They’re literally hanging on to stuff trying to get the fire line built. They’re doing a heck of a job.”

The winds changed direction unexpectedly today, pushing the fire toward timber, Cox
said. Timber fuels produce thicker, blacker smoke than sagebrush, Cox. Wind is carrying the smoke east of Waterville.

Cox estimated the burn area grew to about 12,000 acres Saturday.

Winds are expected to blow harder Sunday afternoon, Cox said.

“It’s not look real promising for tomorrow,” Cox said. “Hopefully we can get most knocked of it down tonight and we’ll jump on it first thing in morning before the winds kick up. We hope to have things in place to mitigate some of that.”

Rachel Schleif: 664-7139
schleif@wenworld.com


COMMENTS

You must be registered and logged in to post a comment. Register or Log in

 

I just want to thank all the Fire fighters who put in there time again and again for strangers. They work hard,are away from there families, they don't always agree with the way they have to fight these fires but they do what they are told. Mistakes are always made but hopefully they will learn from them for the next fire. I have lived up on Badger for 15 years and spent countless hours cleaning up our property from sage brush trimmng trees and raking tons of pine needles. We have cleaned up year after year trying to always be prepared for fire, its not a matter of if there will be a fire its a matter of when. I never sat back waiting to be informed I drove out and met with the men on the fire lines and looked for myself where the fire was each morning and night to keep myself up to date. I think people should take some responsibility for themselves and get out and clean there property up, for years they haul crap up and leave it around there homes and never remove brush or trees and expect others to save there homes now that a fire has burned, so hello wake up and clean your property up and maybe help yourself from loosing your home next time there is a fire. There are free dump days in both Waterville and East Wenatchee 2 times a years so start hauling crap away. When you move away from town you have to take care of yourself and don't expect others to protect you. We should all be very thankful for what the men and women did to keep this beautiful mountain from burning up and saving our homes instead of focusing on all the negative, be active and do something to help.

Marty Whitehall
Marty Whitehall | Jul 16, 2008 9:17 pm | Request Removal
Gregg, the other counties could not utilize their resources until it was a state mobilization, so it didn't matter how many trucks and resources Chelan and Grant counties have.

As far as the farmers losing valuable crop goes, they take that risk farming in such an arid area. I'm sure they have insurance to cover just this kind of loss.
Rebecca Jones | Jul 15, 2008 5:12 pm | Request Removal
And, about the Texas Hold'Em incident and fire fighters being more intersted in watching the girls on the boats on the river... These crews are getting their orders from their bosses, not making their own. So maybe Texas Hold'Em and watching girls was out of line, but I guess I have to think, if my boss told me to sit there and do nothing until told, I might break out a deck of cards too.
These crews are working their butts off. The terrain is difficult, it's hot, they're tired, but how many houses have been lost? How many lives have been lost? Enough said.
HUGE thank you to everyone on and behind the lines working to get this thing out!!
Local Gal | Jul 15, 2008 4:36 pm | Request Removal
I had 2 questions- If "all resources were authorized" so early, why wasn't a helicopter mobilized ASAP when they realized that access was difficult and the fire was burning in heavy fuel? Do we really not have a single local chopper equipped for bucket dumps?
Also, the statement was made last night that yesterday they had "air resources on standby". With red flag warnings yesterday and today and calm weather almost all day yesterday, why weren't they utilizing that resource? If the choppers are on standby, I assume they're still getting paid. Wouldn't it have been a better use of money to use them to fight fire?
Local Gal | Jul 15, 2008 4:28 pm | Request Removal
Just My Opinion - great post. You said it wonderfully, especially the statement involving the guy that was concerned about the price of lost timber.

Enough bashing the fire fighters and agencies involved in fighting this fire. We haven't lost any lives or dwellings. None of us were on the front lines with limited resources. Maybe a few posting all the negative comments should have been out there in the heat, wind, and rocky terrain for a few hours. Then you could let the rest of us know what your game plan would have been.

We all have plenty to learn before the next fire. Maybe we could meet with fire and emergency management folks to discuss, in a pro-active, positive manner.

Sadly, many protesting the methods used to fight this fire are probably the same folks with sagebrush and trees up to their front doors.

How about some positive comments? We should ALL thank our fire fighters and the ones out there busting their butts!
G Johnson | Jul 15, 2008 9:41 am | Request Removal
Kara Young . . I couldn't agree with your posts more. I am embarassed to live around such ungrateful people. We are truly blessed for our local firefighters and the jobs they do. There are not many fires that I can recall in the recent years that have been unsuccessfully handled and the few that I can think of, that have had tragedy as result, I know our "human" firefighters their managers and our whole valley have learned from. Has anyone even taken into account just how chaotic a fire emergency can be? These managers for the most part are having to make quick decisions on the fly - decisions that cannot be reversed or un-done. They make decisions based on their training. I attended the meeting lastnight and was appalled as a few of you shook your head and "claim" that you have no faith in your fire department and plan to get your own fire trucks and resources to fight your own fire. Good .. hopefully after you fight a few you'll realize that you will make mistakes and will learn it's not as easy as you believe. Do you have the right to be frustrated - yes - I believe mistakes were made, but come on - be pro-active - visit your local fire departments when this is over and work WITH them not against them.

Lastly, for the comment made by the gentleman at the meeting about why everyone cares about the wheat/orchards/pasture ground and property and no one cares about the timber. Let's put your Waterville Hotel up on the mountain and see if you are more worried about your hotel (which I am assuming is what provides you your income) and see if you are more worried about it or timber then.

To our local fireman/woman . . thank for the job you do. I would never want it.
JustMy Opinion | Jul 15, 2008 8:45 am | Request Removal
To the comment about T-221 ok with that one the three from grant county the one from chelan county one and the one from waterville how many gallons is that they are all 2500 plus the brush trucks on the ponds they are right of the county road and are plenty to use the helicopters can dip out of them the trucks could use them they would have to use the water in the truck first We had a meeeting last night and found out there was a lot of ball dropping for the management of the fire strike teams there is also one cheif that did not explain the water locations as far as the ponds being on private property what good would they be if there house burnt down there is a community well up here still there is a fire station up here no water was taken cause no water was used unless it was at a structure
gregg johnson | Jul 15, 2008 7:50 am | Request Removal
Rebecca, Nice and accurate info. I have just been there and done that, so I tend to get frustrated. I watch the locals make a good showing on the fire and then see the state get involved and the entire thing grows and grows until weather and terrain get most of the credit for any stops.
Don Ribbs | Jul 15, 2008 2:32 am | Request Removal
Don, the last time I was personally "in the know" so to speak, the volunteer force was making state minimum wage, and only on a state mobilization. You're right, career FF's make very good money, unfortunately our volunteers do not, and the vast majority of calls they respond to are on a volunteer basis, and the vast majority of our local FF's are volunteer- not paid. In light of that a few games of cards isn't a big deal. You are also correct that when the state gets involved things tend to get kind of muddy.

As far as the comments regarding filling up at ponds and swimming pools, the district #2's largest tank on the T-221 is only 2500 gallons and the pumper runs 500 GPH. That means you have an empty tank in 5 minutes on that truck, and we only have the one T-221. The rest of the trucks (about 10 in total for the whole district in 2007) have 350-1500 gallon tanks and most of them pump at 1,500 GPH making the water from a full truckload last a minute or less, which in a hot dry fire will effectively do nothing. Swimming pools and ponds are not going to cut it, period- in the time it takes to pump up a thousand gallons (very slow!) the fire is already 1/4 of a mile past where it was last. These trucks are meant to be utilized at a pressurized hydrant which makes them darn near useless in a wildland area. Again, a disadvantage to living off the grid.

With the modest amount of equipment we have in our district and *no water available*, this fast-moving fire couldn't have been knocked out immediately even with every single truck and every volunteer and paid FF on the job. It consumed thousands of acres within hours.

Bob, your complaints with the command center are valid and one of the few repeating problems we have had with large area fires. Personally I would not leave my home either until the fire was darn near at my doorstep, and you being proactive may have made a difference.
Rebecca Jones | Jul 14, 2008 8:57 pm | Request Removal
This fire, the "Badger Mt Fire" was, in my estimation, pooly handled. I don't believe the difficulties are found in the men and women who were there to fight the fire, but in the command center which is too far removed and out of touch with events at the edge of the fire. We had our home and our business in danger on Friday the 11th. At our home at 30 Shore Dr the firemen on the scene said they were not going to protect our neighbor's home, Jim and Marilyn Webb, but said they would try and protect the rest of our homes. We were given a level 3 notice and all of us stayed. My immediate neighbor has a swimming pool and offered it as a water source. No one ever hooked up anything, they didn't water anything down, there were no fire lines dug, and we were basically ignored. Our thanks is to all the neighbors who worked hard to soak everything in sight.
Bob Oldwyn | Jul 14, 2008 11:37 am | Request Removal
A pittance? Give me a break! There is a ton of money made on these. Every guy and every piece of equipment for the entirety of the operation is paid for, after it gets to the "State Mobilization" stage. Based on their certification level they can make more. Many private firms are now involved, because it is so lucrative.
Are there guys working on the fire? Sure, but once you get to the 'State Mobe level' you add a whole new level of bureaucracy, where resources don't seem to be utilized like they are in the beginning.
Don Ribbs | Jul 14, 2008 5:55 am | Request Removal
I happen to agree with you, Daniel, and really it is the only option. Anyone else commenting that they aren't doing enough has no grasp of the logistics involved in fighting such a fire.

And as far as them playing Texas Holdem, so what? At least they are there, overseeing the safety of your property. Did you know that the brunt of the force there are volunteers and they don't even get paid at all until there is a state mobilization, and then it is a pittance. That is their decision, but be aware that they are there because they wish to help, not because it is a lucrative job.

A couple of ponds isn't going to do it, Gregg. Sorry. Not to mention that most of those are on private property. Again, there is no reservoir, no hydrants, no irrigation, no lakes or rivers, and *no* municipal water supply. This is one of the many things you must consider when you buy a property that isn't on the grid. Badger mountain is 3000 feet of dry, steep, sagebrush land. It's a clear invitation to fire.

Do you have a well? Maybe you should offer them some of your water.

Personally I think your property will be fine, the reason why you can look out your window and see them right there is because they're protecting it.
Rebecca Jones | Jul 14, 2008 12:29 am | Request Removal
Thanks Gregg for the insight. People don't understand how these are run unless they have sat in staging for days on end or watched it first hand. That game of texas hold'em probably only cost the taxpayers $100 and hour. Good luck.
Don Ribbs | Jul 13, 2008 11:35 pm | Request Removal
also if any one would like to see the waste of money at the puppet show let me know going to start tours
and getting a list of names of people on the line for christmas cards they will probally be here that long at this point againg not the firefighter fault the one in charge that thinks the brush ground is nothing and let it burn
gregg johnson | Jul 13, 2008 8:57 pm | Request Removal
I"M not balming the fire fighters firts of all it is the ones in charge running the show that keep telling me if there is no structer threatened let it burn great that is pasture ground for cattel at 280 dollars a ton for hay why not let it burn it is only money with diesel fuel to farm at twice the price we have lots of money to spend as to Mr Griffin I live up here and have been out there since it started sleep about 3 to 4 hours a day the only water i saw being put on the ground close to the fire is on teh dirt road for dust control i have talked to the firefighters and they are doing as there told if there is no structres in danger let it burn if that is the case why are we flying helicopter and bombers in for a waste of time and money. When they dont do any thing in between this fire should have been out on wednesday night and they let it go then again thursday night it made a run to fancher heights the ground is rough and rocky the last three days where it has been burning is ground that has roads through every where if a douglas county sherrif can drive a car through the fire why cant the 4x4 brush trucks go through have not seen one shovel since this mess started fire lines are being plowed in at 7 feet wide when the sage brush is 6 to 8 feet high all it has to do is fall over and there it goes again i have seen fire trucks sitting in front of the fire and the fire gets close they move the truck and sit in a diffrent spot most of them are texting and sending pictures to there friends and family one night watched four of the fire fighters playing texas holdem on the hood of one truck for two hours why not put it out and be done with it we have a couple diffrent ponds up here that they can fill there trucks with at any given time i can see close to 10,000 gallons of water on trucks and 25 trucks all over the mountain so you want to talk about a waste of time and money they are standing around getting paid for watching are ground burn the farmers would put it out if they would let us in on the line it is not a LIFE OR DEATH matter it can be dagerous if you dont know what to do I would like to thank all that are here and for the support but enough is a enough put the fire out before it does burn down a house or someone gets hurt
gregg johnson | Jul 13, 2008 8:51 pm | Request Removal
Let me try and answer your questions. Not an expert, but I have seen a few fires...

To answer number one here. LET IT BURN!!! IF there is no road, LET IT BURN. The earth was doing JUST FINE till we started messing it up, what, you people don't think there was lighting before we came to North America, it's burnt and rebuilt it self time and time again, LET IT BURN!!!

To answer number two... LET IT BURN! Do I need to elaborate? Protect property, homes and people, but LET IT BURN!

To answer number three... LET IT BURN!

Any more questions? We are wasting money fighting fires, putting firefighters in harms way and only leaving more area to burn next time by trying to put these out. I emphasize, let it burn, protect people, property and homes, but let it burn!
Daniel Griffin | Jul 13, 2008 6:33 pm | Request Removal
Some of you negative nellies have no realistic idea of the conditions that hamper efforts to extinguish fires of this type, but since you seem to be experts, tell me please-

1. How can firefighters reach areas with *no road access* in steep terrain at high elevation with all the equipment needed to control it?

2. There is no municipal water supply up there, no hydrants, no reservoir, no irrigation. There are not enough trucks with enough volume to carry all the water needed up there, nor can the drag buckets get enough up there. Please let us know what your magic spell is to conjure water out of thin air.

3. Winds have been gusting up to 40 MPH and we all know what daytime temps have been. Do you have another magic spell to stop the wind and lower the temp?

They are doing all they can to protect structures and establish lines where they can. What else can be done? The Easy Street fire had plentiful access to water, bordered a green zone all along the base, had well established roads firefighters were able to utilize, and had neither the extreme terrain or elevation of Badger mountain.

This fire can be more likened to a wildland timber fire because of the lack of water available, the steep terrain and high elevation. The only difference is that it is faster moving because of the extreme dryness and low scrub.
Rebecca Jones | Jul 13, 2008 2:01 pm | Request Removal
No disrespect to the firefighters. Just trying to explore some different incentives...
Don Ribbs | Jul 13, 2008 1:25 pm | Request Removal
With ALL DUE RESPECT to the firefighters on ANY FIRE, the bottom line is that these fires, once they hit a certain level, acreage, or property damage, the COUNTY gets some much needed funds from the State/Feds. Fires are going to happen, accidents or not, they are going to happen. Firefighters are taught/trained to take care of fires. BUT! The fire bosses, much like Cam Robinson said about the Easy Street Fire, often let them burn. WHICH THEY SHOULD as long as no homes/property are in danger. LET THE FIRE BURN, don't waste money fighting them... Nature has a course.

So many of you sit here and say things like "I bet you wouldn't go out their in these conditions and 'RISK YOUR LIFE' so stop talking about the firefighters that way..." Umm... It's their job, no one put a gun to their head and made them. Just as a U.S Soldier, I do the same. So don't go thinking this is about who's risken their necks or not.
Daniel Griffin | Jul 13, 2008 1:11 pm | Request Removal
With ALL DUE RESPECT to the firefighters on ANY FIRE, the bottom line is that these fires, once they hit a certain level, acreage, or property damage, the COUNTY gets some much needed funds from the State/Feds. Fires are going to happen, accidents or not, they are going to happen. Firefighters are taught/trained to take care of fires. BUT! The fire bosses, much like Cam Robinson said about the Easy Street Fire, often let them burn. WHICH THEY SHOULD as long as no homes/property are in danger. LET THE FIRE BURN, don't waste money fighting them... Nature has a course.

So many of you sit here and say things like "I bet you wouldn't go out their in these conditions and 'RISK YOUR LIFE' so stop talking about the firefighters that way..." Umm... It's their job, no one put a gun to their head and made them. Just as a U.S Soldier, I do the same. So don't go thinking this is about who's risken their necks or not.
Daniel Griffin | Jul 13, 2008 1:10 pm | Request Removal
Need to keep in mind that what is going on up there on Badger is rough on everyone. We live in a fire prone area, the question shouldn't ever be "if" but "when" fire runs through our area what is going to happen. The firefighters are trying to put the fire out; most of them would rather be at home with their families instead of sweating their brains out. I don't think money plays a role in this at all. Also keep in mind that California has been burning since before the beginning of our fire season, so instead of sitting around collecting a paycheck for doing nothing they are out doing what they do best, albeit in another state. It amazes me that these men and women that are working in these conditions....conditions that I am certain most of you would never choose to work in, are only getting ridiculed. I suppose that they could pack up and let you all fight the fire on your own since you all seem to have a better plan of attack...Good luck with that.
Kara Young | Jul 13, 2008 11:21 am | Request Removal
As a resident who has been evacuated, I for one would like to thank the firefighters for the job they are doing.Many neighbors volunteered their time to do what they could to help them out. Unfortunately the weather & high winds have hampered their fight. Please don't criticize when you don't know the facts. These people are putting their lives in danger trying to put this fire out. A job I'm sure many of you who are so quick to criticize, would not want.
Bev Moulton
Bev Moulton | Jul 13, 2008 11:12 am | Request Removal
I think you would have more success if you paid these guys to put it out, rather than paying them to keep fighting it.
Don Ribbs | Jul 13, 2008 9:56 am | Request Removal
Mr. Harden- Most of us are not impressed with the way things are being handled up here on Badger.
gregg johnson | Jul 13, 2008 8:32 am | Request Removal
I agree this fire has gotten way out of hand! and a fire of this type, like the Easy St. fire should has been dusted out way sooner then this!!
cam robinson | Jul 13, 2008 1:50 am | Request Removal
Notice the last quote from Cox. It would look a lot more promising if they had knocked out the fire when it was much smaller. Even after it was bigger it still appeared to be containable. Looks like this is politics in firefighting. When the Easy Street fire ignited it was tackled quickly. Interestingly enough there is a lot of money in the pockets of those individuals. The amount of money in the pockets of many of my friends on Badger Mtn, who are affected, is not as much as those affected by the Easy street fire. As of now my families property is being burned and many family friends' property has the potential to be burned or is in the process of being burned. Why did they send local firefighters away when we need them here? One of my buddies just got sent to California when we need him here. As you can tell I am not at all impressed with the managers of this fire.
Marcus Harden | Jul 12, 2008 10:28 pm | Request Removal
POST A COMMENT (limit 5,000 characters)
   

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

© The World Publishing Company


CLASSIFIED TOP JOBS

Nursing Home Administrator Financial and Board relation experience desirable. Competitive wages and benefits. Rural setting and great team. Send resume to Board of Commissioners PO Box 819 Soap Lake, WA 98851

RN Mid Valley Hospital Omak, WA Is currently searching for experienced nurses to join our 44 bed rural Acute Hospital. If you are an experienced RN, can work a flexible schedule and feel that a rural setting is where you would like to be, we invite you to inquire about the following positions: ICU ER OB ACUTE Apply in writing to: Human Resources, Mid-Valley Hospital, PO Box 793, Omak, WA 98841 or contact the HR Department at: (509)826-7643

CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR Serves as a primary liaison between the Research Dept. and the sponsor, once a study has been initiated. Will be responsible for enrolling patients into research studies and performing data collection functions. Must have a clinical background with CMA, LPN, or RN certification. MLT/MT Seeking an ASCP generalist for a night position in an excellent work environment in our large, full-service laboratory. RN Walk-In Clinic position available at 30 hrs./wk., 10 hr. shifts, includes weekends. Previous ER experience helpful. Wound Care Nurse We are seeking an RN with wound care experience (certification preferred) for a full time, day shift position in a busy outpatient setting. Please visit www.wvmedical.com for more info or to apply.

 

MORE CLASSIFIED TOP JOBS