Homes lost in Omak area wildfire

OKANOGAN – A day that began with another morning of rising temperatures on Monday, July 14, turned into one of high wind warnings, power outages, and wildfire by mid-afternoon. 

Following an afternoon and evening of high winds and home losses, the situation is under control today.

Monday warning

The National Weather Service in Spokane issued a high wind warning for Okanogan County at about 2 p.m. along with a Red Flag warning, increasing the potential for power outages and wildfire. 

Okanogan County Emergency Management (OCEM) issued Level 2 (Be ready) and Level 3 (Leave now) evacuations after a fire was reported at about 3 p.m. near Omak on the east side of Greenacres Road approximately two miles north of Bide-A-Wee.

Winds out of the north with gusts in the mid to high 50’s pushed the fire south and east. The flames consumed an estimated 400 to 500 acres together with several homes, outbuildings, and PUD power poles. 

County fire crews were dispatched along with those from DNR, Mt. Tolman, Chelan, and Douglas County.

Several heavy aircraft were used to drop fire retardant and water.

The fire remained active and uncontained through nightfall though winds slowed to 15-20 mph. 

 OCEM said the rough fire perimeter is south along Greenacres Road on both the east and west side to just south of Bide-A-Wee, along Bide-A-Wee, and east to Tiffany Lane and Robinson Canyon, then north past the Omak Airport along Sand Dust Road to just north of Dels Way.

Several roads were closed including Greenacres Road, Bide-A-Wee Road, Robinson Canyon Road, and Omak Airport Road.

State fire mobilization was approved.

An evacuation center was set up at the Omak Seventh Day Adventist Church and a Red Cross Shelter is open at the Omak High School. The Okanogan County Fairgrounds was available as an animal shelter.

Tuesday improves

A Type 3 Incident Management Team took control of the fire Tuesday morning.

The fire is still burning in isolated spots.

All roads are open.

There is heavy fire personnel and equipment traffic in the area along with the Okanogan County Public Utility District replacing power poles along the roadways. 

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media