UPDATE: Moe Canyon Fire Forcing Level 1 Evacuation Notices

Update: 6:00 pm August 5th

The Moe Canyon Fire moved slightly north amid a challenging Thursday for fire crews.

Firefighters were forced to move with the fire, although due to mapping the blaze is still estimated at 75 acres with 0% containment. Ardenvoir, northeast of the fire, is not threatened at this time.

Due to the increased activity, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office will be issuing Level 1 (get ready) evacuation notices at 7:00 pm tonight for homes along Entiat River Road.

Level 1 evacuations include:

• From Roaring Creek Road north to milepost 9.5 (Sunshine Lane)
• Everything south of Entiat River Road
• Residents immediately along Entiat River Road along the north side

The evacuation notices do not include residents in Crumb Canyon.

No structures were lost and no injuries were reported Thursday.

Original Post: 10:30 am August 5th

The Moe Canyon Fire burning southwest of Ardenvoir and about 10 miles northwest of Entiat has grown to 75 acres and is 0% contained.

PIO Nancy Jones said hand crews and dozers will work Thursday to improve existing lines and establish hose lays to provide water to aid in suppression.

"They will be working today to reevaluate the size and containment." Jones stated, "There is some good dozer along the ridge to the west of the fire and wrapping around to the north, but they're just not ready to declare it as a containment line as of this morning."

Fighting the blaze are two engines, three crews, two dozers and several fire suppression aircraft. Additional resources have been ordered. Fire supervisors are following a full containment strategy, with the objective of holding the fire to its current footprint.

One firefighter sustained a knee injury Wednesday, and nearby firefighters were forced to deviate from fire suppression for about four hours to get him out of the steep and rugged terrain. A cold front is forecast Thursday and is expected to bring strong, gusty winds to the fire area.

The Moe Canyon Fire was started by a lightning strike Tuesday evening.