FEMA provides funds to help fight wildfire near Leavenworth

CHELAN COUNTY — The smoke from the Suncrest Fire provided an eerie backdrop, the visible evidence of a fire that has scorched nearly 500 acres northeast of Leavenworth.

The wind helped it spread quickly over the weekend and then it began a steady march up the tinder dry hillside.  It provided lots of hot, dirty work for some 300 firefighters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has authorized the use of federal funds on Monday to help with firefighting costs for the Suncrest Fire burning in Chelan County, Washington. The authorization makes FEMA funding available to pay 75 percent of the state of Washington’s eligible firefighting costs for managing, mitigating and controlling designated fires.

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Spokesman Rick Isaacson, Chelan County Fire District 1 says firefighters have been making progress, on the ground with considerable help from four air tankers and three helicopters in the air.

"They were able to protect the houses," he said.  "Did a lot of structural protection."

>> Related: Firefighters save lost dog from wildfire near Leavenworth

Still, 110 homeowners are under orders to get out; another 60 homeowners have been told to be ready to go at any moment.

At this, the start of the last official week of the summer tourist season, Leavenworth's picturesque downtown has been bustling with people.  It has surprised even those who work here.

"I thought town would be a little bit slower than it is, you know, with the smoke and the fire up here," said Randy Kothman, who works downtown.  "But it really hasn't slowed people down. It's kind of made people more interested almost."

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Even as many of them have come up asking if it is safe to stay.   Isaacson said he came downtown to reassure them.

"I can assure them that everything's fine, said Isaacson.  "The wind is blowing in such a direction, not much wind - three to seven miles per hour -  so it's moving it all in a northeasterly direction."

A big problem arose in the northeast corner of the fire in Posey Canyon.

Some hotshot firefighters went in there. And they decided it was not safe for them nor effective to attack the fire directly.

So they plan to put a line around it.   And they will just let it burn, all 150 to 200 acres.

They promise it will be quite a show.

Cox Media Group