Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2 Fires Burning Almost 110,000 Acres Together

Two major wildfires within a few miles of each other in Okanogan County are together burning almost 110,000 acres.

The Cedar Creek fire near Winthrop in the Methow Valley is still expanding, and is now more than 50,000 acres.

C.J. Adams with the fire response team says firefighters were hoping for more favorable conditions than they currently have.

"We did have some moisture recently, but now it's kind of dried up again," said Adams. "We're getting hotter temperatures, so that is going to affect fire behavior, and increase the potential for fire behavior."

Firefighters are concerned about wind speeds that could reach 20 miles an hour Wednesday night

So far, crews have been successful in keeping the Cedar Creek fire from reaching populated areas after two out buildings and one vehicle were destroyed early on.

But Adams says they still face some challenges, especially getting people access to their homes along the closed down State Route 20.

"They're buttoning up areas, trying to get people back into their homes as soon as possible and as safely as possible, as well as in the near future opening up Highway 20" Adams said. "But we don't have a date or anything on that."

The close by Cub Creek Fire is still burning about 59,000 acres in Okanogan County.

Donna Storch with its fire management team says the weather could present some challenges in keeping the it from spreading.

"In the last few days, we haven't had much fire movement," said Storch. "But with the hot dry weather coming in, we're anticipating that could change."

There's a chance for for lightning strikes and high wind Tuesday night, which could make firefighting efforts more difficult.

But Storch says they're optimistic about a change in the weather as the weekend approaches.

"We do have a forecast and a hope for cooling temperatures." Storch said. "It could be a 10 to 15 degree drop in temperature, and maybe some rain which would be wonderful."

The Cub Creek Fire is 24 percent contained, and has only damaged three buildings since it started in mid-July.

It's cause is still not known. Investigators have determined the Cedar Creek Fire was started by a lightning strike in July 11th.