2014 Washington state wildfires
| 2014 Washington wildfires | |
|---|---|
The Carlton Complex on July 21, 2014
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| Statistics | |
| Total fires | 1,480 |
| Total area | 386,972 acres (1,566 km2) |
| Buildings destroyed |
300 |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Season | |
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← 2013
2015 →
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The 2014 Washington wildfires were a series of 1,480 wildfires that burned 386,972 acres (1,566 km2) over the course of 2014. The first occurred primarily on the east side of the Cascade Range in Chelan and Okanogan counties. The fires burned private land, state land, and within the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests, ultimately covering over 350,000 acres (550 sq mi; 1,400 km2). The first fire began on July 8 near the Entiat River. On July 14 a lightning storm started dozens more fires across the eastern Cascade Range.Governor Jay Inslee declared a state of emergency, activating the Washington National Guard. More lightning strikes later in the summer started additional fires.
The Mills Canyon fire burned 22,571 acres (35.3 sq mi; 91.3 km2), all within Chelan County. The fire was located south of the Entiat River and west of U.S. Route 97A and the Columbia River in the Entiat Mountains. It started on July 8 and the cause is under investigation.
A number of fires were started by lightning strikes on July 14.
The Carlton Complex, covering 256,108 acres (400.2 sq mi; 1,036 km2), began as four separate lightning-caused fires on July 14 in the Methow River valley of Okanogan County: the Cougar Flat, French Creek, Gold Hike, and Stokes fires. These fires merged and rapidly spread southeast on July 17, burning approximately 300 homes in and around the towns of Pateros and Malott as well as in more rural areas. The communities of Brewster, Carlton, and Methow were also threatened by fire. Power was lost to the communities of Twisp and Winthrop. Road closures included State Route 20 east of Twisp towards Loup Loup Pass, State Route 153 between Twisp and Pateros, and U.S. Route 97 between Pateros and Brewster. Rain slowed the fire on July 24, allowing crews to reach 60% containment by July 26. A new fire started along State Route 20 south of Winthrop on August 1.
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