7/30/2013 Washington Large Fire Update Report excerpt from WSP - Fire Protection Bureau

Coluckum Tarps – 12 miles SE of Wenatchee, Washington; 42,600 acres, 5% containment

This fire is burning in grass and brush, cause is under investigation.  Evacuations remain in effect.  Natural and cultural resources as well as wind farm infrastructure remain at risk.  State Mobilization authorized.

Mile Marker 28 – 15 miles NE of Goldendale, Washington; 22,469 acres, 40% containment

This fire is burning in brush and timber, cause is unknown.  Hwy 97 remains closed.  Evacuations on southern portion of the fire have been lifted.  Natural and cultural resources remain at risk.  State Mobilization will end today.

Weather Watches and Warnings:

Hazardous Weather Outlook for Central, South, South Central and Southeast Washington for Wednesday through Monday.  Scattered thunderstorms are possible Wednesday and Thursday as a mid/upper-level trough offshore brings mid-level moisture and elevated instability into the region.  Daytime surface heating will trigger thunderstorms both days over the mountains with storms moving north toward lower terrain by late Wednesday afternoon into the evening.

Weather Synopsis:

Southerly flow of moist and unstable air will increase region-wide over the next couple of days in response to a low pressure system deepening off the coast.  The low will move inland Thursday night and gradually weaken over the weekend.  Thunderstorms and showers will accompany this weather system in most, if not all, predictive service areas.  Thunderstorms will start out as a mixture of dry and wet, ultimately becoming wet by Thursday night or Friday.  Widespread wetting showers are likely on through the weekend in Washington and maybe northern portions of Oregon.

Large Fire Potential:

Light lightning caused Initial Attack (IA) likely to begin as early as this evening in SW Oregon with moderate levels of IA expected on Wednesday and Thursday across most of the region.  Two to six new large fires are certainly a possibility in the Wednesday/Thursday timeframe.