Chelan Fire and Rescue contemplating extending siren uses
- Written by Brandon Asher, CCFR
Chelan Fire and Rescue is currently looking at reactivating the downtown “air raid” siren for larger, multi alarm incidents within the fire district.
Chelan Fire and Rescue runs over 900 calls a year and is a recognized as the 6th most high-risk area for large catastrophic fires in the state. As we have seen in the past, occasionally these fires can quickly overrun the capabilities of our limited local resources, especially with the right weather conditions. The majority of our calls are usually handled by the on-duty crews in combination with the volunteers at outlying stations. Those calls would NOT activate the siren. But due to the reduction of half of Chelan Fire and Rescue’s daily career staff coupled with a decrease in volunteers responding to calls we feel now is the time to research different ways to notify the community to prepare.
As more orchards are being torn out and more homes are moving deeper into the urban interface, we feel the Lake Chelan community as a whole, needs to be alerted. The community can share in their part of the response by looking up, looking for smoke, recognizing that there is a fire, and generally remaining vigilant to their surroundings. Fires that used to be slowed by green orchards and irrigation now have paths from the hills right into homes.
Chelan Fire and Rescue is looking at activating the siren only on 2nd alarm or greater fires. By activating the siren on 2nd and 3rd alarm fires it serves many purposes. It lets the community know that all five stations and all firefighters are being requested for a fire in the district. It lets business owners who employ our volunteer members know that there is a significant fire event locally in hopes that they may be able to release them to respond to the call. It lets you the citizens know there is a chance that if you call 911, your emergency may have a slight delay as incident commanders decide what to break free from the major incident or who to call to assist you. It lets you also know that there will soon be apparatus and personnel from all over Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan counties potentially coming through town to assist. It creates community situational awareness that is vital to the safety of all as conditions can change in a matter of minutes. We will do our part in getting up to date factual information out to all media platforms as the situation allows.
Chelan Fire and Rescue is not alone in this endeavor. The Leavenworth and Lake Wenatchee areas are also in the process of researching the reactivation of their siren system. Chelan Fire and Rescue hopes that we won’t have to activate it at all this summer but we also recognize the challenges that we are facing regarding our response capabilities. Now with the COVID-19 situation we could potentially have even fewer firefighters locally and statewide to respond. Chelan Fire and Rescue is here to answer questions and looking for input from the community in regard to this. You can contact Assistant Chief Brandon Asher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Station 71 at (509)682-4476.
Gov. Inslee extends “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order to May 4
- Written by Public Information Officer, Washington Emergency Management Division
Today, Gov. Inslee extended the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order to May 4. The governor says the fastest way to economic recovery is the recovery of our health. Stay home. Stay healthy. Save lives. The order continues to require everyone to stay at home unless they are pursuing an essential activity, like shopping for groceries, going to a doctor’s appointment or going to work at an essential business. This is unprecedented times and the sacrifice residents have made are clear. But we will get through this together. #WeGotThisWA
All grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, food supply chains, and other things necessary for continued operations will continue to remain open. https://coronavirus.wa.gov/whats-open-and-closed
Employment Security phone lines continue to be overwhelmed. Keep trying or try filing online. https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/retroactive-payments
The order means that the eviction moratorium continues. If you are having problems with a landlord, let the state know: https://fortress.wa.gov/atg/formhandler/ago/COVID19EvictionComplaintForm.aspx
Our team at our state Emergency Operations Center has processed thousands of inquiries looking to be an essential business. If you have more questions, let them know https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/d4c155fa930f4b848f95774d610c9708
There are so many businesses and people staying home and we appreciate everyone’s help. But if you see a business willfully violating the order, report suspected violators at the link. Don’t call 911. https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/09349a1c56844b539fea1c2cabd16d56
Have questions? Visit http://coronavirus.wa.gov or call 1-800-525-0127 and press #.
Steve Nygreen hired as girl's basketball coach
- Written by Janice Stewart
Manson Athletic Program is excited to announce the hire of Steve Nygreen as the new Head Girls Basketball coach.
“We are thrilled to have Steve onboard in this role and look forward to him building a strong foundation for our program.” stated Manson AD Eric Sivertson.
Steve has taught in Manson for two years and has served as a middle school football coach and a high school assistant boys basketball coach. Prior to landing in Manson Steve was the Head Girls Basketball coach in Chelan.
Stayman Flats brush fire 4-2-20
- Written by Brandon Asher, Assistant Fire Chief, Chelan Fire and Rescue
On 4-2-20 at 1:42 pm Chelan Fire and Rescue assisted Chelan County Fire District #8 (Entiat) with a brush fire on the hill above the orchards off Chelan Butte Rd in Stayman Flats.
On arrival command reported a ¼ acre working brush fire with multiple orchard workers on scene attempting to extinguish. The fire was being pushed by 10-15 mph winds.
Crews were able to quickly get the main body of fire under control. Crews also caught one spot fire about 50 yards away that had started across the road and were able to catch it before it was out of reach.
Four apparatus from Entiat and three from Chelan responded with a total of ten firefighters.
The cause of the fire was an orchard burn that had spotted due to the sudden winds.
Chelan-Douglas Cases To-Date 4-1-20
- Written by Veronica Farias, CDHD
East Wenatchee, WA – Many people are curious about the positive COVID-19 cases confirmed so far in Chelan and Douglas Counties. Chelan-Douglas Health District was not releasing details on individual cases to protect patient confidentiality. Unfortunately, because we now have enough cases, we will release grouped information.
One caution. You may live in a town with no lab confirmed cases so far. That does not mean the virus is not there. Recent studies make it very clear that there are many mild or non-symptomatic cases, that is, people don’t know they have coronavirus, and that they can infect others. Most people who get this infection will recover and be fine, but the measures we take now will save the lives of vulnerable people. You must do the same things – stay home, wash hands, etc. – whether or not there happen to be known cases in your town. The infection is there, and there will be more. STAY HOME – STAY HEALTHY – STAY SAFE.
The following information represents confirmed cases in Chelan and Douglas Counties as of April 1, 2020:
Confirmed Cases by Age
Confirmed Cases by Sex at Birth
Confirmed Cases by City
Statement on Deaths:
There have been two (2) deaths among those who have been confirmed positive for COVID-19. Both were more than 80 years old and had coexisting medical conditions.
COVID-19 Resources:
Chelan-Douglas Health District
Chelan-Douglas Emergency Operation Center
GoFundMe set up for Hannia “Paulina” Mosqueda Rodriguez
- Written by Gregory Kennedy
The body of 18-year-old Hannia “Paulina” Mosqueda Rodriguez of Waterville was discovered near Horse Lake Road on March 17th (see our previous story).
Her family has set up a GoFundMe account to help pay for expenses incurred during this difficult time.
Please help by donating at: gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-paulina.
Manson School Board 2020 Blue and White Excellence Awards
- Written by Janice Stewart
The Manson School Board is asking our community for nominations of Manson School District Staff Members who have made a significant contribution to the lives of students and/or the greater Manson community. Recipients of this year’s award will receive a scholarship in the amount of $500 from Aaron England of England Chiropractic. They will be recognized by the Manson Chamber of Commerce “A Night to Remember” held next fall.
Selection criteria is as follows: one certificated employee (grades P-12) and one support staff employee (secretaries, bus drivers, custodians, para-professionals, food services, coaches, etc.)
Nominations have been extended until April 23, 2020 at noon. Winning nominees will be announced at the Manson School Board meeting on April 27, 2020.
Nominations forms are available online by using the following link: https://forms.gle/bEhzz8SVLrjaiDJg6 (English) and https://forms.gle/JMciVt4WNCBqUvMVA Spanish .
Firefighter/EMTs honored for 10 years of service
- Written by Mark R. Donnell, Fire Chief, Chelan Fire & Rescue
Chelan Fire & Rescue Firefighter/EMTs Troy Keene and Adam Jones were recently recognized for their 10 years of dedicated service to the community.
Adam and Troy are the only two members from the original group hired as fulltime firefighters for Chelan Fire & Rescue and are truly a decided asset for the community and the organization.
Please congratulate them on reaching this milestone anniversary.
Brush fire on Washington Creek
- Written by Mark R. Donnell, Fire Chief, Chelan Fire & Rescue
On March 30th at 4:13 PM crews from Chelan Fire & Rescue were dispatched to a reported illegal burn in the 400 block of Tennant Lane off Washington Creek.
Arriving crews found an unattended 10’ X 50’burn pile that had reignited due to windy conditions that was slowly spreading.
Crews were able to quickly control and extinguish the fire in an hour.
Chelan Fire & Rescue would like to remind everyone to please call Chelan Fire & Rescue at (509)682-4476 or check the Department of Ecology website for daily updated burning information.
How to be a good neighbor during the COVID-19 crisis
- Written by Ray Eickmeyer, Director of EMS, LCCH
