Chelan County rain misses wildfire

CHELAN Co. Wash. — Despite heavy rain in the area overnight, the situation at the Colockum Tarps Wildfire has not changed.

The city of Wenatchee received heavy rain that overwhelmed the storm sewer system. However, the fire site received very little rain; and that is a good thing.

Fire spokesperson Karen Ripley tells KIRO 7 that what crews are actually looking for is weather that is a little dryer and hotter. Precipitation could actually hinder firefighting efforts at this point.

That is because wildfire crews are working on containment lines. The lines are made by burning material ahead of the fire, to cut the fire off from fuel.

The Colockum Tarps Wildfire has burned an estimated 80,400 acres and is 60-percent contained.

KIRO