At 9 pm, the 100 acre Hamilton Fire was “zero contained,” Incident Commander Andy Hall told MVE at the Winthrop Fire Station on Horizon Flats.
By 9:25 pm, Okanogan County Emergency Management issued a statement on Facebook that “forward progression has been stopped.”
Both agreed that strong winds are a factor and crews will remain working through the night. Hall said the fire was moving southeast and east, consuming grass and brush.
About 240 people were called to the scene on Sunday, according to Hall, including representatives from Chelan and Douglas County Fire Departments, who returned Sunday night. Arcadia 20 Hand Crew, based in Spokane, also arrived on the scene.
Contractors were called in to fill night and day shifts, said Hall.
As Hall predicted, area under Level 3 evacuation was reduced to Level 2 and Level 2 areas were reduced to Level 1 late Sunday evening.
Hall works with Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest but said he was representing DNR, which has agreements to manage fires and “help out.”
Aircraft was seen during the day dropping water and fire retardant, which is pink.
Trucks replenished water late Sunday afternoon at the fire hydrant in the Winthrop Barn parking lot. Several ground crew reported the fire was “better than it was earlier.”
Hamilton Fire was named after Hamilton Ranch Loop in Winthrop. Fires are named by their geographical location within minutes by the first incident commander.
A US Forest Service employee, who declined to give her name, said the fire spread after a structure caught fire, but Hall refused to comment, saying the cause was “under investigation.”
The fire started at around 9 am on Sunday, Hall confirmed. All power in Winthrop has been restored as of Sunday evening.
Holdouts
Downtown Winthrop was deserted Sunday afternoon after a Level 3 evacuation was issued in the area. Paul Peterson, co-owner with his wife Melissa of Hotel Rio Vista, was locking the door late Sunday afternoon after contacting all the guests he could about the fire.
“Some are on their way here,” he told MVE. Peterson left behind a handwritten note taped to the door explaining the situation, along with his phone number.
A few miles away, Abby Creek Inn was doing brisk business as fire crews booked rooms that evening.
Two men from out of town looking for a room didn’t understand why everything in Winthrop was closed. They were advised to head to Twisp.
Another guest staying at the inn asked why there were fire trucks encircling the inn. After receiving information about the fire, he chose to continue vacationing.
Owner Josh Buehler said he did not heed the Level 3 evacuation because he expected the fire would be contained, but said the campground next door did heed the order. The inn’s guests were given the option of canceling their reservations or leaving early without penalties.
Buehler said he didn’t know how many guests had opted to cancel or leave, but said those rooms were being filled by fire crews.
A few vacationers were seen enjoying the outdoor pool at the inn.
Further down the road, Idle a While Motel had no vacancies Sunday evening.
For up to date information, visit https://www.okanogancounty.gov/1861/ACTIVE-INCIDENTS
