An aggressive initial attack Sunday on a wildfire above the Broadview and Sleepy Hollow Heights neighborhoods slowed and eventually controlled what officials believe may be a human-caused blaze.
Three water-hauling helicopters and ground crews totaling at least 100 firefighters corralled the 20-acre blaze Sunday evening as it burned near grassy hillsides still recovering from the devastating Sleepy Hollow Fire of 14 months ago.
“We had really good results from early contact on the fire and into the evening,” said Chief Mike Burnett with Chelan County Fire District 1. “We hit it hard.”
By 10 a.m. Monday, the fire had been declared 70 percent contained with crews extinguishing and monitoring hot spots at the fire’s interior, said Burnett. Firefighters estimated the fire would be 100 percent contained by end of shift Monday.
“At this time, it poses a very low threat,” said the chief. “We’re wrapping it up.”
Investigation into a cause of the fire continued Monday, said Burnett, and investigators were “working, at least initially, under the premise that it’s human caused.”