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Sheriff Kelly says McNeil Canyon fire destroyed most structures, confirms one death
Summary
Douglas County Sheriff Kelly said a wildfire that began just after midnight July 4 near Mile Marker 233 on US-97 rapidly consumed McNeil Canyon, destroying an estimated 75% of structures in the area and resulting in one confirmed fatality; evacuations, utility outages and recovery planning are underway.
Douglas County Sheriff Kelly said the wildfire that began just after midnight on July 4 near Mile Marker 233 on US Highway 97 moved uphill rapidly and overwhelmed nearby households in McNeil Canyon. "There is approximately a 185 addresses marked in the McNeil Canyon area," Kelly said, and he cited estimates that "there was approximately a 75% structure loss in McNeil Canyon, as a result of this incident." The sheriff confirmed one loss of life after responders found human remains in a vehicle slid off the roadway and turned the remains over to the Douglas County coroner for identification.
Kelly described emergency actions taken as the fire progressed: deputies and local fire protection districts dispersed evacuation notices, the sheriff's office initiated level 3 (go now) evacuations for everyone within the fire perimeter including McNeil Canyon Road, and crews worked to protect lives and property. He said nightfall and the steep terrain initially prevented aerial firefighting, forcing reliance on ground engine crews and later aerial resources once daylight allowed. Utilities crews from Douglas and Chelan County PUDs and Avista have been working to reestablish power where it is safe to do so.
