Latest count: 300 homes destroyed in Carlton Complex fire

The massive Carlton Complex fire has destroyed 300 homes, and regional and nationwide response has been in some ways "overwhelming," says Okanogan County Frank Rogers.

Here's is his latest update, including what vicitims currently need:

Members of the EOC and County Assessor’s Office have been out checking the burn areas and today were able to finish up the area that has been destroyed by the fire. The count today on homes lost is now 300.

The Okanogan County Emergency Operations Center asked for state assistance on Tuesday, 07-22-14, for additional staffing. The crew arrived on Wednesday the 23rd and has been running non-stop since putting in 16+ hours a day with little time for rest. We are very grateful for their expertise and assistance.

The Okanogan County PUD has done an excellent job getting power restored to the cities of Pateros and Twisp today; well ahead of the most optimistic projections.

The National Guard is assisting the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office with patrols in the affected fire areas. They are currently working with my Deputies patrolling the burned out areas to check on those in the area. They have food and water with them and will stopping for those who need assistance.

We are still experiencing intermittent phone services both cellular and conventional landline but it is slowly beginning to improve.

Please be aware that at times like this there are those who prey on the victims with diverse fraud schemes. More information can be found at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General, http://www.atg.wa.gov/fraudfighters.aspx

We will be regularly updating the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Facebook site with more information as it becomes available. Please to to that site to see what is currently happening and if you feel you need additional information please contact me.

As far as Donations are concerned if you are in need of anything please do not hesitate to contact the Okanogan County EOC. No more clothing is needed at this time due to an overwhelming support, both from the local community and nationwide. We are still in need of Headlamps, Flashlights and the batteries to operate them, work gloves, work boots, portable camp type stoves, small generators and extension cords.

Please do not send cash intended for fire victims to the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office; those donations can be made to the Okanogan County Community Action Council, http://www.occac.com/ , the Red Cross, http://www.redcross.org/ or any number of other worthy organizations. If donations are for the care of displaced animals or for emergency management expenses those can be made to the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office.

If you are in need of Hay or pet food for displaced animals you can get those supplies at the Agriplex at the Okanogan County Fair Grounds from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily.

This is one of the main points I would like to get out:

Us at the Okanogan County EOC (Emergency Operations Center) are asking that any victim from this fire to please contact us at the EOC. If you have anything damage or destroyed by the fire, including homes, property, animals, livestock, irrigated land, etc. Please contact us at the EOC so that we can assist you in the recovery process as fast as we can. We have additional resources coming to the EOC next week which will be working to identify and assist fire victims. Please call us.

The call center is staffed from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. The phone numbers to call are 509-422-2408, 509-422-2420, 509-422-2422 and 509-422-2428. If the numbers are busy please keep trying.

Frank T. Rogers

Sheriff