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Lightning ignited 13 fires within the Naches Ranger District west of Yakima, Washington on August 11. Ten of these fires, all initially less than 15 acres, were in the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wildernesses approximately 50 miles northwest of Naches, Washington. Slightly warmer temperatures on Monday resulted in increased fire activity on the fires north of State Route 410. Two previously separate fires in the Union Creek drainage merged and grew to one fire, named Norse Peak, which is now estimated to be approximately 500 acres. The increased size estimate reflects both fire movement and more accurate mapping. Another blaze near Crow Creek grew to 26 acres. South of SR 410, the fire near Pleasant Valley Lake on American Ridge reached 27 acres. All other fire starts covered less than five acres. Smoke production increased and resulted in some heavy concentrations downwind of the fires. Overall, fire behavior was within what fire managers had expected. ...

Quick Facts Fire size: 4,000 acresLocation: East of Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls, WA Containment: 58%Cause: Lightning on 7/15/17Resources: 1 Hotshot crew, 2 Type II Initial Attack Crew, 2 Type II Crew, 1 Type III Helicopter, 2 Type II Helicopter, 1 Fixed Wing Aircraft, 3 Dozers, 4 Type 6 Engines, 4 Water Tenders, 2 Masticators, 1 AmbulancePersonnel: 229Email: noisycreekfire@gmail.com Metaline Falls, WA - There has been no growth on this fire for several days and much of the perimeter lines around this fire are in patrol status. Therefore, the command of the Noisy Creek Fire will be transitioning from a Type II fire management organization to a Type III organization, made up primarily of local fire officials. Firefighters have begun to pull nearly three miles of hose lays from around the perimeter of the fire. Repairs to disturbed sites on the Noisy Creek fire, including firelines and access roads, have commenced. Crews will continue to monitor the control lines and mop up where...

Location: Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Size: 334 Acres Percent Contained: 0% Vegetation: Timber between rock stringers and ridge tops Resources Assigned: 207 personnel Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 Summary: Minimal fire activity has been observed following the moisture two days ago. Weather is expected to dry out and warm up over the next few days. Due to the location of the Jolly Mountain fire, minimal spread is expected. The Southwest Area Type 2 Team is responsible for initial attack of any new starts with a five mile radius of the center of the main fire. As air attack circled the area yesterday one small new start was discovered. Firefighters inserted into the new start, lined the fire. All fires are being monitored by air today. Crews will continue scouting fire line locations...

Air quality due to smoke will generally be good with occasional moderate incursions especial in the 10p to8a time periods. The extended outlook is for much of the same smoke conditions through the remainder of the week. Note: This is the final Air Quality Report for the Diamond Creek Incident. For smoke information check out:

Fire Location: Diamond Creek Fire is burning within the Pasayten Wilderness approximately 12 air miles north of Mazama, Washington and 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers) south of the Canadian border. Fire History and Activity: Firing operations were completed from handlines in the Eightmile drainage, south of Billy Goat Trailhead, reducing heavy fuels in the path of the fire. Crews have been holding the blackened handlines associated with the firing operation and are beginning to mop up along portions of handline in the Eightmile drainage. Current Status and Projected Operations: The current acreage and map are from yesterday morning’s infrared mapping. Helicopter reconnaissance late in the day showed little change in the fire perimeter. Additional crews and resources have been arriving over the last fews days. Today, crews will continue with holding and mopping up operations in Eightmile drainage. Contingency handlines and dozer lines in the Eightmile, Falls Creek, Cub Creek, Ortell, and...

Burning debris rolled across the line in the southwest corner of the fire on Monday morning, igniting a 1/8th-acre spot fire that was stopped by water drops and fire crews. The north side also required aerial assistance to keep the fire in place. Total aviation resources used yesterday, which may also be available today as shared resources, included three air-attack aircraft, two very large air tankers (VLATs), five Fire Boss water-scooping airplanes, two lead planes, two heavy-lift helicopters, three medium-lift helicopters, and two single-engine air tankers (SEATs). The west side has now been brushed out with a line established between the fire and Bridge Creek upstream to the end of Upper Bridge Creek Road. The fireline is being reinforced with hose and pumps. Construction of the tie-through fire break from Summit Trail to the end of Upper Bridge Creek Road has begun. Hose-lays, port-a-tanks, and pumps are beginning to be put in place along Summit Road. A culvert was installed on...

Quick Facts Fire size: 4,000 acresLocation: East of Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls, WA Containment: 49% Cause: Lightning on 7/15/17 Resources: 1 Hotshot crew, 2 Type II Initial Attack Crew, 2 Type II Crew, 1 Type III Helicopter, 2 Type II Helicopter, 1 Fixed Wing Aircraft, 3 Dozers, 6 Type 6 Engines, 5 Water Tenders, 3 Masticators, 1 Ambulance Personnel: 254 Email: noisycreekfire@gmail.com Madeline Falls, WA - Aided by cooler temperatures, higher humidity and nearly 0.10 inch of rain, fire activity was light across the burned area, and nearly absent along the fires edge. Containment lines have been extended around most of the fires perimeter and a hose lay with sprinklers is keeping the forest wet along Noisy Creek. As fire activity across Noisy Creek is winding down, fire suppression repair and rehabilitation standards are being considered in order to minimize the impact to forest resources. Helicopters will be used to remove hoses, pumps and other appliances used throughout...

Air quality in the Methow Valley should be good for the most part. Westerly winds will carry smoke to the east. There may be periods of smoke, especially in the evening hours. Smoke in the Okanagan Valley will be good with periods of moderate smoke as smoke from the fire will drift east. Expect heavy periods of heavy smoke from the fire.

Location: Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, 13 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Size: 334 Acres Percent Contained: 0% Vegetation: Timber between rock stringers and ridge tops Resources Assigned: 61 personnel Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 Summary: The Jolly Mountain Fire is made up of five fires in a remote area approximately five miles northeast of the north end of Cle Elum Lake. Steep slopes, rugged terrain and the distance from road systems limit access to the fires. Due to the inaccessibility, firefighters are continuing to scout fire line locations with the highest probability of success to protect values at risk. Today, crews will begin construct indirect line in the Morgan Creek area as well as identify any structure protection needs. Air resources will availble today to help mitigate potential fire spread as well. Additional...

Cooler, damper weather helped moderate fire behavior again on Sunday, but the wind continued to push the fire to the northeast. By the end of the day the relative humidity had dropped and the temperature had started to rise, confirming the meteorologist’s prediction of warmer, drier weather in the coming week. Winds are expected to decrease for the next several days. The west side of the fire held, and the fireline was extended further to the north. The south side also held, but it was challenged by burning material rolling out of the fire area, down the steep slopes, and across the hand-line. The fire was held in check by retardant drops from a Single Engine Air Tanker, bucket drops from large and medium helicopters, and water drops from Fire Boss scoopers. Heavy equipment working from Bridge Creek Road has opened up Summit Trail for about ¾ of a mile to the north as part of a fire break on the east side of the fire. Work will continue today to extend the west and east lines. It...

Fire Location: Diamond Creek Fire is burning within the Pasayten Wilderness approximately 12 air miles north of Mazama, Washington and 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers) south of the Canadian border. Fire History and Activity: On Saturday, August 12, 2017, the fire advanced over Eightmile Pass, into the upper headwaters of Eightmile drainage. A firing operation was completed from handlines in the Eightmile drainage, south of Billy Goat Trailhead, reducing heavy fuels in the path of the fire. Structure protection assessments have been completed on over 500 structures south of the fire. Current Status and Projected Operations: Infrared mapping this morning shows the fire has grown by 1,500 acres since last mapped, on August 13, 2017. The fire growth last night was primarily in the Murphy Creek drainage and Island Mountain area within the Pasayten Wilderness on the northwest side of the fire. Today, crews will continue with holding operations on the blackened firelines in Eightmile drainage....

Sunday, August. 13, 2017Summary: A lightning storm Friday afternoon ignited 13 fires within the Naches Ranger District west of Yakima, Washington. Ten of the fires are in the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wildernesses. Three of the more accessible fires were contained Friday night. A Sunday morning overflight indicated that fire activity was somewhat less than on Saturday; however, overall there was still enough heat remaining to produce visible smoke and continue steady, but slow fire growth. These fires will be fully suppressed; however, difficult access and firefighter safety concerns will likely deter immediate direct action. The strategy is to prevent these fires from coming down out of the Wilderness to SR 410 and threatening the structures and improvements adjacent to it. Throughout the western United States very high fire activity has exhausted nearly all firefighting resources. Local fire managers believe the resources they currently have are sufficient to...

Colville Tribal authorities have closed Summit Trail and all roads through the fire

Location: Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, 13 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Size: 327 Acres Percent Contained: 0% Vegetation: Timber between rock stringers and ridge tops Resources Assigned: 70 personnel Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 Summary: Rain late Saturday night slowed spread on the five fires that make up the Jolly Mountain Fire. They are burning in a remote area approximately five miles northwest of the north end of Cle Elum Lake. Steep slopes, rugged terrain and the distance from road systems limit access to the fires. The potential complexity of the fires instituted a change from the local Type 3 Incident Management Team to a Type 2 Team. Type 2 Teams contain additional specialists and are capable of dealing with larger, more complicated incidents. The two Teams transitioned and the Southwest Area Type 2 Team assumed command this...

Quick Facts Fire size: 4,000 acres Location: East of Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls, WA Containment: 44% Cause: Lightning on 7/15/17 Resources: 1 Hotshot crew, 2 Type II Initial Attack Crew, 2 Type II Crew, 1 Type III Helicopter, 2 Type II Helicopter, 1 Fixed Wing Aircraft, 2 Dozers, 6 Type 6 Engines, 5 Water Tenders, 3 Masticators, 1 Ambulance Personnel: 255 Email: noisycreekfire@gmail.com Firefighters have made excellent progress containing the Noisy Creek Fire yet remain diligent as the fire will be tested by another day of gusty winds. The fire is expected to remain active throughout the day, especially noticeable along the west face of Hall Mountain, invigorated by gusty winds associated with a passing cold front. Steep, rugged terrain, hazard trees and difficult access along portions of the 2015 Grease Creek fire scar, are presenting a challenge to the completion of a containment line along the fires eastern perimeter. One hotshot crew, two dozers and three masticators...

Smoke: The air quality for Mazama, Winthrop, and Twisp will improve to a moderate AQI today and tomorrow. The Methow Valley will at times see GOOD AQI. The worst conditions will be see in the late hours to early mornings. The AQI could be around USG. Expect USG CONDITIONS for the Okanogan Valley. As winds shift to a West/North West direction smoke will drift into the valley. The AQI could reach into an Unhealthy condition by the evening into tomorrow. Fire: Fire is 25,438 acres. Other: Remember during the periods where the AQI has dropped to a rating of USG or below windows should be shut and limit the flow of outside air to inside.

Fire Location: Diamond Creek Fire is burning within the Pasayten Wilderness approximately 12 air miles north of Mazama, Washington and 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers) south of the Canadian border. Fire History and Activity: On Saturday, August 12, 2017, the fire advanced over Eightmile Pass, into the upper headwaters of Eightmile drainage. A firing operation was completed from handlines in the Eightmile drainage, south of Billy Goat Trailhead, reducing heavy fuels in the path of the fire. Structure protection assessments have been completed on over 500 structures south of the fire. Current Status and Projected Operations: The fire has grown by 1,788 acres since last mapped, on August 12, 2017. On Sunday, crews will be used in holding operations on the blackened fireline in Eightmile drainage. Contingency handlines and dozer lines in the Eightmile, Falls Creek, Cub Creek and Ortell creek areas will continue to be scouted and constructed. A Type 2 Team is enroute to help manage the...

The Bridge Creek Fire on the Colville Reservation is located 13 miles north-northeast of Keller, Washington. Lightning is the cause of the fire that started on August 8, 2017. Last night was the first infrared fly over of the fire decreasing the size of the fire to 939 acres. On Saturday cooler temperatures and slight rain helped the fire fighters make good progress. The fire was still active and burning downhill mostly in surface vegetation with isolated single tree torching. Fire fighters were mopping up on the west edge of the fire holding it along Bridge Creek which runs parallel to Upper Bridge Creek Road. To the Northeast firefighters found a potentially effective location to construct a fire line which will help meet the objective of minimizing acreage burned and protecting natural and cultural resources. On the east side of the fire they continue to construct dozer lines, while securing the southern edge in order to keep the fire north of Bridge Creek Road. Today, aircraft...

Saturday, August 12, 2017 – 7:05 p.m. The latest in a series of Pacific Northwest thunderstorms moved through the central Washington Cascade Mountains on Friday afternoon. Lightning associated with the storm ignited 13 fires within the Naches Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest west of Yakima, Washington. Ten of the fires were within the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wilderness areas. Local Forest Service fire crews attacked and contained two fires near Rimrock Lake and one near Timber Wolf Mountain Friday night. The remaining fires were too remote to take action on Friday. Saturday morning, fire managers used a helicopter to get a more detailed look at the 10 wilderness fires scattered over a 72-square-mile area approximately 62 miles northwest of Naches. Most of the fires were less than an acre in size, with one estimated at five acres, and the largest at 15 acres. The area is characterized as steep, rugged terrain and varies from bare rock...