InciWeb Articles WA

Weather restricts fire suppression and repair work   Current Situation: Rain and snow continue to fall on the Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset fire areas. Roads above 4,000 feet in elevation have received up to three inches of snow. In the interest of safety, firefighters are not travelling on snow-covered roads. Rain and snow are expected to fall intermittently into next week.   On the Goat Rocks Fire, fire personnel have completed removal of pumps, hoses, and portable tanks from the neighborhoods west of the fire. These supplies have been transported back to fire camp to be tested, cleaned, and reconditioned, after which they will be returned to a local fire cache and made available for use on other fires, a process known as “backhaul.” Where roads are safe to travel, firefighters are patrolling the fire area, addressing any remaining heat that they can safely engage. Some areas with a heavy canopy of branches and deep duff continue smoldering, along with logs, stumps, and...

Goat Rocks, Siouxon and Sunset Fires UpdateWednesday, October 26, 2022 – 10:00 a.m.Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team ThreeBill Waln, Incident Commander Goat Rocks Fire Statistics:Size: 6,196 acres Containment: 10%Total Personnel: 149Location: Packwood, WAReported: August 9, 2022Cause: Lightning/NaturalSiouxon Fire Statistics:Size: 2,359 acres Containment: 0%Total Personnel: 102Location: 13 miles NW of Stabler, WAReported: September 22, 2022Cause: Abandoned Campfire  Sunset Fire Statistics:Size:  277 acresContainment: 0%Total Personnel: 13Location: 8 miles E of Moulton, WA Reported: October 16, 2022Cause: UndeterminedWeather restricts fire suppression and repair workCurrent Situation: Rain and snow continue to fall on the Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset fire areas. Roads above 4,000 feet in elevation have received up to three inches of snow. In the interest of safety, firefighters are not travelling on snow-covered roads. Rain and snow are expected to fall...

Inciweb will be down for maintenance starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26. Today's update will be posted as soon as the system comes back online. In the meantime, please visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GiffordPinchot/) for the latest information on the Goat Rocks, Sunset, and Siouxon

Inciweb will be down for maintenance starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 26. Today's update will be posted as soon as the system comes back online. In the meantime, please visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/GiffordPinchot/) for the latest information on the Goat Rocks, Sunset, and Siouxon

Loch Katrine Fire Daily Update, October 25, 2022, 11:00 AM   Fire activity on the Loch Katrine Fire is limited to smoldering in areas of deep duff and heavy fuels. Fire moderation will continue as rain showers, cooler temperatures, and high-elevation snowfall continue through the week. The last IR flight was on October 19, so acres have not changed, remaining at 1,918 acres. The main activities on the fire now are repair, patrol, and mop up. Crews are installing water bars on handlines and dozer lines to reduce the risk of erosion. Mop up activities include opening up stump holes and other areas of remaining heat to expose them to rain. Suppression repair needs are being assessed and implemented as conditions allow. Evacuation: No evacuation orders are in place. Weather: Another cold front is moving in today (Tuesday). Expect isolated showers increasing to widespread rain in the evening. As much as an inch of rain could fall by Wednesday morning. Rain is forecast through the week...

Lewis County lifts evacuations; fire operations slowed by weather   Current Situation: Yesterday, all evacuation notices were lifted for areas near the Goat Rocks Fire. Emergency managers, in consultation with fire officials, determined that enough precipitation had fallen to reduce fire behavior in the coming days and weeks. Additional rain is expected the rest of the week, with snow likely at higher elevations.   Snow, slick road surfaces, and falling trees are restricting access on many forest roads. Some firefighters are patrolling the area, looking for opportunities to safely work on cooling remaining pockets of heat. Other personnel are pulling more hoses, pumps, and other supplies from around structures in neighborhoods west of the fire. They are also removing flagging and cleaning up any other items left behind by the firefighting efforts.   The Siouxon and Sunset fires also experienced soggy weather, although scattered hot spots still remain in areas with heavy...

Lewis County lifts evacuations; fire operations slowed by weather   Current Situation: Yesterday, all evacuation notices were lifted for areas near the Goat Rocks Fire. Emergency managers, in consultation with fire officials, determined that enough precipitation had fallen to reduce fire behavior in the coming days and weeks. Additional rain is expected the rest of the week, with snow likely at higher elevations.   Snow, slick road surfaces, and falling trees are restricting access on many forest roads. Some firefighters are patrolling the area, looking for opportunities to safely work on cooling remaining pockets of heat. Other personnel are pulling more hoses, pumps, and other supplies from around structures in neighborhoods west of the fire. They are also removing flagging and cleaning up any other items left behind by the firefighting efforts.   The Siouxon and Sunset fires also experienced soggy weather, although scattered hot spots still remain in areas with heavy...

[Reposted from the Lewis County Emergency Management website]NEWS RELEASE Date: 10/24/2022 Released: 11:30 AM On Monday, October 24, 2022, at 11:30 AM all evacuation notices for the Packwood area to include all areas north of Butter Creek (Goat Rocks, as well as Lower and Upper Timberline, River Dance, and parts of High Valley) will be lifted.Marine moisture began to move into the area on Friday, which brought cooler temperatures and recordable precipitation. This precipitation allowed for fire behavior and conditions to become much more favorable and easier to manage. The decision to lift evacuations was considered late last week, but emergency managers, in consultation with fire management, wanted to ensure that the rain event that was forecast for the weekend arrived and will reduce fire behavior in the coming days and weeks.Fire personnel are removing fire suppression equipment (i.e. hose lines, blivets, and water tanks) in many areas. Though this equipment is being removed,...

Loch Katrine FireDaily Update, October 24, 2022, 10:00 AM   Fire activity on the Loch Katrine Fire has been limited to smoldering by the recent rain showers, cooler temperatures, and high-elevation snowfall. The last IR flight was on October 19, so acres have not changed, remaining at 1,918 acres. The main activities on the fire now are repair, monitoring, and mop up. Crews are cleaning up dozer lines in the Phillippa Creek area, installing water bars, and backhauling equipment. Mop up activities include opening up stump holes and other areas of remaining heat to expose them to rain; smoldering will likely continue within the fire area until significant snowfall. Suppression repair needs are being assessed and are beginning as conditions allow. Evacuation: No evacuation orders are in place. Weather: Late last night and into this morning, a new cold front is rolling in with ridgetop winds and rain beginning early today (Monday). This evening may see a break in the rain, but showers...

Winter Weather predicted for Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset firesCurrent Situation: Light rain and some snow fell on the Goat Rocks Fire Sunday, with heavier rain and gusty winds expected today. Snow level is expected to drop to 2,000 feet before rising again late today. Fire personnel are running into snow-covered roads and fire lines in some areas, restricting work opportunities. Fire personnel are changing their plans to work in areas without snow. Yesterday firefighters removed structure wrap, hoses and pumps from around the structures by Packwood Lake. They also began removing portable water tanks, pumps, and hoses from the Timberline neighborhoods.On the south edge of the fire, damaged trees are frequently falling onto Forest Road 41. Crews had been patrolling this road to check fire spread south toward Lake Creek. The level of hazard to firefighters from falling trees has been determined to be greater than the risk of the fire spreading south under the current weather...

Fire size: 1,918 acresResources assigned: 418Containment:  63% Nakia Fire returns to local WADNR management CAMAS, Wash. Minimal fire activity occurred last night. Containment is 63% and precipitation is expected on the fire through tomorrow. Today firefighters will continue mop up toward a goal of 100 feet of cold ground interior of containment lines. Equipment and hose that is no longer needed is being removed. At 7:00 p.m. this evening, ODF IMT2 will transfer command of the Nakia Creek Fire to the local WADNR Pacific Cascade Region. This will be the last update for the Nakia Creek and Black Hole Fires.  The following road closures remain in effect to assure safety of the public while suppression and rehabilitation activities continue: Dole Valley / South Rock Creek Campground Larch Correction Center East end of Rawson Rd at the school bus turn around (1400 Rd) where the pavement meets the gravel Livingston / L1000 Rd near the intersection with the 1021 Rd. Jones Creek RV Park...

   Winter Weather predicted for Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset firesCurrent Situation: Light rain and some snow fell on the Goat Rocks Fire Sunday, with heavier rain and gusty winds expected today. Snow level is expected to drop to 2,000 feet before rising again late today. Fire personnel are running into snow-covered roads and fire lines in some areas, restricting work opportunities. Fire personnel are changing their plans to work in areas without snow. Yesterday firefighters removed structure wrap, hoses and pumps from around the structures by Packwood Lake. They also began removing portable water tanks, pumps, and hoses from the Timberline neighborhoods. On the south edge of the fire, damaged trees are frequently falling onto Forest Road 41. Crews had been patrolling this road to check fire spread south toward Lake Creek. The level of hazard to firefighters from falling trees has been determined to be greater than the risk of the fire spreading south under the current weather...

    Effective September 11, 2022 an area closure order is in effect for areas near the Goat Rocks Fire on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  The full area closure order and an area closure map is available on the forest website. For more information on the fires and closures on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, please visit the forest's Alerts and Notices page.

Loch Katrine Fire, Suiattle River Fire, and Boulder Lake FireDaily Update, October 23, 2022, 10:00 AM   Fire activity on the Loch Katrine, Suiattle River, and Boulder Lake fires has been limited by the recent rain showers, cooler temperatures, and high-elevation snowfall. The last IR flight was on October 19, so acres have not changed. The Loch Katrine Fire remains at 1,918 acres. The main activities on the fire now are repair, monitoring, and mop up. Crews are cleaning up dozer lines in the Phillippa Creek area and monitoring any remaining heat spots; smoldering will continue within the fire area until significant snowfall. Suppression repair needs are being assessed and are beginning as conditions allow. The Suiattle River and Boulder Lake fires are in monitor and patrol status. As of this morning, Sunday, October 23, 2022, the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest has assumed management of the Suiattle River Fire and the Boulder Lake Fire, because no further significant activity is...

Fire size: 1,918 acresResources assigned: 501Containment:  54% CAMAS, Wash. Seasonal wet weather has arrived bringing wetting rain and much cooler temperatures to the region.  Cool and cloudy conditions will occur Sunday morning, followed by intermittent rain through Monday. The fire size remains at 1918 acres, with zero growth overnight. Fire activity is minimal with some smoldering in areas. Containment has risen to 54%.  Firefighters continue to increase the width of containment lines and mop up hotspots. Crews are removing equipment and hose that is no longer needed. Special care is being taken to prepare roads and fire lines for rain runoff to reduce erosion.  Oregon IMT Team 2 has had an excellent safety record on the Nakia Fire and continues to identify and eliminate hazards to firefighters and the public.  Roads are being rehabilitated and hazardous trees continue to be identified and removed. Evacuations: The Clark County Sherriff’s Office lifted all evacuations on...

   Weather assists firefighters on Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset firesCurrent Situation: Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Three has assumed command of the Goat Rocks fire from the Great Basin-Rocky Mountain Type 3 Team. Daily updates will now include information for the Goat Rocks fire, in addition to the Siouxon and Sunset fires. On the Siouxon and Sunset fires, yesterday’s fire activity was reduced to mainly creeping and smoldering within the interior due to rain and cooler temperatures. Isolated spots of surface fire continue to burn in pockets of duff that have been protected from the rain by a heavy tree canopy. Firefighters continue to patrol the fire’s edge, and they have made great progress on suppression repair activities. Chipping and brush removal operations are expected to continue along Forest Road 311 near the Siouxon Fire. Road repair with heavy equipment is still being conducted along FSR 42 near the Sunset Fire, especially around bridges. Progress is...

Weather assists firefighters on Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset firesCurrent Situation: Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team Three has assumed command of the Goat Rocks fire from the Great Basin-Rocky Mountain Type 3 Team. Daily updates will now include information for the Goat Rocks fire, in addition to the Siouxon and Sunset fires. On the Siouxon and Sunset fires, yesterday’s fire activity was reduced to mainly creeping and smoldering within the interior due to rain and cooler temperatures. Isolated spots of surface fire continue to burn in pockets of duff that have been protected from the rain by a heavy tree canopy. Firefighters continue to patrol the fire’s edge, and they have made great progress on suppression repair activities.Chipping and brush removal operations are expected to continue along Forest Road 311 near the Siouxon Fire. Road repair with heavy equipment is still being conducted along FSR 42 near the Sunset Fire, especially around bridges. Progress is slow as...

Effective October 21, 2022 an area closure order is in effect for areas near the Sunset Fire on the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument Administrative District within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The full area closure order and an area closure map is available on the forest website.For more information on the fires and closures on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, please visit the forest's Alerts and

As of 6:00 am Sunday, October 23, 2022, the Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest will assume management of the Suiattle River Fire and the Boulder Lake Fire, because no further significant activity is anticipated on these fires based on current and expected weather forecasts. If you have questions or need addition information, please contact the Darrington Ranger Station during normal business hours at

Loch Katrine Fire, Suiattle River Fire, and Boulder Lake Fire Daily Update, October 22, 2022, 10:00 AM   Fire activity on the Loch Katrine, Suiattle River, and Boulder Lake fires has been limited by the recent rain showers, cooler temperatures, and high-elevation snowfall. The last IR flight was on October 19, so acres have not been updated. The Loch Katrine Fire remains at 1,918 acres. Crews will focus on cleaning up lines and monitoring any remaining heat spots; smoldering will continue within the fire area. Suppression repair needs are being assessed and will continue. The Suiattle River Fire remains at 4,272 acres. The fire activity is minimal due to changing weather conditions. The fire area received approximately 0.5 inches within the fire perimeter yesterday and rain is forecast next week. The primary objectives on the Suiattle River Fire are to minimize the impact to private structures and property, Bureau of Land Management land, high-value timber land, and Forest Service...