InciWeb Articles WA

Goat Rocks FireSeptember 19,2022 Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness area.  Fire managers are using tactics to ensure safety of the firefighters, communities, and natural resources. Crews continue to thin fuels along roads and chip fuels cut from around structures. Due to cooler weather, fire behavior has been calm and growth has been minimal. However, more smoke could be visible over the next few days as warmer and drier conditions may cause a slight increase in fire activity. Firefighting Activity: Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST) are being applied by firefighters to protect wilderness values such as a natural appearing landscape (as found within Goat Rocks Wilderness). These techniques seek to minimize the impact to the landscape while achieving the protection objectives consistent with land and resource management. For example, fire managers may use natural...

 Bolt Creek Fire Update9 AM, September 19, 2022   Estimated size: 10,220 acres Completed: 79% Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 am Area of Origin: King Co., North of Skykomish Cause: Undetermined Structures Damaged: one out-building Management of fire: Northwest Incident Management Team 8   Road Closures: Highway 2 remains closed just east of Index-Galena Road, near Sunset Falls (MP 36), to the junction of 5th St N into the town of Skykomish (MP 49). Local highway access is permitted for residents with identification from the west closure at MP 36 to the intersection of Miller River Road (Old Cascade Highway). While traveling within the closure, please be mindful of the fire crews that continue to work along the highway and follow posted speed limits.   Highway 2 from the east side of Miller River Road (Old Cascade Highway) to the west side of 5th Street in Skykomish remains closed to all with exception of fire personnel. Please understand that while fire activity has slowed,...

   Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 19, 2022 Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 215 acres in size and is currently five percent contained.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally, acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire. Cooler weather and a trace of rain on Friday evening are assisting in the firefighting efforts. Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding. Weather: Weather today is predicted to be mostly dry...

 CUSICK, Wash. – Full suppression fire tactics are being utilized to keep fire activity away from Tacoma Creek Road, east of Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge, and north of Calispell Peak and North Fork Tacoma Creek.  Tacoma Creek is critical habitat for Bull trout, which are listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Firefighters use screened intake valves to mitigate adverse effects to resources resulting from fire suppression activities.  Reducing erosion in and around critical river habitat, hand crews use water bars spaced out along control lines.  Riparian zones, lands along river edges, return to normality as disturbed areas from suppression activities are blended to fit the natural contours of the land. On the north end of the perimeter, pockets of fire activity remain in areas of heavy fuel and rugged terrain.  Firefighters are focusing their efforts on these areas as other flanks of the fire are put into control status.  Personnel continue to pull hose...

 Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 18, 2022 Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 224 acres in size and is currently five percent contained.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally, acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire. Cooler weather and a trace of rain on Friday evening are assisting in the firefighting efforts. Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding. Weather: Weather today is predicted to be mostly dry over the...

 Bolt Creek Fire Update 9 AM, September 18, 2022Estimated size: 10,220 acresCompleted: 71%Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 amArea of Origin: King Co., North of SkykomishCause: UndeterminedStructures Damaged: one out-buildingManagement of fire: Northwest Incident Management Team 8Road Closures:Highway 2 remains closed just east of Index-Galena Road, near Sunset Falls (MP 36), to the junction of 5th St N into the town of Skykomish (MP 49). Local highway access is now permitted for residents with identification from the west closure to the east side of Money Creek Road. Please keep your speed under the posted limits because firefighters are working from the roads and highways.Highway 2 from the east side of the Money Creek Road (Old Cascade Highway) to the west side of 5th Street in Skykomish remains closed to all with exception to patrolling firefighters. Please understand that while fire activity has slowed, the area remains hazardous.Residents in the area should remain vigilant in...

Goat Rocks FireSeptember 18, 2022 Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. Firefighters continue to thin and remove fuels along roads to act as fuel breaks and remove the fuels cut from around structures in the Timberline, Goat Rocks, and High Valley communities. Fire Activity: Yesterday firefighters completed a section of contingency line connecting Forest Road 4610 and Forest Road 041, providing an additional option for the protection of the community of Packwood. A chipper was also utilized, and crews began to chip the material cut and gathered from around the structures. Today, personnel will be working along the Forest Road 041 and 4610 to improve and strengthen contingency lines where needed. With the completion of the hand line, equipment and firefighters will be reassigned to Forest Road 46 north of the fire to speed up the chipping process there. Firefighters will...

 CUSICK, Wash. –Northwest Incident Management Team 13, a Type 2 team under Brian Gales, assumed command of the Boulder Mountain Fire this morning.  “We want to thank Great Basin Team 7 for the excellent work they’ve done, which our team will be building upon,” said Eric Riener, incident commander trainee for NW13. Recently, the fire has been most active on the south end of the fire footprint. Crews will continue to develop operational plans for perimeter containment. Hose lays on the northeast corner are being removed except where hot spots remain. Hazard trees have been decked and are being removed as well. Suppression repair work has begun and will be a primary focus going forward for NW13. Suppression repair is a series of post-fire actions taken to obscure containment lines and minimize potential soil erosion. The southeast corner of the fire is fully contained. Crews are monitoring and mopping up to a depth of 150 feet from the contained line, while removing hose and...

 Link to website: Wildfire | Snohomish County Public Safety Hub (arcgis.com) UPDATE: September 17th, 2022 @ 2:00 PM - Evacuation Levels Have ChangedCurrent Evacuation Levels (see map below for alert areas, or click here for a downloadable evacuation map)Fire movement has slowed over the past 48 hours. New guidance:Level 1 (Ready): Index – Unchanged.No other evacuation guidance for occupied areas of Snohomish County.Level 2 (Set): Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 east to the Money Creek tunnel. Formerly Level 3 (Go).Level 3 (Go): From west side of Money Creek tunnel to milepost 48, plus FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road).Skykomish remains at Level 1 (Ready).Please understand that while fire activity has slowed, the area remains hazardous. Conditions could change quickly, and evacuations may again become necessary.Current Road Closures:U.S. 2 remains closed just east of Index-Galena Road, near Sunset Falls (MP 36), to the junction of 5th St N into the town of Skykomish (MP...

Goat Rocks Fire September 17, 2022 1:00 p.m. As of 1:00 p.m. on September 17, 2022, evacuation orders have changed:  Evacuation orders have been lifted in Packwood proper and all areas southwest of Butter Creek, including High Valley. Areas Northeast of Butter Creek and North of Hwy 12 to include Lower Timberline and Goat Rock will remain at a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation. Upper Timberline, areas South of Hwy 12, remain in a Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation.There is still fire suppression activity in the area. Please be cautious as heavy equipment and firefighters continue to work on the fire. Sprinklers, hoses and other suppression equipment needs to remain in place as it will be managed by fire

 9 AM, September 17, 2022  Estimated size: 9,440 acres (estimated acreage, no infrared flight for two nights) Containment: 5% Completion of Operational Objectives: 62% Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 am Area of Origin: King Co. North of Skykomish Cause: Under investigation Structures Damaged: one out-building Management of fire: Northwest Incident Management Team 8   Road Closures: State Highway 2 remains closed east of the junction of Index-Galena Road to the junction of 5th St N. into the town of Skykomish. The fire has destabilized the steep terrain above the highway resulting in rock falls, rolling debris and falling trees. Firefighters are working along the highway to identify fire weakened trees to increase public safety.  Hazards continue to make the Highway 2 corridor unsafe for public use. The Washington State Department of Transportation is working to clear trees and debris to maintain access for fire operations.    Update: Fire behavior is anticipated...

   Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 17, 2022 Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 224 acres in size and is currently five percent contained.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally, acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire. Cooler weather and a trace of rain last evening are assisting in the fire fighting efforts. Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding. Weather: Weather today is favorable with light rain, light...

Goat Rocks FireSeptember 17, 2022 Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. The fire has been relatively quiet in movement and overall fire behavior. The cooler weather conditions are aiding fire crews with suppression efforts. Crews are taking advantage of this opportunity to strengthen contingency lines around the fire and enhance protection measures around structures. In the wilderness areas, Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) are guiding the work that is ongoing there. MIST is focused on doing enough work to suppress the fire safely, while impacting the landscape as little as possible. Fire Activity: Fire crews yesterday were able to complete their work along Forest Roads 1266 and 041. Hand crews completed removing brush along the 46 Road where it was inaccessible to machinery, and equipment was brought in to begin chipping the removed material. Additionally, engines...

#BoulderMountainFire Daily Update Saturday, September 17, 2022 Boulder Mountain Fire Information 509-508-3389 (8am-8pm) | 2022.bouldermountain@firenet.gov Quick FactsFire Location: 9 miles NW of Cusick, WA in Tacoma Creek and Boulder Mtn.Size: 2,305 acresContainment: 74%Start Date: 8/31/22Cause: Under InvestigationIncident Commander: Mike Johnston, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7Personnel: 476Online LinksInciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8382/ Facebook: @NeWFireInfoWashington State Department of Natural Resources: www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfiresColville National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/colville Air Quality Informational: https://www.airnow.gov/Summary: The Boulder Mountain Fire was detected on Wednesday August 31st, 2022, at approximately 6:00 pm. The fire is located in the Tacoma Creek and Boulder Mountain area, 9 miles Northwest of Cusick, Washington. A mix of State, Federal and Private land is impacted. The terrain is difficult, and the fire is burning in heavy timber,...

Goat Rocks FireSeptember 16, 2022 Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. The fire has been relatively quiet in movement and overall fire behavior. The cooler weather conditions are aiding fire crews with suppression efforts. Crews are taking advantage of this opportunity to strengthen contingency lines around the fire and enhance protection measures around structures.  In the wilderness where fire is burning to the southeast in extremely rugged terrain, the self-sufficient Wildland Fire Use Module (WFUM) is gathering intel and operating within the special limitations (identified within the Wilderness Act) on work in wilderness area.   Fire Activity: Fire crews yesterday continued to utilize heavy equipment and personnel to build containment line along Road 1266-041 and Road 46. Due to the improvement in the weather, air operations were able to provide support to the...

This is the last update from Idaho Team 1 for the Suiattle River Fire Weather:  Today will be mostly cloudy and showers are likely today and tonight.  The chance of a wetting rain is 30%.  It’s possible snow showers may occur at higher elevations.  Winds will be light at 5-8 mph, and afternoon temperatures will peak around 59 degrees.  Conditions will become drier and warmer Saturday and throughout next week.  Overview:  The Suiattle River Fire was discovered on August 30 burning on steep slopes that required indirect suppression tactics.  Fire confinement lines were identified that maximized the use of roads and natural features.  Lines were prepared by snagging trees with the potential to fall across confinement lines, and heavy machinery was used to clear brush.  The work preparing confinement lines has been completed.  The Suiattle River Fire will continue to burn until the area receives substantial wetting rains and persistent snow cover. Engine crews will...

 Bolt Creek Fire Update9 AM, September 16, 2022   Estimated size: 9,440 acres (estimated acreage, no infrared flight for three nights) Containment: 5% Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 am Area of Origin: King Co. North of Skykomish Cause: Under investigation Structures Damaged: one out-building Management of fire: Northwest Incident Management Team 8   Closures: Road- Fire managers and cooperators met yesterday to discuss the status of the State Highway 2 closure.  The instability of very large trees and rocks in and around the fire area has been escalated by the fire heat, previous strong winds and precipitation.  Extreme risk to the public and firefighters continues. Due to these types of hazards, the Highway 2 corridor will remain closed to the public through the weekend and reevaluated late Monday morning. The road is closed east of the junction of Index-Galena Road and Highway 2 to the junction of 5th St N. into the town of Skykomish. The Washington State Department of...

   Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 16, 2022 Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 208 acres in size and is currently five percent contained.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire. Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding. Weather: Weather today is favorable with light rain, light winds and higher relative humidity.  Closures: View a Closure Map:...

   Closures  View a Closure Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1059380.pdf Trails: Cinnamon Trail #204, Kalama Ski Trail #231, Toutle Trail #238, Fossil Trail #242, Kalama Falls Trail #242A Roads: Forest Road (NFS) Road No.81, from the junction with State Route 503 Spur to the junction with NFS Road No. 8100-830 and all associated NFS spur roads off NFS Road No. 81 NFS Road No. 8117 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8117 NFS Road No. 8122 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8122

Friday, September 16, 2022  Boulder Mountain Fire Information 509-508-3389 (8am-8pm) | 2022.bouldermountain@firenet.gov Quick FactsFire Location: 9 miles NW of Cusick, WA in Tacoma Creek and Boulder Mtn.Size: 2,305 acresContainment: 59%Start Date: 8/31/22Cause: Under InvestigationIncident Commander: Mike Johnston, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7Personnel: 521Online LinksInciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8382/ Facebook: @NeWFireInfo Summary: The Boulder Mountain Fire was detected on Wednesday August 31st, 2022, at approximately 6:00 pm. The fire is located in the Tacoma Creek and Boulder Mountain area, 9 miles Northwest of Cusick, Washington. A mix of State, Federal and Private land is impacted. The terrain is difficult, and the fire is burning in heavy timber, slash, and beetle infested trees. Cause of the fire remains under investigation. Weather|Anticipated Fire Behavior: Higher humidity levels and low cloud cover helped reduce fire activity yesterday....