InciWeb Articles WA

 2022_09_15-19.02.09.823-CDT.pdf

 September 15th, 2022 @ 12:00 PM: UPDATE: Evacuation levels have changed effective Thursday, Sept. 15 at 12 p.m. noon.Evacuation Level Changes (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 – reduced from a Level 2 (Set). No other evacuation levels in Snohomish County.Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 to MP 48 (east of the Money Creek tunnel) remains at Level 3 (Go). Additionally, FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road) remains at level 3. Skykomish remains at level 1.U.S. 2 remains closed from Index-Galena Road to the junction of 5th St N into the town of Skykomish (MP 49). The highway remains unsafe to travel due to rock fall and fire debris. Use caution and slow down when driving on U.S. 2, particularly when encountering fire-fighting vehicles headed to and from wildfire areas. Snohomish County Public Safety Website with full article and interactive...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREFOREST SERVICEMT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST ORDER #06-05-22-14 BOLT CREEK FIRE CLOSUREPursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) & (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Skykomish Ranger District of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A.This Order is effective September 13, 2022, through December 31, 2023, unless rescinded sooner.PROHIBITIONS: 1. Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public health and safety. [36 CFR § 261.53(e)].2. Being on a National Forest System Road. [36 CFR § 261.54(e)] 3. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. [36 CFR § 261.58(b)]4. Being on a National Forest System Trail. [36 CFR § 261.55(a)]CLOSURE AREA:National Forest System lands within the following boundary: starting at the Forest boundary in T27N, R10E, Section 20 at mile...

Goat Rocks Fire September 15, 2022 Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. The steep rugged terrain and dense stands of timber have challenged suppression efforts, but cooler weather conditions are now assisting fire crews in suppressing the fire. Wilderness areas are established to protect and preserve natural ecosystems and wild areas. These areas provide opportunities for solitude and retrospective or primitive recreation.Fire Activity: Yesterday, crews continued prepping along the 46 Road north of the fire with masticators and hand crews. After scouting the fire’s edge, personnel determined that construction of any line along the fire’s edge would be unsafe. The steep terrain and dry loose soil make footing difficult and trees more likely to fall. Considering this, additional equipment has been ordered to assist with the road clearing, which is creating a containment line...

  Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 15, 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.  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:...

 Estimated size: 9,440 acres (estimated acreage, no infrared flight for two 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   Road Closures: State Highway 2 remains 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 fire continues to destabilize the steep terrain above the highway resulting in rock falls, rolling debris and falling trees. Last night a very large fire-weakened Douglas fir tree fell and slid downhill at high speed across the highway and through the guardrail. Due to these types of hazards, Highway 2 corridor remains unsafe for public use.  The Washington State Department of Transportation has been serving a critical role in clearing and restoring firefighter access.   Update: Fire behavior is anticipated to be light...

Weather:  It will be partly sunny today with a high near 68-70 degrees.  Humidity levels will remain high for the next several days.  Light breezes will begin in the afternoon.  There are increasing chances of rain that may come to fruition on Friday but it will quickly abate as we go into the weekend.   Overview:  Updated mapping determined the Suiattle River Fire to be 80 acres.  Firefighters will conduct fire line patrols and monitor fire behavior today.  Firefighting equipment is actively being refurbished, inventoried, and restocked.  Fire suppression hose lays have been removed, cleaned, and rolled for reuse.  Equipment reclamation and redeployment are critical to successful fire responses.  Approximately 6 miles of Suiattle River Road (Forest Road 26) have been brush cleared as an identified confinement line.  An additional benefit of brush clearing is improved sight lines, but Siuattle River Road is a narrow, curving road still requiring attentive driving and...

Thursday, September 15, 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: 55%Start Date: 8/31/22Cause: Under InvestigationIncident Commander: Mike Johnston, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7Personnel: 552Online LinksInciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8382/ Facebook: @NeWFireInfoSummary: 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: Wednesday saw rain over most of the fire. The weather stations showed a tenth...

Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is currently at approximately 112 acres in size.  This number of acres will be updated with better mapping from an infra-red flight once conditions allow the flight to occur.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: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1059380.pdfTrails: Cinnamon Trail #204, Kalama Ski Trail #231, Toutle Trail #238, Fossil Trail #242, Kalama Falls Trail...

Bolt Creek Fire Update September 14, 2022Estimated size: 9,440 acres Containment: 5% 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  Road Closures: Highway 2 remains 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 highway is unsafe to travel due to rock fall, rolling fire debris, and falling trees. Fire managers understand the inconvenience and desire for residents to return to their homes. Please avoid the fire area to give firefighters time to address snags, hot spots, and other hazards. The sooner the hazards have been mitigated, the sooner the public will be able to return.  Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels changed yesterday evening –    - Level 2 (Set): Index - reduced from a Level 3. Residents can return home.  - Level 1 (Ready): Between Index and Zeke's Drive In - reduced from a...

 Actualización de los incendios White River e Irving Peak  14 de septiembre de 2022 – 9:00 AM Plain, WA – Los incendios White River e Irving Peak fueron iniciados por rayos el 11 de agosto. Queda por determinarse la causa del incendio Minnow Ridge. Estos arden en el Bosque Nacional Okanogan-Wenatchee. Estrategia de extinción: Debido al terreno escabroso y escarpado, los directores de los incendios siguen implementando una estrategia a largo plazo para controlar estos incendios, incluido el uso de líneas perimetrales primarias y de contingencia para la contención. Las tácticas incluyen la finalización y el refuerzo de los cortafuegos al aprovechar caminos forestales y líneas de mano que se han construído. Situación actual: Un equipo local de gestión de incidentes de tipo 3 asumió el mando de los incendios el 7 de septiembre y actualmente está administrando los incendios White River, Irving Peak, Meander y también el de Minnow Ridge. El incendio Meander permanece con...

Weather:  A seasonal weather pattern will prevail this week bringing cooler temperatures and low chances of light rains.  There are slight chances that conditions could produce thunderstorms with locally erratic winds and heavy rains.  Relative humidity recoveries overnight will be robust.  Overview:  The Suiattle River Fire is active but remains well within the confinement lines.  Firefighters will continue monitoring fire behavior.  The fire will continue to burn until the area receives significant, long duration moisture.     Fire crews will begin rolling hose and removing firefighting equipment for cleaning and refurbishment.  Heavy equipment is moving large pieces of debris and felled trees farther from the roadsides to reduce roadside hazards and deepen the fire confinement lines. Evacuations: Skagit County Emergency Services Level 1 “Be Ready” Evacuation Notice for the Lower Suiattle Valley, north of the Suiattle River remains in affect but is being...

 Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. The steep rugged terrain and dense stands of timber have challenged suppression efforts, but cooler weather conditions are now assisting fire crews in suppressing the fire. The Goat Rocks Wilderness is a congressionally designated area with special considerations in maintaining this unique location on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  Community Meeting:  Today, September 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m., there will be a meeting held at the Packwood Community Hall, and broadcast on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Facebook page. Fire officials will update the public on the current fire situation on the Goat Rocks Fire.  Fire Activity: Firefighting personnel made good progress with their road clearing project today along the 1266 and the 46 road systems. Ahead of this clearing work crews were identifying locations where additional fire breaks...

White River and Irving Peak Fires Update September 14, 2022 – 9:00 AM Plain, WA – Lightning started the White River and Irving Peak Fires on August 11th. The Minnow Ridge Fire cause is undetermined. These fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Suppression Strategy – Due to rugged and steep terrain, fire managers continue to implement a long-term strategy to manage these fires, including the use of primary and contingency perimeter lines for containment. Tactics include completion and reinforcement of fire lines utilizing forest roads and constructed hand line. Current Situation – A local Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fires on September 7th and is currently managing the White River, Irving Peak, Meander, and now Minnow Ridge fires. The Meander Fire remains at 6 acres with very minimal fire activity. Smoke may be visible over the next several weeks as interior fuels continue to smolder and burn out, and multiple fires burn...

Wednesday, September 14, 2022  Boulder Mountain Fire Information 509-508-3389 (8am-8pm) | 2022.bouldermountain@firenet.gov  Quick Facts Fire Location: 9 miles NW of Cusick, WA in Tacoma Creek and Boulder Mtn. Size: 2,305 acres Containment: 50% Start Date: 8/31/22 Cause: Under Investigation Incident Commander: Mike Johnston, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7 Personnel: 541 Online Links InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8382/  Facebook: @NeWFireInfo  Washington State Department of Natural Resources: www.dnr.wa.gov/wildfires  Colville 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...

 EVACUATION LEVEL CHANGESFire movement has slowed over the past 24 hours. New guidance:  - Level 2 (Set): Index - reduced from a Level 3. Residents can return home. - Level 1 (Ready): Between Index and Zeke's Drive In - reduced from a Level 2. - From Zeke's to Gold Bar east city limits, no longer at Ready level. - Baring and Grotto and area along U.S. 2 after milepost 48 (east of Money Creek tunnel) will remain at Level 3. Additionally, FS Road 65 (Beckler River Road) is at Level 3. Skykomish will remain at Level 1.  - U.S. 2 remains closed from Index-Galena Road to milepost 49 (east end of Skykomish). The highway remains unsafe to travel due to rock fall and fire debris. Please understand that the fire remains active and conditions could change quickly. Evacuations could again become

   Evacuations:   Due to moderating fire weather and additional resources on the Kalama Fire the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources, has issued updated evacuation notifications for the “Kalama Fire” in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Southwest of Mount St. Helens (which is not affecting the City of Kalama or residents along the Kalama River Road at this time). The following updates are effective immediately:  View an evacuation map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060104.pdf Level 2, Set Evacuation Level: ·        North to South: From the Headwaters of the South Fork of the Toutle River, south to Forest Road 7550. ·        East to West: From the Skamania County/Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County. Level 1, Ready Evacuation Level: ·        North to South: South from Forest Road 7550 to south of Merrill Lake. ...

 As of September 13th at 1:30pm, power is restored in the town of

Goat Rocks FireSeptember 13, 2022 11:00 a.m. updateAcres: 3,096Containment: 0%Personnel: 198    Overview: The fire is burning 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington. Suppression efforts continue to be challenged by steep rugged terrain in dense stands of timber in the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Public and firefighter safety remain the highest priority on the Goat Rocks Fire. Community Meeting:  On Wednesday September 14, beginning at 7:00 p.m. there will be a meeting held at the Packwood Community Center, and broadcast on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Facebook page. Fire officials will update the public on the current fire situation on the Goat Rocks Fire. Fire Activity: Yesterday, crews finished prepping structures in Timberline and moved on to other areas along US-12. With the continued fire spread to the south, crews began prepping the 1266 road system to the south and the 46 road system to the north of the fire. Due to the moderated fire activity,...

Estimated size: 9,440 acresContainment: 5%Start Date/Time: 9/10/2022 at 5:15 amArea of Origin: King Co. North of SkykomishCause: Under InvestigationStructures Damaged: one out-buildingThe Bolt Creek Fire started on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at 5:15 am near Beckler Road. The cause of the fire is undetermined. Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock, assumed management of the fire from Western Washington Incident Management Team 3 this morning. Team 8 appreciates all the hard work completed by firefighters and Western WA Team on this fire to date.Yesterday, the fire was moderately active and backing downhill toward the Highway 2 corridor. Individual small columns of smoke were visible from Highway 2. The fire remained north of Highway 2 except at the Money Creek Tunnel where fire burned directly on top of the tunnel. Visibility was adequate to safely launch a heavy helicopter to provide water bucket drops to check the fire spread. The fire has burned...