InciWeb Articles WA

East Crater Fire (Indian Heaven Wilderness) and Bear Creek Fire (Bear Creek Watershed), Mount Adams Ranger District, Gifford Pinchot National Forest East Crater Fire: Fire activity continues to be minimal due to smoke shading the fire and forming a cap on the fire area. On Wednesday, Mt Adams Ranger District personnel hiked around the fire and mapped the fire perimeter. Current fire size is estimated at 450-acres. The fire has been burning in the Indian Heaven Wilderness since September 3rd. FIRE CLOSURES: Hikers are advised that the Indian Heaven Wilderness and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed due to the fire. Campsites around the Indian Heaven Wilderness are also closed. For details visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices Bear Creek Fire: On Wednesday, crews continued to make good progress on line construction with assistance from helicopter water drops provided by a Washington DNR Type 2 helicopter. The water drops have helped...

NORTHWEST INCIDENTMANAGEMENT TEAM #10Fire remains in the Safety Harbor Creek drainage at 6,700 acres.Wednesday, September 6, 2017Fire: Uno Peak Completion: 1%Acres: 6,700 Start Date: August 30, 2017Cause: Under Investigation Location: 15 miles NW of Manson, WATotal Personnel: 220 Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass, rugged terrainYesterday: The fire continued to grow to the northeast in the Safety Harbor drainage area. A Level 1 evacuation notice (prepare and be aware) remains in place for two private inholdings along the lake, the Llama Ranch area to the south and Canoe Creek to the north. Crews continued to complete structure protection in the Llama Ranch area. The fire remained approximately 3 miles from these areas. Dozers and hand crews continued to build and strengthen the indirect primary line down Coyote Ridge. Portions of the 8200 Road were graded and brushed to improve safe vehicle traffic. Due to heavy smoke, air resources were grounded all day.Today: Crews will continue to...

Community Briefing Tomorrow:There will be a Community Briefing at 6:00 PM, Thursday September 7, at Walter Strom Middle School Gymnasium, 2694 State Route 903, Cle Elum, WA

For Immediate Release The Bridge Creek Fire has now reached 84 percent. Fire personnel are beginning to demobilize as more of the work is completed and less resources are needed. The fire is burning within the containment lines in a mosaic pattern in tall grass, timber, dead and downed debris. Some interior islands of fuel will continue to burn with isolated torching and smoldering. Today’s focus will be in Division G where much of the heat of the fire is located, along the northeast perimeter and interior. Crews are working to establish a solid mop-up line 100 feet from the fire’s edge. The greater number of fire personnel remaining on the Bridge Creek Fire are working in this division. Firefighters will continue utilizing the infrared camera along the southeast perimeter of the fire. Only three small areas of heat associated with smoke were observed in the interior of this area. Along the southern boundary, all of the hose lays were pulled and the area is now in patrol...

Fire holds at Butte Pass; Defensive line work continues Acres: 90,000 US; 15,000 Canada Location: 12 miles north of Mazama, WA Completion: 65% Total Personnel: 50 Yesterday: Despite heavy smoke from a continued inversion, the fire remains hung up in rocky terrain just over Butte Pass at the head of Monument Creek. The fire remained 12 air miles from the nearest structure north of the Lost River/Mazama area. Southeast winds spurred the majority of fire growth to the northwest in Canada. “Work continues daily on the defensive lines designed to protect our communities,” said Incident Commander, Matt Ellis. “We will continue to utilize every resource available to us.” Today: A second day of southeast winds may spur more spread to the west and northwest in Canada. Some growth is anticipated along most areas of the fire due to near record high temperatures and near record low humidity. Ground crews will continue work on defensive lines planned to protect communities in the Mazama...

Fire Information: 509-596-2423Email: JollyMountainFireInfo@gmail.com Fire Update – Wednesday, September 6, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Community Briefing Tomorrow: 6:00 PM, Thursday September 7, at Walter Strom Middle School Gymnasium, 2694 State Route 903, Cle Elum, WA 98922 Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA.Yesterday: A smoke inversion on Tuesday kept fire activity moderate on the Jolly Mountain Fire, allowing firefighters to continue burnout operations and prepping containment line on the south and western fire perimeters. Helicopters, using strategic water drops, moderated fire spread. Night operations were successful in securing the southern perimeter. Fire personnel detected and quickly contained a spot fire and will monitor the spot throughout the day. Structure protection crews are actively engaged both day and night, assessing structures, and prepping and brushing dozer line.Today’s Activities: Morning...

Fire Summary New infrared imagery shows a substantial increase in acreage for both the Norse Peak and American fires. The Norse Peak Fire crossed the Pacific Crest Trail on Monday and entered the Crystal Mountain area while the American Fire crossed Kettle Creek to its east. No data has been available since then because of thick smoke and poor visibility. New numbers show a total of 44,799 acres – up from 17,418 on Sept. 3. Mt. Baker Snoqualmie personnel engaged the western edge of the Norse Peak Fire southwest of the Greenwater Trailhead and Greenwater Fire Department personnel completed plumbing and installing sprinklers in the Gold Hill Community. Evacuations (listed below) remain in place for much of the Crystal Mountain area. Residents not under evacuation order are asked to remain aware of the fire conditions and monitor incident social media channels and local media outlets. Concerned residents should prepare now in case they are asked to leave. NORSE PEAK FIRE (43,485...

East Crater Fire Update: Tuesday evening, September 5, 2017On Tuesday, September 5, fire activity was low due to dense smoke from the Eagle Creek Fire which shaded the East Crater Fire and put a cap on the fire area. The fire backed into meadows on the north and east sides which also contributed to decreased fire activity. Personnel from the Gifford Pinchot National Forest are walking the fire perimeter to assess fire size, its potential rate of spread and to scout for favorable terrain and fuels for future control efforts as firefighting resources are available. Dense smoke has made it difficult to tell where the fire perimeter is in some locations and fire acreage will be estimated as smoke clears and additional ground intel is available. The fire is burning in the Indian Heaven Wilderness and was first reported by a hiker on Sunday morning, September 3rd. FIRE CLOSURES: Hikers are advised that the Indian Heaven Wilderness and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed due to...

Fire and Smoking Prohibited on Gifford Pinchot National Forest Effective Immediately Release Date: September 5, 2017 Beginning Tuesday, September 5, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is prohibiting fire use and smoking throughout the forest. These restrictions apply to all National Forest System lands within the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire, including briquette fires are prohibited. Persons maintaining a pressurized liquid gas stove, pressurized liquid gas fire, or an enclosed solid fuel fire that utilizes a wick to distribute a flame are exempt. Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building. Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) III also remains in effect on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The IFPL III restrictions apply only to contractors and permit holders, including those with permits to cut firewood for personal use....

Acres: 2,154 (estimated) Containment: 0% Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Location: 15 miles WSW of Leavenworth, WA Inciweb: http://tinyurl.com/JackCreekInciweb Firefighters will begin point protection activities within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Yesterday’s recon flight and more accurate mapping has bumped the Jack Creek fire up to 2,154 acres, with most of the growth occurring Sunday. The fire mainly moved south up the Jack Creek drainage toward Stuart Pass. Fire activity has been burning at a moderate intensity with surface fire, single tree and group torching, cleaning up understory and promoting diversity. The fire is burning in the right place, at the right time, with the right resources, for the right reason. This approach allows the Jack Creek Fire to play its natural ecological role while maintaining wilderness values. Tomorrow firefighters will hike into Eightmile and Stuart Lakes and begin point protection activities on Values at Risk, which includes...

East Crater Fire Update Gifford Pinchot National Forest Update: Tuesday September 5, 2017 Fire started: Sunday, September 3, 2017 Fire Cause: Under investigation Acreage: Approximately 1000 Containment: 0% contained Activity overnight: There was little fire growth overnight. Emergency closures for public safety are still in effect. Currently the command post is located at the Mt Adams Ranger District, 2455 Hwy 141, Trout Lake, WA. Contact phone number: 360-601-2963

The Pacific Crest Trail closure has been extended to include the area from Chinook Pass north to Snoqualmie Pass because the growth of the Norse Peak

For Immediate Release The Bridge Creek Fire is now 78 percent contained and burning within the containment lines. As we reach a higher containment percentage on the fire, resources will continue to be demobilized. Many of these resources have been assigned to other existing and new fires in the Northwest. Both Washington and Oregon have now declared a state of emergency due to the number of fires, lack of resources in the region, and the potential for future fires over the coming weeks. Yesterday in Division G, the interior northeast portion, there was a spot fire between the containment and the alternate line less than five acres. Firefighters aggressively attacked and extinguish the spot fire. This is a clear indication of fire activity due to weather conditions and receptive fuels. Due to the hot and drier than normal weather, fire activity remains a concern. The remainder of the divisions are working on gridding and patrolling to ensure the line is holding. Crews are...

Fecha de inicio: 11 de agosto 2017 Causa: rayo Total de acres: 19.382 Contención: 8% Estructuras destruidas: 0 Lesionados hasta la fecha: 0 Total de personal: 337 Recursos para el incendio: 6 equipos de bomberos, 22 camiones de bomberos, 2 helicópteros, 3 buldócer, 7 tanques de agua RESEÑA DEL INCENDIO Ayer, tanto el incendio de Norse Peak como el American se propagaron, lo que resultó en evacuaciones en el resort de esquí de Crystal Mountain y los vecindarios cercanos al oeste, y al sur del área de Bumping Lake. Se emitió un Nivel 3 de notificación de evacuación para los residentes de Pierce County en la comunidad de Gold Hill, la cuenca de Pick Handle y el resort de esquí Crystal Mountain. Bumping Lake también se encuentra bajo Nivel 3 de evacuación. El Nivel 3 representa una situación de “Salida”, debido a que las condiciones actuales podrían representar una amenaza inmediata para la vida y la seguridad. Es posible que los residentes no tengan...

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM #10 Al Lawson-Incident Commander Fires grow to 6,159 acres under critical fire weather Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Fire: Uno Peak Completion: 1% Acres: 6,159 Start Date: August 30, 2017 Cause: Unknown Location: 15 miles NW of Manson, WA Total Personnel: 186 Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass, rugged terrain Yesterday: As expected by fire managers, the fire continued to grow to the northeast and throughout the Safety Harbor drainage. There is still a Level 1 evacuation notice (prepare and be aware) for two private inholdings along the lake, the Llama Ranch area to the south and Canoe Creek to the north. The fire remains approximately 3 miles from these areas. Crews began structure protection in the Canoe Creek and Llama Ranch areas. Fire managers confirmed the fire destroyed the historic Crow Cabin, in spite of continuous efforts using multiple water drops by a Sky Crane helicopter. Two helicopters on the fire also continued to work...

Norse Peak Fire Update Tuesday, September 5, 2017 – Morning Update CONTACT: Fire Information 509-658-2475 (7:30 am.-7:30 p.m.) https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5509/ NorsePeakFireINFO@gmail.com www.facebook.com/NorsePeakFire/ Fast Facts Date Started: Aug. 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Total acres: 19,382 Containment: 8% Structures Destroyed: 0 Injuries to date: 0 Total Personnel: 337 Fire Resources: 6 crews, 22 engines, 2 helicopters, 3 bulldozers, 7 water tenders FIRE SUMMARY Yesterday, fire growth on both the Norse Peak and American fires forced evacuations in the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort and surrounding neighborhoods to the west and the Bumping Lake area south. A Level 3 Evacuation Notice has been issued for Pierce County residents in the Gold Hill Community, Pick Handle Basin and the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. Bumping Lake is also under a Level 3 evacuation. Level 3 is a “Go” situation as current conditions could pose immediate threats to life and safety. Residents...

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective until October 15, 2017, unless rescinded. PROHIBITION: Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Fire Closure Area Description of Area ClosureThe fire closure area boundary begins at Sunrise Peak and heads southwest to just north of the Monument Creek Trail Head. From the Monument Creek Trailhead the closure boundary continues northeast to just to the north of Robinson Creek Trailhead. From Robinson Creek Trailhead continue north and northwest to Last Chance Point, then northwest to a point between Slate Peak and Haystack Mountain. From this point, the closure continues north, to the east of and excluding the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 up to the Canadian border. The closure boundary continues east along the border with...

Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Team Transition: Pacific Northwest Team 2 (PNW2) a National Type 1 Incident Management Team, assumed command of the fire today. The transition to a Type 1 team happens when incidents become larger, more complex, and with values at risk. The Jolly Mountain Fire is currently one of the top priorities in the northwest. Summary: Another smoke inversion Monday kept heating and fire activity on the Jolly Mountain Fire isolated to ridges and terrain exposed to east winds at higher elevations. The southern and western flanks were the most active. Air operations with helicopters and scooper planes used strategic water drops to moderate fire growth. A couple of spot fires were located and contained along the southern fire perimeter. The fire advanced overnight toward the Morgan Creek area above Cle Elum Lake. Structure protection crews were actively engaged most of the night in that...

Fire crests Butte Pass; Level 1 evacuations ordered Acres: 85,000 US; 10,000 CanadaLocation: 12 miles north of Mazama, WA Completion: 65% Total Personnel: 50 Yesterday: Firefighters reported moderate spread to the east and north in the Spanish Creek and Ashonola Creek areas. To the southwest, the fire crested over Butte Pass but remained hung up in the upper reaches of the Monument Creek area in extremely rocky terrain. An inversion resulted in heavy smoke, severely limiting air resources. “From the start, the extreme terrain and fuel loading has limited the direct response actions that might normally be taken to put out a fire,” said Agency Administrator, Erin Uloth. “Crews have been working for weeks to protect our communities and we will continue to do so where it is safe to engage this fire.” Today: Fire managers are anticipating a shift in winds to the southeast resulting in potentially less new growth in the Monument Creek, Remmel Lake and Ptarmigan Creek areas....

Date Started: Aug. 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Total acres: 19,382 Containment: 8% Structures Destroyed: 0 Injuries to date: 0 Total Personnel: 339 Fire Resources: 6 crews, 28 engines, 2 helicopters, 3 bulldozers, 7 water tenders EVENING FIRE SUMMARY Both the Norse Peak and American fires saw substantial growth today as the inversion that had held smoke and fire activity down for several days was pushed out early by a shift in the wind. With east and southeast winds fanning the fire for the first time since lightning struck the area August 11, Norse Peak grew to 18,882 acres and spread over the Pacific Crest Trail between Lake Basin and Crown Point. This growth has triggered a Level 3 Evacuation Notice for Pierce County residents in the Gold Hill Community, Pick Handle Basin and the Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. Level 3 is a “Go” situation as current conditions could pose immediate threats to life and safety. Residents might not be allowed to return until conditions are...