InciWeb Articles WA

Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington in the Pasayten Wilderness. “The hot weather and no rain for the past month is contributing to extremely dry conditions in the area,” said Methow Valley District Ranger Mike Liu. “Those same conditions contribute to rapid fire spread, as seen with the 1,500 acre growth of Diamond Creek Fire over the past 24 hours.” Visitors to the Pasayten Wilderness are reminded to check conditions before embarking and to register at the trailheads, as this information is critical to timely and effective evacuation, should it be needed. “The Pasayten is vast,” said Liu, “and there are many trails and areas not under imminent threat by the Diamond Creek Fire. However, a hike in to contact visitors to Crow lake, for example, can take three days in one direction. It’s important that we know where people are and it’s also important that individuals check conditions before beginning their trip.” Yesterday: Active...

Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington. Yesterday: Twenty mile per hour wind gusts accompanying a dry cold front caused active burning in the afternoon and evening on Thursday, producing a smoke column easily visible from communities throughout Okanogan County. Fire growth was primarily toward the east, up the Diamond Creek drainage. The infrared flight last night detected intense heat at the eastern perimeter and on the northern flank of Nanny Goat Mountain. Evidence of spot fires was detected outside of northern, eastern and southern perimeters of the fire. Because conditions with wildand fire are dynamic, managers develop contingency plans to be implemented should fire reach predetermined geographic locations. With input from the Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module, management action points are being established. Should the fire reach one of these geographic locations, the management strategy for that portion of the Diamond Creek Fire would be altered...

BISSELL FIRE FINAL UPDATEJULY 28, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Firefighters assigned to the Bissell fire started to be released from the incident last night. The remaining personal are working on the fire today securing equipment and patrolling the fire line. The type 3 incident management team will transfer command of the Bissell fire back to the local agencies at 7:00 pm tonight. Residents should expect to see firefighters patrolling the fire for the next several days. The NE Washington Interagency Incident Management Team would like to thank the community for their support of the firefighters who did a great job under very difficult conditions. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no primary structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders and a Red Cross shelter was...

The North Boulder 2 is located 3 ½ miles southwest of the town of Orient, Washington. The fire is burning in heavy mixed conifer with a large amount of standing dead trees and heavy surface fuels. Washington Incident Management Team 2 (WAIMT2) is managing the North Boulder 2 fire, working closely with the Colville National Forest fire managers. With limited road access, firefighter safety is of utmost concern. Yesterday, firefighters had good success in continuing to brush out roads and open old trails to provide an indirect fire line around all sides of the fire, using dozers and excavators to remove dead and down trees, logs, and other debris. Additionally, hand crews began building direct fire line around two sides of the fire and have scouted locations for additional fire line around the rest of the fire. Cooler more humid weather has allowed them to work closer to the fire. An inventory of structures is complete and a Structure Protection Plan is in place, if the fire were to...

Diamond Creek Fire Update Wednesday July 27, 2017 at 10:45 a.m. Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington. Yesterday: Continued hot and dry weather with poor humidity recovery led to increased activity and fire growth overnight on Wednesday. The fire spotted across Diamond Creek and is now established on the north side of that drainage. Firefighters will determine a new estimated acreage when they fly over the fire later today. There was no Infrared flight on Wednesday night. Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module was flown in to the fire area and is gathering data, planning and will begin implementation of a long term strategy for confinement of the Diamond Creek Fire. Considerations when developing the strategy include public and firefighter safety first then minimizing damage to natural resources and infrastructure. Habitat for threatened and endangered species such as Canada lynx and bull trout are among the resource concerns being considered. Smoke...

BISSELL FIRE UPDATEJULY 27, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Firefighters will continue important mop up work around the Bissell fire today. Residents in the area may see increased smoke activity over the fire as more wind is forecasted for the region. Firefighters will be monitoring conditions closely. One helicopter is assigned to the fire and is available to assist firefighters on the ground. Crews made excellent progress yesterday and did not see any new fire growth. Thermal imaging equipment, used to identify any remaining hotspots, will be back in use around the fire perimeter. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders and a Red Cross shelter was established at Columbia School in Hunters. Monday evening, Stevens County...

Today: Suppression efforts so far have allowed for safe evacuation of hikers and outfitters in the area and are allowing time for improving exit routes from the fire area. This includes brush clearing along the upper portion of Eightmile Road. Given the steep terrain, limited access and available resources, continued direct suppression of the Diamond Creek Fire would not be sustainable. Now that evacuations are complete, other options can be considered. Crews will continue reconnaissance, identifying opportunities to confine the Diamond Creek Fire. Where beneficial, and safe to do so, firefighters are slowing fire spread to lessen impacts and reduce tree mortality. The Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module, will arrive today and after an orientation briefing, will be transported, by helicopter, to the Diamond Creek Fire area. Initially, their focus will be on making observations, gathering data, planning and beginning implementation of a long term strategy for confinement of the Diamond...

Bissel Road is now open. Motorists using the road should be cautious as firefighters are still working in the

BISSELL FIRE UPDATEJULY 26, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Crews will continue the process of mopping up around the fire to ensure that the fire line is secure. Firefighters will be checking 100 feet and in some cases 200 feet inside the fire perimeter for hot spots. One helicopter is assigned to the fire and is available to assist firefighters on the ground. Firefighters will also start the process of using thermal imaging equipment. This specialized equipment is used to make sure all remaining hot spots that threaten containment lines are found and extinguished. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders and a Red Cross shelter was established at Columbia School in Hunters. Monday evening, Stevens County Emergency Management...

Diamond Creek Fire Update Tuesday July 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Yesterday: Diamond Creek Fire has grown to 250 acres since it was first reported by a hiker on Sunday morning. The eight smoke jumpers and a twenty person crew were supported by helicopters as they worked to hold the fire at Diamond Creek. Fire behavior included short range spotting, single and group tree torching and upslope runs. The fire spotted across Diamond Creek Monday afternoon. Most fire growth was toward the east. Suppression efforts have been successful in slowing the progression of the fire, allowing for the safe evacuation of hikers and outfitters from the Hidden Lakes area. Fire personnel are making in-person contacts with hikers along the evacuated trails to inform them of the closure and provide information about alternate routes. Given that the Pasayten Wilderness is more than 500,000 acres, there many alternate trails and camping areas under no immediate threat from this 250 acre fire. Weather: The...

BISSELL FIRE UPDATEJULY 25, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Helicopters will be over the fire once again today assisting firefighters on the ground to extinguish hot spots and keep the fire with in its established perimeter. Crews will begin the process of mopping up around the fire to ensure that the fire line is secure. Power was been restored by utility crews overnight. The Red Cross shelter at Columbia School in Hunters is closed. Stevens County Emergency Management has lifted all evacuation orders for the Bissell fire. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders. Bissel Road is remains closed. Please use caution if you are traveling on State Route 25 north of Hunters as there is a lot of firefighting traffic in the area. ...

Stevens County Emergency Management has lifted all evacuation orders in relation to the Bissell fire.

Diamond Creek Fire remains about 100 acres this morning. The fire is burning in the steep slopes of the Diamond Creek drainage, east of where it intersects with Lost River. It is about four air miles from the Billy Goat Trailhead. Eight smokejumpers have been deployed from the North Cascades Smokejumper Base and are being supported by helicopters. Additional handcrews have been ordered to support the confine and contain suppression strategy. Diamond Creek Fire is suspected to be human caused, as there was no lightning detected for the area. It was first noticed Saturday night by a hiker who then made his way to a ridgetop to report it on Sunday morning. This morning, fire behavior is moderate and the fie is burning in heavy accumulations of dead and down trees in a spruce and fir forest where the tree tops are close together, or touching (closed canopy). Winds that pushed fire growth yesterday are expected again this afternoon as are similar high temperatures and low...

Winthrop, WA — Eight smokejumpers were deployed this morning from the North Cascades Smokejumper Base to suppress a small fire in the Pasayten Wilderness. The Diamond Creek fire has grown to 100 acres since then and is continuing to spread to the east/southeast. Incident Commander Inaki Baraibar reports that the fire is making short runs this afternoon and firefighters are seeing some short range spotting. Spotting is where hot embers from the fire are cast out in front of the fire and ignite small spot fires to the front of the main blaze. The Diamond Creek Fire is being pushed by this evening’s gusty winds and smoke from the fire is visible to Methow Valley Residents. The Forest Service is establishing closures to provide for public and firefighter safety. Billy Goat Trailhead is closed, as are the Hidden Lakes Trail (#477), Larch Creek Trail (#502) and the Drake Trail (#502A) #END#

Update: Saturday, July 22, 20171300 HoursMetaline Falls, WA –The Noisy Creek Fire on the southwest side of Hall Mountain is now 210 acres, burning in heavy timber on a steep, rugged slope. Smoke is visible from Sullivan Lake recreation area.Closures: National Forest System (NFS) Road No. 2200500 is closed from its intersection with NFS Road No. 2200 to its terminus at the Hall Mountain Trailhead. Noisy Creek Campground is closed for public and firefighter safety. All travel is prohibited on the following National Forest System (NFS) Trails: Lakeshore Trail No. 504; Noisy Creek Trail No. 588; Hall Mountain Trail No. 540; Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533; Grassy Top Trail No. 503 from Pass Creek Pass to its intersection with Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533.Yesterday: Firefighters continued working in steep and rugged terrain to keep the fire north of Noisy Creek as the fire is backing down Hall Mountain. Although no structures are threatened at this time crews continuing...

Update: Friday, July 21, 2017 1300 Hours Metaline Falls, WA –The Noisy Creek Fire on the southwest side of Hall Mountain is now 170 acres, burning in heavy timber on a steep, rugged slope. Smoke is visible from Sullivan Lake recreation area. Closures: National Forest System (NFS) Road No. 2200500 is closed from its intersection with NFS Road No. 2200 to its terminus at the Hall Mountain Trailhead. Noisy Creek Campground is closed for public and firefighter safety. All travel is prohibited on the following National Forest System (NFS) Trails: Lakeshore Trail No. 504; Noisy Creek Trail No. 588; Hall Mountain Trail No. 540; Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533; Grassy Top Trail No. 503 from Pass Creek Pass to its intersection with Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533. Yesterday the overall fire behavior was moderate with no significant growth. Firefighting crews continue to hold the fire line at Noisy Creek on the south end of the fire perimeter and crews are preparing for fire...

Incident Commander: Kevin Griffee and Don Melton (t) Western Washington Incident Management Type 3 Team Dry Creek Fire Update for Wednesday, July 19, 2017 Fire at a Glance Containment: 94% Location: Five miles north of Husum, WA Personnel: 208 Cause: Under investigation Resources: 12 Crews 8 Engines 2 Water tenders Evacuations: There are no evacuations in effect at this time Burn Ban: An outdoor burn ban remains in effect for Klickitat County from July 1 through September 30, 2017 The Western Washington Type 3 Team will be turning over the command of the Dry Creek Fire to the local Type 4 team at 6:00 am Thursday, July 20, 2017. The Western Washington Incident Management Type 3 Team wants to say thank you to the community for their support and a special thanks to the White Salmon School District for allowing the Incident Management Teams to use the school as their Incident Command Post. We know our...

Incident Commander: Kevin Griffee and Don Melton (T) Western Washington Incident Management Type 3 Team Dry Creek Fire Update for Tuesday 7/18/17 Fire at a Glance Containment: 94% Location: Five miles north of Husum, WA Personnel: 255 Cause: Under investigation Resources: 16 Crews 8 Engines 1 Dozer 5 Water tenders Evacuations: There are no evacuations in effect at this time Burn Ban: An outdoor burn ban remains in effect for Klickitat County from July 1 through September 30, 2017 The Western Washington Type 3 Team had its first day in command of the Dry Creek Fire. Activities on the fire line will continue to focus on mop up and completing the remaining tasks to secure the fire within its existing perimeter. Some smoke could still be visible from State Route 141. Fire crews are monitoring any remaining hot spots. Motorists are advised to reduce speeds and be aware that there are firefighters and equipment still...