Gifford Pinchot National Forest

	USDA Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest
For Immediate Release: August 29, 2008
Contact: Chris Strebig (360) 891-5005 or Pete Nelson (509) 395-3443

Cold Springs Fire Update

VANCOUVER, WA – Final acreage has remained at 7,729 acres with 100% containment on August 1, 2008. Each agency affected by the Cold Springs Fire is now managing their portion of the fire.

A closure order for the Cold Springs fire has been revised to allow access to additional recreation areas on the south side of Mt Adams.

While the fire remains in 100% containment, pockets of heat occur in isolated areas near the center of the fire, despite recent rainfall. These spots could flare up intermittently with extended dry and hot weather and result in smoke with occasional torching.

Due to the density of fuels within specific areas of the fire, full control will not occur until three or more inches of rain have been received after October15th or winter snow is here for the season.

The Yakama Nation, Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest will have crews committed to the incident within their boundaries. Rehabilitation of burned areas will also be completed by each individual agency.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest had previously revised the closure area to allow for access to the South Climb of Mt. Adams. Detailed information on open areas may be obtained from the Mt. Adams Ranger District at (509) 395-3402.

All National Forest lands in the vicinity of the Aiken Lava Bed and east and south of the Mt. Adams South Climb and Round the Mountain trails are closed to public use due to the wildland fire operations ongoing and the number of hazard trees in the area.

Yakama Nation closures east of the Forest boundary include: Bird Creek, Mirror Lake, and Bench. For additional information on Yakama Nation lands affected by the fire please call (509) 865-6653. The State of Washington Department of Natural Resources campgrounds are open.

Additional Colds Springs Fire Information is available on Inciweb:
www.inciweb.org/incident/1428/

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US Forest Service
Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Vancouver, WA
Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument - Amboy, WA
Last Modified: Friday, 29 August 2008 at 18:51:20 EDT