News Release
Fire Update
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USDA Forest Service
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August 15, 2008
This weekend, a thermal trough will likely build into the Pacific Northwest , resulting in very dry and unstable air in the lower levels of the atmosphere and very hot temperatures. We could also see lightning storms develop on Monday or Tuesday.
This change in the weather may cause smoldering to accelerate and unburned fuels to burn out in the interiors of existing fires; spotting may become a problem.
Very dry fuels at low to upper mid slopes will be highly susceptible to ignition and spread. Dead fuels at any elevation will burn intensely with frequent spotting.
This weekend, watch for firefighting apparatus (engines, dozers, support vehicles, etc.) on roads adjacent to the fires (for example, on the Shady Pass Road #5900 and spur roads off of that road--#5903 and #5905). Also, be aware that aerial firefighting apparatus (including helicopters, air tankers, and lead planes) may also be flying overhead.
Following is a list of fires currently burning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest .
Incident # |
Fire Name |
Location |
Update |
440 |
Reflection Pond |
Wenatchee River Ranger District (RD) T29N, R14E, Sec 29 |
This small fire is burning near the Pacific Crest Trail at 4,800 feet elevation in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area. Unstaffed, monitoring the fire by air. Fire is putting up very light smoke. |
442 |
Monument Creek |
Methow Valley RD T37N, R19E, Sec 3 |
The fire is 2+ acres in size. The fire is burning in heavy timber in the Pasayten Wilderness area 19 miles south of the Canadian border and approx. 25 miles northwest of the town of Winthrop . The retardant dropped around the fire on Friday is keeping the fire in check. Unstaffed due to inaccessible conditions. Monitoring the fire by air. |
444 |
Hurricane Creek |
Methow Valley RD T37N, R19E, Sec 1 |
Initially reported on 8/8/08 , unable to find. Found again on 8/12. Single tree smoking, located on a cliff. |
446 |
Meander |
Wenatchee River RD T28N, R13E, Sec 3 |
This small spot fire is burning right next to Cady Ridge Trail #1532 in the Henry M. Jackson Wilderness area. Unstaffed, monitoring the fire by air. Couldn’t find on Wed. |
453 |
Cabin |
Chelan RD T33N, R16E, Sec 26 |
¼ acre fire located approximately 8 miles west of Stehekin in the Cabin Creek drainage. Unstaffed due to inaccessible conditions, monitoring the fire by air. |
454 |
Cedar Camp |
Chelan RD T32N, R15E, Sec 12 |
Approximately 14 miles west of Stehekin, near Needle Peak and Agnes Creek Trail. Unstaffed, monitoring the fire by air. |
458 |
Foam Creek |
Wenatchee River RD T29N, R14E, Sec 3 |
50 acres in size burning downhill and adjacent to Foam Creek in the Glacier Peak Wilderness area. A trail and area closure is in effect for the White River Trail #1507 and for the area above the junction of the White River Tail and Boulder Creek Trail #1562. This closure encompasses the area within the White River basin from the river bottom to the canyon headwalls. Unstaffed, monitoring by air. |
481 |
Jack Creek |
Wenatchee River RD T23N, R15E, Sec 11 |
200+ acres in size burning in the Jack Creek drainage of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area. Very steep, inaccessible rocky terrain. Trail and area closures are in effect for the Jack Creek Trail #1558 from the junction with the Meadow Creek Trail #1559 to Stuart Pass and Van Epps Pass. Staffed, spike camp is located adjacent to the Jack Creek Trail. |
489 |
Not yet named |
Methow Valley RD T39N, R17E, Sec 16 |
Reported in the Rock Creek area of the Pasayten Wilderness. Unable to locate, will continue to look for it. |
512 |
Rock Lake |
Methow Valley RD T34N, R24E, Sec 3 |
½ acre in size. The fire was contained late Wed. evening. A 20-person crew is mopping up the fire today (Thurs). |
(New) 522 |
Scoop |
Wenatchee River RD T28 R13 Sec 3 |
Small spot fire in Cady Ridge area. Will monitor the fire by air. |
(New) 523 |
Darby |
Chelan RD T29N, R20E, Sec 34 |
The fire was reported late Thurs. in the Darby Draw area 3 miles SW of 25 Mile Creek on the south shore of Lake Chelan . The fire is 6 acres in size and is burning in heavy logging slash. It is staffed with three 20-person crews, a strike team of engines, and two bull dozers. |
Trail and area closures:
- The first area closure is in the Jack Creek drainage in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness area, approximately 15 miles southwest of the town of Leavenworth . Van Epps Trail #1594 and Jack Creek Trail #1558 are closed to public use due to the Jack Creek Fire burning in the immediate vicinity. The area and trail closure is in effect for the Jack Creek Trail #1558 from the junction with the Meadow Creek Trail #1559 to Stuart Pass and Van Epps Pass.
- The second area closure is due to the Foam Creek Fire. The closure area is located up the White River drainage north of Lake Wenatchee in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. A trail and area closure is in effect for the White River Trial #1507 from the junction with Boulder Creek Trail #1562 (approximately 3.5 miles above the end of the White River Road) and extending to White Pass. This closure encompasses all the area within the White River Basin from the river bottom to the canyon headwalls. This closure will not affect popular climbing routes to Glacier Peak through the Red Pass , Glacier Peak Meadows, and White Chuck Glacier areas. Climbers and hikers can access the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) north of White Pass via the North Fork Sauk Trail #649 and can proceed north. However, the climbing access from White Pass north into Foam Basin (east of White Mountain ) is included in the closure. Camping is closed east of the PCT.
These trail and area closures are in place to ensure public safety. Signs are posted at trails leading to these areas advising the public of the current fire situation and area closures.
