Single Publication

Final Crater Creek Fire Update

August 28, 2023

Quick Facts
 

Approximate Size

5,055 acres

Containment

6%

Total Personnel

215

Fire Danger

Very High

Structures Lost

    Primary – 0

    Secondary - 0

Cause

Lightning/Natural

For Immediate Release - August 28, 2023

Tonasket, WA: This will be the final update for the fire unless significant events occur. With forecasted cooler temperatures, precipitation, and the mild fire behavior observed the last few days, managers feel confident in their decision to transition management of the incident back to the Northeast Region, DNR. Work from previous operational periods continue, though the majority of resources will be released by tomorrow. Crews are working to improve pre-existing fireline that connects Hurley Peak west to the Fourteen Mile Road. Crews chipping and clearing on the FS 39 Road will continue to work until the fire is fully lined.

Please check closure information on the websites below as recensions become possible in the coming weeks. Daily communication with British Columbia fire officials is ongoing.

Weather: Forecast is based on an elevation range of 6000 to 7500 feet. The high today is 68 degrees with a minimum humidity of 30 percent. An upper-level ridge will continue to provide dry, warm conditions today. South winds will be light and terrain drive, shifting west in the evening. The chance of showers and thunderstorms increases Tuesday night.

Closures: Closure Orders have been issued by the US Forest Service, BLM, and DNR.
USFS: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Colville National Forest for the following campgrounds, roads, and trails:
Developed Campgrounds Closed

Long Swamp Campground, 14 Mile Campground

Roads Closed

FSR 3900100, 110, 105, FSR 3900395, FSR 3900415, FSR 3900500 (Iron Gate), 502, 505, 510, 515

Trails Closed

Trail No. 340 Long Draw, Trail No. 341 Deer Park, Trail No. 342 Windy Peak, Trail No. 343 Clutch Peak, Trail No. 360 Basin Creek, Trail No. 362 Windy Peak, Trail No. 375 Albert Camp, Trail No. 387 Middle Fork, Trail No. 505 Coleman Ridge from junction with Trail No. 561 north to junction with Trail No. 510, Trail No. 510 Chewuch from junction with 510A Cathedral Driveway north to junction with Trail No. 565 Lesamiz, Trail No. 533 Boundary Trail (Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail) from the junction of the lower Cathedral Lake Trail No. 545 junction east to the Forest Service boundary with the Loomis State Forest, Trail No. 533.2 Smith Lake, Trail No. 534 Tungsten Creek, Trail No. 561 Fire Creek

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices or https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices

WA DNR: The WA Department of Natural Resources has closed the northern block of the Loomis NRCA. This closure includes the Disappointment Trailhead, as well as Cold Springs Campground, Cold Springs Overlook, and Chopaka Lake Campground. The Cold Springs Road is closed 6 miles past the intersection with Toats Coulee Road, and the Fourteen Mile Road is closed 1 mile past the intersection with Toats Coulee Road. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/LoomisLoupLoup

BLM: The Chopaka Lake Campground is closed until further notice.

More information can be found on InciWeb:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wanes-crater-creek-fire

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