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Bowles Creek Fire Update August 16, 2023
Bowles Creek Fire
Publication Type: News 08/18/2023
Highway 38, Skalkaho Road, remains open to the public. However, continued smoke impacts and fire operations may impact travel along the roadway, especially at night when visibility will be even further reduced. Motorists should exercise extreme caution while driving. The public is urged to travel along Highway 38 with caution and check for updated information in case of potential travel restrictions and closures as fire activity is expected to increase over the next several days. The rest of this week is forecasted to be warmer and drier, which may cause increased smoke levels and reduced visibility.
Fire crews continue to construct fuel breaks along several roads near the fire area. Fire behavior is being monitored and aircraft is checking fire spread. Firing operations are being used to strengthen containment lines as fire progresses. Fire crews also continue to implement chipping and mastication operations to reduce available fuels near values at risk.
The area is experiencing its 8th day of drying conditions, which now match the same conditions when the Bowles Creek Fire made its initial run at the end of July. Larger fuels are also beginning to dry with more live surface fuels becoming available. Fire activity is picking up, flanking and group tree torching is being observed. Overnight inversions have allowed for warmer nighttime temperatures and lower relative humidity levels, increasing the potential for increased fire perimeter growth.