Single Publication

September 26, 2023

Firefighters Continue Working Despite Heavy Rain at Cowlitz Complex

(RANDLE, Wash.) – The Cowlitz Complex is 39% contained with a total of 731 acres burned.

There are currently 174 resources assigned to the Cowlitz Complex. The fire is still smoldering in some areas, but there have been no new pockets of heat detected Firefighters will continue to work on fire suppression repair as they can, such as constructing water bars and scattering brush. Fire managers are deciding which equipment they can demobilize and release from the incident. Caution must be taken to ensure crews can work safely in wet weather on slippery roads to retrieve equipment that is no longer needed. Aircraft is being released as the weather is not conducive for flying. Incident Commander Kent Stanford advises crews to “Be safe. Be deliberate.”

Weather: Wet weather will continue through much of the week. The chance of measurable rainfall is 100 percent Tuesday, with more steady moderate rain from mid-afternoon Tuesday into Wednesday morning. After morning lows of 45-50 degrees, temperatures Tuesday afternoon will rise to 46-56 degrees. Winds will be out of the south 3-8 mph over much of the area, while 8-16 mph with gusts near 25 mph over exposed ridges.

Safety Message: With heavy rain, visibility is impaired. Elk have been spotted near Highway 12 recently. Travel slower and use caution when driving, even on paved roads.

Background: There were 30 fires in the complex. The fires started August 25th after a lightning event across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Most have been contained and are in patrol or monitor status as suppression repair continues.

Closures: Due to ongoing fire activities, the following roads and trails are closed to the public to help ensure public and firefighter safety: Forest Roads 25, 9300 and 9341, Boundary Trail #1 (from Elk Pass to intersection with Summit Prairie), Summit Prairie #2, Craggy Peak #3, Snagtooth #4, Quartz #5, Stabler Camp 17, Wright Meadows #80, Basin Camp #3A, Quartz #5B (French Creek), Snyder Pasture #80A.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: The TFR is reduced to one single area encompassing a 5-mile radius east of Randle. The TFR is in effect during daylight hours to include support for the Grassy Mountain Fire. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft or drones. For more information: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_3758.html

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