Single Publication

September 27, 2023

Work Continues at the Cowlitz Complex 

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

There are currently 137 resources assigned to the Cowlitz Complex. Crews are continuing to work on suppression repair. With the heavy rain, crews are continuing to clean debris from the ditches and build water bars on the gravel roads. This helps ensure the rain doesn’t back up and flood the ditches or washout the gravel roadways. Fire Managers continue to evaluate equipment and resources needed on fire to complete necessary repair work. The Grassy Mountain fire is still producing small amounts of smoke but has no new heat detected. Several small fires in the complex will be monitored by air when the weather permits but all the fires have shown little to no activity since the recent rains began.

Weather: An additional round of showers will continue Wednesday, diminishing in coverage and intensity in the afternoon. Rain may become heavy at times through Wednesday morning. Additional rainfall during the day Wednesday through Wednesday night will range from 0.40-0.75” over much of the fire area. Morning lows will be 45-50 degrees. Expect highs Wednesday afternoon in the 50s once again. Relative humidity values will remain above 75 percent. Winds will shift out of the west 4-8 mph over much of the area, while 8-15 mph with gusts near 25 mph over exposed ridges.

Safety Message: Our safety team asks that everyone use caution when driving on the roadways. With the heavy rains, water can stand along roadways causing unseen safety hazards. Animals are harder to see as you drive as well. We still have crews out driving and working along the fire area so be aware of fire engines and other equipment in the area.

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 has been removed. There are not flight restrictions over the Cowlitz Complex at this time.

###