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Gifford Pinchot National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/giffordpinchot

Cowlitz Complex Fire Update 
September 24, 2023 

Current Situation: The Cowlitz Complex is 39 percent contained with a total of 731 acres and 242 personnel. Today California Incident Management Team 13 Incident Commander Mike Wakoski transfers command of the complex to Western Washington Incident Management Team 3 Incident Commander Kent Stanford. The incoming team will continue to monitor and patrol the remaining complex fires that are still producing heat. The primary fire of concern continues to be the Grassy Mountain Fire because it is the closest to the communities of Randle and Packwood, Washington. Team 13 would like to thank the community, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, and all the firefighters and personnel supporting the ongoing firefighting efforts.

Meteorology: Rain is expected over the next few days and fire activity is expected to decrease.

Safety Message: Fire management activities are still under way. Firefighting equipment that is no longer needed is being removed. Please watch for crews and each other when recreating/hunting in the forest.

Background: There were 30 fires in the complex. The fires started August 25 after a lightning event across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Most have been contained. 

Fire Restrictions: With increasingly cooler weather, and recent precipitation across Northwest Oregon and Washington, fire managers for the Mount Hood and Gifford Pinchot National Forests have rescinded public use fire restrictions.

Lewis County Fire Marshal Modifies Burn Restrictions: A burn ban in unincorporated Lewis County has been modified. Only recreational fires and charcoal or wood BBQs are permitted. For information on burn restrictions on lands regulated by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) go to https://burnportal.dnr.wa.gov 

Closures: Due to ongoing fire activity, 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, Quartz #5C (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 systems or drones. For more information: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_3758.html