Single Publication

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Two
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander

Safety Message: With hunting season officially open, please be aware of firefighters working in the forest.

Current Situation: The Cowlitz Complex remains 12% contained with a total of 657 acres and 395 personnel.  Firefighters will be closely monitoring the weather today with temperatures in the 80s. The humidity will drop to near critical levels to 20%, and the combination of these two factors could increase fire behavior and smoke.

In Branch I/Division C/F, under current conditions, the Grassy Mountain fire is not expected to threaten public or private infrastructure. Its location on a north-facing aspect reduces the potential of the warmer, drier weather. Firefighters will patrol all fires by ground or air resources to identify changes in fire behavior and implement appropriate actions. No smoke or other evidence of heat was detected yesterday on the Allen Mountain, Cougar Gap, and Berry fires.  A task force continues  monitoring all fires in this branch.

In Branch II/Division L, crews are identifying and extinguishing hot spots on the Adams Fork, Jackpot, and Mission fires, where heat has been hidden within deep duff and peat moss layers. During the next several days, a structure protection group will be in neighborhoods near the Jackpot fire and the Cispus Learning Center to conduct assessments and develop plans for protecting area homes and buildings.

In Branch II/Division W, crews on the Spencer Quartz and Snagtooth fires completed brushing old logging roads. A masticator is removing additional vegetation to widen roads.  This area contains multiple hazards to firefighters, including standing dead trees – snags – and nearly vertical rocky terrain.

Twenty fires are either out or in patrol status. Crews continue to visit those areas to ensure all residual heat remains in control lines, using air support like IAA flights and UAS.  We also use manned aircraft that have infrared and other optical capabilities. Thermal imaging can help locate heat sources on the ground that need to be extinguished. A reminder to the public!  Private drone use is prohibited within the fire area under temporary flight restrictions (TFR) north and south of US-12.  By doing so, you risk slowing down the success the firefighters have already accomplished.

Fire Restrictions: Fire Restrictions remain in effect. Campfires are prohibited across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest – only propane-fueled fire pits, stoves and lanterns are allowed. Additional information is available on the forest’s website at Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Fire Management (usda.gov). The decision to lift or maintain fire restrictions depends on factors such as current and expected weather conditions, fuel moisture, the level of fire activity, and the availability of firefighting resources to respond to additional ignitions.

Weather & Smoke Information: Expect valley fog in the morning, turning into clear skies and a mostly sunny day. We expect a temperature of low 80’s in the valley, which is a sharp increase in the temperature from the past few days. Under these conditions we can expect an increase in fire behavior which may lead to smoke in the air.

Closures: In anticipation of ongoing fire activity in the vicinity of the Snagtooth Fire the following roads and trails are closed to the public to reduce exposure and help ensure public safety: Forest Roads 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. Forest Road 8410 is closed for firefighter and public safety in the vicinity of the Pothole Fire, and Forest Road 78 is temporarily closed between the 7802 junction and the 2278 junction due to hazardous debris rolling out onto the roadway.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Two TFRs are in effect, one located north of US-12 to Mount Rainier National Park, and a new TFR south of US-12 to include Snagtooth and Spencer Quartz fires.  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.  If you fly, we can't! Learn more about how to use drones safely and responsibly at Home-Know Before You Fly.