Single Publication

Goat Rocks Fire
September 9, 2022 10:00pm update

Overview: Located 2 miles NE of Packwood, WA in the Goat Rocks Wilderness on the Cowlitz Valley Ranger District. The Goat Rocks Fire is estimated to be 1200 acres in size. The incident was discovered on Aug. 9, 2022 and was partly suppressed by a rappel attack crew. Crews suppressed what they safely could and the fire was monitored. On September 9, 2022 the fire began to increase in size during a high wind event.

Size: Approximately 1200 acres

Forest closures: US Hwy-12 is closed from Skate Creek and White Pass. Highway 123 is closed from US Hwy 12 to 410 for all southbound travel, travel to Mt Rainier National Park is still open. Forest Rd. 4600, 4610, 4612 and all connected spurs, and Trail #65 to Bluff Lake.

Evacuations: Currently Timberline, Goat Rocks, and High Valley neighborhoods east of Packwood are under a level 3 evacuation, or Go status, and are required to evacuate. The remainder of the neighborhoods and businesses in Packwood is currently under a level 2 evacuation, or Set status, and should be prepared to evacuate. Evacuees should head to the White Pass School, located at 516 Silverbrook Road in Randle. Small animals are welcome at the school and for large animals, residents should contact Lewis County Emergency Management and they are coordinating shelter locations.

Cause: Lightning

Fire Operations: Today, the fire burned 2.5 miles towards the town of Packwood. The fire reached Coal Creek Bluff and is currently held up, still actively burning in the area but forward progression has significantly slowed. Fire crews will be monitoring this area through the night to ensure there are no sudden movements by this fire. Additionally, crews from the local fire departments will be patrolling the neighborhoods of Timberline, and High Valley to ensure that no spot fires break out near these homes. The fire is currently 2 miles away from the Timberline neighborhood.

Additional resources are responding to this fire to assist with protecting the homes and structures in the community of Packwood through this continued high wind event. Crews from across Washington are responding to assist with this incident as it continues to grow. With another 48 hours of red flag warnings, crews will remain focused on protecting life and property in and around the Packwood area. As crews can, they will work to construct fire lines around the fire where possible.

Weather: There is a red flag warning that remains in effect through 7pm Sunday September 11. Continued high temperatures, low humidity, and winds out of the east gusting up to 35 mph will continue critical fire weather conditions. All these conditions are conducive for additional fire growth over the next 48 hours. Weather conditions are forecasted to moderate Sunday afternoon, providing an opportunity for fire crews to begin getting a handle on this incident.

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans, and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and much of the region.