Single Publication

Warmer temperatures and gusty east winds caused increased fire activity on the Goat Rocks Fire yesterday. Greater amounts of smoke were visible as the day progressed, winds picked up, and fuels grew drier. The fire stayed on the ground, creeping through surface fuels which still held some moisture from showers and high humidity earlier this week. No torching or rapid growth was seen.

Much of Saturday’s activity was east of Forest Road 4612, where fire has been spreading within containment lines for several days. The fire also grew in the upper Coal Creek drainage. A heavy helicopter dropped water on some hot areas before gusty winds made conditions too hazardous for flying.

Today is forecast to be a few degrees warmer and slightly drier than yesterday, but with less wind. This dry spell is expected to last for several more days, with high temperatures in the upper 70s and relative humidity dropping below 30%. Fuels will become more receptive to fire each day, and further increases in fire activity and smoke production are likely.

Fire managers are preparing for increased fire activity by bringing in fresh crews and engines. Some fire resources are being staged in Packwood, ready to respond to any area of the fire needing their assistance.

The protective hose lays in the Upper Timberline community are being assessed and reinforced where appropriate. Fuels are being reduced near the historic structures at Packwood Lake, and pumps, hoses, and other equipment are being set up to protect these buildings. Hazard tree cutting and woody debris chipping continue on Forest Road 46.

Today the Incident Command Post (ICP) or fire camp for the Goat Rocks Fire is moving from Randle to Packwood Community Hall. Fire managers have been right-sizing the Randle ICP for several days, removing surplus yurts, supplies, generators, portable toilets, hand-washing stations and more. Nevada Incident Management Team (IMT) 4 is a smaller Type 3 team, with fewer members than the Type 2 Northwest IMT 10. Some members of Northwest IMT 10 stayed to assist Nevada IMT 4 with Goat Rocks Fire, and are completing their assignments. Nevada IMT 4 will use this reduction in necessary workspace as an opportunity to shift ICP to a more central location.

Forest Closures: For information on current road and trail closures, you can go to this link:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060181.pdf

Evacuations: Areas northeast of Butter Creek and north of US-12, including Lower Timberline and Goat Rocks, are still at an Evacuation Level 1 (Be Ready). Upper Timberline remains at an Evacuation Level 2 (Be Set).

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Campfires are allowed within certain campgrounds identified on: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices 

Public Safety: Smoke may linger along US 12 at night and in the morning. Treat it like fog. Slow down and turn on your low-beam headlights to improve visibility.

Sign-up For Alerts: To receive alerts from Lewis County in the case of an emergency, sign up at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/

The percent of containment on a fire is one measure of progress, but not the only one. Completion of firefighting objectives is another measure of progress. These objectives include construction of control lines and protecting highly valued resources such as the Packwood community, sensitive tribal resources, and historic structures at Packwood Lake. This deliberate and methodical strategy is designed to achieve these protection goals without subjecting firefighters to unacceptable risk.