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The Goat Rocks Fire burned actively Monday but stayed within established containment lines. Most growth and firefighting activities were concentrated near the southwest portion of the fire, between Purcell Creek and the Coal Creek drainages. Areas around Lava Creek and Dam Creek were under smoke all day which helped to reduce fire activity in those drainages.

Yesterday fire activity increased as temperatures rose, relative humidity dropped, and winds from the south fanned the fire. The fire burned through larger fuels and slowed where it moved into stands of young trees with less fuel on the ground. Fire that crossed to the south side of Coal Creek on Sunday made a push up slope to the southeast toward Three Peaks. The increased fire activity began Monday morning when heavy smoke still covered the area. Heavy smoke reduces visibility hindering aerial resource’s ability to drop water on a fire safely. After the smoke lifted later in the day, helicopters were able to drop water in the Coal Creek drainage helping to slow the fire’s spread and reduce damage to timber and other resources. 

Today’s weather is expected to be a little cooler with a slight uptick in humidity. Smoke from the fire will be slower to clear out of the Cowlitz River Valley. The fire is expected to burn actively again throughout the day, especially in the Coal Creek drainage and east of Forest Road 4612. Fire has not spread west of Forest Road 4612, but an increase in trees falling onto the road have created hazardous working conditions for firefighters and hindered work in that area. 

Firefighters are currently working to cool the western tip of the fire in the Coal Creek drainage, with the goal of keeping the fire within established fire lines. Fire personnel continue to work along the Forest Roads 46 and 4610, preparing them to be used as control lines should the fire spread further to the west and north. Patrols continue working in the Timberline and Goat Rocks communities and around the historic structures at Packwood Lake. An additional Type 1 “Heavy” helicopter has been assigned to the Goat Rocks Fire. 

Marine moisture is expected to move into the Goat Rocks Fire vicinity on Wednesday, bringing much cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity. There is a chance of showers late Wednesday into Thursday. Any precipitation or increase in humidity will make fine fuels including the duff layer and brush slower to ignite. Large fuels like logs and stumps that have been the main drivers of this fire will need extensive moisture before they will stop burning. 

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: Watch out for smoke across US-12 and local roads. Slow down and use low-beam headlights to increase your 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.