Yesterday, the Goat Rocks Fire burned actively but the fire’s spread was minimal. In the Coal Creek drainage, where fire pushed up to Three Peaks on Monday, the fire continued to consume logs and other heavy fuels on the ground. Throughout the day the fire moved down slopes where burning logs rolled downhill. Helicopters dropped water on hot spots to keep the fire in these areas in check. Younger stands of trees scattered throughout Coal Creek drainage continued to slow the fire’s spread to due reduced fuels on the ground.
In addition, the fire spread on slopes above Forest Road 4612, consuming ground fuels between previously burned areas. More smoke was visible in this location Tuesday. Over a dozen fire-weakened trees fell onto Forest Road 4612 over a 24-hour period. As a result, personnel are minimizing use of the road except as a possible fire control line. There was also an increase in fire activity in the Dam Creek drainage on the northeast edge of the fire.
Tuesday afternoon, marine moisture began to move into the area bringing with it 20 mph wind gusts which fanned scattered pockets of burning fuels, creating more smoke. Rising humidity associated with this on shore front helped tamp down some fire activity. Today’s cold front will bring a high temperature in the 60’s and an increase in relative humidity levels. Showers are expected by mid-day today and will likely continue tonight and into Thursday morning. Friday is predicted to be the start of a period of normal fall weather, with warm days and good relative humidity recovery overnight.
Increased relative humidity and rain will slow the fire’s progression through finer fuels such as brush, small branches, and the duff layer on the ground. Fine fuels can absorb moisture in a matter of hours, making them harder to burn. The main fuels carrying the fire have been larger woody debris like logs and stumps. These will take days or even weeks of exposure to moisture before they become resistant to burning.
Firefighters continue to work to cool the western tip of the fire in the Coal Creek drainage, with the goal of keeping the fire within established fire lines. Timber fallers are cutting hazard trees along Forest Road 46 to improve safety and reduce the chance of a burning live or dead tree falling across the road. Chipping and other fuels reduction work continues along Forest Road 46 and has been completed along Forest Road 1266. Firefighters continue to patrol the Timberline and Goat Rocks communities, and around the historic structures at Packwood Lake.
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: As rain moves into the area, watch out for slick roads. The first rains after a dry spell can wash oils, dust and other materials off of roads, creating a slippery film.
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.
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