Single Publication

Weather restricts fire suppression and repair work

Current Situation: Rain and snow continue to fall on the Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset fire areas. Roads above 4,000 feet in elevation have received up to three inches of snow. In the interest of safety, firefighters are not travelling on snow-covered roads. Rain and snow are expected to fall intermittently into next week.

On the Goat Rocks Fire, fire personnel have completed removal of pumps, hoses, and portable tanks from the neighborhoods west of the fire. These supplies have been transported back to fire camp to be tested, cleaned, and reconditioned, after which they will be returned to a local fire cache and made available for use on other fires, a process known as “backhaul.” Where roads are safe to travel, firefighters are patrolling the fire area, addressing any remaining heat that they can safely engage. Some areas with a heavy canopy of branches and deep duff continue smoldering, along with logs, stumps, and other large chunks of wood. Some of these fuels will need weeks or months of rain and snow before they are too wet to slowly burn and produce smoke. As work is completed on the Goat Rocks Fire, the staffing is being right-sized, and surplus firefighters and equipment are being released to return home and prepare for their next assignment.

Similar conditions exist on the Siouxon and Sunset fires. Continued moisture is helping limit growth potential, but it is also making it difficult for firefighters to patrol or improve containment lines safely. Chipping and brush removal operations along Forest Road 311 near the Siouxon Fire and road repairs on Forest Road 42 near Sunset Falls Campground have paused due to saturated roads and continued rain and snow. These activities will require a period of dry weather before they can be completed. Firefighters will continue monitoring and patrolling the fire lines where it is safe to do so, while surplus resources will be released.

Weather Information: On Tuesday, rain and snow hampered operations, with slick roadways and limited visibility. Heavy rain, snow, and fog remain possibilities for early Wednesday. Slower speeds are highly recommended, especially in areas where firefighters or equipment are present. Current weather conditions will keep fire activity at a minimum but smoke may be visible at times.

Forest Closures: A full list of closures in place for the Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset fires can be found under “Alerts & Notices” on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website.

Fire Danger: As of October 25, the Fire Danger Rating on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest is LOW. Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) Zones 659S (Goat Rocks Fire) and 660 (Siouxon and Sunset fires) also dropped to Level I on USFS lands. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs) are a system that reduces wildfire risk by limiting activities by woods workers and other industrial forest users. For more information on IFPL, please visit https://www.dnr.wa.gov/ifpl.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in place on the Goat Rocks Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until we can ensure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, please visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.