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Resources return home amid season-ending weather events

Current Situation: The wet conditions that had persisted over the Goat Rocks, Siouxon, and Sunset fires briefly lifted on Wednesday. Certainty has built that recent and forecasted precipitation will be a season-ending event for wildland fires in the area. Fire resources no longer needed for remaining fire suppression activities are being released from the incident. Traffic is expected to be heavy in Packwood on Thursday as firefighters begin returning home to prepare for their next assignment. The brief break in weather between storm systems gave pilots an opportunity to move the four helicopters that had been stationed at the Packwood Airport to other locations.

On Thursday, crews remaining on the Goat Rocks Fire will continue the previous days’ work of patrolling areas along the fires’ perimeters where it is safe to do so. They will continue post-fire suppression cleanup – removing the remaining equipment, flagging, and all other items left after the past weeks of firefighting. On the Siouxon and Sunset fires, crews will continue patrolling the area and addressing remaining hot spots near the fire’s edge that they can safely engage.

As temperatures warm slightly and there is a pause in precipitation between storms, areas within the fires’ perimeters will continue to hold heat as fallen trees, stumps, and thick duff continue to smolder. While there is a great amount of certainty that the fires will not become active again, interior fuels will continue to produce smoke and flames may be visible in the understory that is sheltered from light rains. Smoke and low-intensity flames are expected to continue until soils and fuels in the duff layer become saturated.

Weather Information: Today is expected to be relatively dry, followed by several more days of rain. Slower speeds are highly recommended when driving, 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. Although fire activity has abated, closure areas still contain fire-weakened trees, pockets of heat, and other hazards. Forest officials urge the public to continue to observe the closures for both public and firefighter safety. Forest closures around all three fires are expected to remain in place through fall and beyond.

Fire Danger: 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) are Level I on USFS lands.

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.