Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Tuesday, August 20, 2024 

KEY MESSAGES: 

With the rain and cooler temperatures, fire crews achieved success over the past few days in the southern and eastern areas of the fire where containment percentage has increased. The initial objectives for the Williams Mine Fire were to establish protection actions for the towns of Trout Lake and Glenwood. With perimeter containment on the southern flank of the incident, fire managers anticipate that this primary objective will be reached. 

In areas where containment lines are established, crews will begin repair work on roads, dozer lines, and other areas affected by firefighting operations. Road guards remain in place as heavy equipment block roads in the closure area as they work to reduce fuel load. Road graders and other machinery are working to return access roads to Forest standards. 

CURRENT STATUS:  

To access all areas of the fire, crews continue to cut and remove hazard trees as well as fallen trees that are blocking accesses features because of high winds and fire damaged trees. Removal of danger trees is essential to ensure firefighters can access the fire line and have open ingress/egress routes for safe transportation. Many of the standing snags also are holding heat where firefighters continue to suppression and mop up operations to ensure there is no chance of reignition across the fire perimeter. 

Most night shift resources were reallocated to bolster day shift operations as current fire behavior has diminished. Night operations have moved to a patrol status with fewer resources assigned to night operations but still will be maintaining a nightly Prescence. This will allow for continual firefighting resources being on the fire perimeter at all hours of the day and engage where necessary. These changes are possible because of the accomplishments achieved over the past few days and continuing favorable weather conditions. 

WEATHER / FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

The possibility of passing showers rises this afternoon, starting a trend that will increase rain chances through Thursday. Aside from the morning marine layer, clouds will gradually build through the afternoon as a weak weather system moves into the area from the west. The highest chance of showers will remain to the north of the incident. Conditions will not be conducive to active fire behavior, though there will be smoldering on the surface which may create visible smoke. 

SAFETY AND CLOSURES:   

Washington DNR managed lands near Trout Lake and Glenwood are closed to entry due to the Williams Mine Fire. For more information, please see http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Tract D Recreation Area is closed, please see Yakama Tract D Road Closure for more information. Level 1 & 2 evacuations are in effect for the community of Trout Lake, and parts of Klickitat County. Evacuations are coordinated through the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office and the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office. The FS-23 and FS-25 roads are closed, see the Williams Mine Area and Road Closure for more details. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the PCT's intersection with FS 23 to Potato Hill. The current area closure spans the entire Mt. Adams Wilderness.