Single Publication

KEY MESSAGES: 

Specialized equipment such as chippers and dump trucks are working through the road systems to facilitate slash removal.  The Williams Mine Fire is slowly reducing other firefighting resources from the operation as containment continues to increase.   

The temporary flight restriction (TFR) is being reduced in size to better suit aerial operational needs. Three aircraft remain on the incident with a Type 3 helicopter stationed in Trout Lake for shorter response times if needed. 

CURRENT STATUS:  

Strategic mop-up operations from hand and dozer line will continue until the perimeter is secure.  The structure/contingency group is utilizing masticators to protect the Glacier Springs-water system. 

Fire managers took advantage of favorable weather and implemented tactical firing operations from a prepared dozer line in the Buck Creek drainage. These firing operations burned compact litter with heavy down and dead fuels to create containment lines from isolated fire perimeter to a defined control feature meeting incident objectives.  A straight line of black (fire edge) limits the probability of reignition which provides firefighters the needed depth to establish containment and begin mop-up. Incident officials expect the containment percentage to continue climbing at a steady rate over the coming week as firefighters continue perimeter security along the fire edge. 

WEATHER / FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

Early morning hours will have favorable weather to start the day. As the day progresses there will be a potential for isolated showers through the afternoon hours. Relative humidity values will reach 50-60%. The best chance for showers and isolated thunderstorms arrives tomorrow evening and remains possible into Friday morning.  However, fire can remain on the landscape and smolder until warm temperatures rise where fire behavior potentially could increase. 

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.