Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Wednesday, August 28, 2024

 KEY MESSAGES:

A local Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Williams Mine Fire as of 6 p.m. yesterday. This team will continue the work done by Northwest Team 13 to secure the fire, keeping it from spreading to the south and east. The focus will continue to be achieving incident objectives in a safe and efficient manner.

CURRENT STATUS: 

Crews continue patrolling and monitoring the fire, watching for smoke and other indications of heat near the established control lines. Yesterday’s dry, windy weather caused an increase in fire activity, nearly all of it in the interior of the fire. Unburned pockets of brush and other fuels will continue to burn as they dry out after the recent rain and high humidity. 

To the west, the shaded fuel break on FS Rd 23 is nearing completion. About 16 pieces of heavy equipment are working on and along the road, including feller-bunchers, excavators, log trucks, and large dump trucks. They are cutting, loading, and hauling small trees, branches, and other woody debris, and piling it in a safe location away from the Williams Mine Fire. Masticators and chippers are also being used to further reduce the fuels along Rd 23. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is working to reopen part of the FS Rd 23 not impacted by this shaded fuel break work, to provide an alternate route between Trout Lake and Randle.

WEATHER / FIRE BEHAVIOR:

A dry cold frontal passage on Tuesday brought strong winds and drier air to the region, but cooler temperatures prevented relative humidity (RH) values from dropping to critical levels. Beginning today, afternoon RH values are expected to drop below 30 percent each afternoon through Sunday while overnight humidity recoveries will be poor. This is expected to cause an increase in fire activity. Smoke may be visible from local communities.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Tract D Recreation Area is currently closed, please see Yakama Tract D Road Closure for more information.  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.