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Williams Mine Fire Update for Saturday, August 31, 2024

The Williams Mine Fire continues to show pockets of active burning as temperatures rise and fuels dry out. Observations from the ground and by air are finding these areas are on the interior of the fire or on the northern edge in the Mt. Adams Wilderness, not threatening containment lines. The fire is consuming ground fuels and reducing the probability of catastrophic fires in the future.

Yesterday, fire personnel covered Morrison Shelter with protective wrap, along with other structures at Morrison Creek and South Climb trailheads. This is in case the fire moves into that area. Other historic structures including Gotchen Guard Station and Wicky Creek Shelter have already been wrapped. As of 8/30/24, no structures have burned on the Williams Mine Fire.

Seven masticators will be working along the FS Rd 23 today, away from other personnel and equipment. Masticators have an extendable arm with a rotating cutter head which can be used to mulch or chop up standing brush and small trees up to 8 inches in diameter. Chunks of woody debris can be propelled hundreds of feet from the machine, dispersing fuels across the ground. A large safety zone is required around these machines to avoid injury to people or damage to other vehicles.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

A few people are entering the closed areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, including on the FS Rd 23 south of the FS Rd 23/FS Rd 90 junction. Some are cutting past roadblocks and guards; others are taking back roads. Entering the closure is extremely dangerous, especially on the FS Rd 23. Multiple pieces of heavy equipment are working on the shaded fuel break along the FS Rd 23. Other machines are working on the south and east parts of the fire. A collision with any of these machines could be fatal. Violators are also subject to fines up to $5,000 and up to six months imprisonment.

The Trout Lake Community Rummage Sale is this weekend, 8/30 to 9/2/24. Expect heavy traffic on the roads and watch for pedestrians. 

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. FS Rd 23 south of FS Rd 90 is still CLOSED to the public due to fire suppression activity. The revised closure for the Mt. Adams Wilderness and FS Rd 23 closure can be found at Williams Mine Fire: Area and Road Closure. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the PCT's intersection with FS Rd 23 to Potato Hill. The current area closure spans the entire Mt. Adams Wilderness.