Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Monday, September 2, 2024

The Williams Mine Fire burned actively yesterday in the Mt. Adams Wilderness near Morrison Creek. The fire continued to consume fuels on the ground and has mostly spread to the north and west the last few days, burning into the upper reaches of Shorthorn and Crofton creeks. Late Sunday, winds shifted as a front started moving through the area, pushing the fire toward the east. 

In preparation for this wind shift, two scooper airplanes dropped water on hot areas near Morrison Creek to reduce fire intensity. They worked for over five hours and dropped more than 12,000 gallons of water. This should slow fire growth and allow more time for the work being done on South Climb Trail to prepare it as a control line. Over half a mile of fire line preparation was completed on the trail yesterday.

The warm temperatures, low humidity, and light winds from the east have caused other scattered hot areas to smoke, including some where no heat had been detected for several days. Fire personnel are patrolling the fire, monitoring for smoke and checking heat found by infrared detection late on August 31. Due to cloud cover, there was no infrared flight last night, and the acreage was not updated.

Today, a front is bringing a slight chance of showers. Cooler temperatures and gusty winds from the west to northwest are expected today and tomorrow. Gusty winds could push the fire toward the east and will increase the risk of fire-damaged trees falling, often without warning.

Work continues on the shaded fuel break along the FS Rd 23 from the south boundary of the Forest to the FS Rd 23/FS Rd 90 junction. Some masticators are completing their work today and will be released.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

Some people continue to enter the closed areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, endangering themselves and fire personnel working on the fire. Security guards are now staffing the roadblocks 24 hours a day. Violators who enter the closure are subject to fines up to $5,000 and up to six months imprisonment.

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.