Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Wednesday, September 4, 2024 

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for the Williams Mine Fire, starting late today. Hot, dry, and windy weather is likely to cause an increase in active burning over the next few days.

Yesterday, fire activity was greatly reduced on the Williams Mine Fire near Morrison Creek after extensive water applications by aircraft on Monday, and a few rain showers early Tuesday. Hot areas continued to burn, but at a lower intensity. No strategic firing operations were conducted Tuesday, which were a source of much of the smoke Monday.

Fire crews took advantage of this lull in fire activity to complete improvements on the South Climb Trail, preparing it for use as a fire control line, if needed. Snags near the trail were felled to reduce the chance of fire climbing the dead trees, then sending sparks across the trail. Fire personnel will continue to closely monitor the fire activity to the west, and helicopters will make water drops to keep this section of the fire in check.

A helicopter reconnaissance flight flew the Williams Mine Fire Tuesday and saw a few areas with smoke. Most of these are far interior, but any that could potentially pose a threat to the containment lines are being extinguished. The flight also mapped the fire and surveyed surrounding forestlands for signs of new fires caused by the latest thunderstorms. So far, no new ignitions have been found near here. 

Last night’s infrared flight was the first one since 8/31/24. It produced a lower acreage than was produced by yesterday’s visual mapping flight. The infrared flight is believed to have missed some areas that are now “cold black”, lacking hot areas for the sensors to detect. The acreage from the visual mapping is being used for the new acreage. 

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

Most schools, including Trout Lake School, are now back in session. Watch for children and buses along the roads and stop when the STOP signs are extended and lights are flashing. 

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.