Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Saturday, September 7, 2024 

The Red Flag Warning has been extended for the Williams Mine Fire area. This warning will remain in effect until 8:00 p.m. today. The warning was issued due to continued low relative humidity and unstable atmospheric conditions which may lead to rapid fire growth. There is also a Heat Advisory through 9:00 p.m. today.

A smoky haze has hung over the fire vicinity since Thursday. Much of this is from other fires burning in the western states. The haze has provided some “smoke shading” which lowered temperatures on the fire and reduced fire activity. When the smoke began to clear Friday afternoon, the fire burned more intensely. Scattered pockets of residual fuels continue to burn on the interior of the fire. Firefighters are monitoring these areas, but focusing their work on areas with the highest potential to threaten containment lines.

The area of greatest concern is in the Morrison Creek drainage west to northwest of the South Climb trailhead, within the Mt. Adams Wilderness. The fire is burning on the lower part of a slope and has the potential to make an uphill run to the east. This could send sparks past the South Climb Trail, which has been prepped for use as a control line. 

Fire managers looked at having firefighters directly attack this hot area, but determined it would be unsafe to do so. This is an extensive snag patch, with many unstable dead trees. There is no safe access to this part of the fire and heavy equipment cannot be used in the Wilderness. Wind, fire, and helicopter water drops are causing trees to topple without warning. There are no safety zones for firefighters in case the fire makes a run. To keep the fire in check, helicopters are being used to drop water. Some aerial operations are being hampered by dense smoke.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures fine particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM2.5 is associated with the greatest proportion of adverse health effects related to air pollution from wildfire smoke. The AQI reached the “Unhealthy” level yesterday morning in Trout Lake. Anyone with lung problems should limit exposure to outdoor air when it is smoky. For more information, please see AirNow.

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. Takhlakh Lake is still closed. 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.