Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Friday, September 13, 2024 

The Williams Mine Fire received a few showers Thursday, and higher humidity and cooler temperatures kept the fire quiet despite gusty winds.  Fire personnel continue to check for hot areas near the fire’s edges while working on repairing damage caused by the fire suppression efforts. 

Containment on the Williams Mine Fire has been holding at 31% since August 27. This containment is on the southern portion of the fire perimeter toward Trout Lake. Containment means control lines have been established, fuels adjacent to the lines have been burned or reduced to a level that will not support fire, and hot areas near the fire line have been extinguished. There is minimal chance that fire will cross a contained portion of the fire edge.

Most of the rest of the fire perimeter is in the Mt. Adams Wilderness or is on rugged or remote ground. Since this is a lightning or natural fire, most of the fire activity in the Wilderness is being monitored but not suppressed. Action is being taken when fire threatens other values, such as recreation sites and the Yakama Reservation.

On rugged ground, it is difficult and dangerous to build and hold direct fire lines, especially on steep slopes and in areas with many dead trees. Lines often need to be dug by hand, and burning material can roll downhill past them. Falling snags have been a constant threat. Indirect control lines have been established instead, to the southwest and west of the fire and east of Snipes Mountain. The indirect lines were established along roads or in other places where people and equipment could work safely and efficiently. They offer a better opportunity to stop the fire’s growth than direct line would, and at a lower risk to firefighters.

In some areas, the fire spread to the indirect lines, and they became containment lines. In many areas, the fire has stalled upslope of indirect control lines, and is still uncontained but not growing. Overall containment is likely to stay low on this fire.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

As we head into the weekend, watch out for heavy traffic, including motorcycles and bicycles on roads. Look twice before pulling into traffic or making a turn.

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.