Single Publication

Loch Katrine Fire, Suiattle River Fire, and Boulder Lake Fire
Daily Update, October 18, 2022, 11:00 AM

Resources continue to arrive to support all firefighting efforts around the perimeter of each of these fires. Assessment of each fires’ footprint is ongoing, with plans being developed and implemented from those assessments to limit fire growth.

The Loch Katrine Fire is estimated at 1,620 acres. Among the many resources that have arrived, 5 hand crews and about a dozen engines joined the efforts yesterday and will continue forward through the duration of the incident. Monday, ground resources scouted access points around the fire and planned strategies to safely engage at strategic points and find opportunities to limit fire spread and minimize impacts to values at risk. Due to the topography, it is difficult for crews to access the fireline directly, so work is focused on improving nearby roads and other areas as containment lines as well as establishing safety zones. Some small-scale burning operations, designed to remove unburned fuel between control lines and the fire’s edge, are ongoing to strengthen and secure the lines and gain containment. This work, combined with aviation support, will continue today.

The Suiattle River Fire is 3,704 acres as of October 17, 2022. Fire activity was reduced yesterday with the moderated weather conditions. The primary objectives on the Suiattle River Fire are to minimize impact to; private structures and property, Bureau of Land Management land, critical cultural resources, high value timber land, and Forest Service Infrastructure (Suiattle Guard Station, Buck Creek Campground and the Darrington Seed Orchard). Firefighters have been successful at securing the fire along Forest Service Road 26 and the Suiattle River. A total of 50 fire personnel are engaged with aviation assets deployed as needed for support on the ground where water drops can be effective.

The Boulder Lake Fire is 2,016 acres and is most active on the west flank above Big Creek. Fire activity was reduced yesterday with the moderated weather conditions. Fire managers are assessing tactics that will minimize potential impacts to values including private land and Washington Department of Natural Resources land.

Evacuation: Level 3(GO) evacuations are in place for the Suiattle River Fire in the Lower Suiattle River Valley. No other evacuations are currently in place for the other fires.

Weather: Today will remain warmer and drier than normal for mid-October. The fire areas have not experienced rain for over 40 days. Patchy fog in the morning with Sunny afternoons. Highs in the mid 60s to 70s. Light westerly winds around 8mph in the afternoon.

Smoke: Mixed smoke with fog in the early mornings and late nights as the inversion sets in. Air quality is unhealthy for sensitive groups from Bellingham to Seattle, with the heaviest impacts in the Darrington area. Smoke column may be visible from both the I-90 and I-405 highway corridors.

Closures: For public safety, the Suiattle River Road is closed at the junction with Highway 530. Due to their proximity to the Suiattle River Fire, the Darrington Ranger District has closed the Suiattle River Road (Forest Road 26) Recreation facilities and trails: Buck Creek Campground, Boulder Lake Trail, Huckleberry Mountain Trail, Buck Creek Trail, Green Mountain Trail, Downey Creek Trail, Suiattle Trail, Sulphur Creek Trail, and Sulphur Mountain Trail.

Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8447/ ● Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service ● fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices
Fire Information Line: 425-386-1354, 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Email: 2022.lochkatrine@firenet.gov