Single Publication

11:00 AM, September 4, 2024

Estimated size: 1,098 acres
Start Date/Time: July 17, 2024
Area of Origin: 21 air miles east of Darrington WA
Cause: Lightning
Fuels/Topography: timber, rugged terrain
Structures Damaged: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.
Evacuations: None

The Miners Complex consists of eight wildfires caused by lightning strikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The fires included in the complex are Miners Fire, Vista Ridge Fire, Dolly Creek Fire, Sulphur Three Fire, Sulphur Four Fire, Sulphur Thirty-Four Fire, Plummer, and Middle Ridge Fire.

Update: The planned reconnaissance flight for Wednesday, September 4th was cancelled, and fire managers are looking to reschedule as soon as possible, so firefighters can assess fire behavior and any growth during this warm weather trend. The Sulphur fires continue to put up visible smoke, and smoke is expected to continue with hot and dry weather over the next few days. Firefighter crews continue patrols of the Miners Complex along with accompanying rehab work.

Weather: Dry conditions and warming temperatures are expected for the rest of the week. Instability from a thermal pressure trough will result in mid-level Haines 6 values while east to southeast winds throughout the period will not only aid in drying but also hinder RH recoveries. While conditions will approach critical fire weather thresholds today, the main concern will be Thursday and Friday. Thursday especially will be ripe for fire growth with the combination of the strongest easterly winds in the morning along with dry and unstable conditions throughout the day. High temperature around 85°F, with east winds between 5-8 mph.

Smoke: For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Closures: The following is a summary of the areas closed due to the fires in the Miners Complex: Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000.2 from Mica Lake to Suiattle Pass, Suiattle River Trail #784, Miners Ridge Trail #785, Buck Creek Pass Trail #789, Miners Cabin Trail #795, Grassy Point Trail #788, Sulphur Mountain Trail #794, Sulphur Creek Trail #793, Sulphur Creek Campground, Sulphur Creek Trailhead, and the Downey Creek trailhead. Suiattle River Road, closure beginning at Downey Creek trailhead. The full Closure Orders visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs Forest Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has lifted the full campfire ban and forest-wide shooting restrictions, effective 8/28/2024. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
 

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