Single Publication

11:00 AM, September 6, 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: A reconnaissance flight on Thursday, September 5 allowed fire managers to observe and assess fire behavior. The Sulphur Fires showed smoke in the interior and along the edges of the fire from heavy fuels burning, but perimeter growth was not significant. The Dolly Creek Fire showed smoke but no growth in perimeter. The Miners Ridge and Middle Ridge Fires showed no visible smoke. Increased fire activity is expected in the next few days as the Red Flag warning continues until 11pm PST Friday night, and warm temperatures are forecasted over the weekend. Firefighter crews continue patrols of the Miners Complex along with accompanying rehab work.

Weather: On Friday, September 6, hot, dry and unstable conditions linger due to upper ridging aloft and a thermal trough at the surface. Easterly winds at times are also a concern, but speeds should remain below critical thresholds. This offshore flow will once again hinder RH recoveries tonight. Saturday will prove transitional, where onshore flow returns but it may not have much effect on temperatures or RH values. Cooler conditions and increasing moisture expected to be more impactful Sunday and into next week. High temperature around 88°F, with east winds between 5-6 mph shifting west in the afternoon. On Saturday, September 7, the high temperature will be around 91°F, with southeast winds between 5-6mph.

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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