Single Publication

11:00 AM, July 26, 2024

Estimated size:                    500 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 nine 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, Upper Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, Lower Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, and Plummer Fire.            

Update: Fire growth on all fires were hampered by yesterday’s cold and wet weather. As the day progresses smoke will again be visible but minimal fire behavior is expected. Operations staff has been working on identifying objectives pending fulfillment of fire resources. With multiple fires in the area and nationwide resources being funneled to highest priority fires where life and personal property are at risk, staffing continues to be an issue. As resources become available identified suppression effort priorities will be implemented.

Weather: Sunny and dry conditions will persist today into Saturday, with relative humidities dipping into the 40s and 50s during the daytime hours. Some mid-level instability will be present near the fires during the afternoon hours today and again on Saturday, however good humidity recoveries will persist at night with onshore flow continuing into the weekend. Westerly winds will increase on Saturday, primarily persisting at 8 to 12 mph. Max temperatures  around 59.

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 Miner's Complex. The full Closure Orders visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

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, and Sulphur Creek Trailhead.  Closure has been extended on the ground down valley to include the Downey Creek trailhead.

Campfire Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie will be elevating to a full campfire ban, even in developed campgrounds, starting Wednesday July 24, 2024 to help prevent human-caused starts in this critically dry period. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

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