Single Publication

Ruby Fire Update

August 13th, 2024

Minnesota Incident Command System (MNICS) Incident Commander-Jeb Backe 

Ruby Fire Quick Facts 

Size: 739 acres                                Location: North Cascades National Park, Ruby Mountain, Diablo, Washington

Containment: 0%                           Cause: Lightning/Natural

Start Date: August 9th, 2024       Total Personnel: 70

Fire Information:                            

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wancp-ruby-fire

Email: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov                                                                 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ruby-Fire/61563760546137/ 

Phone: 1-360-208-8096

Current Status: Cooler temperatures, higher humidities, and light winds minimized fire growth yesterday. Firefighters continued to work to reduce the threat of damage to values at risk. Fire operations staff designated division breaks along the fire perimeter for more efficient management. The Baker River Hotshots and other firefighters conducted structure protection between Thunder Creek and Stillwell Creek and evaluated accessible areas of the fire perimeter for fire holding capability. 

Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue to evaluate important values at risk such as campground buildings, communication features, and other structures around the Thunder Arm, the Fourth of July Trail, Happy Panther, Happy Creek, and Panther Creek trail systems, and develop mitigation measures. Fire personnel will evaluate Highway 20 and the surrounding forest between the highway and the fire.  

The fire continues to burn actively with some spotting and torching. The main fire management objectives are preserving human life, protecting values at risk, and identifying holding lines with the highest probability of success.

Weather: National Weather Forecast - A slight chance of showers between 2pm and 5pm. Partly sunny with a high temperature of 53. West wind 6-8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent. Mostly cloudy in the evening with a low of 48. West winds 6-8 mph. There is the risk of isolated thunderstorms in the fire area this week. 

Closures: There are multiple closures in the area due to the Ruby Fire and other nearby fires. Beginning today, the Happy Creek Trail is closed and water access beyond the Colonial Creek Bridge is no longer accessible. The Colonial Creek South Campground and boat launch are also closed. Cascade River Road is closed at MP8. State Route 20 is closed east of the park from MP 148 and MP 157 due to the Easy Fire. For a full list of park closures, please visit: https://go.nps.gov/fireclosures 

Burning Restrictions: National Park Service - Campfires or the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex – North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley.

Cooperating Agencies & Tribes: National Park Service, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Seattle City Light, Whatcom County, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office

Smoke: U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program - Overall air quality will be MODERATE today in upper Skagit Valley.

https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/f79a6d6d   https://www.airnow.gov/

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