Single Publication

Resources: 417 Total Personnel | 9 Hand Crews | 20 Engines | 5 Water Tenders | 7 Helicopters

(Newhalem, Wash.) -- The Sourdough Fire started with a lightning strike on July 29 near Diablo in the steep and rugged terrain of Ross Lake National Recreation Area, 7 miles northeast of Newhalem. The Sourdough Fire is estimated at 1,890 acres and is 5% contained. State Route 20 remains closed between milepost 120 (Newhalem) and milepost 146 (just east of the East Creek Trailhead). Large rocks and debris fell throughout the day on portions of the closed road. The road has been closed for firefighter and public safety in an emergency situation.

Yesterday: Fire activity increased with the warming trend. Crews working northeast of the fire improved the Happy Panther Trail and prepped around the Ross Dam communications building on the Ross Dam Trail. Firefighters and Seattle City Light worked to remove hazard trees along Diablo Dam Road. Aircraft were used extensively to drop buckets of water to check the fire from spreading in Sourdough Creek drainage. Control line from Ross Dam to the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center is completely plumbed.  A palm infrared camera used around the structures of Diablo located one hot spot which night shift monitored closely.  Firefighters were holding the line as fire backed downhill and along the highway to the west.

Today: A burn plan has been approved for the western flank of the fire north of the highway. If weather conditions allow, firefighters will perform a burn out operation through aerial ignition.  Burn out is a tool used to set fire inside a control line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line. Fire managers want to tie the western fire flank into the 2015 Goodall Fire burn scar. Old burn scars can serve as an effective control feature because of the limited fuels that remain. Firefighters will monitor for any changes in fire conditions that may affect the Diablo community and infrastructure. Crews working along the southeastern flank of the fire will continue making improvements to the powerline corridor as a fuel break. Firefighters will be clearing and chipping fuels and hauling equipment along the eastern perimeter of the fire on State Route 20.  Aviation assets will continue to support firefighters with bucket drops to keep the fire in check.

Weather: Today will see slightly warmer temperatures with highs forecast to reach the lower 80s and lighter westerly winds. Much hotter and drier conditions are starting to move over the area with fire behavior expected to increase.

Smoke: Smoke from the Sourdough Fire may affect communities around the region. Information about current conditions and a smoke forecast is located at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com.

Closures and Evacuations: State Route 20 is closed from Newhalem to East Creek Trailhead. Trail, area and camp closures are in effect; for more information, go to: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/fire-closures.htm