Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

 Pincer Creek Fire Update Contact :  James Chu
Telephone:  971-334-7674
Date:  August 15, 2021
 Email address:  2021.pincercreek@firenet.gov


Pincer Creek Fire Remains Active;weatherconditions expected to moderate over the next several days
 Everett, WA, Aug. 15, 2021 – Fire managers report that the Pincer Creek Fire is burning more actively on the east side of the fire, while smoldering on the west flank. The fire continues to burn within the Mineral Park Fire footprint and the size is still estimated to be approximately 400 acres. The temperatures for the next two days are expect to return to near normal after record breaking temperatures over the past several days.
 
 “We recently issued a fire closure order for Forest System Road #15 from mile post 16.0 to mile post 18.1. We know that this is a major inconvenience to visitors, but we needed to take this step to protect the public if fire conditions worsen.” said Jody Weil, Forest Supervisor for the Mt. Baker – Snoqualmie National Forest. “This and other closures that we have issued are designed to keep the public and firefighters safe.”
 
 Evacuations: None
 
 Closures: Forest System Road #15 (Cascade River Road) from mile post 16.0 situated at the east boundary of Mineral Park Campground to mile post 18.1, situated at the boundary of North Cascades National Park. The closure is in place to manage recreation traffic east of Mineral Park in case the fire continues to grow. Mineral Park Campground remains open at this time and is not threatened by the fire.
 The Mt. Baker Ranger District Cascade River Trail, the Middle Fork Cascade Trail and South Fork Cascade Trail are closed to the public due to their proximity to the Pincer Creek Fire. The Sibley Creek Road and Hidden Lake Trail are not currently threatened by the fire, but are closed to allow firefighters to staff the lookout to support fire operations. This closure order is effective Aug 13, 2021 until rescinded: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices.
 
 Smoke: Air quality has improved in the Puget Sound area due to the marine push that arrived late last night. To learn more about air quality in your region go to : wasmoke.blogspot.com/.



Fire Information Phone: 971-334-7674‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬
Fire Information email address:  2021.pincercreek@firenet.gov
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MtBakerSnoqualmieNF
 Twitter: twitter.com/MtBakerSnoNF 
Hashtags: #PincerCreekFire #FireYear2021



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Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Pincer Creek Fire Update
 Contact :  James ChuTelephone:  971-334-7674Date:  August 14, 2021Email address:  2021.pincercreek@firenet.gov


Warm, dry weather spurs additional Pincer Creek Fire growth;leads to additional fire closure on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest

Everett, WA, Aug, 14, 2021— Fire managers are continuing to report growth on the Pincer Creek Fire, now estimated at 400 acres, as it burns through heavy dead and down timber almost entirely within the 2003 Mineral Park Fire scar.  A significant warming and drying trend over the past two days has led to additional fire spread in extremely steep and rugged terrain.  Fire managers expect continued growth on the fire as high temperatures are forecast to be above normal during the next two days.  
“The Pincer Creek Fire remains active on on the upper third of the slope, with some creeping and “rollout” and isolated tree torching ” said James “Britt” Davis, Forest Fire Staff Officer for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.   “We anticipated the increased growth in fire size due to the high temperatures over the past several days.   The fire behavior is what we expected, staying within the Mineral Park Fire footprint”.     Evacuations: None. 
Closures: Forest System Road # 15 (Cascade River Road) from mile post 16.0 situated at the east boundary of Mineral Park Campground to mile post 18.1, situated at the boundary of North Cascades National Park.   The closure is in place to manage recreation traffic east of Mineral Park in case the fire continues to grow.   Mineral Park Campground remains open at this time and is not threatened by the fire.
The Mt. Baker Ranger District Cascade River Trail, the Middle Fork Cascade Trail and South Fork Cascade Trail are closed to the public due to their proximity to the Pincer Creek Fire. The Sibley Creek Road and Hidden Lake Trail are not currently threatened by the fire, but are closed to allow firefighters to staff the lookout to support fire operations. This closure order is effective Aug 13, 2021 until rescinded: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices 
Smoke: Air quality has deteriorated due to multiple wildfires burning in the region. Air quality in the greater Puget Sound area may decrease to ‘moderate’ while air near the Cascade Crest may decrease to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ or worse into the weekend. Prepare now for smoky skies and poor air quality at: wasmoke.blogspot.com/ 
Fire Information Phone: 971-334-7674‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬Fire Information email address:  2021.pincercreek@firenet.govFacebook: www.facebook.com/MtBakerSnoqualmieNF
Twitter: twitter.com/MtBakerSnoNF Hashtags: #PincerCreekFire #FireYear2021




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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 FOREST SERVICE MT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FOREST
 ORDER #06-05-21-09
 PINCER CREEK FIRE CLOSURE  
 Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) & (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Mt. Baker Ranger District of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A. This Order is effective August 13, 2021, through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded sooner.
 
 PROHIBITIONS:
 
 1. Being on any National Forest System Trail, [36 CFR § 261.55(a)].
 2. Being on any National Forest System Road, [36 CFR § 261.54(e)].
 3. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. [36 CFR § 261.58(b)]
 
 CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:
 
The entirety of Cascade River Trail #769, to include the Cascade River Trailhead and the entire lengths of Middle Fork Cascade Spur Trail #769.1 and South Fork Cascade Spur Trail #769.2, beginning at its inception at the intersection with Forest System Road #15 (Cascade River Road) and continuing southeast to its terminus, located within T34N, R13E; Sections 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 20, 21, 28 & 33 and T35N, R13E; Sections 3 & 4, as shown in Exhibit A. 

The entirety of Forest System Road #1540 (Sibley Creek Road) beginning at its inception at the intersection with Forest Road #15 (Cascade River Road) and continuing east to its terminus at the Hidden Lake Trailhead, located within T35N, R12E; Sections 15 & 16, as shown in Exhibit A.
 
The entirety of Hidden Lake Trail #745 beginning at its inception at the Hidden Lake Trailhead and continuing southeast to its terminus at the Hidden Lake Peak Lookout, located within T35N, R12E; Sections 13, 14, 23 & 26, as shown in Exhibit A.Forest System Road #15 (Cascade River Road) from mile post 16.0, situated at the east boundary of the Mineral Park Campground, to mile post 18.1, situated at the boundary of North Cascades National Park, located within T34N, R13E; Section 6 and T35N, R13E; Section 31, as shown in Exhibit A.
 
 EXEMPTIONS:
 
 Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
 
1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
 
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically exempting them from this order.
 
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C.§ 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).
 
Executed in Everett, Washington this ______13th__ day of August 2021.
 
See full order and map under related files below or visit  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices for more information.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUREFOREST SERVICEMT. BAKER-SNOQUALMIE NATIONAL FORESTORDER#06-05-21-08  PINCER CREEK FIRE CLOSURE
  Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) & (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Mt. Baker Ranger District of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A. This Order is effective August 9, 2021, through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded sooner.
 
 PROHIBITIONS:
 
1. Being on any National Forest System Trail, [36 CFR § 261.55(a)].
2. Being on any National Forest System Road, [36 CFR § 261.54(e)].
3. Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. [36 CFR § 261.58(b))
 
 CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:

The entirety of Cascade River Trail #769, to include the Cascade River Trailhead and the entire lengths of Middle Fork Cascade Spur Trail #769.1 and South Fork Cascade Spur Trail #769.2, beginning at its inception at the intersection with Forest Road #15 (Cascade River Road) and continuing southeast to its terminus, located within T34N, Rl3E; Sections 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 20, 21, 28 & 33 and T35N, Rl3E; Sections 3 & 4, as shown in Exhibit A.

The entirety of Forest Road# 1540 (Sibley Creek Road) beginning at its inception at the intersection with Forest Road #15 (Cascade River Road) and continuing east to its terminus at the Hidden Lake Trailhead, located withinT35N, R12E; Sections 15 & 16, as shown in Exhibit A.

The entirety of Hidden Lake Trail #745 beginning at its inception at the Hidden Lake Trailhead and continuing southeast to its terminus at the Hidden Lake Peak Lookout, located within T35N, Rl2E; Sections 13, 14, 23 &26, as shown in Exhibit A.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C.§ 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581). 

Please see the pdf attachments below for a full copy of the closure and map. 




 

Warm, dry weather spurs additional Pincer Creek Fire growth; smoke anticipated over greater Puget Sound area
 
Everett, WA, Aug, 12, 2021— Fire managers are continuing to report growth on the Pincer Creek Fire, now estimated at 153 acres, as it creeps and smolders through heavy dead and down timber in the Glacier Peak Wilderness. A significant warming and drying trend Thursday through Saturday may lead to additional fire spread in extremely steep and rugged terrain.
“The Pincer Creek Fire is mid-slope, 3,000 feet up so it’s going to continue to ‘rollout’- meaning burning logs roll downhill, ignite vegetation, and fire burns back upslope,” said Kit Moffitt, Forest Fire Management Officer for the Mt Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest. “We are preparing for additional growth over the next several days with the incoming hot, dry weather.”
Nine other lightning fires were ignited on the Forest on August 3, 2021. They remain small, ranging from 1/10 of an acre in size to five acres in size. Fire mangers are actively responding where crews can safely do so.
Evacuations: None.
Closures: The Mt. Baker Ranger District Cascade River Trail, the Middle Fork Cascade Trail and South Fork Cascade Trail are closed to the public due to their proximity to the Pincer Creek Fire. The Sibley Creek Road and Hidden Lake Trail are not currently threatened by the fire, but are closed to allow firefighters to staff the lookout to support fire operations. This closure order is effective Aug 7. 2021 until rescinded: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices
Smoke: Air quality is anticipated to deteriorate starting Thursday due to multiple wildfires burning in the region. Air quality in the greater Puget Sound area may decrease to ‘moderate’ while air near the Cascade Crest may decrease to ‘Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups’ or worse into the weekend. Prepare now for smoky skies and poor air quality at: wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Fire Information Phone: 971-‪801-8845‬‬‬‬‬‬Facebook: www.facebook.com/MtBakerSnoqualmieNFTwitter: twitter.com/MtBakerSnoNFHashtags: #PincerCreekFire #FireYear2021

Bedrock Fire Daily Factsheet – Final Update
This will be the final update unless conditions change.
Sunday, August 22, 2021
 
Fire behavior remains minimal with creeping and smoldering within containment lines.No road closures are in place and work continues to remove remaining road closure signs.Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire as conditions warrant. 100% contained does not mean the fire is out.Expected weather in the area is trending toward a return to drier and hotter.Rehab is completed in and around the fire area.
 
Fire Size: 11,205 Acres
Containment: 100%
Location: Near Lenore, Idaho, on the north side of Highway 12 between Lewiston and Orofino in Nez Perce County (46.531 latitude, -116.6 longitude).Fire Start Date: August 11, 2021
Cause: Under Investigation 
Resources:
• 27 personnel, including:
• 1 crew
• 2 Engines

Management: North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team, I.C. Mike McManus

Fire Restrictions: Due to the high threat of wildfire danger in northern Idaho, local land management agencies implemented Stage II Fire Restrictions on all lands within the Grangeville Fire Restriction Area. Please visit https://loom.ly/oQcY7RM for current restriction information.
 
#BedrockFire#IDLFireInfo

Bedrock Fire Daily FactsheetSaturday, August 21, 2021
 Fire behavior remains minimal with creeping and smoldering within containment lines and/burning of heavy fuels, such as stumps and logs.No road closures are in place and work is underway to remove remaining road closure signs.
 Crews will continue to patrol the fire and mop up around the perimeter, focusing in and around structures, particularly in Lenore, Bedrock Creek and Louse Creek.
 Fire crews plan to continue to be on scene. They are also on standby for any possible new fire starts after thunderstorms/lightning in the area.
 Rain on the fire helped with suppression efforts but did not put the fire out. There are no reports of flash flooding or landslides. There is still smoke in places. There is a similar weather forecast for today. A chance of thunderstorms may bring additional rain and lightning.
Rehab is completed in and around the fire area.
 Fire Size: 11,205 AcresContainment: 98%Location: Near Lenore, Idaho, on the north side of Highway 12 between Lewiston and Orofino in Nez Perce County (46.531 latitude, -116.6 longitude). Fire Start Date: August 11, 2021Cause: Under Investigation
Resources:• 55 personnel, including:• 2 crews• 4 Engines• 1 Water Tender
 Management: North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team, I.C. Mike McManus
Fire Restrictions: Due to the high threat of wildfire danger in northern Idaho, local land management agencies implemented Stage II Fire Restrictions on all lands within the Grangeville Fire Restriction Area. Please visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-restrictions-finder/ for current restriction information.#BedrockFire#IDLfireinfo

Bedrock Fire Daily FactsheetFriday, August 20, 2021
 
Fire behavior remains minimal with creeping and smoldering within containment lines.
 
No road closures are in place and work is underway to remove remaining road closure signs.
 
Crews will continue to patrol the fire and mop up around the perimeter, focusing in and around structures, particularly in Lenore, Bedrock Creek and Louse Creek. Fire crews plan to continue to be on scene.
Rehab is completed in and around the fire area.
 
We are keeping an eye on weather and potential heavy rains. Rainfall is not expected to put the fire out but will help with suppression.
 
Fire Size: 11,205 Acres
Containment: 95%
Location: Near Lenore, Idaho, on the north side of Highway 12 between Lewiston and Orofino in Nez Perce County (46.531 latitude, -116.6 longitude). 
Fire Start Date: August 11, 2021
Cause: Under Investigation

Resources:
• 60 personnel, including:
• 2 crews
• 5 Engines
• 2 Water Tenders
 
Management: North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team, I.C. Mike McManusFire

Restrictions: Due to the high threat of wildfire danger in northern Idaho, local land management agencies implemented Stage II Fire Restrictions on all lands within the Grangeville Fire Restriction Area. Please visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-restrictions-finder/ for current restriction information.



 

Fire Size Today: 11,205 AcresContainment: 90%Location: Near Lenore, Idaho, on the north side of Highway 12 between Lewiston and Orofino in Nez Perce County (46.531 latitude, -116.6 longitude).  Fire Start Date: August 11, 2021Cause: Under InvestigationResources:• 65 personnel, including:• 2 crews• 5 Engines• 1 Heavy equipment• 2 Water TendersManagement: North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team, I.C. Mike McManus Today's PlanCrews will patrol the fire and mop up hot spots, focusing efforts on the southern edge of the boundary to protect structures from residual heat, and on the head areas of Bedrock Creek and Louse Creek.  Work to rehabilitate areas disturbed by firefighting activities will continue.  Additionally, resources used to attack the fire will systematically be demobilized, shrinking the size of the suppression organization. Fire RestrictionsDue to the high threat of wildfire danger in northern Idaho, local land management agencies implemented Stage II Fire Restrictions on all lands within the Grangeville Fire Restriction Area. Please visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/ for current restriction information. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)There is a TFR in place for air space over the Bedrock Fire. For detailed information about the TFR visit https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_1_5867.html.  Remember, temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!  Flying a drone in restricted air space is illegal.

 Current Situation

·      Yesterday's strong focus on containment paid off, with 83% of the Bedrock Fire contained. Uncontained stretches remain on the northeast, north and northwest edges of the fire.

·      Today at 8:00 pm management of the incident will transition to the North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Mike McManus.

·      Coming into this incident, the Rocky Mountain Blue Team was handed a solid plan for suppressing the Bedrock Fire, developed by a skilled type 3 organization who had done an outstanding job at initial attack. The Blue Team is thankful for the support shown by all of those involved in the firefighting effort by the local communities.

Operational Plan for Today

·      Today crews are focusing on increasing containment on the northeast, north and northwest edges of the fire. Efforts to patrol structures and mop out hot spots continue.

·      Rehabilitation work also continues and is likely be complete along the southern edge of the fire today.