Williams Mine Fire Update for Friday, August 23, 2024 

KEY MESSAGES: 

Yesterday, members of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council visited the Incident Command Post and received an operational briefing by the Incident Commander and other fire officials at fire camp in Trout Lake.  After successfully establishing containment on the southern flank of the fire, incident objectives then focused on reducing spread towards the Yakama Nation lands. Fire personnel have been successful with this operation as the fire perimeter remains 1.3 miles from tribal lands. 

A local Initial Attack crew has mobilized to the incident to assist in ensuring a successful transition of operations through the mop up phase. Their local knowledge and experience is a welcomed addition to the current operations. 

CURRENT STATUS:  

The interior of the Williams Mine Fire shows little to no heat on infrared mapping. However, there are still some scattered isolated sources of heat pockets that currently have little spread potential. The fire interior has a mosaic pattern of unburned fuels within the perimeter. Interior consumption will likely continue with another warming period in the near future. The public should be aware that smoke may still be visible from hot spots within these mosaic areas. 

WEATHER / FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

Today, over the fire area there will be an early morning break in precipitation, though extensive cloud cover and showers likely will return in the afternoon and possibly stay throughout the weekend. Up to ½ inch or more of rain may fall in the fire area by the end of the weekend. Temperatures will fall into the low 60’s. Winds will come out of the west and have potential for 15-25 mph gusts. 

SAFETY AND CLOSURES:   

Washington DNR managed lands near Trout Lake and Glenwood are closed to entry due to the Williams Mine Fire. For more information, please see http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum. The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Tract D Recreation Area is closed, please see Yakama Tract D Road Closure for more information. Level 1 evacuations are in effect for the community of Trout Lake, and parts of Klickitat County. Evacuations are coordinated through the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office and the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office. The FS-23 and FS-25 roads are closed, see the Williams Mine Area and Road Closure for more details. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the PCT's intersection with FS 23 to Potato Hill. The current area closure spans the entire Mt. Adams Wilderness. 

Smoke Outlook for August 23, 2024. Visit Current Smoke Outlook for Sierra Nevada Mountains Coffee Pot Fire to view an online version. 

Multiple temporary monitors were deployed yesterday to reflect the range in smoke impacts along the General Highway and conditions at Mineral King Ranger Station. Visitors can expect hazy conditions to hang above the surface most of the day, with periods of increased surface impacts in the Giant Forest Village and Mineral King Ranger Stations. The cooler air mass that moved into the area will limit the smoke produced today causing a high probability of increased surface impacts as that layer settles this evening.

Park Fire Morning Update for August 23 is posted on the Park Fire Status Update Page

Strategic firing operations were successfully implemented on the eastern side of the fire today, as firefighters used UAS (“drone”) to ignite and burn the fuels between the active fire edge and the constructed control lines from previous fire incidents (State Creek Fire of 2020 and McCluskey Fire of 2019) along the Hay Canyon Road.

The crews have progressed approximately 40% of the way with completion of firing operations along this section of line.

This fire suppression tactic is an effective method of reducing the available fuels ahead of an active fire edge, while reducing the potential for negative impacts to the identified and prioritized values.

Smoke was visible in several areas, including the Whitetail Valley and the Interstate 90 corridor near Whitehall. With the predicted southerly winds tomorrow, drift smoke may push to the north/northeast towards the Boulder area.

Fire managers from the Forest, working in collaboration with local Jefferson County officials and cooperating agency representatives from the DNRC and BLM, have identified, mapped, and prioritized critical values at risk in and around the fire area.

These inter-agency, values-based discussions are critical in fire management, informing the decision-making process.

The Forest has issued an area closure around the fire area, north of Whitehall on the Butte Ranger District. An area closure often involves specific trail and road sections. The area closure information and maps can be found on the Forest website, under the Closures and Alerts tab.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

This closure applies to the following National Forest System (NFS) lands, approximately 15 miles north of Whitehall, MT.

All of the National Forest System lands within:

• T3N, R5W, SECTIONS 1, 2, 3

• T4N, R5W SECTION 35

Six Mile and Stranger Creek II Fire Daily Update                            

August 23, 2024 

Quick Facts: Six Mile

Size: 113 Acres          Start Date: August 18th, 2024  Cause: Lightning

Location: Two miles east of Nine Mile Hellgate Road, near the head of Cottonwood Creek

Containment: 60%              Personnel: 52             Fire Strategy: Full suppression                     

Resources Assigned: 1 hand crews, 2 engines, 2 water tenders, 1 heavy equipment

 The Six Mile Fire was initiated by lightning and is located approximately 26 miles southwest of Inchelium and is burning in the Williams Flat fire footprint from 2019.  Yesterday crews made great progress on removal of snags that could both endanger working wildland crews as well as could spread fire over the containment line. Rehabilitation of suppression efforts, such as dozer lines, began yesterday and were largely completed by the end of shift.  With anticipated rainfall and poor road conditions, the spike camp east of the fire will be dismantled and crews moved to ICP in Inchelium.

Quick Facts: Stranger Creek II Fire

Size: 66 Acres           Start Date: August 18th, 2024  Cause: Lightning

Location: ¼ mile east/southeast of South Twin Lake

Containment: 60%              Personnel: 82             Fire Strategy: Full suppression                     

Resources Assigned: 3 hand crews, 4 engines, 4 water tenders, 1 heavy equipment

The Stranger Creek II Fire was initiated by lightning and is located approximately 7 miles southwest of Inchelium and 1 mile east of Twin Lakes. Crews were able to work 150 feet into the interior of the fire, finding and extinguishing remaining hotspots. Crews will continue to work inward today, searching for remaining hotspots to extinguish.  Rehabilitation began yesterday, with crews removing dozer berms and creating water bars where necessary.  An excavator will arrive today to aid in rehabilitation.

Evacuations and Closures: Road Closures:  Inchelium Highway in front of Inchelium Community Center Evacuations:  All evacuation levels are dropped for the Twin Lakes Area. For more information on evacuations contact CCT EOC (509) 634-7350. Law enforcement is patrolling around Stranger Creek II and Six Mile Fires to ensure public and firefighter safety in this area. 

Weather and Smoke:  Rain showers become likely Friday afternoon and evening, with a chance for isolated lightning strikes.  Winds with gusts in excess of 30 mph, with erratic winds with thunderstorms.  Fast moving storms will limit the chances of wetting rain over the fire.  Showers will decrease overnight into Saturday with a 30% chance Saturday morning and afternoon.  Temperatures will cool Friday into the weekend with minimum RH values above 40 percent.   

Additional resources, including three crews and three skidgens, have arrived at the Ratio Mountain Fire, located 20 miles north/northwest of Whitehall between Ratio Mountain and Whitetail Reservoir. An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) mapping and reconnaissance flight last evening puts the fire at 37 acres.

The fire is burning in an area that has recently experienced several large fires. Fire footprints (or previously burned areas) lie to the north (State Creek Fire of 2020), the south (McCluskey Fire of 2019), and the west (Placer Fire of 2021) of the fire location. 

Crews and equipment will improve and utilize existing control features (prepped firelines) from these previous fire incidents, starting north of the fire along Hay Canyon Road and working southward along Pony Creek to Lower Whitetail Road. These control lines will be utilized for strategic burnout operations to remove fuels between the constructed line and the fire’s active edge to prevent easterly progression of the fire beyond the Hay Canyon and Lower Whitetail Roads. 
Both hand ignitions (drip torches) and aerial ignitions (helicopters and UAS) may be used in these operations. These strategic burnout operations, planned to occur this week, are highly dependent on weather conditions; incident commanders will monitor forecasted and actual conditions. If conditions are conducive to the burnout operations, smoke may be visible from several adjacent areas.

This fire suppression tactic is an effective method of reducing the available fuels ahead of an active fire edge, while reducing the potential for negative impacts to identified and prioritized values and resource damage caused when high-severity fire occurs in timbered areas.

The entire area, including the previous fire footprints and the area immediately surrounding the Ratio Mountain fire, contains a large concentration of standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding to potential medical emergencies, jeopardizing the well-being of firefighters and other responders. 

Firefighters are urging the public to stay clear of the area for safety reasons. An area closure around the fire area is likely in the near future.

Located 20 miles north/northwest of Whitehall, MT, the Ratio Mountain Fire is currently estimated at 40 acres. Gusty outflow winds associated with passing thunderstorms helped push the fire to the north, towards Pony Creek.  The area did receive light precipitation this afternoon, but coverage was spotty and not enough to impact fire behavior.

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will fly over the fire location this evening to obtain a more accurate acreage and perimeter.
The fire, between Ratio Mountain and Whitetail Reservoir, is burning in heavy dead and downed trees and in an area with a large amount of standing dead trees or "snags." These conditions pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding to potential medical emergencies.

This area has experienced large fires recently. Fire footprints (or previously burned areas) lie to the north (State Creek Fire of 2020), the south (McCluskey Fire of 2019), and the west (Placer Fire of 2021) of the fire location. There are several control features from these previous incidents in the vicinity of the fire.

Firefighters are urging the public to stay clear of the area for safety reasons. An area closure around the fire area is likely in the near future.

The Forest has issued an area closure around the fire area, north of Whitehall on the Butte Ranger District. An area closure often involves specific trail and road sections. The area closure information and maps can be found on the Forest website, under the Closures and Alerts tab.

PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) lands in the Butte Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e).

EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Owners or lessees of land in the area.
2. Residents in the area.
3. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
4. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA
This closure applies to the following National Forest System (NFS) lands, approximately 15 miles north of Whitehall, MT.
1. Area Closure. All of the National Forest System lands within:
• T3N, R5W, SECTIONS 1, 2, 3
• T4N, R5W SECTION 35

PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is for public safety due to wildfire and active fire suppression activities.

IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on August 22, 2024 through October 15, 2024, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area/Roads/Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order Exhibit A, go to Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Butte Ranger District in Butte, MT, (406) 494-2147, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor's Office in Dillon, MT, (406) 683-3900, for more information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area/Roads/Trails.
 

Ruby Fire Quick Facts 

Size: 955 acres Location: North Cascades National Park, Ruby Mountain, Diablo, Washington 

Containment: 0% Cause: Lightning/Natural 

Start Date: August 9, 2024 Total Personnel: 85 

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: Fire suppression efforts continue today as safety permits; access is difficult due to steep terrain and hazards. Yesterday, firefighters hiked the Pyramid Trail and Thunder Knob to access point protection areas, identify equipment needs, and suppression strategies. Smoke from the Ruby Fire remains noticeable from public areas. An 11-person Wildland Fire Use module from Yosemite NP has been assigned to the Ruby Fire.  

Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue to protect critical infrastructure, park campgrounds, trails, backcountry camps, and other resources in preparation for possible fire growth. The Ruby Fire is a full suppression fire, and firefighters are utilizing strategies and tactics that provide the highest likelihood for success, while mitigating risks to firefighters and the public. Main objectives are protecting human life, minimizing damage to values at risk, and limiting wildfire spread to the north and west. 

Weather: Friday, cloudy early with rain showers turning to steady rain in the evening, 90% chance for rain and a 25% chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs near 71. West winds 3 to 6 mph gusting to 10 mph. Friday evening and night cloudy with a 100% chance for rain. Lows near 53. Rain showers will continue through Saturday. Stream and creeks may run high due to rainfall. Rockfall may occur from rainfall. 

Closures: There are multiple closures in place for public safety. Colonial Creek South Campground and boat launch, Thunder Arm south of Diablo Lake. SR20 North Cascades Highway reopened yesterday from Granite Creek and Easy Pass trail post (mileposts 148-157). For a full list of closures visit https://go.nps.gov/fireclosures and monitor Washington DOT real time map for up-to-date information. 

Burning Restrictions: Campfires, 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.  

Drone Restrictions: Drones can seriously impact the safety of firefighting efforts, and operating drones within North Cascades National Park is prohibited, except with prior written approval from the superintendent.   

Cooperating Agencies & Tribes: National Park Service, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Seattle City Light, Whatcom County, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Dept. of Transportation.  

Smoke: U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program - Overall air quality will be GOOD today in upper Skagit Valley. https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/f79a6d6d, https://www.airnow.gov/ 

If you would like to sign up for our daily updates, please send an email to: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov