Friday, September 15, 2017

9/15/2017 Diamond Creek Fire Update

 

Diamond Creek Fire: Friday, September 15, 2017

Houseman’s NIMO Team assumes command of Diamond Creek Fire


Location:  11 miles NNW of Mazama, WA                                  
Total Personnel: 
 160
Acres:  98,390 U.S; 23,610 (9,555 hectares) Canada                      
Cause:  
Believed to be Human
Containment:  30%                                                                      
Start Date:  July 23, 2017
Update:  The strong north winds forecasted for Thursday did not occur to push the Diamond Creek Fire substantially to the south.  The fire continued to throw up smoke in the Monument Creek drainage and moved approximately .75 miles down the drainage but is running into large areas of rock which are hindering fire movement south.  There was continued fire activity in the Pat Creek drainage where helicopters worked to reduce both heat and fire spread.  There was increased fire behavior on other parts of the Diamond Creek Fire including the area north of the Canadian border and on the northeast flank near Remmel Creek.  Firefighters continued to work on the primary line, building hand-line toward the summit of McLeod Mountain.  West of the Yellowjacket Sno-park engines and logging equipment are dropping snags and brushing out and improving roads towards Robinson Creek.  The Harts Pass Road remains closed to public traffic.  A National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team led by Bob Houseman is assuming management of the fire beginning Friday morning.  They will incorporate many of the members of Rob Kephart’s Type 3 Team into the command structure to provide a seamless transition.  The fire continues to burn into steep, rugged terrain in the Pasaytan Wilderness and is being managed using a confine strategy that combines containment by natural features and full suppression to control the spread toward the town of Mazama.
Today’s Activities:  Fire crews continued to camp out to get an early start on suppression activities north of Mazama.  Snagging and road brushing will carry on west of Yellowjacket Sno-park. Wrapping of structures with fire resistant material ahead of the northeast perimeter of the fire in the Remmel Creek area will be completed on Friday.

Weather: High pressure will build over the region on Friday.  The north winds of the previous two days will weaken and swing to the southeast this afternoon.  Temperatures will continue to decline with a high of 60 degrees and a humidity of 22%.  There is potential good news in the long-range forecast as a more autumnal pattern may develop starting Sunday with rain predicted for the low country and potential snow above 6,000 foot elevations.

Smoke:  Clearer conditions are forecast for Friday.  For smoke conditions and more information, visit wasmoke.blogspot.com.

Closures: The campgrounds at Ballard and River Bend and the Harts Pass Road are closed.  The Pacific Crest Trail remains open at this time.  The public should be aware that the fire situation is fluid and that new closures could occur with little advance warning.  There are currently more than 60 roads or trails closed for public safety including Monument Trail #484 and Andrews Creek #504. Complete closure details and maps are available at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/.

Evacuation Alert Level: Mazama, Rendezvous and Lost River are at Level 2 evacuation.  A Level 2 notifies residents and visitors that they should be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Monitor emergency services information for updates. The Okanogan County alert system will provide automated alerts to the public. To sign up for this service, visit okanogandem.org or call (509) 422-7206.

Information: (509) 996-4040 from 8 am – 6 pm
Website: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/
Facebook: facebook.com/diamondcreekfire2017
Smoke Conditions: wasmoke.blogspot.com

Canada: http://bcfireinfo.for.gov.bc.ca/hprScripts/WildfireNews/OneFire.asp?ID=673

#DiamondCreekFire #WaWildfire

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