Wednesday, August 29, 2018

8/29/2018 Crescent Mountain, McLeod, Holman Fires Update

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE
Today's Focus Is Holding the Fire at Current Containment Lines
August 29, 2018

Crescent Mountain Fire: 43,484 acres; 35 percent contained
   Personnel: 593
   Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp
   Start Date: July 29, 2018
   Cause: Lightning

McLeod Fire: 21,915 acres; 35 percent contained
   Personnel: 417
   Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama
   Start Date: August 11, 2018
   Cause: Lightning

Holman Fire: 289 acres, no containment
   Point of Origin: Holman Peak
   Start Date: August 17, 2018
   Cause: Unknown

Crescent Mountain Fire: Crews continued to hold and establish direct dozer line and hand line from Buttermilk Creek to Poplar Flat. Air support maintained control lines from Poplar Flat to Slate Lake and made water drops on the southwest portion of the fire along the National Park boundary. Mop-up and holding efforts continued throughout the day with the use of aircraft, hand crews, and engine crews. The focus today will be holding the fire at current control lines.

McLeod Fire: Crews performed tactical firing operations west of Goat Creek, along the 5220 road and on the north end of 8 Mile Road to the Diamond Fire burn scar. The goal is to use tactical firing to strengthen control lines. The fire remains hung up in the Whiteface fire scar and along Yellow Jacket Creek.

Holman Fire: The fire is still actively burning in the Pasayten Wilderness. The trail has been closed at Harts pass. The Pacific Crest Trail remains closed from Harts Pass to the Canadian border.

Evacuations: Crescent Mountain Fire: A Level 3 (GO now) evacuation is in effect for all persons living west of the Little Bridge Creek intersection in the Twisp River Valley. A Level 2 (get SET) evacuation is in effect for persons living west of Newby Creek Road to Little Bridge Creek Road in the Twisp River Valley. Alerts have been issued for Poorman and Libby Creek. The Red Cross has a shelter available at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp. No evacuations are in effect for the McLeod or Holman Fires.
 
Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and North Cascades National Park have issued trail and area closures orders in the vicinity of all three fires. Maps and information on the closures can be found on InciWeb.Temporary flight restriction information is available at the Federal Aviation Administration’s website.
 
Smoke/Weather: A dry cold front is expected to pass this afternoon bringing dry air and breezy west winds. Winds in the afternoon have potential to generate gusts from 20-30 mph on the ridge tops, with gusts in the valleys being around 15-20 mph. Humidity values are expected to remain low throughout the night and into the early afternoon tomorrow.
The Washington Smoke Information’s webpage has information on smoke and public health. Smoke information in Spanish can be found on the WA Dept. of Health’s website.

Area businesses are open. Please consider showing your support by shopping in the local community.

Inciweb: Crescent Mountain: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6093/   
Fire Information Center: (480) 744-9318                   

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