7/28/2014 AM Lone Mountain 1 Fire Daily Update

Lone Mountain 1 Fire Daily Update

Monday, July 28, 2014

Cause: Lightning, July 14, 2014

Location: Boulder Creek drainage, northeast of Stehekin and west of Butte Creek, in the Stephen Mather Wilderness

Jurisdiction: North Cascades National Park Complex, National Park Service

Size: 1705 acres

Command: N. Rockies Wildland Fire Management Team, John Thompson, Incident Commander

Strategy: Point protection and modified suppression

Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and Director of Fire and Aviation Tom Harbour visited the Incident Command Post in Winthrop today.  He met with community leaders and cooperating agencies for the Carlton Complex, and was also provided a briefing from Incident Commander John Thompson on the Lone Mountain 1 Fire.  Thompson told the Chief his approach is "slow and steady, safe and sure", given the steep and remote location of the fire.

On the mountain high above Stehekin, the wildland fire modules were successful in constructing direct line against the fire near War Creek Pass on Sunday. Firefighters reported seeing group torching within the interior of the fire in late afternoon.  Areas that appeared to be cold over the last few days were revealing smoke and hot spots as the sun heated the surface and reduced duff moisture.  Above normal high temperatures will encourage the fire to give up more of its secrets over the next few days. 

Due to the two hour hike between the fireline and the main spike camp, one module spent the night in a "line spike camp" near the fire area.  These coyote tactics allow for more time to work the fire and for firefighters to be less fatigued by avoiding the substantial back to Juanita Lake.

Above normal temperatures and low humidities are expected over the next several days, and this will increase fire behavior as fuel moistures rapidly decrease. 

The long-term plan for managing this fire will be presented to agency administrators and community leaders this week.  This plan will identify tools to assist in decision-making and coordination between North Cascades NP, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, and Chelan Fire District 10.

Stehekin is open for park visitors and Rainbow Falls remains accessible, as does the Lake Shore Trail.  The North Cascades National Park superintendent has closed the Boulder Creek Trail in the Stephen Mather Wilderness. The Forest Supervisor of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an area closure for public safety on National Forest Lands east of the fire area.  The trails along Lake Chelan remain open; however, area closures are in effect above the trails. 

For the latest fire information go to:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3978/ and https://www.facebook.com/lonemountain1fire

Please email Lonemountainfire@gmail.com  to receive this information electronically.

Contact: Information Desk in Winthrop: 509-996-3624

Public Information Officers: Glenda Scott and Kim Smolt (406-540-3091) in Winthrop, and Peri Suenram in Stehekin (509-699-2080, ext.18).

Please be patient and use all of our lines as we have inconsistent phone coverage

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