8/5/2014 AM Lone Mountain 1 Fire

Daily Update

                              Tuesday, August 5, 2014

The fire was actively flanking the ridge on the west side of Rennie Creek yesterday, and progressing northward up the drainage.  Below Reynolds Peak, a few more acres were gained on the north side of the headwaters of Boulder Creek.  Incident Commander Thompson took a reconnaissance flight and obtained video footage of the fire activity in all affected drainages, which he shared at a community meeting in Twisp last night.  This footage was very helpful in demonstrating the steep and rugged country in which the fire is burning, as well as the fuels and fire behavior.

Air resources allowed firefighter shuttle missions to be completed, bringing the Black Hills wildland fire module off the mountain to return home, and putting the Huron-Manistee module in place in Division W.  They will spike at Juanita Lake for the duration of their tour, and continue with hot spotting and directing helicopter bucket drops in Butte Creek, as well as patrolling War Creek Pass.  The number of hot spots in the south end of the fire are continuing to diminish with persistent attention from firefighters and helicopter pilots.

Today the fire is expected continue its north and westerly movement above the confluence of Rennie and Boulder Creeks.  Progression westward down Boulder Creek is expected to be slow as it makes it way through the patchy fuels and rock.

All services are available in Stehekin, which has been experiencing only light levels of smoke from the Lone Mountain 1 Fire.  The Boulder Creek Trail in the Stephen Mather Wilderness is closed. Campfires are banned in all Stehekin Valley campgrounds from Purple Point to Tumwater.  On the Methow Valley District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, a large area closure is in place, including War Creek and Williams Creek.

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: 2200 acres

Command: John Thompson's Type 3 Wildland Fire Management Team

Strategy: Point protection and modified suppression

Containment: 30%

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

Public Information Officers: Kim Smolt (509-996-3624) and Sheela McLean in Winthrop, and Ted Pettis in Stehekin (509-699-2080, ext.18).

For the latest fire information, go to:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3978/