7/17/2015 Mt. Adams Complex Update AM

An infrared flight last night showed no remaining heat in the Riley Fire of the Mt Adams Complex.  The flight picked up a little heat on the northern perimeter of the Horseshoe Fire, and a squad of firefighters today will continue to mop up in that specific area and verify the fire will not threaten to move into adjacent, unburned forest.  The Canyon and 7 Lakes fires have been contained.

Firefighters who have spent the past seven days at a spike camp at the Mt Adams Complex are coming out today and much of their equipment is being back-hauled by helicopter, as management of the Complex is transferred to a Type IV incident management organization, under the direction of Whitney Machado, incident commander.

A palm infrared heat detecting device has been used on 80 percent of the Horseshoe and Riley fires.  Today, crews will check the remaining area for hot spots and finalize rehabilitation of the Riley Fire. Both fires will be placed in patrol status tomorrow. Two crews will monitor both fires daily to ensure the fires remain within the containment perimeter.

A Fire Weather Watch is predicted for tonight through Saturday, and the Haines Index – a measure of the potential for dry, unstable air to contribute to the development of large or erratic wildland fires – is expected to rise to six, its highest level over the past two weeks. According to Brian Gales, incident commander for the Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4, “Today will be a good test for our control perimeter prior to transition to patrol status.”

Gales also said that he appreciates the public interest in and support of the fire suppression activities over the past two weeks. “Our firefighters have worked hard to contain all of the fires in this Complex,” Gales said. “It is important to us that we have the confidence and support of local citizens while engaged in such difficult fire suppression activities and I want to thank the citizens and businesses of Trout Lake and surrounding area for welcoming and accommodating our Team and firefighters,” he said.

Starting July 18, 2015, Mt Adams Complex fire information will be available from the Mt Adams Ranger District at 509-395-3400.