8/15/2015 Wildland Fire Updates - Methow Valley Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee NF

Eleven fires on the Methow District.

Cooper Mountain, Black Canyon, Squaw, S.F. Gold, and McFarland Creek Roads Closed.

Winthrop — Additional resources are arriving on the Methow Valley Ranger District to support crews who were able to contain at least three fires. District Ranger Mike Liu said he was pleased with the hard work accomplished Friday in very challenging conditions. Firefighters had to pull back from fires in the Black Canyon area due to extreme fire behavior.

Current status of fires on the Methow Valley Ranger District.

• Black Canyon Fire is burning about 6 miles southwest of the community of Methow; it is growing from the 2700 acres reported Friday. A crew from Indiana and a local Engine are currently working to protect homes and property. Management for the fire has been delegated to a Type 1 team.
• South Fork Fire in the gold Creek drainage 7 miles south of Carlton it remains contained and in mop-up stage.
• Bear Mountain Fire is a 30 acre fire 12 miles northeast of Twisp currently staffed with a Cle-Elum District hand crew.
• Starvation Ridge Fire and Beaver Lake Fire are two fires several hundred acres in size, 15 miles northeast of Twisp burning in timber in steep terrain that are being managed by the Tonasket District. 
• Tatie Peak Fire about 20 miles northwest of Mazama received rain overnight.  Size is stable at approximately 140 acres. Jumpers and a Tonasket hand crew staffing.
• Cutthroat Fire and a small spot fire 9 miles west of Mazama are both contained – patrol status.
• Squaw Creek Fire 20 miles south of Twisp. A local hand crew is being assigned to assess and initiate suppression actions.

·         Eagle Creek Fire – 13 miles west of Twisp. Still less than 1 acre. The Wenatchee rappellers and their helicopter are assigned.

·         Crater Mountain – near Ross Lake. Reconnaissance planned.

·         Unnamed Fire – 11 miles north of Winthrop in Eightmile Drainage new reported small fire. Four smokejumpers assigned.

• Lower Beaver  - local crew assisting District 6 in small fire close to Twisp.

Hart’s Pass Road is closed due to fire activity on the Tatie Peak fire

The Pacific Crest Trail is closed between Glacier Pass and Holman Pass.  www.pcta.org has information for hikers about alternate PCT routes.

Beaver lake trail 15 miles east of Winthrop is closed

Squaw Creek Road is closed at the Forest Boundary

McFarland Creek Road is closed at the Forest Boundary

Black Canyon Road is closed at the Forest Boundary

South Fork Gold Creek Road is closed at the Forest Boundary

Cooper Mountain Road is closed between Antoine Creek and the bottom of S. Fork Gold Creek.

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