8/19/2015 Cougar Creek Fire Update

GLENWOOD, Wash. – Anticipating the arrival of a gusty cold front today, Cougar Creek Fire crews worked Tuesday to reinforce the fire lines along the west and south flanks and to burn out fuel on the east flank. That work will continue today, as crews work to solidify the east flank line toward the fire’s northern boundary. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning from 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. The warning indicates expectations of critical fire weather conditions. Specifically, strong winds combined with low relative humidity and high temperatures will mix to increase fire activity. Beginning Wednesday afternoon, winds are expected to gust up to 35 mph and last through Thursday evening. A trailing cold front should result in cooler temperatures Friday, though weather will remain windy and dry, leaving an increased potential for fire behavior through Friday night. Crews will pay special attention to look out for wind-driven spotting fires outside the line. Contingency structure protection plans have been developed in the unlikely event wind pushes the fire beyond its current boundaries. In its ninth day Tuesday, the fire increased 500 acres to a total of 23,100 acres. Crews have contained 20 percent of the fire line. The increased size was from burnout work. Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #5 continues to focus efforts to stop the front that threatened Glenwood last week and to keep it from reaching Big Muddy Creek. Preservation of an irrigation flume off Bacon Creek on the east remains a priority. Heavy use of air resources will continue as weather allows. Residents of Glenwood north of Ladiges Road remain under a Level 1 evacuation from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office. The Level 1 notice advises residents to be alert of the fire’s activity. CLOSURES:  For the safety of firefighters and the public: DNR - All DNR State Trust lands and recreation sites within the Glenwood Block are closed.Yakama Indian Nation - Tract D Mt. Adams Recreation Area is closed. USFS – The South Climb & all other trails on the south & east sides of Mt. Adams are closed between Forest Road 23 at Williams Mine to the eastern boundary of the Forest. Forest Roads 80 & 82 are also closed.  Future daily updates will be posted by 9 a.m. each day on InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4484/.   An information phone line and email address has been established.

Information Office Phone:  (509)364-3369 Email:  cougarcreekfireinfo@gmail.com