8/22/2015 Cougar Creek Update

GLENWOOD, Wash. – Strong winds moved across the Cougar Creek Fire area on Friday as forecasted. Crews were able to hold the control lines along the south and east flanks of the fire. Along the northeastern flank of the fire, winds and heavy, exceptionally dry fuels produced extreme fire behavior that resulted in increased fire activity and spotting. This extreme fire behavior in the northeast flank of the fire resulted in spotting to the north of Cunningham Creek and south of Rd. 271. Crews moved south along the 255 Rd. when fire activity coupled with strong winds created an unpredictable situation. Fire crews and 4 helicopters concentrated on the spot and kept the fire west of 255 Rd. throughout the afternoon.

Despite strong winds, the south and southeast flanks of the fire held, and burn out operations that took place earlier this week proved successful. Containment is now at 25% largely due to the efforts of Divisions A, B, and C and the strength of these lines in the face of this past week’s weather event.

Today’s plan calls for the continuation of mop up along fire lines to the south and southeast. Aerial and ground crews will work on the spot and fire lines on the northern flank of the fire, while Division D on the southwest flank of the fire will continue to reinforce and build line.

Safety continues to be a priority with no injuries reported yesterday. Crews will be on the lookout for snags and increased fire activity as winds are expected to continue today.

In the unlikely event that the Cougar Creek fire escapes its control lines, Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #5 has established contingency plans in place, and will continue to follow the Wildfire Public Safety Plan established by the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management and the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office.

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/