8/25/2015 Cougar Creek Fire Update

GLENWOOD, Wash. – Containment of the Cougar Creek fire along the southern flank North of Glenwood has been achieved and there is now minimal fire activity in that area. In consultation with WIIMT5, Klickitat County Emergency Management has rescinded the level 1 evacuation advisory that was in place for residents of Glenwood north of Ladiges road (Zone A) as of   8:00 AM Tuesday August 25.

  

  In spite of very active fire behavior and short range spotting in a number of areas, there was minimal spread of the fire yesterday. Crews worked into the early morning hours to control spot fires and made good progress with implementing the plan to increase containment around the upper east flank.  Nonetheless an extensive effort is still needed to secure the head of the fire as it moves northward.  A key element of this effort is completion of a large burnout operation along the 255 and Potato Hill roads to remove fuels and create solid containment lines. This operation was begun as planned and is progressing well. Burnout operations are expected to occur again today and for the remainder of the week. Residents should expect to see significant smoke in the vicinity and in adjacent areas as these operations occur.

  Fire suppression along the southwestern flank of the fire above Trout Lake also proceeded effectively aided by bucket drops from Washington National Guard Black  Hawk helicopters. Work will continue today in this area. It is possible that the fire will move into large piles of slash and may produce significant amounts of smoke as it does. 

The USFS has announced a closure to the Pacific Crest Trail in the

 Mt Adams Wilderness area.  For more information on PCT closures, visit:  http://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/trail-conditions-and-closures/,

or call the Mt Adams Ranger District at (509)395-3400.

A Community Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25 at 6:00pm in the Glenwood School Gymnasium

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 Nation - Tract D Mt Adams Recreation Area is closed. USFS – The Mt Adams Wilderness and all trails on the south and 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 at 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

Incident maps are available at the following link: