8/27/2015 Cougar Creek Fire Update

GLENWOOD, Wash. – Difficult terrain, variable winds and inaccessibility continue to pose a challenge to firefighters on the Cougar Creek Fire.  Local partnerships between the Yakama Nation, WA Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service and local logging community resources have greatly benefited suppression efforts.  Today, firefighters will continue their burn out operation north along the 255 road.  The intent of this process is to create a fuel break to the north of the original Cougar Creek Fire along Potato Hill Road.  Spot fires continue to slow efforts, but all have been contained. This burning operation will continue to produce large amounts of smoke and will be visible from surrounding areas.  Favorable southwest winds are expected to assist crews Thursday and Friday, and a possible wetting rain is in the forecast for the weekend. Health concerns have heightened as smoke continues to fill the air throughout the region. For information on current air quality, visit the Washington State Smoke/Air Quality website at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com

 Yakama Nation Tribal Council has issued a declaration that all forest   resource lands are closed to the public.  This includes tribal members.

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 – All forest resource lands are closed.  USFS – The Pacific Crest Trail through the Mt Adams Wilderness, the Mt Adams Wilderness in its entirety, 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. For Pacific Crest Trail closure information, visit: http://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/trail-conditions-and-closures/ or call the Mt Adams Ranger District at (509)395-3400                                                                                        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 Incident maps are available at the following link: https://deptofnaturalresources.box.com/s/7s5p5rj8sz7kx1xv4lbkto5p5op6t2c8