8/30/2015 Cougar Creek Fire Update

GLENWOOD, Wash.  – A low pressure system moved through the Cougar Creek Fire area yesterday, bringing with it erratic, gusty winds and areas of wetting rain.  Asthe weather dominated the fire area, crews were engaged deliberately to ensure all firefighters were aware of potential hazards. Snags are a serious concern to the well-being of personnel on the line, and all precautions were taken prior to continuing with suppression operations. 

  The wetting rain that fell in the Glenwood Valley Friday morning is expected to slow progression of the Cougar Creek Fire, although only temporarily.  The south and west perimeters of the fire received nearly an inch of rain, whereas the northeastern perimeter received a tenth of an inch.  With the increase in relative humidity and drop in temperature, crews will be allowed a small window of opportunity to gain ground on containment lines.  Crews will continue burnout operations west on Potato Hill Road as fuel moistures allow.    

  Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 arrived in Glenwood Friday.  The incoming team will shadow Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 5 today, and will assume command of the Cougar Creek Fire on Monday, August 31^st, at 0600. WIIMT5 is diligently working to brief the incoming team and ensure they have all necessary information to make the transfer of command a smooth process for all resources on the fire as well as the community. On behalf of WIIMT5 Incident Commander Dave Leitch, we would like to thank the community for their patience, support and generosity as we managed the Cougar Creek Fire.

  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 to the public, including tribal members.  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.

Future daily updates will be posted by 9 a.m. each day on InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4484/

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

Incident Maps Link:

https://deptofnaturalresources.box.com/s/7s5p5rj8sz7kx1xv4lbkto5p5op6t2c8