09/05/2015 Cougar Creek Fire Update

GLENWOOD, WA –

  With the recent rainfall, an opportunity to increase containment firefighters will continue to complete containment line and mop up. The fire is burning in areas of bug killed timber, and utilization of road systems and mechanical equipment is necessary to build fire line. Whenever possible crews will use natural barriers and improve existing roads and dozer lines to minimize disturbing soil and vegetation.

  Partly cloudy conditions were intermittent yesterday as a trough moved through Glenwood and the fire area. Late afternoon moderate rainfall was observed with hail and lightning strikes throughout the ICP and Glenwood area. Looking ahead warmer and dryer conditions should prevail through early next week.

  Resource advisors have begun assessing the south and west portions of the of the fires perimeter for rehabilitation opportunities due to suppression efforts. Portions of the burned area will be assessed to determine if certain actions to protect watersheds can be taken immediately to reduce sediment and soil erosion that flow downstream from these burned areas during fall and winter rains. Suppression repair is the first phase of recovery efforts to return the affected area to pre-fire conditions. Fire crews construct rolling dips and dirt water bars along hand and dozer lines to divert water off the containment lines and minimize surface and gully erosion. Crews also remove berms on dozer lines, scatter cut brush on hand and dozer lines, and repair roads used during the suppression of the fire to return those areas to a stable.

  The fire is currently being managed by a Type II incident management team, Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3, Mike Wakoski Incident Commander.

  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.

 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4484/

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