9/02/2015 Cougar Creek Fire Update

Yesterday on the Cougar creek fire 9 smokejumpers from the North Cascades
Smokejumper base (NCNB) located in north central Washington, were inserted north of
Mount Adams Lake via parachute. This section of fire, known as Division V is a critical
area of fire line. It has very steep and rugged terrain that makes access and suppression
of the fire very difficult. The smokejumpers are building direct containment line along
the north and northwest section of the fire. Dozers, hand crews, and fellers are
continuing to improve contingency lines along Potato Hill Road. The decrease in fire
size is due to more accurate GPS base mapping.

Resident’s should be advised as vegetation continues to dry out smoke may become
more visible and fire activity may pick up.
The weather is expected to remain cool and cloudy for the remainder of the week with
isolated showers expected as a series of cold air masses pass-through the area.
Downslope and northwest winds of 5 to 8 mph are forecasted for the fire area today. A
slight warming and drying trend is forecasted for Saturday Through Monday with
another cold trough arriving by the middle of next.

Although cloudy skies and cooler temperatures have helped moderate fire activity,
fuels remain extremely dry. Dead and down surface fuels will burn actively and heavy
fuels will retain plenty of heat.
Southern California Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (SCIIMT3) Incident
Commander Mike Wakoski and his team took command of the Cougar Creek Fire as of
8/31/2015 at 0600.

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: cougarcreekfireino@gmail.com