8/23/16 Buck Creek Fire

CONTACT:

District Ranger Jeff Rivera

Paul Laak, Fire Information 509-548-2558/ 509-679-9294 cell

Cary Stock, Fire Management Officer 509-548-2581/ 509-679-9294 cell

DATE — August 23, 2016  9:00 am

Forest health benefits continue: weather slows new growth on Buck Creek Fire

Leavenworth, WA – For several days warmer, drier conditions have aided new, healthy fire spread in old growth areas of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. As forest restoration occurs, smoke has been and will likely continue to be noticeable in local communities including Leavenworth, Chelan, and Wenatchee especially during the morning hours in adjacent valleys. Today, fire managers anticipate cooler, more humid conditions to moderate fire growth.

“The fire is continuing to grow, but not as quickly,” said Incident Commander, Dave Nalle. “However, we are continuing to actively prepare for future growth as this fire helps restore the forest.”

Operations continue to focus on providing for firefighter and public safety, maintaining wilderness values and returning fire in Late Successional Reserves (old growth), and prepping the historic mining area of Trinty as needed. The Buck Creek Fire was started naturally by lightning on July 22, 2016 and has since then burned entirely within the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

Smoke: Smoke is anticipated to disperse to the west and northwest throughout the day. Light smoke impacts may occur over night in the areas of Chelan, Leavenworth, Cashmere, and the greater Wenatchee area. For more information on smoke and public health, please visit: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

 

Closures: Fire closures remain in effect for the Buck Creek Fire, which include the Buck Creek Trail No. 1513, Chiwawa River Trail No. 1550, Phelps Creek Trail No. 1511 and the Carne Mountain Trail No. 1508. Also closed are the Phelps Creek Campground and Forest Road 6200 immediately north of Alpine Meadows Campground.

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