9/16/2016 Rock Creek Fire Update

9/16/2016 8:00 a.m. PT

Fire Information: (509) 658-1366

Location – The Rock Creek Fire is burning on the Naches Ranger District and on lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources 12 miles northwest of Naches, Washington in the Rock Creek drainage east of SR 410.

Yesterday’s Operations – An inversion yesterday morning caused smoke to settle into surrounding valleys and temporarily delayed the start of burnout operations on the last remaining unlined section of the fire. Challenged by a late start and unfavorable winds, crews were still able to successfully complete the assignment. Helicopters doused hotspots near the line as the burnout fire moved toward the interior. A clearly visible vertical smoke column developed as the flame fronts merged in the late afternoon. Elsewhere, firefighters continued cooling hotspots (mopping up) and other hazards adjacent to the existing lines to further secure them.

Today’s Operations – Mop up will be the focus for today on the entire fire.
The hard work of widening buffers and securing the perimeter must be completed before the fire can be considered fully contained. A continuation of the warm, dry weather is forecast through today. Isolated pockets of previously unburned vegetation within the interior of the fire are expected to continue to ignite and produce some smoke. The approach of a weekend cold front promises conditions for reduced fire behavior
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Weather and Fire Behavior – Warm and dry conditions will persist through the day with a cold front bringing cooler temperatures and the potential for light precipitation through the weekend. .

Evacuations – A Level One evacuation notice (i.e. be alert to a threat in the vicinity) is in effect for people residing east of SR 410 from just south of Cliffdell to Forest Road 1701.

Closures – Reference closure order and map on INCIWEB at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/5025/33709/
· Closure begins from the southeast point at the junction of FSR 1701 and SR 410.
· Closure continues northeast along the south side of FSR 1701 to the junction with FSR 1714 and 1713.
· Closure then runs east along the south side of FSR 1714 to the junction with FSR 1714-615.
· Closure then runs east following the 17-615 to NF boundary and extends due east beyond the NF boundary for approximately 0.46 miles into DNR ownership.
· Closure then turns due north and continues north for approximately 5.6 miles to the northeast corner of Section 19.
· Closure then turns north and runs for 2 miles to Naches Cle Elum District boundaries and follows that until 4X4 Route 686.
· Closure travels westerly on 4X4 Route 686 on to FSR 1708 and westerly to SR 410.
· Closure follows SR 410 easterly to its point of origin at FSR 1701. The closure order also affects lands managed by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources.