9/19/2016 Rock Creek Fire Update

Rock Creek Fire Update

9/19/2016 2:00 p.m. PT

Fire Information: (509) 658-1376 (new number)

Significant progress on containing this fire has allowed fire managers to scale back the resources assigned to it. Northwest Incident Management Team 7 has met its objectives and has transferred command to a smaller local team led by Incident Commander Rob Kephart to complete the remaining work.

Location – The Rock Creek Fire is on lands protected by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Washington Department of Natural Resources 12 miles northwest of Naches, Washington in the Rock Creek drainage east of SR 410.

Operations- Mop-up standards have largely been met on the southern side of the fire. On that area, attention is turning to rehabilitating fire lines and repairing damage done by suppression activities. The focus on the northern flank continues to be mop-up. Firefighters are also tasked with monitoring the entire fire edge.

Weather and Fire Behavior – A “fall” weather pattern with mild daytime temperatures is forecast to set up over the area through midweek. There is a possibility of light showers, but no significant precipitation is expected in that period. Anticipated fire behavior will be minimal with some creeping and smoldering in larger fuels within the interior of the fire.

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.