The Indian Creek Fire is still burning at a low intensity in the Eagle Creek drainage. This suppression fire has been held to 83 acres by water drops from a Type 1 “heavy” Chinook helicopter. Wednesday the Chinook was assigned to assist with another fire and a Type 2 “medium” helicopter replaced it. It will continue to make water drops to cool hot spots, moisten fuels, and keep the fire in check.
The weather forecast calls for thunderstorms in Oregon Friday, mostly to the south and east of the fire area. Firefighters are concerned about lightning causing new fires, and thunderstorms creating gusty and erratic winds. Any rainfall in this vicinity is unlikely to dampen vegetation enough to significantly reduce fire danger.
The potential for fires is still high. Please increase your fire vigilance. There has been no significant rainfall on the Mt. Hood National Forest or in the Columbia River Gorge for over 50 days. The forecast calls for the weather to continue to be warm and dry, further increasing fire danger.
Before heading out to the forest, be sure to check for restrictions on campfires and other activities. Remember that restrictions vary by land ownership and jurisdiction.
Effective August 9, 2017, there are public use restrictions on campfires, smoking, internal combustion engines, and off-highway motorized vehicles on the Mt. Hood National Forest. Please contact the Forest or check their website for further details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
Trail & Area Closure:
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail remains open but there are restrictions in the fire area. The northern portion of Eagle Creek Trail #440 off of Interstate 84 is open for 4.8 miles. The southern part of Eagle Creek Trail, and several other trails are closed. Wahtum Lake and Indian Springs Campgrounds are closed. A map and full list of closures can be found on the websites below.
With the current low level of fire activity on the Indian Creek Fire, we are producing new updates whenever there is change in the fire's size or activity level, or other significant events occur.
Fire information:
Indian Creek Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
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