8/16/2017 Diamond Fire Update

Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 8:30 am
Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 5
Jeff Andrews, Incident Commander

Fire Information:  (503)-765-5724 - 8 am – 8 pm
Email:  diamondcreekfire@gmail
Website:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DiamondCreekFire2017
Smoke Conditions:  http://wasmoke.blogspot.com

Location:  Methow Valley Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; 12 miles north of Mazama, AZ.
Summary:  Temperatures are predicted to be seasonal with W to NW winds 10-25mph.  The tail end of a dry cold front will pass through the Diamond Creek Fire on Wednesday, causing a discernible increase in west-northwest wind. A warming and drying trend will continue, with temperatures at the fire’s elevation expected to reach the mid to upper 70s, and RH values dipping into the lower 20s.
Hand crews continue to hold line in the Eightmile drainage, both by hand lines and helicopter water drops, as needed.  Resources are constructing additional contingency firelines in the area.  The scouting for additional contingency hand and dozer lines in Cub Creek, Goat Creek, and Falls Creek continues.  Additional firefighting resources continue to arrive.
The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire at 9.00 pm, August 15.  The Team wishes to extend its thanks to the departing Nevada Team 4 for its excellent and successful work.
Closures:  A fire area closure is in effect.  Eightmile Creek 5130 Road is now closed from West Chewuch 51 Road to Billy Goat Trailhead.  This closure includes the Ruffed Grouse, Honeymoon, Nice, Flat, and Buck Lake campgrounds.  The Ortell 5220 Road is closed from Cub Pass, at the intersection with the Sweetgrass Butte 5220-100 Road, to the Eightmile 5130 Road.  Sweetgrass Butte 5220-100 Road is closed from Cub Pass, at the intersection with Ortell 5220 Road, to Sweetgrass Butte.  The entire Falls Creek 5140 Road is closed.
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5409/
Fire Restrictions:  Maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, and use of charcoal briquette barbecues, or other devices that use solid fuel is prohibited across most of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.  An Industrial Fire Precaution Level III is in effect which does not allow any firewood cutting with a power saw for commercial or personal use.
Visitors should check conditions before traveling in the area and register at trailheads.