8/18/2017 Diamond Creek Fire Update

Diamond Creek Fire Update
Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 5

Friday, August 18, 2017, 8:30

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, WA. Summary:  The combination of increased winds and dry fuels is expected to increase fire activity in some areas of the Diamond Creek Fire today. Handrews continue to hold lines, mop-up, and reinforce ­­­­­fire contingency lines to lessen the threat of fire growth further south in the Eightmile drainage. Aviation assets will continue to monitor the fire and helicopter bucket drops may be used to keep the fire from spreading. Smoke is expected to be visible from fire activity in unburned fuels in upper Drake Creek, north of Billy Goat mountain. Prior fire history in the area and natural barriers, such as rockslides, limit the potential of fire growth north of the fire. Weather:  The passage of a cold front is expected to bring cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity today with strong west-northwest winds with gusts up to 25mph on ridgetops. No rain is expected within the next week. 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. Closure information can be found at 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 are reminded to check conditions before travel in the area and register at trailheads.