8/25/17 Diamond Creek Fire Morning Update

Diamond Creek Fire Update

Friday, August 25, 2017
Fire Information: (503)765-5724 - 8 am – 6 pm
Email: diamondcreekfire@gmail.com 
Websites: 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: Fire behavior was moderate on Thursday due to cooler temperatures and overcast conditions. Crews worked to strengthen alternate and contingency lines, and continued repair work.

The Methow Valley Ranger District assumes command of the fire at 7:00 this morning. The District wishes to extend its thanks to the departing Southwest Team 5 for its excellent and successful work.

Closures: Fire area closures remain in effect, and will continue until fall. Eightmile Creek 5130 Road is closed for its entire length, 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/ 

Weather: Winds will die down today. A cool but dry air mass will be left in place, with little or no cloud cover. A prolonged warming and drying trend will be underway on Saturday and Sunday, with Sunday temperatures climbing to 10 degrees above normal for this time of year. Minimum relative humidity will be quite low, reaching the teens both days.

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.

Incident Statistics:
Size: 32,157 acres
Completed: 59%
Structures Damaged: 1
Structures Destroyed: 2
Injuries: 0
Date Detected: July 23, 2017
Cause: Human
Estimated Cost: $7.5 million

Resources:
Hand Crews: 1
Engines: 1
Helicopters: 2
Chippers: 3
Water Tenders: 3