8/26/17 Diamond Creek Fire Update

Diamond Creek Fire Update  

Saturday, August 26, 2017

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 continued to be mostly moderate on Friday. A reconnaissance flight detected active fire on the upper slope of Pat Creek, and helicopter water drops were used to hold the fire and keep it from getting established in the bottom of Pat Creek.

Chippers are working on the Eightmile Road. Once Eightmile is completed, they will begin working on Ortell Creek Road. One road grader is working to repair road impacts caused by suppression efforts. 

Closures: There has been no change in fire closures, which 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: Saturday is expected to be sunny with a high temperature of 86. Winds will be calm in the morning, becoming south about 5 mph in the afternoon. Saturday night will be hazy, with a low about 54 and light variable northwest winds 5 to 7 mph.

The outlook for Sunday through Tuesday is for much warmer temperatures, with highs running over 10 degrees above normal for this time of year. The air mass will be very dry, with minimum relative humidity in the teens each day. By Tuesday the air mass could also become unstable, increasing burn intensity.

Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions remain in place. 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 32,257 acres
Completed 62%
Structures Damaged 1
Structures Destroyed 2
Injuries 1
Date Detected July 23, 2017
Cause Human
Estimated Cost $7.5 million

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