8/30/2017 Diamond Creek Fire Morning Update

Diamond Creek Fire Update

Wednesday, August 30

Fire Information: (503)-765-5724 - 8 am – 6 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: Tuesday was a second day of substantial fire growth at the north and northwest ends. The fire increased by 16,196 acres, and produced significant smoke and some ash fall in the Methow Valley. The fire has burned across the border with Canada in the Peevee Creek drainage, where it has burned an estimated 300 acres. Coordination with the British Columbia Ministry of Forest Land and Natural Resource Operations is ongoing.

Helicopter water drops are still being used to hold the fire in Drake Creek and keep it from moving into Pat Creek, with a large Type 1 helicopter in addition to the Type 2.Chippers are continuing to treat slash created as part of the preparation work on the indirect fire line. Work on the Ortell Creek and the Deer Creek Roads has been completed, and chippers are now working on Goat Creek Road 5225 past the 200 road junction, in preparation for the grader. The road grader and three water tenders have repaired the Goat Creek Road 5225 to the 5225-200 road junction, and are now working from the Goat Peak Lookout trailhead down toward road 5225. Initial preparations are being made to put fire protective wrap on historic cabins at the Pasayten Airstrip and Spanish Camp.

Fire behavior on Wednesday will remain very active, with continued movement to the north and west and burning of interior islands. Smoke will continue to affect air quality in the upper Methow Valley. Caution: Anyone using the Goat Creek 5225 Road is urged to exercise caution. While it has not been officially closed, be aware that heavy equipment is using this road.

Closures: THERE HAVE BEEN ADDITIONAL TRAIL CLOSURES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. As of Tuesday, Boundary trail #533 is closed between Andrews Creek Trail #504 and Robinson Creek Trail #478. Monument Creek Trail #484, Tatoosh Buttes Trail #485, Eureka Creek Trail #474 and Ferguson Lake Trail #474A are also closed. There has been no change in road closures. Road & trail closures are posted on inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5409/

Eightmile Road #5130 will be open to Honeymoon Campground on Friday, September 1 if conditions permit.

Weather: Weather for Wednesday will be widespread haze, widespread smoke, sunny, with a high near 88 and west wind 6 to 9 mph. Wednesday night will have widespread haze and smoke before midnight, otherwise mostly clear, with a low around 54 and northwest wind 8 to 11 mph. The extended forecast is for warming through the Labor Day weekend, with no precipitation.

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.

Estimated Size: 48,924 acres
Objectives Completed: 63%
Structures Damaged: 1
Structures Destroyed: 1
Date Detected: July 25
Cause: Human
Estimated Cost: $8 million

Resources: 1 hand crew, 2 engines, 3 helicopters, 4 chippers, 3 water tenders, 1 road grader.