8/31/17 Diamond Creek Fire Update

Diamond Creek Fire Update

Thursday, August 31, 2017

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: On Wednesday the fire continued to move north, burning over Whistler Basin and the west side of Sheep Mountain, and further into British Columbia. Cathedral Provincial Park has been closed. 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 a Type 2 and a Type 3.

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 completed work on Goat Creek Road 5225 to the 5225-200 road junction, as well as road 5225-200 to the Goat Peak Trailhead. Today the grader will resume working on Goat Creek Road past the 5225-200 junction.

Goat Peak Lookout has been staffed for the remainder of the fire.

A reconnaissance flight over Hidden Lakes reported that the cabins, which had been covered with fire wrap and protected by a sprinkler system, appear to have survived the fire. Fire protective wrap will be installed on the historic cabin at Spanish Camp. Materials for wrapping the cabin at Pasayten Airstrip will be delivered. Hikers are being evacuated from Andrews Creek and Chewuch River Trails, as a precaution against possible extreme fire behavior.

Fire behavior on Thursday will remain active, continuing to burn interior islands & potential to move down the Ashnola River drainage. 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, and be aware that heavy equipment is using this road.

Closures: NEW TRAIL AND AREA CLOSURES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ARE IN EFFECT. The following trails are closed: Andrews Creek #504, Chewuch River #510 beyond the junction with Fire Creek #561, Topaz Mountain #360, Boundary Trail #533 between Teapot Dome and the junction with Middle Fork Pasayten Trail #478. Road & trail closures are posted on inciweb, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5409/ On Friday, Eightmile Road #5130 will be open as far as Honeymoon Campground.

Weather: A dry cold front will bring cooler temperatures to the fire, and steady west to northwest winds. Gusts to 20 mph will be possible this morning and again this evening. There will be poor overnight humidity recovery. The extended forecast is for warming through the Labor Day weekend, with Sunday the warmest day, and 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: 52,681 acres US; 4,200 acres Canada

Objectives Completed: 65%
Cause: Human
Estimated Cost: $8 million
Date Detected: July 23
Resources Assigned: 1 Hand Crew, 2 Engines, 4 Helicopters, 4 Chippers, 3 Water Tenders, 1 Road Grader.
Total Personnel Assigned: 61