8/4/2017 Diamond Creek Fire Update

Fire Information 503-765-7724 or Diamondcreekfire@gmail.com  Friday, August 4, 2017  The Diamond Creek Fire is burning in the steep slopes of the Diamond Creek, Dollar Creek, and Lost River drainages in the Pasayten Wilderness. Driven by heavy fuels, prolonged hot and dry weather, and rugged terrain, the fire is approximately 3.5 air miles from the Billy Goat Trailhead and 16 air miles north of the community of Mazama, Washington. The fire remains approximately 8.5 miles [13.6 kilometers] south of the Canadian border. Fire managers are taking suppression actions that use opportunities and natural barriers that protect local values. A successful infrared mapping flight yesterday revealed that over the past two days the fire has grown in the Dollar Creek and Lost River drainages, where heavy dead and down trees are extremely dry and receptive. In an attempt to limit fire spread to the north, heavy helicopters will continue to use precision water drops as conditions and safety allows. Aerial firing operations using a helicopter may be utilized as necessary to remove fuels between the northern edge of the fire and natural barriers. Smoke from fires throughout the region and in British Columbia continues to impact air quality and visibility, which has the potential to affect air operations. To prevent fire spread to the south, large helicopters will continue to cool off pockets of high heat from Nanny Goat Ridge, west to Lost River. Fire has spread to the west across Lost River and up to Rampart Ridge. Firefighters will continue work on constructing containment line utilizing two natural avalanche chutes on opposite sides of Billy Goat Road near the trailhead. Heavy equipment including excavators and feller bunchers arrived this morning to reinforce the containment line by removing the debris and larger diameter trees along Billy Goat Road. Five wildland engines have joined the structure assessment and protection division and will be seen out in the community between Mazama and Fawns Creek to assist with proactive preparedness planning. Taking individual responsibility to reduce flammable materials around homes and communities before a fire occurs can help keep the public and firefighters safe. No home or structure is worth a human life. Temperatures are expected to be warm and dry today with a high of 87 degrees, with northwest to northeast winds predicted in valleys and mid slopes at 3-6 miles per hour (mph) with gusts to 10 mph and on ridges at 7-12 mph with gusts to 18 mph. There are numerous trail closures in place. Visitors to the Pasayten Wilderness are reminded to check conditions before traveling in the area and to register at the trailheads, as this information is critical to timely and effective evacuation, should it be needed.  This fire does not currently affect access to the Pacific Crest Trail or Pacific Northwest Trail.

Quick Facts Approximate acreage: 8,678 acres Start Date and cause: Sunday, July 23, 2017. Human caused. Incident Commander: Chris Schulte, Pacific Northwest Team 2 Type 1 Incident Management Team Resources on the Fire: Crews: 1, Helicopters: 4, Support: 58 Total Personnel: 98 Jurisdiction: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Relevant Links Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diamondcreekfire2017/ Closures:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5409/ Washington Smoke Blog:  http://wasmoke.blogspot.c