8/5/2017 Indian Creek Fire Update

The Indian Creek Fire is a suppression fire with a confine strategy and is currently mapped at 83 acres.  A U.S. Forest Service National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team, under the leadership of Michael Quesinberry is managing the fire.

Yesterday firefighters identified locations where fireline could be successfully built along the 2030 and 13 roads, scouting along Waucoma Ridge up to Rainy Lake.  Firefighters looked at the spur roads north of the 13 road for other opportunities.  Crews began brushing the 2030 road northwest of Blue Lake for use as a potential contingency line.

The Type 1 (heavy) helicopter dropped water on the fire, wetting two smokes coming from the west flank of the fire and a third smoke on the southeast corner of the fire. Bucket drops have been successful in reducing the spread of the fire and minimizing fire growth.  Fire activity is low and primarily creeping and smoldering.

Firefighters continue to look for areas where natural features and roads could potentially be used for contingency lines.  Crew members are positioned on Indian Mountain to monitor fire behavior and take hourly weather observations.  The Type 1 helicopter will continue to provide aerial support with bucket drops today, focusing on persistent smokes and new smokes that may arise.  Firefighter, aviation, and public safety on the Indian Creek Fire continues to be the highest priority.

With the weekend approaching and the potential for new fire starts, we urge forest visitors to help prevent forest fires by doing the following:

·         Do not leave your campfire unattended – even for a moment.

·         Ensure your campfire’s ashes are 100% cold prior to calling it a night or leaving the site.

·         Do not drive your vehicle over dry grasses or other burnable material.

·         Smokers are asked to either smoke in a vehicle or in an area cleared to mineral soil.

·         Hood River County has a burn ban in place.

The Pacific Crest Trail is open. The northern portion of Eagle Creek Trail #440 off of Interstate 84 is open for 4.8 miles. Water is available for PCT hikers at Indian Springs but not Wahtum Lake.  No camping is allowed within the closure area. A map and full listing of closures can be found on the Inciweb website, listed below.

Websites:  Indian Creek Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5403/

Mt. Hood National Forest Facebook: http://facebook.com/mthoodnf