9/1/2017 Diamond Creek Fire Update

Diamond Creek Fire Update
Friday, September 1, 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 Thursday a dry cold front with gusty winds caused some lifting of smoke in the Methow Valley.  The fire continued to burn actively, moving southeast down the Ashnola drainage in the Pasayten Wilderness and farther north into British Columbia.  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. While water drops have been successful in cooling the fire and preventing spread, burning on the ridge persists. 

Chippers are continuing to treat slash created as part of the preparation work on the indirect fire line. Chippers are working on Goat Creek Road 5225 past the 200 road junction.  The road grader has completed work on the 5225-200 road to Goad Peak trailhead.  The road grader and two of the water tenders have been released.

Goat Peak Lookout will be staffed for the remainder of the fire.

Fire protective wrap has been installed on the historic cabin at Spanish Camp. Wrapping of the cabin at Pasayten Airstrip will be completed today.  Hikers have been evacuated from Andrews Creek and Chewuch River Trails, as a precaution against possible extreme fire behavior.

Fire behavior on Friday will remain active, continuing to burn interior islands & moving into the Ashnola River drainage to the southeast toward the Spanish Camp and Remmel Lake area.  Smoke will continue to affect air quality in the upper Methow Valley.
 
Closures:  TRAIL AND AREA CLOSURES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ARE IN EFFECT. The following trails are closed:  Monument Trail #484, Tatoosh Buttes Trail #485, Eureka Creek Trail #474, 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.
 
New Fire Start:  On Thursday smoke from a new fire start on Uno Peak, north shore of Lake Chelan, was visible in the Methow Valley.  The fire is estimated at 70 acres. More information is posted on inciweb, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5572/#
 
Weather:  Friday will be sunny with haze, with maximum temperature of 84 degrees in the valley, 76 degrees at 6,000 feet, and minimum humidity of 16 to 22 percent.  Winds will be upslope 3 to 7 mph. Weather will be dry and temperatures well above normal, with poor overnight humidity recovery. There is no precipitation expected through the middle of next week.
 
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.