Indian Creek Fire Update
Friday, September 1, 2017 8:00 a.m.
Background: The fire is located approximately 20 miles west-southwest of Hood River, Oregon in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness on the Hood River Ranger District of the Mt. Hood National Forest.
The Indian Creek Fire is currently 361 acres, with 5 acres of growth since Wednesday along the southwest edge of the fire. A confine and contain strategy is being used on this fire.
Weather: Today is expected to be the first day of a hot, dry spell extending into next week. Temperatures are expected to rise into the 90s, and humidity is likely to drop below 30%, with poor humidity recovery at night. Winds are forecasted to come from the east. When similar conditions have occurred, the Indian Creek Fire has become more active and gained acreage. There is also a high danger of new fires started by careless people out in the forests for the Labor Day weekend.
Aerial Suppression: The Type 2 “medium” helicopters have been using a “slow but steady” approach to the Indian Creek Fire. They have been dropping water on the fire every day, trying to cool hot areas and moisten vegetation and other fuels. No airplanes were used the last two days.
Work on the ground: A grader and hand crew have been shaping the road and cleaning rocks and debris from ditches on the 1310 road from Wahtum Lake to Indian Mountain. This facilitates the movement of fire crews and vehicles to the lookout location. A radio repeater and another remote camera were installed to the west of the fire. These additions will improve communications and help fire personnel monitor the fire.
Fire Danger and Restrictions: Fire danger is extreme, and resources for fighting them are in short supply. Please be careful with all potential fire causes, especially over the holiday weekend. There are public use restrictions on campfires, smoking, internal combustion engines, and off-highway motorized vehicles on the Mt. Hood National Forest. Campfires are restricted to specific campgrounds. Please contact the Forest or check their website for further details: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
Trail & Area Closure: The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail remains open but travel off the trail in the fire area is prohibited. Eagle Creek Trail #440 is open from its trailhead off I-84 to High Bridge at the 3.3 mile mark. Punch Bowl Falls is open. Several other trails are closed. Wahtum Lake and Indian Springs Campgrounds are closed. A map and full list of closures can be found on the Inciweb link below.
Updates will be produced on an as-needed basis or roughly twice a week, unless fire activity increases or other significant events occur.
Fire information:
Indian Creek Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Mt. Hood National Forest Facebook: http://facebook.com/mthoodnf
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