9/14/17 Diamond Creek Fire Update

Update:  The Diamond Creek Fire continued to experience growth in the Monument and Pat Creek drainage's. 

The strong north winds did not move the fire significantly south in either drainage.

In Pat Creek, the small amount of growth was due to the extraordinary work of four helicopters that kept up

a steady flow of bucket-drops to cool the advancing front. In Monument Creek the fire is running into rocky

ground with sparse fuels the farther south it moves.  The decision was made to close Harts Pass Road to

public traffic to minimize impediments to suppression activities and for safety in the event of an evacuation

along that narrow mountain road in smoky conditions. Hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail should pursue other

options if they were planning to use the Harts Pass Road as an exit from the trail.  Over 200 local residents

attended a community meeting at the Mazama Community Club, where fire managers and local cooperators

presented an update on fire conditions and details of the Level 2 Evacuation notice.  Attendees were given an

opportunity to ask questions and meet agency officials.  

Today’s Activities:  A fire crew spent Wednesday night camped near the head of Gate Creek so they could get an early start on working toward the completion of the primary fireline north of Mazama.  Fire managers are assessing potential lines to the west of the Yellowjacket Sno-park to box the fire in on the southwest side.  Three additional crews were added to the firefighting force Thursday.  Structures ahead of the far northeastern end of the fire in the Remmel Creek area will be wrapped with fire resistant material.

Weather: There is a red flag warning for the Methow Valley until 8:00 pm on Thursday night due to gusty winds and low relative humidity. Temperatures on the fire will be 58 degrees with a minimum humidity of 20%.  Winds will be from the north at 7 to 11 miles per hour with gusts to 18 mph.  There is potential good news in the long-range forecast as a more autumnal pattern may develop starting Sunday with rain predicted for the low country and potential snow above 6,000 foot elevations.

Smoke:  Smoke may transported south of the fire by the strong north winds.  For smoke conditions and more information, visit wasmoke.blogspot.com.

Closures: The campgrounds at Ballard and River Bend and the Harts Pass Road are closed.  The Pacific Crest Trail remains open at this time.  The public should be aware that the fire situation is fluid and that new closures could occur with little advance warning.  There are currently more than 60 roads or trails closed for public safety including Monument Trail #484 and Andrews Creek #504. Complete closure details and maps are available at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/.

Evacuation Alert Level: Mazama, Rendezvous and Lost River are at Level 2 evacuation.  A Level 2 notifies residents and visitors that they should be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Monitor emergency services information for updates. The Okanogan County alert system will provide automated alerts to the public. To sign up for this service, visit okanogandem.org or call (509) 422-7206.