Saturday, September 2, 2017

9/2/2017 Diamond Creek Fire Update



Information: (503)765-5724 - 8 am – 6 pm
Smoke Conditions: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com

Location:  Methow Valley Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; 12 miles north of Mazama, WA.
Summary:  Fire growth was limited on Friday. It continued moving southeast into the Ashnola drainage, as well as moving farther north and east into British Columbia. The fire also became active on the west side in Ptarmigan Creek, where helicopter water drops were used to cool the fire and prevent it from moving farther up the drainage. Helicopters will work this area again today.
Persistent heat on the ridge above Pat Creek cooled noticeably on Friday. Helicopter water drops will be used again today to hold the fire in Drake Creek and keep it from moving into Pat Creek.
Application of fire wrap to the historic cabin at Pasayten Airstrip was completed on Friday, and the crew hiked out.
Today chippers will continue to treat slash created as part of the preparation work on the indirect fire line. Chippers will still be working on Blackpine Basin Road 5225 beyond the Goat Peak Lookout 5225-200 road junction. 
Fire behavior on Saturday will remain active, continuing to burn interior islands and moving into the Ashnola River drainage to the southeast toward the Spanish Camp and Remmel Lake areas. 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: 

Eightmile Road #5130 is now open as far as Honeymoon Campground.

Weather:  Saturday expect very dry humidity and above normal temperatures along with poor overnight humidity recovery. There will be widespread haze and patchy smoke; sunny, with a high of 91 in the valley, 79 at 6,000 feet.  Winds will be upslope/up valley 3 to 6 mph. Ridgetops will have southwest winds 6 to 10 mph, with gusts to 15 mph.

A fire weather watch is in effect from Sunday afternoon through Sunday evening for hot and unstable conditions.  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.

Estimated size (US): 58,794 ac.
Estimated size (Canada): 10,000 ac.
Objectives completed: 65%
Structures damaged: 1
Structures destroyed: 2
Injuries: 1
Date detected: July 23
Cause: Human
Estimated cost: $8 million
Resources: 1 handcrew, 1 engine, 3 helicopters, 2 chippers, 1 water tender. Total personnel: 50

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