9/23/2017 Norse Peak, American & Sawmill Creek Fire Update

Fire Summary:  Minimal fire growth is expected.  Isolated pockets of slow surface spread where the fire is sheltered by the tree canopy and continued burning in the larger dead or down trees is still possible.

The Incident Command Post at Chinook Work Center is shutting down today.  Command of the southeast side of the fire will transfer to the Naches Ranger District’s Type 4 organization.  On the Northwest side of the fire, command will transfer to a Type 3 organization with the Incident Command Post at the Expo Center in Enumclaw.

The Norse Peak incident information phone number has changed to:

253-666-8841

Norse Peak Fire Cleanup continues on State Route 410.  Thinning and removing hazardous trees along Forest Road 1900 is almost complete.   The Pacific Crest trail has reopened south of Chinook pass.  Cleanup work continues along Forest Road 70 on the north side of the fire.

American Fire Any fire movement will be minimal. 99% of the indirect lines are complete.

Sawmill Creek Fire:  Today, Command of the Sawmill Creek fire transitioned back to the local Washington Department of Natural Resources, South Puget Sound Region.

CLOSURES: Both teams are working closely with local agencies on road and area closures.  Forest Roads 1800 and 1900 will reopen as soon as it is safe for the firefighters and the public.  Forest Road 70 on the north side is closed while cleanup work continues. 

State Route 410 is open to through traffic only.  Highway 123 remains open.  Bumping River Road is open to private landowners only and Crystal Mountain Boulevard remains closed.  The Pacific Crest Trail is open from Chinook pass to White Pass but remains closed from White Pass to Snoqualmie Pass.  Boulder Cave Recreation Area is closed.

EVACUATIONS:  No Level 3 Evacuations remain in place for the Norse Peak, American, or Sawmill Creek Fires.  

PIERCE COUNTY: LEVEL 1:  FS 7160 eastbound on SR 410 to Crystal Mountain Blvd.  All other evacuation levels in the Greenwater area, to include Gold Hills and Crystal Mountain Resort, have been lifted. 

YAKIMA COUNTY:  LEVEL 2:  Goose Prairie along Bumping River Road.

Even though there is still active fire on the ground, the Forest is already identifying critical BAER needs and assessing for immediate threats to human life and safety, property, and other resources. Right now, firefighters are removing hazard trees along roads, but within the fire interior, there will be trees with root systems that are now compromised, rocks loosened because vegetation surrounding them was burned and hollow spots just beneath the ground’s surface where roots have been burned.  These hazards will persist for months after the threat from flames and smoke have passed.