Naches area (August 10, 2018)
Acres: Miriam Fire - 2135 acres, Clear Fork Fire - 7 acres
Percent Containment: 9%
Start Date: 07/30/18
Personnel/Resources: Seven 20-person crews, 3 helicopters (others available, as needed), 24 engines, 2 dozer, 344 total personnel
Location: Two miles east of White Pass Ski Area, within the Goat Rocks Wilderness on the Naches Ranger District, 32 miles southwest of Naches, WA.
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Incident Containment or completion: 9/1/2018
New Detour Identified for the Pacific Crest Trail Hikers
Current Activity: To provide for public safety the Gifford Pinchot NF has identified a new detour for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) from White Pass south to Elk Pass. The new detour uses Trails 79, #78, & #76. Until the middle of the day yesterday fire behavior on the Miriam Fire was moderated by an inversion that held smoke over the fire which shaded the forest fuels and limited the fire’s spread. Although these conditions limited helicopter use early In the day on the Miriam Fire, helicopter bucket drops were not impaired on the Clear Fork Fire and its growth was limited to 7 acres. The Miriam Fire burned further up the Miriam Creek drainage, close to the Pacific Crest Trail. The critical northeast flank, above Forest Road (FR) 1207 west of Clear Lake, held and the fire was deflected into the 2009 Twin Peaks Fire scar. A portable retardant mixing plant was installed near Rimrock Lake which was in operation by 2 pm yesterday. This allowed helicopters to drop targeted retardant and effectively check the spread of the fire in the Twin Peaks Fire scar. Crews continued to strengthen structure protection at the Clear Lake organizational camps. On the east flank the fireline preparation work along FR 1207 was completed to end of the road. Good progress was also made on planned contingency lines on FR’s 1204 and 1205.
Today a hot shot crew will hike in to the Clear Fork Fire to evaluate and take suppression action on the fire. On the Miriam Fire, two crews will continue to construct the handline from Ginnette Lake east to the Twin Peaks Fire scar and work near the White Pass ski runs. A Wildland Fire Module specializing in remote back country fire will evaluate suppression options on the west flank. On all other flanks work will continue to strengthen containment lines and limit the spread of the Miriam and the Clear Fork Fire. Aircraft will be used today when the inversion lifts over the fire.
Weather and Fire Behavior: A Red Flag Warning for hot, dry, and unstable atmospheric conditions followed by dry breezy winds and possible thunderstorms has been issued for today and through Saturday morning. The forecast conditions support potential extreme fire behavior.
Evacuations: Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations in the White Pass, Rimrock Lake and Clear Lake areas have not changed. Continue to follow Yakima County OEM for specific details on evacuation information.
Closures: A revised Closure is in effect on the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. Find a map and list of affected sites at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/6066/45371. The PCT is closed from Elk Pass to White Pass. Highway 12 remains open and is not currently threatened. Caution is advised for motorists near White Pass to Rimrock Lake due to heavy firefighting traffic in the area.
For Online Miriam Fire Updates visit:
Incident Management Team: Pacific NW IMT 7
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