8/20/2018 Miriam Fire Update

Miriam Fire Update Monday, August 20, 2018 -- 9 a.m.

Acres: Miriam Fire – 3,146;  Clear Fork Fire - 20 Percent Containment: 30%                                                                                                                                                                        Start Date: 07/30/18 Personnel/Resources: 1-Type 2 IA hand crew, 3-Type 2 hand crews, 2-camp crews, 1-heavy lift helicopter, 1-medium lift helicopter, 1-light lift helicopter, 14-engines, 1-dozer, 8-water tenders, 2-masticators and 1-forwarder processor for 323 total personnel. Resources are being demobilized after the standard fire assignment length of 14 operational periods. Fire managers are concerned with the amount of large, active wildfires in Oregon and Washington, replacement resources maybe difficult to obtain. It is a critical time in the fire season where limited resources must be shared throughout the region. Location: Two miles east of White Pass Ski Area, within the Goat Rocks Wilderness on the Naches Ranger District, 13 miles east of Packwood, WA. Cause: Lightning Values at Risk: White Pass area and ski resort; homes and organizational camps at Clear and Rimrock Lakes; wilderness; late successional reserve; northern spotted owl and other wildlife habitat; bull trout habitat; and state highway 12. Estimated Incident Containment or completion: 9/30/2018 Smoke Information: Heavy concentrations of smoke are located over the area to very unhealthy levels.  Please take the proper precautions. For further smoke information visit http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/p/state.html or https://www.airnow.gov/ Current Situation on the Miriam Fire:  The Miriam Fire remains a full suppression fire. Comparable to yesterday, the amount of smoke in the area increased. Visibility was very limited and therefore aerial resources were unable to fly. The Miriam Fire was unable to be observed until late afternoon. Once the inversion lifted, low to moderate fire behavior was observed. Firefighters attempted to burn out fuels between Forest Trail (FT) 1128 and the main fire to strengthen containment lines but again, the fire would not carry. Firefighters continued holding and mopping-up heat along the southeast flank. The swing shift patrolled FR 1207 and FT 1128 late into the night as the fire was burning down to the road’s edge and spotting potential across the containment line remains a concern. Miriam Creek displayed active fire behavior moving upslope and holding in a rock scree. The fire remained within the containment lines. Logs generated from containment line development along FR 1200-540 will be removed when additional heavy equipment is available. Removing logs and vegetative debris generated from preparing FR 1205 and 1204 as contingency lines is on-going. The material is being moved off site for utilization, as determined by local forest district management. Structure protection group remains in place and monitoring the area. Unused hose and sprinkler systems were returned to supply. Firefighters are remaining vigilant and at the ready to respond to any spot and new fire starts. Current Situation on the Clear Fork Fire: Due to the smoke, no aerial patrol was completed yesterday. A high level infrared flight over the area indicated there was a slight increase in acres. This fire will be monitored closely with aerial resources. Weather and Fire Behavior:  Cooler temperatures are forecasted with northwest winds 3-8 mph with gusts to 15 mph. Temperatures will be near 83 degrees with relative humidity to 23%. There is the possibility of cumulus cloud build-up. Potential for lightning is slight. Smoke is predicted to shade the fire resulting in moderate fire activity. Evacuations: Evacuation levels remain the same. The need for these levels are evaluated daily.  Please see the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/yakimacountyoemfor a full description. Closures: Area Closures are in effect on the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests for safety to the public and firefighters.  Find maps and a list of affected sites at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6066/  Fire managers are aware of the upcoming hunting seasons and closures will be assessed frequently. The PCT is closed from Elk Pass to White Pass.  A detour is available. Please see the Pacific Crest Trail Association website at https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/ for current closure maps. A TFR remains in place over the two fire areas as a safety precaution to aerial firefighting resources. Please consult the notice to airmen for specifications. Local businesses remain open. Please consider showing your support by shopping in the local communities. Fire danger is very high so please be careful with any sparks and burning materials while enjoying the outdoors. Please use extra caution while parking at trailheads to avoid areas of tall grass. Those towing trailers are cautioned to shorten safety chains to prevent dragging and generating sparks. For Online Miriam Fire Updates visit: Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6066/ Miriam Fire Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MiriamFire Incident Management Team: Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Command Doug Johnson. END

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