8/24/2018 Crescent, McLeod, and Holman Fire Update

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE Level 3 Evacuations

Inciweb: Crescent Mountain: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6093/      McLeod: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6130/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrescentMTNFire/ Fire Information Center: (480) 744-9318                    Email: gilbertfireinfo2018@gmail.com August 24, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Crescent Mountain Fire: 36,990 acres; 34 percent contained ●   Personnel: 404 ●   Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp ●   Start Date: July 29, 2018 ●   Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 19,596 acres; five percent contained ●   Personnel: 564 ●   Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama ●   Start Date: August 11, 2018 ●   Cause: Lightning Holman Fire: 203 acres, no containment ●   Point of Origin: Holman Peak ●   Start Date: August 17, 2018 ●   Cause: Unknown Crescent Mountain Fire: Northwesterly winds caused the fire to move into the bottom of Buttermilk Creek. Crews held the fire using tactical firing south and uphill of west Buttermilk Road. Structural protection and assistance to homes along the Twisp River corridor continued throughout the day. Air operations were able to effectively work to cool the advance of the fire. On the southwest side of the fire crews continue to monitor fire within the North Cascades National Park. Today’s weather will provide for better firefighting conditions with humidity expected to reach into the 60 percent range.   McLeod Fire: The fire was most active today in the Sunset Creek area, burning next to contingency lines near Yellow Jacket Creek. Crews concentrated their efforts on holding the fire in this area and strengthening the line. On the east side, fire crews worked to address slop-overs/spots in the northern end of Deer Creek and hold the line on Eight-Mile Road.   Holman Fire: This fire is located in the Pasayten Wilderness of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. There is a forest closure in effect, which includes the Pacific Crest Trail, closed from Hart’s Pass to the Canadian border. Evacuations: Crescent Mountain Fire: A Level 3 evacuation is in effect for all persons living west of the Little Bridge Creek Intersection in the Twisp River Valley. A Level 3 evacuation means that person should evacuate NOW, do not wait. A LEVEL 2 (BE READY) has been issued for persons living WEST of Newby Creek Road to Little Bridge Creek Road in the Twisp River Valley. Last evening a Fire ALERT was issued for residents in the Libby Creek area by the Okanagan County Emergency Manager’s office.  The Red Cross has a shelter available at the Methow Valley Community Center in Twisp. No evacuations are in effect for the McLeod or Holman Fires. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued several closure orders and a Stage II Fire Restriction. Trail closures are in effect for the North Cascades National Park near Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. See North Cascades National Park website for details. Maps and information on the closures can be found on InciWeb. Temporary flight restriction information is available at the Federal Aviation Administration’s website. Smoke/Weather: Unstable atmospheric conditions will persist through today, resulting in high fire behavior potential. Smoke impacts should lessen with west winds at 5 mph in the valley and 11 mph on the ridges. TheWashington Smoke Information’s webpage has information on smoke and public health. Smoke information in Spanish can be found on the WA Dept. of Health’s website. Incident Management Team: The Southern Area Blue Type 1 Incident Management Team.