August 31, 2018
Crescent Mountain Fire: 44,450 acres; 35 percent contained
● Personnel: 625
● Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp
● Start Date: July 29, 2018
● Cause: Lightning
McLeod Fire: 22,511 acres; 35 percent contained
● Personnel: 458
● Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama
● Start Date: August 11, 2018
● Cause: Lightning
Holman Fire: 297 acres, no containment
● Point of Origin: Holman Peak
● Start Date: August 17, 2018
● Cause: Unknown
Crescent Mountain Fire: Late in the afternoon on Thursday, increased winds and lower humidity levels caused the fire to grow in the Buttermilk Butte area, crossing into the East Fork of Buttermilk Creek near Mission Peak. Crews will be working today to assess and respond to the fire this morning. Fire growth also occurred in the triangle near Kenny Dip, at Scaffold Ridge and West Buttermilk Road. Crews continued to hold and mop-up in the Twisp River corridor. A hotshot crew worked with air operations to cool and hold the fire in the Slate Dip area. Structural assessment teams will continue their work in the Libby Creek area communities today.
McLeod Fire: Crews neared completion of the tactical firing operation tying the fire into the old Diamond Fire burn scar on the north end of 8 mile Road. This work should be completed today. Strategic firing will be used today to complete the protection of Honeymoon and Ruffed Grouse campgrounds. Assessments will be made today of the heat that continues to be an issue on the southwest edge of the fire in the Yellow Jacket Creek area.
Holman Fire: The fire is still actively burning in the Pasayten Wilderness. The Harts Pass road is now open, although there are several trails in the areas that remain closed, including a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Evacuations: Crescent Mountain Fire: A Level 3 (GO now) evacuation is in effect for all persons living west of the Little Bridge Creek intersection in the Twisp River Valley. A Level 2 (get SET) evacuation is in effect for persons living west of Newby Creek Road to Little Bridge Creek Road in the Twisp River Valley. Alerts have been issued for Poorman and Libby Creek. 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 and North Cascades National Park have issued trail and area closures orders in the vicinity of all three fires. 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:
Slight warming and drying is expected over the fires. Temperatures will climb with slightly lower relative humidity. Winds will continue out of the west to northwest during most of the day on the ridges with gusts to 15 mph expected in the afternoon and evening. The Washington 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.
Area businesses are open. Please consider showing your support by shopping in the local community.
Fire Information Center: (480) 744-9318
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