9/12/2018 Crescent Mountain and McLeod Fire Update

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE Fire activity moderated due to cooler temperatrues

September 12, 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire: 51,363 acres; 39 percent contained ●  Personnel: 479 ●  Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp ●  Start Date: July 29, 2018 ●  Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 22,743 acres; 48 percent contained ●  Personnel: 285 ●  Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama ●  Start Date: August 11, 2018 ●  Cause: Lightning Holman Fire: 302 acres, no containment ●  Point of Origin: Holman Peak ●  Start Date: August 17, 2018 ●  Cause: Unknown Fire activity has moderated due to cool temperatures, relatively low winds and higher relative humidity. Crescent and McLeod Fires received reports of precipitation yesterday which contributed to increased containment. Rain received Tuesday did not fully saturate fuels, although any precipitation helps reduce fire spread potential. Smoke and fire activity will still be visible. Until this area receives a soaking rain or the first blanket of snow, stumps, downed logs, and other ground fuels will continue to smolder and smoke. With reduced fire activity and increased containment, firefighters will no longer work night shifts. Crescent Mountain Fire: Crews will continue to patrol, mop up and remove equipment and supplies from secured fire lines near residences where it is safe to do so. The fire remains active along the lines in the areas near Buttermilk Creek and along the ridgelines near Lake Chelan. Firefighters strive to limit the fire size and minimize impacts to private lands, timber, grazing and habitat among other values at risk. McLeod Fire: Heavy equipment remains in the Eightmile area removing logs and beginning repair work of suppression fire lines. Crews will continue patrol and mop up operations in areas near residences. Firefighters will monitor the fire in Sunshine Creek using aviation resources. Evacuations: There are no evacuation levels in place. This will be the last update on evacuations unless significant changes occur. 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. Campfire Closures: Campfires are prohibited on all Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands. For more information please visit the forest campfire restriction page. Weather and Fire Behavior: Clouds will remain rather thick through the day as a low pressure system remains in the Pacific Northwest region. The close proximity of the system will continue to allow for lighter west winds making it much easier for precipitation to make it over the cascade crest. Fire behavior will be moderated.