9/14/2018 Crescent Mountain and Mcleod Fire Update

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE Fire suppression operations convert to suppression repair

September 14, 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire: 51,377 acres; 42 percent contained ●  Personnel: 479 ●  Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp ●  Start Date: July 29, 2018 ●  Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 22,848 acres; 55 percent contained ●  Personnel: 270 ●  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

Closure Areas Reduced: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest reduced the Crescent and McLeod Fire Closure areas on September 13, 2018. Maps and information on the closures can be found on the Forest webpage or tinyurl.com/ClosureMaps. Remaining closures are still in place for firefighter and public safety will be assessed as conditions change. Fire personnel flew yesterday and reported minimal measurable movement on Crescent and no growth on McLeod or Holman Fires. Light smoke will be visible until this area receives a soaking rain or the first blanket of snow. There is low potential for large fire growth. The minimal growth observed is due to creeping and smoldering along unlined sections of the perimeter with little potential to advance. Crescent Mountain Fire: Objectives remain the same for today. Crews will strive to limit the fire size and reduce impacts to habitat, timber values, and grazing areas. Cool temperatures, recent rains and high humidity have provided an opportunity for going direct along much of the active fire perimeter in the Buttermilk area. Crews continue ongoing efforts to construct, hold, improve, mop up and repair lines as needed. McLeod Fire: Slow downhill movement is visible in the Lost River drainage by creeping and smoldering. Firefighters continue to scout for opportunities to secure Sunshine Creek area. The rest of the incident is transitioning from suppression operations to patrolling and suppression repair. Crews will repair constructed lines to resemble pre fire condition. Log removal and repair work continues on Eightmile Road and exterior contingency lines today. Holman Fire: Minimal fire activity was observed yesterday during an aerial assessment. The fire will continue to be monitored by air resources. This will be the last report unless conditions change. The Pacific Crest Trail closure will remain in place until crews can get in an evaluate extent of damage and potential hazards. PCT Reroute: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Harts Pass north to Woody Pass. As of 8/31/2018, there is a detour for hikers to reach the Canadian border from Slate Pass using Trail No. 575 to Trail No.478, then Trail No. 473 to Woody Pass. 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: Chance of showers is predicted today along with below normal temperatures and elevated humidity. Fire activity will be minimal.