9/18/2018 Crescent Mountain and McLeod Fire

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE Two-Day Update 9-18-18 through 9-19-18

September 18-19, 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire: 51,975 acres; 75 percent contained ●  Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp ●  Start Date: July 29, 2018 ●  Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 22,898 acres; 86 percent contained ●  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 Total Personnel Assigned to Fires Collectively: 491

Thank you for attending Monday’s public meeting in Winthrop. For those who missed it, the livestream can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/y7gqzaty A Google flyover was presented to provide meeting participants an overview and status update on the fires. This will be posted on Facebook today.

Crescent Mountain and McLeod Fire crews continue to repair damage caused by firefighting operations. The intent of suppression repair is to minimize soil erosion and restore damaged ecological functions to conditions that existed before the incident. All repairs occur under advisement of local Resource Advisors. 

Containment calculation on Crescent and McLeod Fires has changed significantly due to the way fire officials assess and combine two factors: 1) suppression actions accomplished and 2) extent of fire perimeter under ‘monitor’ status, with little potential for spread. Pairing these elements together yields a more accurate containment percentage. This displays the progress in achieving suppression objectives related to values at risk such as private property, infrastructure, timber, and critical habitat.

Campfire Closures: On Monday, September 17, 2018, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest announced that forest users are once again able to have campfires in approved campfire rings within designated recreation sites and other special sites across the forest outside of the Crescent, McLeod and Holman fire closure areas. See Closures and Fire Restrictions link (right) for forest-wide list.

PCT Reroute: The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Harts Pass north to Woody Pass. As of 8/31/18, 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.

Weather: Warmer, with decreased humidity today and a slight chance of showers midweek.