9/20/2018 Crescent Mountain Fire Update

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE Two-Day Update 9-20-18 through 9-21-18 September 20-21, 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire: 52,609 acres; 75 percent contained ●  Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp ●  Start Date: July 29, 2018 ●  Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 24,411 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: 421 Crescent Mountain and McLeod Fire crews continue to repair damage caused by firefighting operations, using excavators to mend and obscure dozer and hand-dug line. The intent of suppression repair is to minimize soil erosion and restore damaged ecological functions. All repairs occur under advisement of local Resource Advisors. Smoke and flame are occasionally spotted within the fire perimeter where heavy fuels retain heat that intensifies by mid- afternoon. This causes the fire, lingering in dry grasses and forbs under the heavy fuels, to creep slowly. It is not unusual for individual trees to occasionally torch. Acreage figures for Crescent Mountain and McLeod Fires were updated today based on GPS mapping. Firefighters continue to progress in achieving suppression and repair 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. For current Industrial Fire Precaution Levels, call 1-800-527-3305 orhttps://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/ifpl/ Zone levels may change daily. Go to this website to view the current level for local zones 678W and 684. As of this printing, both zones require firewood gatherers’ saws to have an approved spark arrestor and a shovel and fire extinguisher readily available. Sawyers are advised to stay in the cutting area and watch for fire starts for at least one hour after shutting down power saws. In addition to this baseline requirement, Zone 684 currently requires shutdown of power saws by 1pm. 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: Expect temperatures to moderate Thursday, with a slight increase in humidity.