9/6/2018 Crescent Mountain Fire

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE Firing operations in Mission Peak area

September 6, 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire: 49,277 acres; 37 percent contained ●   Personnel: 947 ●   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: 457 ●   Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama ●   Start Date: August 11, 2018 ●   Cause: Lightning Holman Fire: 300 acres, no containment ●   Point of Origin: Holman Peak ●   Start Date: August 17, 2018 ●   Cause: Unknown   Crescent Mountain Fire:  Air and ground resources continue efforts to hold active fire from spreading within the Twisp River, Libby Creek, and Buttermilk Creek Valleys. Thick smoke limited morning aviation efforts. Aircraft were able to become fully engaged with late morning clearing. Firing operations occurred on the Mission Peak ridgeline to address anticipated fire movement with southwest winds predicted in the next few days. Direct line work and structure protection efforts continued in Smith Creek, Libby Creek, and Gold Creek. McLeod Fire:  Air resources dropped retardant on active “fingers” in the Lost River gorge steep cliff areas. A mobile retardant base was set up at Foster Farm to provide shorter turn-around time for aircraft. Crews are continuing to mop-up areas in the 8 mile rea behind the campgrounds. Suppression repair continues on the east side of the fire with excavators and other large equipment. Holman Fire: Fire activity is being monitored. The Harts Pass road is open through several trails in the area remain closed. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed from the North Trail head to the intersection of the Rock Creek Trail (#473). Hikers can take the Middle Fork Trail (#478) up to the Rock Creek Trail to get back to 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,Smith Canyon Road, and Libby Creek Road west of Smith Canyon Road. An alert remains in the Poorman Creek area. 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 theFederal Aviation Administration’s website.   Smoke/Weather: Temperatures in the 70s and in to the 80s continue with low humidity recovery in the high 20’s to mid 30’s. Winds are projected to decrease in the afternoon with sustained winds from 5-10 mph and gusts to 14 on the ridges. Area businesses are open. Please consider showing your support by shopping in the local community. 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.