9/8/2018 Crescent Mountain Fire Update

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE Mop up and fire suppression efforts coninue September 8, 2018 Crescent Mountain Fire: 49,577 acres; 39 percent contained ●  Personnel: 877 ●  Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp ●  Start Date: July 29, 2018 ●  Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 22,661 acres; 38 percent contained ●  Personnel: 425 ●  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: A cold front passed through the fire area on Friday, causing wind and increased fire activity. The fire made runs and produced substantial smoke during the afternoon along most of the southern perimeter of the fire west of the Libby Lake trail and near Spirit Mountain. Fire crews continued to patrol and mop up in the Twisp River and Buttermilk Butte area, with control lines holding well. Hotshot crews made progress in strengthening control lines near mission peak and good progress was made in contingency line construction in the Libby Creek and Gold Creek drainages. Helicopter and fixed wing aircraft were utilized heavily to control areas of heat and inhibit fire growth. McLeod Fire:  The fire grew in the Lost River drainage due to winds and fire “roll out” as burning logs and material rolled downhill, igniting the area below and burning back uphill. Aircraft provided suppression and cooling of the fire. Crews continued progress in line construction south of Setting Sun Mountain and the Yellow Jacket area. Control lines extending from 8 mile road and along the south fire perimeter are holding well. The fire was active near Sweet Grass Butte burning into the Whiteface Fire scar. Holman Fire: Aerial observations showed minimal fire activity and growth. See InciWeb for area and trail closures. 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 the Federal Aviation Administration’s website. Smoke/Weather: Thunderstorms occurred Friday night, bringing some precipitation and increased humidity.Post frontal winds will continue Saturday morning, reducing in the afternoon with cooler temperatures and a slight chance of precipitation continuing through the weekend, moderating fire behavior. 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. Printable Update