9/17/2020 Cold Creek Fire Update

 

Acres: 252

Percent Containment: 5%                                                                148 personnel

Start Date: September 15, 2020

 

Current Situation: Crews were able to build some containment line yesterday on parts of the perimeter.

 

Firefighters concentrated yesterday on the East and West flanks of the fire on the south side of Highway 12. Both hand crews and heavy equipment were used to place containment lines connecting it the North side of Clear Creek. The fire has not moved across the creek. There is a forecast later this week for winds to start blowing from the West and the goal is to make sure the southern portion of the fire does not continue to grow towards the Rimrock area.

 

Personnel also worked on the fire located on the north side of Highway 12 that has expanded into the wilderness area north and west of Indian Creek.

 

Smoke Information: The Smoke is not forecasted to start clearing anytime soon. For further smoke information visit wasmoke.blogspot.com/p/state.html

 

Road Information: Highway 12 is still closed around the fire area due to fire near the road and firefighters working on the roadway. Boulders and debris continue to fall out on to the roadway making it unsafe for apparatus to park on the side close to the mountain, so they are mostly in the roadway on the east bound lanes. Road information can be found at https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/southcentral

 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Mild weather is expected to last for the next day allowing for reduced rates of spread, with continued backing, creeping, and beneficial surface fuel consumption. There is a chance for a thunderstorm to the north that could bring some dry lightning on the northern perimeter of the fire. Winds are predicted to shift to a more westerly direction on Friday.

 

Evacuations: Evacuation levels are evaluated daily but remain unchanged. Please see the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management at www.co.yakima.wa.us for details.

 

Closures: Fire restrictions are in effect and can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/fire-restrictions.

The Pacific Crest Trail is open in the White Pass area at this time. Please see the Pacific Crest Trail Association at www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures for a current trail map.

 

Aircraft: Air resources were able to launch yesterday! We had two Helicopters working this afternoon! We are hoping the weather will work in our favor and they can fly again today.

 

Now that we have aircraft in the air, please remember that use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a fire. Remember, if you fly, we cannot.