8/10/2023 Sourdough Fire Update

Sourdough Fire Update - August 10, 2023

Sourdough Fire

News - 08/10/2023

Resources: 418 Total Personnel | 9 Hand Crews | 27 Engines | 5 Water Tenders | 6 Helicopters

(Newhalem, Wash.) -- The Sourdough Fire started with a lightning strike on July 29 near Diablo in the steep and rugged terrain of Ross Lake National Recreation Area, 7 miles northeast of Newhalem. The speed limit has been reduced from 50 mph to 35 mph along State Route 20/North Cascades Highway from milepost 120 in Newhalem to milepost 156 just west of Rainy Pass for firefighter and public safety.

Yesterday:  Widespread light showers, cooler temperatures, and elevated relative humidity kept fire behavior minimal across all flanks of the Sourdough Fire. These weather conditions allowed crews to make significant progress mopping up and securing line around the structures in the Diablo community, strengthening the work firefighters have focused on for days. Chipping operations occurred along Diablo Dam Road, removing fuels in the area and widening the control line. Crews chipped along the powerline corridor, improving firefighter access to suppress the fire. Fire activity in Sourdough Creek continues to be monitored. Firefighters worked to improve the control line from North Cascades Environmental Learning Center to Ross Dam.  Due to weather and low-lying clouds, aircraft were unable to fly and support backhaul missions around Ross Lake. Backhaul is the process of removing equipment no longer needed from the fire area.

Today: Firefighters will monitor the fire as it moves towards Diablo, picking up rolling logs and danger trees that fall down the road so they can keep it open. They will also use a thermal imaging infrared camera around the structures in Diablo to pick up and mitigate any heat sources. Crews, through close coordination with Seattle City Light, will continue prepping the line along the powerline corridor. Once the clouds and inversion lift, aviation will support backhaul operations. Fire crews will work around the powerline on State Route 20 near Gorge Lake to prepare for future operations.

Weather: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity is forecast for today. These conditions will bring minimal fire behavior and growth to the entire perimeter of the fire. Any new growth will be slope and terrain driven. As clouds lift and winds pick up in the afternoon, air quality will continue to improve through today due to reduced fire activity.

This is a no-drone zone. Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfire to grow larger.

Safety: Recreate responsibly; although the cause of this fire was a lightning strike, the vast majority of wildland fires are caused by humans.  Be aware of outdoor burning restrictions where you are and use great care with all ignition resources.

Smoke: Smoke from the Sourdough Fire may affect communities around the region. Information about current conditions and a smoke forecast is located at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com

Closures and Evacuations: Evacuations are in effect for the North Cascades Environmental Learning Center and the community of Diablo.  Trail, area and camp closures are in effect; for more information, go to: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/fire-closures.htm