Nine new fires in Glacier Peak Wilderness area; Pacific Crest Trail closed
Saturday July 20, 2024
Fires: Miners Complex, Pincer Two Fire
Containment: 0%
Acres: 150 acres
Start Date: July 17, 2024
Cause: Lightning
Location: 21 air miles east of Darrington, WA
Total Personnel: 20
Fuels/Topography: timber, rugged terrain
Yesterday: The Miners Ridge lookout reported several potential wildfires on the evening of July 17th following a large dry lightning storm that moved through the Pacific Northwest. In total, nearly 1,000 lighting strikes hit Oregon and Washington in the period between July 17th and 18th. Fire managers began reconnaissance flights to determine the severity of the lightning storm including three new potential wildfire starts reported on July 18th. Smokejumpers were ordered and began immediate work on one of the numerous fires. Additional new lightning starts may continue to be found as winds and record-breaking dry timber fuels fire growth.
“The Upper Suiattle Valley is a very dangerous place to be right now,” said Kit Moffit, Interim Fire Staff Officer for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. “We are already seeing record dry forest conditions, so things are going to burn hot and burn fast unless nature gives us a break.”
Crews also continued public safety efforts including trail sweeps of Miners Ridge area trails to alert hikers and closing the Marble Creek Campground and access beyond that point on the popular Cascade River Road.
Today: Firefighters will continue to order air resources for bucket drops of water to cool off hot spots and protect key infrastructure including the Miners Ridge Lookout and Canyon Creek Suspension Bridge. Crews also plan to hike in and wrap the historic lookout when they can safely do so. Additional air and ground resources have been ordered to support ongoing efforts to limit new fire growth where possible on extremely steep and rugged terrain.
“We expect even more active fire growth today and tomorrow - group tree torching, flanking, and active burning into the evening again,” added Moffitt. “Unfortunately, this is becoming common for the North Cascades.”
While eight fires are burning in the Upper Suiattle Valley area, the Pincer Two Fire is located in the Cascade River Valley and closures are being coordinated with rangers in the North Cascades National Park. Backcountry overnight permits are no longer being issued due to the active wildfire in the area.
Smoke: In Western Washington, air quality is likely to remain “good” to “moderate” over the weekend across the lowlands. Localized smoke may settle overnight in nearby valley communities such as Darrington, WA. For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/
Closures: Trails: Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000.2 from Mica Lake to Suiattle Pass, Suiattle River Trail #784, Miners Ridge Trail #785, Buck Creek Pass Trail #789, Miners Cabin Trail #795, Grassy Point Trail #788, and Sulphur Mountain Trail #794. Campgrounds and Roads: Cascade River Road at and including Marble Creek Campground, Mineral Park Campground, and all tributary roads, trailheads, and trails. Full closure orders available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
Evacuations: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.
Campfire Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie will be elevating to a full campfire ban, even in developed campgrounds, starting Wednesday July 24, 2024 to help prevent human-caused starts in this critically dry period. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
Fire Information:
Inciweb: Available soon at inciweb.wildfire.gov/
Facebook: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service
X: twitter.com/MtBakerSnoNF
Fire Information: 360-859-9262
Photo: Smoke billows from one of eight new lightning caused wildfires deep in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on July 19, 2024. Source: USFS