Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Saturday, August 10, 2024

KEY MESSAGES: 

Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 13 assumed command of the fire today at 6:00 a.m. 

The Williams Mine Fire is being managed as a full suppression fire. Efforts will continue to minimize impacts on the Trout Lake community as well as grazing allotments and historic structures. 

The fire perimeter is approximately 3.5 miles away from the closest point of the Yakama Nation Reservation.

CURRENT STATUS: 

Today's winds will generate fire spread south and east. The fire is burning with rapid growth in a previously burned area and sustained growth in unburnt areas is expected. There are multiple spot fires ¼ and ½ a mile from the head of the fire. Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to build containment lines by clearing brush and vegetation along the fire perimeter. Suppression resources are also locating spot fires that were established by strong winds earlier in the week.  Structure protection resources continued to map infrastructure in order to provide 

WEATHER:

There is an increased chance of thunderstorms starting at 12:00 p.m. today. Winds will increase out of the west/northwest to 10mph throughout the day, a distinct change from the eastern winds seen yesterday. The relative humidity (RH) value will drop and moisture recoveries are expected to be poor, leading to drier fuels on the landscape. 

CLOSURES:  

Level 2 & 3 evacuations are in effect for the community of Trout Lake. An evacuation center is located at 1455 NW Bruin County Road, White Salmon, Washington. Evacuations are coordinated through the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office and the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office. The FS-23 and FS-25 roads are closed, see the Williams Mine Area and Road Closure for more details. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the PCT's intersection with FS 23 to Potato Hill. The closure spans the entire Mt Adams Wilderness.