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Williams Mine Fire Update 08-26-2024
Williams Mine Fire-GPNF
Publication Type: News - 08/26/2024 - 09:00
Williams Mine Fire Update for Monday, August 26, 2024
KEY MESSAGES:
In the coming days, some of the closures and restrictions in the areas around the Williams Mine Fire will be reduced and some rescinded. As closures change, the public is asked to ensure they follow existing closure information as firefighters will still be working in the area. Many roads and trails will continue to have staff working around them and road guards on closed roads will still be present.
Washington State Department of Natural Resources has lifted their closures around the Williams Mine Fire. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest still has a Forest Closure area, although this area closure has been reduced in size. See the attached links below for the most up to date information regarding closures.
CURRENT STATUS:
Fire crews in the southern and eastern areas of the fire perimeter, continue to mop up and patrol the established firelines. Cold trailing is also underway, and this method ensures there is no residual interior heat aiding in containment. To the north-west, masticating and chipping operations continue to develop fuel breaks and this operation will continue over the next several days along the 023, 070, 521, and 101 roads.
In all areas, ladder fuels are being reduced to slow, remove the potential for fire spread. Dump trucks arrived to help with the removal of woody debris and slash and to aid in the long term staging and disposal of this material.
WEATHER / FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Today is expected to be another clear, warm day with temperatures in the 70’s and humidity levels in the 40s. Tomorrow temperatures will take a minor dip, but then rise again through the week. Smoke production may begin to be seen again within the fire perimeter through the week into Labor Day as temperatures warm and dry. This smoke is coming from unburned fuels within the fire area.
SAFETY AND CLOSURES:
The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Tract D Recreation Area is currently closed, please see Yakama Tract D Road Closure for more information. 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 current area closure spans the entire Mt. Adams Wilderness.