Single Publication

11:00 AM, August 19, 2024

Estimated size: 1,098 acres
Start Date/Time: July 17, 2024
Area of Origin: 21 air miles east of Darrington WA
Cause: Lightning
Fuels/Topography: timber, rugged terrain
Structures Damaged: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.
Evacuations: None

The Miners Complex consists of ten wildfires caused by lightning strikes in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The fires included in the complex are: Miners Fire, Vista Ridge Fire, Dolly Creek Fire, Sulphur Three Fire, Sulphur Four Fire, Sulphur Thirty-Four Fire, Upper Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, Lower Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, Plummer, and Middle Ridge Fire.

Update: During the day on Saturday August 17th, the fires showed active behavior and visible smoke with the rise in temperatures. Rain accompanying the thunderstorms on the evening of the 17th and 18th brought moisture and provided good overnight recoveries. The fires remain high in the mountains in inaccessible ground. The fires may see an increase in activity with warmer weather, however predicted high humidities for the next few days will help fuels recover overnight.

Weather: Good humidity recovery this morning with some scattered clouds through the day will keep temperatures a bit cooler at the fire today. However, modest instability will develop and maintain decent mixing this afternoon. An approaching front will bring increased clouds, rain showers, and an isolated thunderstorm Tuesday afternoon and evening. While some rain is expected with these, a wetting rain is generally not expected with this system. Mostly sunny today, max temperatures will be around 71. Light winds becoming west 5 to 6 mph in the afternoon.

Smoke: For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Closures: The following is a summary of the areas closed due to the fires in the Miners Complex. 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, Sulphur Mountain Trail #794, Sulphur Creek Trail #793, Sulphur Creek Campground, Sulphur Creek Trailhead, and the Downey Creek trailhead. The full Closure Orders visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
Forest Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has a full campfire ban and forest-wide shooting restrictions in place to help prevent human-caused starts during this period of unprecedented resource scarcity. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
 

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