Fire - Blue Lake - Near Bridge Creek HWY 20

[PAL]

I love that area over there in Whistler Basin. Haven't been up for a number of years. Won't be now! It will probably look a litte different.

[Fun CH]

Looks like fire has crossed the Hwy20 into Whistler basin area.

"While conducting strategic firing operations, a spot fire occurred north of SR20 at approximately 2:30 pm yesterday. Air and ground resources on scene immediately began suppression activity on the new spot fire. The spot fire was identified within fire’s contingency lines and is estimated at approximately 62 acres in size. Crews are actively engaged to contain the spot fire. Soon after the discovery of the spot fire a structure fire near Mazama was reported to local emergency services. Fire managers from the Blue Lake Fire immediately redirected air and ground resources to assist with the suppression efforts to eliminate the threat to the community of Mazama. The structure fire was contained. Today, firefighters will continue to monitor fire activity on the southwest flank of the fire near Copper Creek, enhance primary firelines, and validate contingency lines on the north side of the highway. Aerial operations will continue to utilize bucket drops to cool hot spots.

SR 20 North Cascades Highway is once again CLOSED between Newhalem (milepost 120) and Silver Star SnoPark (milepost 171) as of 3:30 yesterday. There is currently no estimated time for re-opening. WSDOT crews will remain in close contact with the Incident Management Teams to assess conditions on a daily basis. Please do not disregard closures, they are in place for your safety and the safety of firefighters. Cross state travel is possible using US 2, US 12 or I-90. For more information, check WSDOT pass report for SR20 https://wsdot.com/travel/real-time/moun ... ascade-Hwy The Blue Lake Fire is under a temporary flight restriction – no drone deployment is permitted. If you fly, we can’t.

Trail and area closures are in effect. For detailed closure information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/a ... ?aid=82649. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed through this area. Check PCTA for closure information https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail ... ashington/. Closures are also in effect for areas of North Cascades National Park due to the Blue Lake Fire. See https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/ ... osures.htm for more information."

[PAL]

Beautiful doggie. Ah "secret trails" or some not as popular are our favorites.

We saw a helicopter with a bucket flying from the Steheiken area and back once. Thought there must have been a small smoke somewhere over there. I know there are several fires burning on the Chelan side.

Blue Lk. fire "control" seems to be doing as well as expected.

[Fun CH]

With alot of the trails closed around here, we took advantage of the relatively smoke-free air and did a 10 mile hike yesterday in an area that generally doesn't see many people. We still only saw 7 other people with heli water buckets flying over head.




"The Blue Lake Fire is burning several miles southwest of Washington Pass on the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

The fire is now estimated to be approximately 502 acres, and is 15% contained. The fire is burning just south of State Route 20 and near popular hiking and climbing trails, such as Blue Lake, Heather Maple Pass, and the Pacific Crest Trail near Bridge Creek.

There are numerous firefighting resources assigned, including one Interagency Hotshot Crew, two Type 2 Initial Attack crews, five engines, two Type 1 helicopters, and one Type 2 helicopter. Blue Lake Fire activity is moderate with backing, flanking, isolated torching, and spotting. Crews had successful burn out operations both Monday and Tuesday on the northeast side near State Route 20. Due to moisture over the area on Wednesday, no firing operations were conducted. Crews will continue to work on the south side of the fire to establish access and utilize natural features including Copper Creek to connect handlines and improve containment.

SR 20 North Cascades Highway is currently open. Check WSDOT for highway for more informaiton https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT. A pilot car will direct traffic between Blue Lake Trailhead parking lot (MP 162) to Rainy Pass (MP 158) from 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. for the next few days. Expect lengthy delays due to one way traffic through active firing operation. The road is open for through-travel and drivers are not permitted to stop along the highway between MP 162 and MP 158. For public safety we encourage travelers to take alternative routes. Also, we want to remind visitors that the Blue Lake Fire is under a temporary flight restriction; therefore, no drone deployment is permitted in this area. If you fly, we can't"

[pasayten]

Inciweb Status - 08/22.....

[Fun CH]

Good to see they're keeping the Blue Lake fire out of Blue Lake so far. That far line of smoke above the red retardant line drop is the dividing Ridge between Alibaba and Blue Lake basin.

This information is from inciweb

l

[pasayten]

The Blue Lake Fire is burning several miles southwest of Washington Pass on the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

The fire is now estimated to be around 196 acres (reduction in size due to more accurate mapping). The fire is burning just south of State Route 20 and near popular hiking and climbing trails, such as Blue Lake, Heather Maple Pass, and the Pacific Crest Trail near Bridge Creek.

There are many firefighting resources assigned, including two Interagency Hotshot crews, two other crews, five engines, and multiple aircrafts. More resources are expected to be arriving over the next couple of days. Fire crews are actively engaging in containment line Northeast of the fire. Point protection operations are in place for infrastructure (i.e. bridges). On the ground and aerial firefighting resources will continue suppression actions.

Closures are also in effect for areas of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and North Cascades National Park due to the Blue Lake Fire. For more information on closures within Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest visit: https://www.facebook.com/OkaWenNF

For more information on closures within North Cascades National Park visit: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/ ... osures.htm. State Route 20 is closed from Silver Star Sno Park (milepost 171) to Newhalem (milepost 120). Check WSDOT for highway closures https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed through this area. Check PCTA for closure information https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail ... ashington/

[pasayten]

Inciweb...

The Blue Lake Fire is burning several miles southwest of Washington Pass on the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.

It is now estimated to be around 215 acres. The fire is burning just south of State Route 20 and near popular hiking and climbing trails, such as Blue Lake, Heather Maple Pass, and the Pacific Crest Trail near Bridge Creek.

There are many firefighting resources assigned, including an Interagency Hotshot crew, four engines, and multiple aircraft. More resources are expected to be arriving over the next couple of days. Firefighters are scouting natural features like avalanche chutes that could act as a control features.

Forest Service personnel are notifying visitors in the fire area and advising them to leave the area for their safety. A closure order is in place for portions of the Pacific Crest Trail within North Cascades National Park and also in process for the National Forest System lands near the fire area.

[pasayten]

Blue Lake and Airplane Lake Fire Update

Media Inquiries: (509) 557-0973



https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-i ... -blue-lake

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-i ... e-lake-owf



August 17, 2023 -- Two fires are currently burning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The Blue Lake Fire is located 13 miles southwest of Mazama, WA, and the Airplane Lake Fire is situated 22 miles northwest of Leavenworth, WA.

Blue Lake Fire:

Size: 215 acres
Containment: 0%
Location: Near Blue Lake just a couple miles southwest of Washington Pass, 13 miles southwest of Mazama, and 24 miles west of Winthrop, WA
Personnel assigned: 82
Start date: August 14, 2023
Cause: Undetermined
Closures: State Route 20 is closed between Newhalem (milepost 120) and the Silver Star Sno-Park (milepost 171) due to this fire and also the Sourdough Fire west of the pass. Please check with WSDOT for the most current highway closures at https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed through this area. National Park Service closure information is available at https://tinyurl.com/mr3f2dwa. Forest Service closures are in process.


Critical fire weather forecast for the area over the next several days is likely to increase activity and visible smoke from the fire. On the ground and aerial firefighting resources will continue suppression actions.



Airplane Lake Fire:

Size: 900 acres
Containment: 0%
Location: On the northeast side of Mt. Saul in the White River drainage area of the Glacier Peak Wilderness.
Personnel assigned: Local Resources Monitoring
Start date: July 7, 2023
Cause: Lightning
Closures: A closure is in process for areas immediately around the fire are closed including White River Trail, Boulder Creek Trail, Indian Creek Trail, White River Road beyond Tall Timbers, White River Falls Campground, and Grasshopper Meadows Campground.
Evacuations: Chelan County has issued a Level 1 (Ready) evacuation notice for the White River Road (FS Road 6400) to the west of Tall Timbers Ranch. The Level 1 DOES NOT impact any county roads or right-of-way, or homes. It also does not impact Tall Timber Lodge. Please check county sites for most current, official evacuation information.


We expect continued fire activity, smoke production, and fire growth for the next several days until weather conditions moderate. Hot temperatures and increased winds are forecast through Friday before cooler temps and a possibility of rain on Sunday and into next week.



Forest employees have conducted trail sweeps contacting recreationists and apprising them of the situation and the need to leave the area for safety reasons. Crews have wrapped the bridge on Indian Creek Trail with structure protection wrap as a protective measure.



We will continue to utilize a confinement suppression strategy utilizing natural features (like rock escarpments, avalanche chutes, wet drainage bottoms and old fire scars) to contain the fire. Fire personnel will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and adjust tactics as needed.



There is a Red Flag warning in effect through tomorrow for hot and dry winds. The combination of dry conditions, warm temperatures, and gusty afternoon and early evening winds will increase the risk for rapidly spreading wildfires with any new ignitions.



Please help firefighters and do your part to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. A campfire ban is in effect starting tomorrow, Friday August 18. For more information visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/fire-restrictions

[Rideback]

https://www.facebook.com/OkaWenNF/

[pasayten]

WSDOT

An update on the closure of the SR 20 North Cascades Highway. Due to the Sourdough Fire and now a second wildfire called the Blue Lake Fire near Washington Pass, SR 20 North Cascades Highway is now closed between Newhalem (milepost 120) and the Silver Star Campground (milepost 171, where it normally closes for the winter on the east side). These are two active wildfires burning along the highway. There is no recreation allowed anywhere between the two closure points. At this time there is no ETA for reopening. Please do not disregard closures, they are in place for your safety and the safety of crews.

[PAL]

This from FB just now on Okanogan Topics of Interest. I would guess if you arent' subscribed a person would not get this. But if a link is provided by the FS, then you can get on.
Frank Blude
13 minutes ago
·
**Update on the Blue Lake Fire burning several miles southwest of Washington Pass on the Methow Valley Ranger District.**
Blue Lake Fire is now estimated to be around 200 acres. The fire is burning just south of State Route 20 and near popular hiking and climbing trails, such as Blue Lake, Heather Maple Pass, and the Pacific Crest Trail near Bridge Creek.
This morning Type 3 Incident Commander Don Shoemaker took over the fire. There are many firefighting resources assigned, including an Interagency Hotshot crew, four engines, and multiple aircraft. More resources are expected to be arriving over the next couple of days. Firefighters are scouting natural features like avalanche chutes that could act as a control features.
Forest Service personnel are notifying visitors in the fire area and advising them to leave the area for their safety. A closure order is in place for portions of the Pacific Crest Trail within North Cascades National Park and is process for the National Forest System lands near the fire area. https://www.facebook.com/NorthCascadesN ... 2735262687
State Route 20 is now closed between Newhalem (milepost 120) and the Silver Star Sno Park (milepost 171, where it normally closes for the winter on the east side) due to this fire and the Sourdough Fire west of the pass. Please check https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT for the latest information on highway closures.
Critical fire weather forecast for the area over the next several days is likely to increase activity and visible smoke from the fire.

[pasayten]

I look everywhere for info... No big deal...

Wildcad...

08/14/23 2350
WAOWF-563
P6 QJ5A (0617)
221-LTO
Wildfire
BLUE LAKE
Chelan Co., Blue Lake
48.499917, 120.692967
215 acres

[Fun CH]

Photos and red dot map is not Blue Lake. There is one basin, which we BC skiers call "Alibaba", between the fire and Blue lake. That fire area shown in the photos is above the 'secret trail' the connects up with the trail that goes to Copper pass.

[pasayten]

Silver Star Gate at milepost 171... east of granite creek and bridge creek

[PAL]

Closed now at Silver Star gate. Is that near Granite Cr.?

[realoldtimer]

SR20's still closed between Granite Creek and Newhalem according WA DOT site as of 8PM on 8/15

[PAL]

I think the road did close for a bit with the last fire at Newhalem. It burned close to the town.
Twisp Pass trail as is the trail to Stiletto is closed now. They just don't want anybody up there from this side even.

[Jingles]

With all the standing dead up there between the 2 passes when I tried to get over the 5th it could take a season ending event, which would be lots of rain or snow, which ever comes first. Oh well just another summer on the dry side

[pasayten]

Washington Trail Closure
Blue Lake Fire near Rainy Pass
The PCT is in the process of being closed north of Stehekin, likely to somewhere north of Rainy Pass on Highway 20, due to the Blue Lake Fire. The fire is burning next to the PCT and Highway 20. We anticipate that the highway will also be closing. Information is currently being gathered for this new fire.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/okanoga ... 489348642/

[pasayten]

It is not large enough to be on inciweb. It is on Wildcad https://www.wildwebe.net/?dc_name=WACWC

[pasayten]

Wildcad.net fire info...

08/14/23 2350
WAOWF-563
P6 (0617)
221-LTO
EK2Q
Wildfire
BLUE LAKE
Chelan Co., Blue Lake
48.499725, 120.689662
10acres

[PAL]

Methow Valley Fire Info on FB has a few more details. Just saw a helo with a bucket go over up Twisp RR.
Bummer, was hoping we could get through this dry, hot stretch with no new fires.
The rumors are flying about the Pass not opening til next spring, but people just don't know.
I did drive through fires in Montana on I-80 one summer. The fires were not in a steep canyon type area however. There were flames sort of near the road, but there were fire crews all over the place. And it was being monitored. Different situation and am in no way wanting the Pass to open if it is not safe.
Looks like the Sourdough is burning down by the road and debris is falling. But maybe once it burns through, who knows when, it might, big might, be safe.

[Rideback]

Blue Lake, 3 acres, 2 helos working it and smoke jumpers arriving.

Note by Admin: Fire originally posted by FUN_CH

A friend informed me that there's a new fire just East of Bridge Creek on Highway 20. I haven't checked out the incident web site to confirm this.

Anyone know any information on this or is it a false alarm?