Local News

Harts Pass Road Closed Due to Wildfire

Aug 14, 2015

Crews responded to fires from lightning Wednesday and again Friday morning.

The Tatie Peak Fire is burning in moderate fuel in difficult terrain in the Slate Creek drainage with significant potential for spread given current conditions. The fire is about 3 miles from Harts Pass and 20 miles northwest of Mazama. Smokejumpers were able to construct fireline on one flank of the fire yesterday and a crew is arriving this morning.

The potential for fire spread prompted District Ranger Mike Liu to close the Hart’s Pass Road (3500) at the gate above the River Bend Campground. “With only one way in and out of Harts Pass and the expansion of the Tatie Peak fire, we want to limit the number of people in the area.”

“With the National fire situation drawing all available resources to high priority fires, and with new fires this morning across the Northwest, we need to take this precaution”, said Ranger Liu.

Liu said the situation would be monitored closely and the area would be re-opened as soon as it is safe to do so.

The Pacific Crest Trail is closed between Glacier Pass and Woody Pass This is an adjustment from an earlier closure. An alternate PCT route is available for through hikers.

Another fire, the half-acre Cutthroat Fire and a small spot fire that were burning 9 miles west of Mazama were both contained late Thursday by a local Forest Service hand crew and local rappellers with the help of helicopter bucket work.

Red Flag Warning and Flash Flood warnings continue through the day today to 8:00 PM. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures will create extreme fire growth potential.

This morning’s lightning was concentrated in the Chelan area, east of Twisp, and the Okanogan drainage. Additional fires are being reported and crews are responding.