Regional News

Diamond Creek Fire Update July 27,

Jul 27, 2017

Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington.

Yesterday: Continued hot and dry weather with poor humidity recovery led to increased activity and fire growth overnight on Wednesday. The fire spotted across Diamond Creek and is now established on the north side of that drainage.

Firefighters will determine a new estimated acreage when they fly over the fire later today. There was no Infrared flight on Wednesday night.

Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module was flown in to the fire area and is gathering data, planning and will begin implementation of a long term strategy for confinement of the Diamond Creek Fire. Considerations when developing the strategy include public and firefighter safety first then minimizing damage to natural resources and infrastructure. Habitat for threatened and endangered species such as Canada lynx and bull trout are among the resource concerns being considered.

Smoke Jumpers, who had been working on the fire since it was reported on Sunday, transitioned with the San Juan Interagency Hotshot Crew and were transported out of the fire area yesterday afternoon.

Weather: The short term forecast is for continued hot and dry weather. Wind direction has changed and is now pushing the Diamond Creek Fire toward the north-northwest, in the direction of Hidden Lakes. Wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour are predicted for later today. Continued hazy conditions, particularly in the mornings around the community of Mazama are expected.

Today: Firefighters are improving exit routes from the fire area. This includes brush clearing along the upper portion of Eightmile Road. Crews will continue reconnaissance, identifying opportunities to confine the Diamond Creek Fire. Helicopter operations are based out of Fosters Field, about ½ mile east of Mazama, Washington on Goat Creek Road.

Where beneficial, and safe to do so, firefighters are slowing fire spread to lessen impacts and reduce tree mortality. Under a confinement strategy, firefighters would work to guide the fire toward natural barriers such as rocky ridgetops, or other natural vegetation breaks and old fire scars.

Pacific Crest Trail is at least 15 air miles from the Diamond Creek Fire and is not threatened by the fire at this time. Scars from past fires, including the Tatoosh Fire in 2006, are between the Diamond Creek Fire and the Pacific Crest Trail, providing a buffer against rapid fire spread.

Goat Peak Lookout will be staffed to aid firefighters on the Diamond Creek Fire.

Objectives for the Diamond Creek Fire include keeping it within the Pasayten Wilderness, where it poses no threat to homes or communities.

Closures: The following closures remain in place to provide for public and firefighter safety.

Billy Goat Trailhead
Hidden Lakes Trail (#477)
Larch Creek Trail (#502) from the trailhead to McCall Trail (#548)
Drake Trail (#502B)
Burch Mt. Trail (#502A)
Dollarwatch Trail (#451)