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Contact: Kerry Olson, 360 854-7302
In the midst of scattered thunder showers and after lightning storms new fires were discovered. The Rainbow Ridge Fire was discovered on July 30. Located above the Stehekin Valley, it is about 1/10 acre and is being suppressed by 2 firefighters. Five other new fires were also found July 30th. All are small. Two are in Panther Creek, one is near Colonial Creek, another is in the Cascade River, and another near Bouck Lake. Fire managers are assessing these, and may staff some of them. Recent lightning may have started additional fires. However, accompanying rains have wetted fuels sufficiently so that it may take several days before any additional fires are detected, if at all. Ongoing fires The Crapper Fire was reported in the afternoon of July 28. The fire is located about one mile southeast of Newhalem and the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center just up from the Newhalem Creek. It is about 2 acres in size. The fire was inactive on Thursday, but fire personnel are continuing to monitor it. The Luna Pilot Fire has burned less than one acre in the northern region of the park. The fire is on the northeast flank of Luna Peak, just up from Luna Creek, and it showing very little activity. The Panther Creek Fire has continued to burn down to and along Panther Creek to the west – away from HWY 20. The fire is now estimated to be 215 acres in size. Most of the burning has occurred at the base of the fire near and along Panther Creek. Fire managers continue to manage this fire with anticipated actions if or when the fire reaches specified parameters. Fires Declared Out The Pyramid Fire was less than one acre in size and was declared out on 7/30. The Moon Fire was less than one acre in size and was suppressed, due to its proximity to the Upper Stehekin Valley. TRAIL CLOSURES: The Panther Creek Trail is closed from the trailhead on Highway 20 to Fourth of July Pass until further notice. Except for the trail closure, Park visitor facilities have not been affected by any of the fires. HIGHWAY 20: Highway 20 is open as of 4.00 pm, 7/30. For current fire information, contact the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem (206-386-4495), the Wilderness Information Center (360-854-7245) in Marblemount or visit www.nps.gov/noca/parknews/ To learn more about wildland fire in the National Park System go to: www.nps.gov/fire/fire/fir_wildland.cfm For Wildland fire updates on wildfires throughout the national visit: www.nifc.govor www.inciweb.org |
Last updated: February 28, 2015