News Release

Update: Five Fires Located in North Cascades National Park Service Complex

Date: August 18, 2018
Contact: Denise Shultz

Five lightning ignited fires are burning or being monitored in North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Four fires are located in the North Unit of the Park Complex, and one in the Flat Creek drainage. In addition, a fire in British Columbia, Canada has closed vehicle access to Hozomeen as of Thursday, August 9, until further notice.

The Arctic Jim Fire is located in the Arctic Creek drainage north of Mount Prophet and is approximately 400 acres. The fire has moved over the north side of the ridge and is currently held at a rock scree terrain feature. Firefighters are monitoring movement in relation to the Little Beaver and Big Beaver trails. 

The Little Fork Fire is located in the Little Fork of the Little Chilliwack River and is approximately 75 acres. The fire was located Aug 17^th while fire management was on a reconnaissance flight of the North Unit Fires. The fire was not spotted previously due to heavy smoke and haze in the area. Firefighters are monitoring movement in relation to the Copper Ridge and Chilliwack trails.

The Prophet Fire started as a single-tree ignition and grew to approximately 5 acres. It is located west of Ross Lake in a saddle west of Mount Prophet on the ridge between Arctic Creek and Big Beaver. Firefighters are monitoring movement in relation to the Big Beaver Trail. No visible smoke was observed Aug 17^th.

The No Doubt Fire is located on the southwest aspect on the upper 1/3 of Nodoubt Mountain. There has been minimal growth and firefighters are monitoring movement in relation to the Chilliwack Trail.  No visible smoke was observed Aug 17^th.

The Flat Fire is located in the drainage above the confluence of Flat Creek and the Stehekin River and is approximately .2 acres. Firefighters began active suppression with helicopter water drops. A three-person hand crew comprised of North Cascades firefighters hiked in and utilized minimum impact suppression techniques to suppress the fire.  Firefighters worked the fire for four days, and hiked out. No visible smokes have been reported since Aug 11.

Due to fire activity in the park and surrounding areas, entry to the park via Hozomeen is not possible. Permits will not be issued for backcountry trips starting in Hozomeen. Hozomeen Campground will remain open to boat-in or hike-in camping for trips originating from the south. Additional lightning storms are predicted and fire conditions may change. Firefighters are monitoring fire movement in relation to trails and camps and the park may close areas if conditions warrant. For up-to-date information on closures visit web alerts on the park website at, www.nps/gov/noca, or call the Wilderness Information Center at 360-854-7245.

                                                                               www.nps.gov/noca