Single Publication

Williams Mine Fire Update for Sunday, September 8, 2024 

A smoky haze continued to hang over the Williams Mine Fire area on Saturday. This smoke shading resulted in another day of moderated fire activity despite poor relative humidity recovery (RH) at night. The smoke is expected to persist today, but conditions may improve as winds shift to coming from the west to northwest. Slightly cooler temperatures and better humidity recovery at night are expected to help keep the fire activity at a moderate level.

The fire edge in the Morrison Creek drainage, west and northwest of the South Climb Trailhead, showed little growth yesterday. Much of the fire spread in this area is from burning snags (dead trees) falling. As the fire burns along the fallen tree, flames spread to other down logs and snags it is contacting. The toppling snags can be over 100 feet tall, allowing for a steady progression of the fire. 

Fire personnel have not found a safe way to stop this spread through snag fall. The number, size, and instability of the snags make it extremely dangerous to work near them. Helicopter water drops are being used to cool the fire, with minimal fire growth seen in this area for several days. The water also increases the moisture content of adjacent fuels, making them more difficult to ignite. Fire managers hope to stall the progression of the fire toward the South Climb Trail until weather conditions turn cooler and more humid.

Work is progressing on FS Rd 23. Most of the mastication has been completed, and work had begun on cleaning out culverts and repairing damage done to ditches and the road surface. Physical barriers are being set up on FS Rd 23 to replace the security guards where longer-term closures are expected to be needed.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures fine particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM2.5 is associated with the greatest proportion of adverse health effects related to air pollution from wildfire smoke. The AQI reached the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” level yesterday in Trout Lake. Anyone with lung problems should limit exposure to outdoor air when it is smoky. For more information, please see AirNow.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Tract D Recreation Area is currently closed, please see Yakama Tract D Road Closure for more information. FS Rd 23 south of FS Rd 90 is still CLOSED to the public due to fire suppression activity. Takhlakh Lake is still closed. The revised closure for the Mt. Adams Wilderness and FS Rd 23 closure can be found at Williams Mine Fire: Area and Road Closure. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the PCT's intersection with FS Rd 23 to Potato Hill. The current area closure spans the entire Mt. Adams Wilderness.