Single Publication

Ruby Fire Quick Facts

Size: 970 acres                           Location: North Cascades National Park, Ruby Mountain, Diablo, Washington

Containment: 0%                      Cause: Lightning/Natural

Start Date: August 9, 2024        Total Personnel: 54

Fire Information: 360-208-8096 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wancp-ruby-fire Email: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov

Current Status: Yesterday’s unseasonably warm temperatures, low relative humidity and wind caused a significant increase in fire activity. Fire behavior included backing and single tree torching on both the northwestern flank and southeastern flank of the fire, near Panther Creek.  In an effort to reduce the risk of fire spreading towards State Route 20 (SR20) and other key values at risk, a Type 2 helicopter equipped with a collapsible water bucket, referred to as a Bambi Bucket, effectively dropped water on hot spots located throughout the fire. For public and firefighter safety, we ask the public to not stop along the road to watch firefighting operations, to avoid walking onto the bridge along SR20 at Colonial Creek, and avoid entering the closure area at Colonial Creek South Campground. 

Planned Actions: Fire managers continue to remain vigilant and implement tactics to confront critically dry and unstable weather conditions, including using aviation to conduct bucket drops to cool hot spots.  Firefighters will keep working on protecting park campgrounds like Colonial Creek South, trails, backcountry camps, critical infrastructure and other resources in preparation for possible fire growth. The Ruby Fire is a full suppression fire, and firefighters are utilizing strategies and tactics that provide the highest likelihood for success, while mitigating risks to firefighters and the public. The main objectives are protecting human life, minimizing damage to values at risk and limiting wildfire spread to the north and west.

Weather: The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING UNTIL 11 PM PDT FRIDAY, and a HEAT ADVISORY UNTIL 11 PM PDT FRIDAY. Upper-ridging along with a surface thermal trough is contributing to warm and dry conditions across the incident area. Critical fire weather is expected into Friday with relative humidity values as low as 15 to 25% with an unstable airmass. Offshore flow will inhibit relative humidity recoveries tonight. Conditions are expected to improve however as onshore flow returns. Cooler and more moist air will arrive later this weekend but we won't be completely out of the woods on Saturday.

Closures: There are multiple closures in place for public safety; Colonial Creek South Campground and boat launch, Thunder Arm south of Diablo Lake, and area trails and camps. Closures: https://go.nps.gov/fireclosures

Smoke: Air quality is forecast to be GOOD on Friday and Saturday https://www.airnow.gov/

Burning Restrictions: Campfires, the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex: North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. 

Drone Restrictions: Drones can seriously impact the safety of firefighting efforts, and operating drones within North Cascades National Park is prohibited, except with prior written approval from the superintendent. 

Cooperating Agencies & Tribes: National Park Service, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Seattle City Light, Whatcom County, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Dept. of Transportation. 

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