Fire
Closes Access to Mt. Adams Climbing Route - McDonald Complex Update
VANCOUVER, WA
– Wednesday evening, a lightning storm passed through the
Mt. Adams area on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, igniting
approximately five fires just south of Mt. Adams. This group of
fires is being called the McDonald Complex. The fires have closed
access to the popular South Climbing route on
Mt. Adams.
Currently the fires are burning in an unroaded, semi-primitive area,
outside of the Mt. Adams Wilderness Area. No homes or structures
are threatened.
The town of Trout Lake is approximately 10 miles south of the fires.
The largest fire is burning at the 5,500 foot elevation on Mt. Adams
and is currently approximately 100 acres in size.
The fire is fueled by dense forested conditions, including snags,
dead timber and heavy fuels.
Approximately 120 firefighters are on the fire line and are being
supported by 1 helicopter with water dropping capabilities and a
water tender. Additional resources have been ordered including fallers.
Crews are continuing to construct fire line on the south end of
the fire. A large number of snags are being felled which is slowing
progress of line construction.
A type 3 incident management team is currently managing the fire.
Forest Road 8040, accessing the Cold Springs Area, is currently
closed to public access one mile south of the Wicky Creek Shelter.
Access to the South Climbing route on Mount Adams is closed along
with the trailheads and campgrounds listed below.
The area of the fire is experiencing cooler weather today with higher
humidity and light rain which is helping crews make progress on
the fire. Warmer and dryer weather is forecasted for this weekend.
Trailheads:
* South Climb #183,
* Cold Springs #72,
* Crofton Butte #73,
* Gotchen Creek #40,
* Round the Mountain Trail #9.
Campgrounds:
* Cold Springs
* Morrison Creek
For additional information please contact Gala Miller, 509-395-3430
or Roger Peterson 360-891-5007 or visit the Special
Conditions Report on the Forest website.
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