7/12/2015 Mt. Adams Complex Update AM

Mt. Adams Complex Fire Size: 402.2 acres (total)

·         Horseshoe  340 acres

·         Riley             62 acres

·         7 Lakes        0.1 acre

·         Canyon        0.1 acre

Confinement of the Canyon and 7 Lakes Fires is expected today and a little more mop-up in the Horseshoe Fire will “button up” three of the four fires burning in the Mt. Adams Complex. 

Firefighters reported finding the small Canyon Fire yesterday and began suppressing it immediately.  Crews who have been constructing a contingency fuel break along Forest Road 23 completed their work yesterday.

Firefighters are nearing completion of the Horseshoe Fire as two crews finish mopping up 60 feet on its western perimeter.  The crews will finish their work and move a mile to the north to join other firefighters who are taking advantage of the cool, humid conditions on Mt. Adams while fighting the Riley Fire. Pockets of downed fuels are burning in the Riley Fire.

Yesterday, the mountain was shrouded in fog as a deep marine layer moved over the area, raising humidity levels and cooling temperatures.  Helicopter use has been interrupted over the past several days because of low visibility. The clouds lifted yesterday afternoon and conditions improved enough to allow aerial delivery of food and supplies to the Spike Camp at the Horseshoe Fire where firefighters are spending the night.

Today, a weak Pacific cold front will move into the area bringing scattered showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Temperatures near the fires will remain in the lower 60s for the next few days.

Two crews and miscellaneous overhead were demobilized this morning as firefighters are making progress toward meeting incident objectives.

Base Camp Tour:  The public is invited to tour the Base Camp on Sunday, July 12 at 1 p.m.  Meet at the Mt Adams Ranger Station: 2455 Hwy 141, Trout Lake, Wash.

The Pacific Crest Trail Closure remains in effect.