7/6/2015 Horseshoe Fire Update

Horseshoe Fire poses challenge to contain and suppress 

Trout Lake, Wash., --Firefighters are carefully scouting containment and suppression options for the Horseshoe Fire, discovered July 3, burning in the Mt. Adams Wilderness Area on the Southwest slopes of Mt. Adams.  The fire is currently approximately 235 acres with no significant growth in the last day.  The Fire grows in size when dry lichens growing in the trees catch fire and wind carries embers ahead, igniting new spot fires.  There is currently little movement of the fire through ground fuels. 

Similar fire behavior is expected today, with 5-7 mph winds from the south and southwest.  Two large helicopters will drop water on hotspots or portions of the perimeter that become more active.

The Horseshoe Fire threatens recreation, timber and cultural resources.  The fire is burning near a segment of the Pacific Crest Trail.  The affected area near the Trail has been closed and cleared of hikers who are being re-routed along adjacent forest roads and trails. 

Suppressing the Horseshoe Fire will be challenging because of inaccessibility, short range spotting, subalpine fir and abundant snags, and the long duration remaining in the 2015 fire season.   Suppression options are being developed by the Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4 led by Brian Gales, Incident Commander.  The strategies are based on management action points identified during the suppression of the Cascade Creek Fire in 2012.  Several opportunities are being scouted and field-validated today.  A long term strategy identifying suppression alternatives will be presented to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest on July 8.

 

Strategies are intended to effectively contain and suppress the fire, while balancing the preservation of wilderness character and values.  All actions will weigh the values at risk versus the exposure of firefighters. 

Trail Closures:  Trail #9 Round the Mountain between Trail #16 Shorthorn and Trail #112 Divide Camp; Trail #12 Stagman Ridge; Trail #64 Riley Camp; Trail #64 Riley Camp; Trail #64A Riley South; Trail #73 Crofton Ridge; Trail #75 Salt Creek; Trail #2000 Pacific Crest Trail between Forest Road 23 and Trail # 112 Divide Camp.

Fire Facts – Monday, July 6, 2015 – 0900 HOURS

Fire Size:  235 acres

Evacuations:  None

Percent Contained:  0%

Fuels:  Subalpine fir, hemlock with abundant canopy lichens

Expected Containment:  Not determined

Air Resources:   Two Type I helicopters, one air attack platform

Firefighting Crews:  5

Total Personnel: approximately 170