8/15/2015 Cougar Creek AM Update

Cougar Creek Fire Daily Update, August 15 2015 9:00 Am

Incident: Cougar Creek Wildfire
Released: 22 min. ago

GLENWOOD, Wash. – Heavy winds from the west pushed the Cougar Creek Fire through dense stands of bug-killed trees to 21,800 acres Friday. Movement of the fire to the south and east prompted the Klickitat County Sheriff to issue a Level 1 evacuation for some residents north of Glenwood. The Level 1 notice advises residents to be alert of the fire’s activity. 

A public outreach meeting will be at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17, at the Trout Lake School.

Firefighters continue to deal with extreme fire behavior, long range spotting, treacherous terrain, and heavy fuel loading from bug-killed timber and the remains of the Cold Springs and Cascade Creek fires.

Lightning ignited the fire Monday, Aug. 10, 2015. It is located approximately 6 miles northwest of Glenwood. Lands protected by the Yakama Indian Nation, Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the United States Forest Service are impacted by the fire.

The Washington National Guard sent two Blackhawk helicopters to assist operations Friday. Another 100 National Guard ground forces are scheduled to arrive Sunday and work on the line under Washington Incident Management Team #5 (WIIMT5), Incident Commander Dave Leitch.

Local ground resources and helicopters are at work on the fire. Aggressive suppression efforts are being focused along the south and east edges of the fire to protect structures, private lands, and timber resources. Strategies are being developed to attack other areas of the fire. Western operations will focus on strengthening the fire line.

With resources stretched thin throughout the country, officials are urging the public to exercise utmost caution in situations that could start new fires. 

CLOSURES: For the safety of firefighters and the public: DNR - All DNR State Trust lands and recreation sites within the Glenwood Block are closed. Yakama Indian Nation - Tract D Mt. Adams Recreation Area is closed. USFS – The South Climb & all other trails on the south & east sides of Mt. Adams are closed between Forest Road 23 at Williams Mine to the eastern boundary of the Forest. Forest Roads 80 & 82 are also closed. Future daily updates will be posted by 9 a.m. each day on InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4484/. An information phone line and email address has been established. Information Office Phone: (509)364-3369 Email: cougarcreekfireinfo@gmail.com