Forum Index > Trail Talk > Diamond Creek Fire - Pasayten Wilderness
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Joey
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Joey
verrry senior member
PostWed Jul 26, 2017 2:47 pm 
http://methowvalleynews.com/2017/07/26/diamond-creek-fire-072617/ story says: "Given the steep terrain, limited access and available resources, continued direct suppression of the Diamond Creek Fire would not be sustainable. Now that evacuations are complete, other options can be considered." (emphasis added) The following MODIS hotspot map will always show the latest data hosted on a federal GIS server. If you zoom in any more then the hotspot data does not appear. Don't blame me. That kind of stuff is defined on the GIS server.
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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob



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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob
PostWed Jul 26, 2017 5:04 pm 
Screen Shot 2017-07-26 at 12.29.27 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-07-26 at 12.29.27 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-07-26 at 12.57.12 PM.png
Screen Shot 2017-07-26 at 12.57.12 PM.png

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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob



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BeyondLost
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PostThu Jul 27, 2017 11:55 am 
Latest update-note wind change and fire burning to the north now toward Hidden Lakes: Fire Update July 27, 2017 Incident: Diamond Creek Fire Wildfire Released: 1:05 hrs. ago Related Information Printable Format (pdf 65 kb) Diamond Creek Fire Update Wednesday July 27, 2017 at 10:45 a.m. Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington. Yesterday: Continued hot and dry weather with poor humidity recovery led to increased activity and fire growth overnight on Wednesday. The fire spotted across Diamond Creek and is now established on the north side of that drainage. Firefighters will determine a new estimated acreage when they fly over the fire later today. There was no Infrared flight on Wednesday night. Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module was flown in to the fire area and is gathering data, planning and will begin implementation of a long term strategy for confinement of the Diamond Creek Fire. Considerations when developing the strategy include public and firefighter safety first then minimizing damage to natural resources and infrastructure. Habitat for threatened and endangered species such as Canada lynx and bull trout are among the resource concerns being considered. Smoke Jumpers, who had been working on the fire since it was reported on Sunday, transitioned with the San Juan Interagency Hotshot Crew and were transported out of the fire area yesterday afternoon. Weather: The short term forecast is for continued hot and dry weather. Wind direction has changed and is now pushing the Diamond Creek Fire toward the north-northwest, in the direction of Hidden Lakes. Wind gusts up to 20 miles per hour are predicted for later today. Continued hazy conditions, particularly in the mornings around the community of Mazama are expected. Today: Firefighters are improving exit routes from the fire area. This includes brush clearing along the upper portion of Eightmile Road. Crews will continue reconnaissance, identifying opportunities to confine the Diamond Creek Fire. Helicopter operations are based out of Fosters Field, about ˝ mile east of Mazama, Washington on Goat Creek Road. Where beneficial, and safe to do so, firefighters are slowing fire spread to lessen impacts and reduce tree mortality. Under a confinement strategy, firefighters would work to guide the fire toward natural barriers such as rocky ridgetops, or other natural vegetation breaks and old fire scars. Pacific Crest Trail is at least 15 air miles from the Diamond Creek Fire and is not threatened by the fire at this time. Scars from past fires, including the Tatoosh Fire in 2006, are between the Diamond Creek Fire and the Pacific Crest Trail, providing a buffer against rapid fire spread. Goat Peak Lookout will be staffed to aid firefighters on the Diamond Creek Fire. Objectives for the Diamond Creek Fire include keeping it within the Pasayten Wilderness, where it poses no threat to homes or communities. Closures: The following closures remain in place to provide for public and firefighter safety. Billy Goat Trailhead Hidden Lakes Trail (#477) Larch Creek Trail (#502) from the trailhead to McCall Trail (#548) Drake Trail (#502B) Burch Mt. Trail (#502A) Dollarwatch Trail (#451)

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ArcDome
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PostThu Jul 27, 2017 1:18 pm 
According to the wind map below the fire/smoke might move south-southeast at night and north-northeast during the day.

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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob



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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob
PostThu Jul 27, 2017 9:40 pm 
The fire really blew up today. Chopper pilots tell me 1000 acres. Photo from down valley published in the Methow Valley News. Yes, smoky here in the AM and clears out when the wind picks up mid morning.
MVN FB page photo
MVN FB page photo

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Nancyann
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 3:08 am 
RIP, Three Fools Pass.
Three Fools Pass, our fourth night campsite 7/13 to 7/17/17
Three Fools Pass, our fourth night campsite 7/13 to 7/17/17
Three Fools Pass, our fourth night campsite 7/13 to 7/17/17
Three Fools Pass, our fourth night campsite 7/13 to 7/17/17
Handsome toad near Three Fools Pass, Pasayten Wilderness 7/13 to 7/17/17
Handsome toad near Three Fools Pass, Pasayten Wilderness 7/13 to 7/17/17
Before the fire: Basking in the sun at Three Fools Pass, Pasayten Wilderness
Before the fire: Basking in the sun at Three Fools Pass, Pasayten Wilderness

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pasayten
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pasayten
Class of 65...
PostFri Jul 28, 2017 5:51 am 
Happy Trails... pasayten
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ArcDome
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 7:48 am 
It's up to 2710 acres now:

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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob



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BeyondLost
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 8:32 am 
I think it's now safe to say this will burn until the snow puts it out. It's going to be a long smoky summer and fall in the Pasayten and Methow. The relatively good news is no habitations threatened so far.

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sooperfly
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 9:34 am 
BeyondLost wrote:
I think it's now safe to say this will burn until the snow puts it out. It's going to be a long smoky summer and fall in the Pasayten and Methow. The relatively good news is no habitations threatened so far.
BL, so depressing. What a great area to hike in. The Gmap thingy is showing fire on the other side of the Lost River... if you can, next time you talk to the pilots can you find out if this is true? Thanks!

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wamtngal
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 9:41 am 
I had a great trip planned for the Billy Goat area next month. One of my favorite places. Dollar Watch has some big old larches...fire will likely hit there. One of the largest unburned areas left in the Pasayten now torched due to some idiot's campfire... While I understand the benefits of wildlife, it's maddening to see this happening there when so much of the Pasayten has burned already. Sigh.

Opinions expressed here are my own.
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Nancyann
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 10:47 am 
wamtngal wrote: "One of the largest unburned areas left in the Pasayten now torched due to some idiot's campfire". This is what I find extremely disturbing and heartbreaking, such a tremendous loss brought about by the actions of one careless, pathetic loser. That said, I would like to point out that the regulations for where to have a campfire in the Pasayten Wilderness seem somewhat vague. Another problem is that when hikers are out on multi-day trips in the Pasayten, they have no way of knowing if fire restrictions are put in place. In fact, that is exactly what happened to us, apparently restrictions were announced on July 14, but we were already out in the backcountry and were unaware of the announcement. We did build a small fire in the campfire ring at Three Fools Pass on the 17th, due to the chilly temps, but were meticulous in making sure it was extinguished. Before we left, we also removed any wood debris near the fire pit area, as previous campers had left wood piled up right next to it. It's a sad irony that it all burned up anyway, started by a careless fire builder many miles away.

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treeswarper
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treeswarper
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 10:55 am 
Fire is natural. Depending on how much undergrowth there is around those larches, they may be all right. Larches are one of the more fire resistant trees in the woods. The big old ones have thick bark and that protects them from the heat. The fire isn't likely to be a mushroom cloud of doom (hot one) at all times. For example, at night, when humidity should be up, a fire is more likely to creep around. That type of fire is beneficial and usually just burns fuels on or near the ground--staying out of the tree canopy. And yes, it is going to burn until a cloudburst or some other act of nature dumps on it, or it burns to where there is no fuel left on the ground. That's how fire in the wilderness works. Better get used to it.

What's especially fun about sock puppets is that you can make each one unique and individual, so that they each have special characters. And they don't have to be human––animals and aliens are great possibilities
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tuck and roll
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tuck and roll
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PostFri Jul 28, 2017 4:07 pm 
One of my favorite rustic cabins is about to burn. frown.gif
Diamond Cr Cabin
Diamond Cr Cabin

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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob



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BeyondLost
Crazy Bob
PostFri Jul 28, 2017 5:02 pm 
"BL, so depressing. What a great area to hike in. The Gmap thingy is showing fire on the other side of the Lost River... if you can, next time you talk to the pilots can you find out if this is true? Thanks!" sooperfly, Yes, I saw that on the GMap also and it does not agree with the fire perimeter from InciWeb. I will try to confirm with the chopper pilot which is correct. It is blowing up again the last half-hour but more dark smoke and less white cumulus moisture cloud tonight.

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