SIT REP 4: Sunday, August 13, 2023, 1325 hours PT

(R) Photo Courtesy: Inciweb

The wildfire is still burning which started on July 29, 2023, from which lightning sparked the SOURDOUGH FIRE that is located about six (6) miles northeast of Newhalem, Washington State in the North Cascades National Park.

There are 419 total personnel along with nine (9) hand crews, 20 engines, five (5) water tenders, and seven (7) copters.

Resources for this incident include,

WSDOT: (Left) Photo Credit “11:05 a.m. Sunday, August 13: SR 20 North Cascades Highway remains CLOSED between Newhalem (milepost 120) and just east of Granite Creek/East Creek Trailhead (milepost 146) due to the Sourdough Fire. There is NO ETA for reopening. There is NO RECREATION in this area. Trails, camping, hiking, pullouts, etc. remain CLOSED, including Diablo. This is an active wildfire. Please do not disregard closures, they are in place for your safety and the safety of crews.”

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office: The County Sheriff’s Office on August 4th, released this update: “Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office continues to support the efforts in containing the Sourdough Fire. Deputies have been deployed to assist in evacuation and safety measures and WCSO’s Division of Emergency Management is arranging other resources as needed. Fire suppression operations have been hampered by unauthorized drone flights in the area. Please do NOT fly drones in or around the area.”

Mt. Hood FS West Zone Fire: Photo Credit (below)

Seattle City Light: “The Sourdough Fire continues to burn in the North Cascades. Currently, none of City Light’s dams, powerhouses, transmission lines, or other critical infrastructure are threatened. Diablo Dam resumed operations on Tuesday, Aug. 8, and Ross Dam resumed operations on Wednesday, Aug. 9. City Light crews continue to assist the multiagency fire group to strengthen containment areas and conduct fuel-removal operations.”

Whatcom County Public Works: On August 9, 2023, “State Route 20 has reopened as of this morning–thru traffic only. (Pullouts and access points are barricaded). Please use caution throughout the area and follow all traffic control instructions.”

North Cascades National Park Service Complex: “The Sourdough Fire continues to affect access to areas along State Route 20 east of Newhalem between milepost 120 (Newhalem) and 139 (east NPS boundary).”

US National Weather Service IMET: On August 5, 2023, a Spokane USNWS IMET was assigned to the [Fire].

Mountain West Wild Fire LLC: Hard work continues on the [Fire]. Photo Credit. (below)

Skagit Tours: “Due to the Sourdough Fire, all Skagit Tours are suspended until further notice.”

Northwest Incident Management Team 10: “Fire crews and Seattle City Light field personnel work to mitigate the hazard trees along the roads. With the expertise of the field personnel and specialized equipment they can provide, crews work together to minimize the impacts of the fire to customers and provide safer conditions to the firefighters while working on the Sourdough Fire.”

North Cascades Institute: “We’re following the daily briefings closely and appreciate seeing the video updates from Operations Section Chief Dean Lange. It’s assuring to hear him say that the Environmental Learning Center is “looking really good” and that power has been restored to our facility! We are beyond grateful to the hundreds of crew working so strategically from Newhalem to protect our campus, the town of Diablo, the historic Sourdough Fire Lookout, and Ross Lake Resort since the fire was first reported on July 29.”

Mount Vernon Police Department: “MVFD Captain Scott Cleave is currently deployed as a Division Supervisor on the Sourdough Fire near Diablo, WA. The fire is currently estimated at 1,710 acres with 0% containment.”

(Below) Photo Credit: MVFD (Photo taken on August 9, 2023)

US National Weather Service (Seattle): “Lots of reports, including from us at the office, of noticeable smoke and haze across Puget Sound. This is due to the Sourdough Fire and north winds. Some improvement may occur through the afternoon with increasing winds. However, air quality may be depleted at times into Monday. We want to continue to stress the elevated to critical fire weather conditions that exist through at least Tuesday for Western Washington. Significant growth on existing or new fires can impact air quality at times across the area.”

Poulsbo Fire Department: “Poulsbo Battalion Chief, Kurt Krech is halfway through a 14-day assignment on the “Sourdough Fire” in the North Cascades. The fire is burning in steep forested terrain and has Hwy 20 closed due to lots of falling rocks. Kurt’s primary role on the incident management team is as a Safety Officer, keeping a constant watch on fire spread and direction, keeping those actively engaged out of perilous positions.”

(below) Photo Credit: Poulsbo FD

It is now 1,938 acres of timber and has a 5% containment status.

The fire behavior is active, which continues to be observed by Fire Officials and also includes flanking, backing, and creeping.

Structures and energy infrastructure continues to be threatened.

Evacuations are in place.

Area/Road/Trail closures still remain in effect.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog