Sunday Fire Update: August 27, 2023, 1320 hours PDT

LOCATION
This wildfire is also located in the area North of Diablo and Gorge Lakes, W of Ross Lake in Ross Lake NRA, North Cascades National Park.

Photo Courtesy: Inciweb

INCIDENT SUMMARY
The ongoing SOURDOUGH FIRE is still burning 6 miles NE of Newhalem, Washington. The fire started on 7/29/2023 from being sparked by lightning. The Incident # is WA-NCP-000262. The expected containment date is slated for 10/1/2023.

CURRENT STATUS
The lightning-caused fire has burned about 6,138 acres and is now 25% contained. However, it is still threatening 77 mixed commercial/residential structures. Moderate fire behavior with creeping, single tree torching, and flanking. The community of Diablo and its energy infrastructure are threatened.

RESOURCES
There are 201 total fire personnel along with 2 crews, 3 copters, and 8 engines.

CLOSED: SR 20
Per WSDOT: “State Route 20 (SR 20) is once again closed from milepost 120 (Newhalem) to Milepost 171 (Silver Star Campground) due to increased activity associated with the Blue Lake Fire. The timeframe for reopening remains uncertain.

As has been emphasized, unexpected closures can occur due to the unpredictable nature of wildfires. While the Incident Management Teams oversee the firefighting efforts, we work closely with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to ensure safe passage on the roadways.

These closures are in effect for the safety of the public and firefighters. For updates on the situation, please visit https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT/.

FIRE OFFICIALS
CURRENTLY: The current suppression strategy involves obtaining full containment along the southern portion of the fire that includes SR20 as well as other infrastructure such as buildings, utility corridors, and other values at risk. In the remote, steep, high
wilderness areas of the fire to the north, the strategy is to keep the fire confined on the west and eastern flanks using natural
features and past fire scars. This northern flank is composed of alpine and sub-alpine fuel types and is expected to continue to
burn at a slower and lower intensity producing a mosaic burn pattern that is typical in these high-elevation areas. Firefighters
are prepared to take action if the fire endangers any values. Incident managers continuously evaluate and refine these
management strategies, working toward a clear end state of ensuring the safety and protection of communities, infrastructure,
and resources.

YESTERDAY’S FIRE OPERATIONS
In response to the increased activity at the Blue Lake Fire, several aerial resources were redirected to assist with firefighting efforts there. The remaining aerial resources closely monitored the Sourdough Fire’s perimeters, focusing on the east and west, with no concerns observed. On the ground, crews strengthened containment lines through ongoing mop-up operations. Suppression repair activities are progressing, focusing on erosion control measures, improvements to drainage
structures, repairing roads, and returning damaged or disturbed areas to their natural conditions.

TODAY’S FIRE OPERATIONS
The closure of SR 20 remains in effect, due to increased fire activity on the Blue Lake fire, until conditions change. Firefighters will patrol secured areas in the southern portion of the fire to ensure the integrity of the lines. Suppression repair operations will also continue. Reconnaissance flights will be flown to assess containment progress. All non-essential equipment is being backhauled to the fire camp as the first step in getting them ready for other fires.

Photo Credits/Courtesy: Inciweb (KMAX)

CTD: 13.4 Million Dollars.

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