Ruby Fire

August 10, 2024 | 2300 Hours PT

Photo Credit: North Cascades National Park

The RUBY FIRE is Washington State’s newest wildfire start ignited by lightning. This brings the total of wildfires to over 30 burning in the Pacific Northwest region.

A lightning storm passed over the area and started this fire located about five miles southeast of Diablo (Whatcom County) on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest (USFS) in the Ross Lake National Rec area.

The fire is staffed with a Type 3 ICT (to arrive Sunday), a hotshot crew, and a wildland fire module.

Incident Cooperators include:

National Park Service

North Cascades National Park Service Complex

US National Weather Service Amarillo Texas IMET

It was detected on August 9, 2024.

The fire is about 500 acres and has a 0% containment status.

Fire behavior is active with short-range spotting and running, prompting area and trail closures.

According to Fire Officials, “A Type 3 Incident Command Team arrives on Sunday, August 11. The fire burned actively today and was supported by two Fire Bosses dropping water until they were diverted to other needs in the area. Firefighters set up sprinklers to protect a bridge along Thunder Creek Trail.

Two additional fires were detected following abundant lightning with minimal precipitation that moved through the area on Friday. The Riprap Fire, estimated at 1/10 acre is burning on Sourdough Mountain. The Pierce Fire, estimated at 1 acre, is burning on Pierce Mountain. Both fires were supported with aerial delivered water throughout the day. Crews will assess the fires and prioritize with the resources available.

Fire personnel continue to monitor the area for additional fire starts from recent and predicted storms throughout the area.

Firefighting resources remain limited due to the quantity and complexity of incidents in the region. As of July 18, the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) elevated the National Fire Preparedness Level to a PL5, the highest on the scale.”

CLOSED: South portion of Colonial Creek campgrounds. Closure updates: https://www.nps.gov/noca/learn/news/colonial-creek-campground-south-closure-and-additional-fire-starts.htm

(c) 2024 NW Fire Blog