News Release of August 22, 2008
Incident: Jack Creek Wildfire
Released: 8/22/2008
EASTERN AREA
Fire Use Management Team
Jack Creek Fire - Foam Creek Fire Complex
News Release
Date: August 22, 2008
Subject: Fire Update for Wenatchee Ranger District Fires
Contact: Becky Banker (509) 548-3069
www.inciweb.org
The Jack Creek and Foam Creek fires continue to burn in remote, unpopulated areas of the Wenatchee River Ranger District. A drying trend is forecasted for today and will continue throughout the weekend, bringing with it the possibility of increased fire activity. The Eastern Wildland Fire Use Management Team, Barbara Bonefeld, Incident Commander, is managing these fires on the Wenatchee River Ranger District. The Incident Command Post is located at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery.
A temporary flight restriction remains in effect for the Jack Creek Fire. Trail closures were updated Tuesday, August 19, 2008. Visitors to the Forest are urged to familiarize themselves with fire locations, fire activity, and related closures. As of August 19, the Wenatchee River Ranger District has enlarged the area of restricted access in the vicinity of the Jack Creek Fire. Updated closures and closure maps may be accessed on the Wenatchee National Forest Web page at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee, or at http://www.inciweb.org/, or by calling the Wenatchee River Ranger District at (509) 548-6977.
The Jack Creek Fire is located within the Jack Creek drainage of the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. The fire has not appreciably enlarged over the last several days, remaining 1058 acres in size. Efforts to monitor the fire for the past two days have been hampered by cloud cover restricting the use of aviation resources. However, fire personnel will be monitoring by air today. All ground resources have been removed from the fire due to weather. Public safety and the safety of fire personnel will receive continued emphasis for all operations. Fire behavior consists largely of creeping through surface fuels and short uphill runs ignited by debris that has fallen down slope.
The Foam Creek Fire has advanced through a previously burned area of abundant dead and downed fuels. The fire now encompasses 595 acres within the Glacier Peak Wilderness. A Trail closure is in effect on the White River Trail. Predicted warm and dry weather for the next few days could increase fire behavior. This fire will continue to be monitored for wildland fire use with the objective of achieving natural fuel reduction. Rock faces and scree slopes provide substantial natural barriers that should limit the spread of this fire. The Foam Creek Fire is located in a remote area removed from communities or structures.
Other small fires on the Wenatchee River Ranger District (Meander, Poet, Scoop, and Reflection Pond) continue to be monitored, though no significant fire activity has been noted over the last 48 hours.
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