The perimeter of the fire as determined by an overnight infrared assessment published on July 28, 2017.
From Inciweb:
Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington.
Yesterday: Twenty mile per hour wind gusts accompanying a dry cold front caused active burning in the afternoon and evening on Thursday, producing a smoke column easily visible from communities throughout Okanogan County.
Fire growth was primarily toward the east, up the Diamond Creek drainage. The infrared flight last night detected intense heat at the eastern perimeter and on the northern flank of Nanny Goat Mountain. Evidence of spot fires was detected outside of northern, eastern and southern perimeters of the fire.
Because conditions with wildand fire are dynamic, managers develop contingency plans to be implemented should fire reach predetermined geographic locations.With input from the Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module, management action points are being established. Should the fire reach one of these geographic locations, the management strategy for that portion of the Diamond Creek Fire would be altered as planned. An example would be increased suppression activity should the fire reach Eightmile Pass (currently several miles south of the fire).
Considerations when developing and modifying 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.
Weather: The short term forecast is for continued hot and dry weather.Continued smoky, or hazy conditions can be expected for the next several days in the Methow Valley, particularly in the mornings.
Today: Firefighters will establish a helispot and move their camp to the Hidden Lakes area. They are also wrapping and adding sprinkler systems to protect the historic administrative cabins at Hidden Lake.
Firefighters are improving primary and alternate 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 ½ mile east of Mazama, Washington on Goat Creek Road.
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 is providing information 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)
