August 23rd: “Upper Skagit Complex Fire Update

Newhalem, WA: Here is the latest update  as of  7:30 Am, August 23rd, 2015 on the Upper Skagit Complex Wildfires. The information is provided by Incident Information Systems. 

The Godell Fire in Newhalem has grown to 3,218 Acres overnight. The fire was 3,180 as of yesterday and only 80 acres as of the 19th of August.

 

The Upper Skagit incident complex includes eight fires all within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. They are burning a total of 3,675 acres between the 8 fires.  These fires include the Goodell Fire, Klawatti Fire, Snowfield Fire, Neve Fire, Thursday Creek, Cat Island Fire,  No Name 15 fire, and The Rocky Beaver Fire.

Fire Suppression actions are focused on the Goodell fire in Newhalem (3,218 acres) where firefighters worked to protect the community of Newhalem, federal, state, and local facilities and infrastructure. This includes the Seattle City Light infrastructure, The Washington State Dot buildings and The National Parks Buildings.  The remaining 7 fires are being monitored and appropriate actions initiated if conditions dictate—they pose no immediate threat to facilities and infrastructure.

To date, the Upper Skagit Complex of Wildfires has cost around $350,000 to fight  and has 157 personnel, including 3 hand crews, 2 camp crews, 1 helicopter, and 3 engines working on it. 

The Fire is said to be 0% contained as of 7:30 am today.

Today, firefighters continued to assess and implement structure protection measures in the towns of Newhalem and Diablo as well as around The National Park infrastructure, which includes the visitor center.

Fire engine crews were installing pumps, hoses, sprinkler systems, and removing vegetation from around structures  to reduce the threat to the structures.

Firefighters also were setting up pumps and hose systems in Goodell Creek to keep the fire from moving west in that drainage area.

State Route 20 is still closed from the town of Newhalem to Rainy Pass. This is the area from Thornton Creek Rd (MP 118) to the Skagit County Line (MP 157). SR20  will remain closed  until further notice.

For the latest information about the SR 20 closures, please call the North Cascades Highway Recorded Hotline at 360-707-5055.  This will be updated whenever conditions change. Do not call 911 requesting Road Closure information on HIghway 20. Save the above phone number into your cell phone and use it instead. 

According to the North Cascade Parks, the following campgrounds have all been evacuated and will be closed until further notice:

• Goodell Creek Campground
• Newhalem Creek Campground
• Gorge Lake Campground
• Colonial Creek Campground

The Happy Creek Forest Walk is closed.

Boat in campsites on Diablo Lake are all closed.

The Goodell Creek Boat Launch is closed.

Ross Lake has not been evacuated, but is not accessible to incoming travelers.

Click here for a LIVE video link to the North Cascade  Parks Visitor Center Webcam in Newhalem, WA. 

 

A group of local photographers have  started an Online Photo Auction to Benefit the Victims of the Wildfires in Eastern Washington.  This is similar to the Online Photo fundraiser auction that was started after the OSO mudslide in Snohomish County.  Click here to be taken to the Facebook Page for more information. 

 

For information on local Air quality, please click here–> This morning Mount Vernon Was listed as “dangerous”.

There will be a public meeting on today at 4 pm in Rockport. The meeting will be on the parade grounds at the Marblemount Ranger Station.

Click here to be taken to our previous story on the Upper Skagit Wildfire Complex

 

Source: Inci Web, Incident Information  Systems and National Parks