Single Publication

Pincer Two Fire Update

9:00 PM, July 22, 2024

Estimated size:                 60 acres

Start Date/Time:               July 17, 2024

Area of Origin:                  21 air miles northeast of Darrington WA

Cause:                              Lightening

Fuels/Topography:            timber, rugged terrain

Structures Damaged:        None, there are no homes threatened at this time.

*At this time, the same information email and information phone number will be used for both the Miners Complex fires and the Pincer Two Fire.

Closures:

Campgrounds and Roads: Cascade River Road at and including Marble Creek Campground, Mineral Park Campground, and all tributary roads, trailheads, and trails.

Full closure orders available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

Evacuations: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.

Update: The Pincer Two Fire is currently burning in the Mount Baker District and now the North Cascades National Park in the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Fire behavior is moderate backing and flanking with the fire expected to reach the Cascade River Road in the next 5-7 days. The incoming weather is anticipated to be cooler over the next few days.

This morning, crews were able to fly over the fire. Unfortunately, crews weren’t able to see much do to the amount of clouds in the area. An order has been placed requesting hand crews, fallers, and heavy equipment. This will aid in preparing along the Cascade River Road. Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, an engine crew will begin opening up the 1590 road. We have also scheduled an Infer Red (IR) flight to gather more intel on the fire including more accurate acreage.

Smoke: In Washington, communities closest to active wildfires will continue to observe the greatest smoke impacts. The current Air Quality Alert for Chelan County and Methow Valley remains in place. Air quality will likely be unhealthy on the Colville Reservation due to smoke from the Swawilla and Bridge Creek Fires. Increasing winds from the west starting this evening will clear out lingering haze in the rest of the state. Please continue to recreate responsibly and heed all burn bans..  For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Air Space Restrictions: There are no air space restrictions at this time.

Campfire Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie will be elevating to a full campfire ban, even in developed campgrounds, starting Wednesday July 24, 2024 to help prevent human-caused starts in this critically dry period. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

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