East Fork & Center Creek Trail Fire Update
September 18, 2020
East Fork Fire: The fire is slowly burning towards Brown Duck Basin, west of Moon Lake, taking advantage of dense, dry vegetation along the way. Just east of Moon Lake the fire burned actively. Seeing an opportunity further south, firefighters implemented burning operations west of the Petty Mountain Loop Trail, bringing the fire closer to planned containment lines. Firefighters successfully lined one spot that ignited east of the trail. Crews continued fortifying direct and indirect line from Flea Flat to the wilderness boundary. On the fire’s western perimeter, chipping operations from Blind Stream Road to Rock Creek Road were completed, helping to remove excess fuels from along the roadways.
Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.
Today’s Operations: High winds in Raspberry and Mackentire canyons will indubitably test direct and indirect lines to the east. Given favorable conditions, firefighters may ignite a low-intensity burn from Flea Flat to the southern slope of Lake Fork Mountain. Further south, crews will work to monitor and mop up perimeter from Bear Hollow Road to Mountain Sheep Pass. Monitoring hot spots continues on the fire’s western edge near Stillwater Reservoir.
Weather: Today’s weather will contribute to active fire behavior. Some cloud cover will provide for slightly cooler temperatures, up to 73∞ at lower elevations and 64∞ at higher elevations. Relative humidities remain low and winds will increase, coming from the south-southwest 12 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Weather tonight will be in the low 50s.
Safety: Closures are in place for the protection of the public and for firefighters. Even when it seems the fire is far off in the distance and posing no danger, a critical combination of high winds, low humidity, dry fuels, and warm temperatures can quickly increase fire behavior. We ask that the public respect all closures.
Resources: 3 Helicopters, 25 Engines, 5 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 278 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 25 firefighters assigned.
