Dollar Lake Fire Update

Reposted-Mt Hood National Forest

Fire Update – 09/14/2011 8:30 a.m. PT
For the latest information on the Dollar Lake Fire, go to www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Tuesday was a quiet day on the fire, with very little active fire behavior. The fire crept and smoldered throughout the understory, producing dramatically less smoke and consuming unburned areas.  Contingency lines are being constructed or planned in critical locations, while mop-up along the east side of the fire approaches the final standards developed by Forest Service resource advisers. Much of the fire which had pushed north past the decommissioned road in the new wilderness area has now been lined.

A hotshot crew was able to “hook” the extreme northwest corner of the fire along Cathedral Ridge yesterday, and will continue strengthening it today, blocking any further advance of the fire along the ridge. “This is a crucial point of the fire because of the values at risk”, said Operations Chief Alex Robinson. It is the closest point to the Bull Run watershed, the transmission line, and privately-owned land. To the east of Cathedral Ridge, fire crews have been assessing access to the persistent hot spots on ridges above Stump Creek and the two forks of Ladd Creek. The steep, rock walls in these canyons have slowed progress in eliminating the widely-spread hot spots.

Wednesday's weather is again expected to assist firefighters. The onshore push is expected to strengthen, bringing a deepening marine layer. Some clouds may develop over the western portion of the fire, and temperatures are forecast to be 6 degrees lower than Tuesday. Winds from the west may gust to 20 mph. These conditions are unlikely to result in active fire behavior, because of the forecasted high humidity’s. The amount of smoke being produced will decrease, however it will continue to be visible in the fire area for weeks to come.

Because of the recent availability of privately contracted helicopters, all three Blackhawk helicopters from the Oregon National Guard were demobilized. Eight helicopters remain on the incident. Lost Lake Resort and campground have been reopened, but the surface of Lost Lake remains closed due tosafety concerns with helicopters dipping water.

CLOSURES

Area & Road:

Forest Roads: 16 and 18 are closed and all forest roads within the area closure boundary. Forest Roads

2840, 3511, 3512 are closed. For details on area closures please see: www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Campgrounds:

Lost Lake resort & Campground are open but the surface of lake remains closed (no swimming or boating

is allowed on the lake), McNeil, Riley Horse Camp, Lost Creek, Kinnikinnick, Tilly Jane, and Cloud Cap.

Trails:

• Pacific Crest Trail from the Rushing Water Creek crossing, north to Wahtum Lake;
• Trail #600 from Gnarl Ridge Trail #652 northwest to its terminus at Ramona Falls Trail #797;
• Burnt Lake Trail #772 from the Burnt Lake north trailhead, south to the wilderness boundary;
• Cast Lake Trail #773 and Horseshoe Trail #774 from the trailhead in Riley campground south to the wilderness boundary;
• Sandy River Trail #770 and Ramona Falls Trail #797;
• Yokum Ridge #771;
• Mazamas Trail #625;
• Vista Ridge Trail #626, Elk Cove Trail #631 and Pinnacle Ridge Trail #630

Thank you to the Mt Hood Chamber of Commerce for the distribution of current and critical information concering the Villages of Mt Hood

FOR ADDITIONAL AND UPDATED FIRE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT:

For the latest information on the Dollar Lake Fire, go to www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/

Mt Hood Real Estate For Sale in the Villages of Mt Hood includes Welches Oregon Real Estate, Brightwood Oregon Real Estate, Government Camp Oregon Real Estate and Rhododendron Oregon Real Estate plus Mt Hood Lots and Land.