Blazes collectively named the “Cowlitz Complex Fire” in East Lewis County and northern Skamania County have seen “little-to-no” activity since heavy rains began in the region over the weekend, a news release stated on Wednesday.
The 500-person staff from a few weeks earlier has been allowed to shrink, sending crews to other fires as the Cowlitz Complex becomes less of a concern for public safety, and manmade and natural resources.
A 137-member crew is currently working to repair forest and infrastructure damage after fire suppression work, the release stated. Amid heavy rain their work includes cleaning debris from the ditches and build water bars on the gravel roads.
This helps ensure the rain doesn’t back up and flood the ditches or washout the gravel roadways, the fire’s public information officer wrote.
The 44.79-acre Grassy Mountain Fire north of Randle is still producing small amounts of smoke, but no new heat has been detected over the recent days. Other parts of the complex will be monitored by air when the weather permits but all the fires have shown little to no activity since the recent rains began.
No other active fires in the complex are near communities.
“Our safety team asks that everyone use caution when driving on the roadways. With the heavy rains, water can stand along roadways causing unseen safety hazards. Animals are harder to see as you drive, as well,” Wednesday’s update stated. “We still have crews out driving and working along the fire area so be aware of fire engines and other equipment in the area.”
The following roads and trails are closed to the public to help ensure public and firefighter safety: Forest Roads 25, 9300 and 9341; Boundary Trail No. 1 (from Elk Pass to intersection with Summit Prairie); Summit Prairie No. 2; Craggy Peak No. 3; Snagtooth No. 4; Quartz No. 5; Stabler Camp No. 17; Wright Meadows No. 80; Basin Camp No. 3A; Quartz No. 5B (French Creek); and Snyder Pasture No. 80A.
The temporary flight restriction over the fire area was lifted on Wednesday.
For more information
Cowlitz Complex Fires information phone line: 360-208-8075 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Email: 2023.cowlitzcomplex@firenet.gov
Online: Cowlitz Complex Information on InciWeb, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cowlitzcomplex/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/GPNF
