The Gifford Pinchot National Forest expanded its road closure order for the Backbone Fire in East Lewis County on Saturday, according to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
The fire, located north of Packwood and south of Mt. Rainier National Park, remained at 15 acres and 0% containment as of Monday. It was first reported on Aug. 5.
Officials said lightning caused the fire.
According to a USFS news release, the road closure now includes the following roads and trails:
• National Forest Service (NFS) Road No. 5290
• NFS Road No. 5290082 (and all associated spur roads)
• NFS Road 1270 from its junction with U.S. Highway 12
• NFS Road No. 1270 at the junction of the Ohanapecosh River to the North Terminus
• NFS Road No. 1270016
• NFS Road No. 1270019
• NFS Road No. 1270020
• NFS Road No. 1270024
• NFS Road No. 1270032
• NFS Road No. 1270047
• NFS Road No. 1270405
• NFS Road No. 4900035
• NFS Road No. 4900405
• Trail No. 164 Backbone
• Trail No. 164A Backbone Lake
• Trail No. 162 River View
“The closure also encompasses common dispersed camping areas located off NFS Road 5290 and the Cedar Flats area off Highway 123, as well as a small section of the Tatoosh Wilderness Area,” USFS officials said in the release.
The order has no scheduled end date. To view the complete order, visit https://tinyurl.com/9kcwrtc2.
According to a news release from the Washington state Department of Natural Resources, USFS and U.S. Department of the Interior, the Nevada Team 2, a Great Basin Type 3 incident command team, had assumed management of the fire at 7 a.m., Monday, Aug. 17.
According to the Monday release, 172 crew members were now involved in the “full suppression” efforts, an increase from the 132 announced on Friday.
“Crews continue suppression efforts by strengthening existing control lines and reducing heat with water on the fire perimeter,” officials said on Monday. “Heavy equipment was utilized south of the fire on Forest Road 5290 to improve the road to serve as contingency line. The structural protection group will continue gathering information in Packwood. Structural assessments are standard for communities in close proximity to a fire, but do not indicate an imminent threat to any specific property.”
According to the release, the fire continues to burn in steep, inaccessible terrain, but has the potential to ignite fuels below.
Officials said the air quality in Packwood was currently rated as “good.” Increased cloud cover was expected Monday evening, along with slightly cooler temperatures and “excellent humidity recovery.”
The High Lava Fire, located in Skamania County, had reportedly grown to 1,259 acres and was 8% contained, as of Monday.
Over 300 personnel members were engaged in suppression efforts. The Nevada Team 2 was reportedly scheduled to assume management of the fire on Tuesday.
“The team includes a complement of incident management personnel from Australia and New Zealand, bringing additional international experience and expertise to support ongoing fire management and suppression efforts,” USFS officials said on Monday.
To learn more about the Backbone Fire, the High Lava Fire and other fires in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest area, visit www.facebook.com/GiffordPinchot.
To learn of any potential evacuation notices in Lewis County, sign up for Lewis County Alerts at https://tinyurl.com/9uzvvb4n.
