Crews continue to cut and remove hazardous or fallen trees that are blocking access points. Removal of dangerous trees ensures firefighters can access the fire line and have open ingress/egress routes for safe transportation.

North of Trout Lake, crews and equipment continue to strengthen primary direct containment lines, and additional resources are on the scene to assist with secondary alternate lines, in the event they are needed. Ongoing mop-up operations, where firefighters search, dig out, and extinguish hotspots, will continue through the next several days on the southern perimeter.

Pacific Northwest Team 10 is taking over the incident today as Northern Rockies Team 2 prepares to head home. Both teams will be working hard today to ensure a smooth transition of command. Weather remains mild and crews continue to establish more direct handline around both fires resulting in increased containment.

90 new personnel and 6 engines are brought in as the Williams Mine Fire is now estimated at 11,000 acres burning in thick timber 3.5 miles from Trout Lake, Wash. Scooper planes continue to dip out of Swift Reservoir and the Columbia River between Memaloose Island and Lyle, Wash.

The Williams Mine Fire burning 3.5 miles northwest of Trout Lake, Wash., more than doubled in size over the weekend to an estimated 10,000-plus acre fire which is burning in thick forest in the Mt. Adam’s Ranger district.  Firefighters may get an assist from the weather this week as cooler temperatures and higher humidity are predicted.

he Williams Mine Fire burning in heavy timber near Trout Lake, Wash., grew to more than 4,000 acres on Wednesday and a new incident command team took charge of the blaze this morning.

Interior pockets of fuel continue to burn. During the day they will produce smoke, and at night can provide a visible glow, noticeable from across the river. Along the steep northern edge, roll-out of hot debris is a concern and sprinkler systems were installed to provide continuous water to reduce hot spots.

Moderate fire behavior was observed over the fire yesterday. A ridge of high pressure will build over the region today bringing warmer and drier temperatures to the area. Visible increased smoke production is expected. There have been no recent IR flights over the fire. The acreage size of the fire will be updated as information becomes available.

Today, efforts to manage the fire will transition back to local agencies. Line crews and equipment will start being released. Many resources will be reassigned to support other fires in the area, while others will return to their home units.

The Microwave Tower Fire, burning 5 miles west of Mosier, has grown to 1,306 acres with 53% containment. The fire, which started on July 22, 2024, is believed to be human-caused and is still under investigation. The fire is burning in brush, timber, and grass.

The Microwave Tower Fire expanded into another 400 acres as it burned during the weekend, burning down cliffs to  Interstate 84 on Sunday.

The Whiskey Creek Fire expanded minimally over the weekend but no containment has been reported as forestry mulchers have been brought in to chip up fuel sources as firefighters continue to build lines around the blaze.

“Yesterday, crews concluded their last evening of night shift patrol. Crews monitored the fire lines watching for anything smoking or smoldering. Pine Creek had some smoke, but it was well interior of the fire with the fire edge still holding strong,” reported Hannah Cleverly with the SE Washington Inter-Agency Team.

Heavy equipment was brought in to assist with clearing roads and creating fuel breaks reopening an Eagle Creek Fire contingency line. Conditions were also favorable for an infra-red flight allowing for better mapping of the area and a more accurate number of acres burned.

Today’s weather brings lower temperatures, lower winds and an increase in relative humidity.  All of these work together to reduce the fire’s growth potential. Strike teams, aircraft and dozers are working the estimated 50,000 acre-blaze which is now 21 percent contained and burning 7 miles southeast of Bickleton.

“On the northeast side, last night's successful firing operations in the grass are helping secure fire lines,” the update said. “Due to inaccessible areas and steep terrain, firing operations remain the safest and most effective strategy to remove fuels and prevent the spread of the fire.”

With lower wind speeds and subdued fire behavior, crews worked to secure more of the fire’s east end with hand line, dozer line, and water drops from helicopters and other air resources. The fire continued to back down on a north-facing ridge along I-84 just west of Mosier and will likely do so through today. Smoke can be observed along the highway.

Update July 23, 10:30 a.m.: Currently, the fire is threatening residential and agricultural lands, critical infrastructure and a natural gas plant. Level 3 - GO NOW: East Road to Sand Ridge Road to the East and Alder Creek South to the Columbia River.  Level 2 - GET SET: Sand Ridge Road to the Klickitat County Line. 

Despite low humidity and high winds predicted to gust to 29 mph on Sunday, July 14, it appears firefighters were able to keep the Larch Creek Fire in check. Winds are predicted to subside for the next few days, reducing the chances of flames breaching the fire lines.

Firefighters slow the fire’s move toward Highway 197 but the highway remains closed at this time. Forecasters are calling for slightly cooler temps and decreasing winds on Thursday, July 11, which will help as multiple agencies and landowners work to control the blaze.