CHELAN COUNTY, Wash. — Three wildfires in the Pacific Northwest are expected to continue burning into the fall, according to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
While firefighters are actively working on the Pioneer Fire, the Miners Complex Fires and the Moss Mountain Fire, all three are likely to continue to burn until significant rain or snowfall arrives in the region.
For the next few months, crews will focus on maintaining containment lines to protect critical areas like communities, powerlines, water supply systems and natural and cultural resources, according to USFS.
“Firefighting is inherently risky. Our role as fire managers is to develop strategies that maximize success while minimizing the risk of injury or death to emergency responders,” said Kelly Kane, acting fire, fuels and aviation director for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska regions. “There is no structure that is worth the life of the sons, daughters, parents, siblings and friends that make up our wildland firefighting workforce.”
Fires that burn for months at a time are typically in timber-dominated forests, like those found in Oregon and Washington, which provide enough fuel to sustain fires for long periods of time.
All three fires are also in steep, remote locations on National Forest lands which make it difficult for firefighters to access, and are hazardous to work in, with rolling rocks and logs that can pose a risk of injury.
Communities near the active wildfires will likely be exposed to wildfire smoke for a prolonged period.
"Large and long duration fires vary in intensity and will continue to produce smoke as they move with wind and terrain until extinguished by significant rain or snow," Kane said.
The latest on PNW wildfires:
The Pioneer Fire
The Pioneer Fire was first reported on June 8, 31 miles northwest of Chelan and quickly spread onto U.S. Forest Service land. Early attack efforts were hindered by extremely steep and remote terrain on the east side of Lake Chelan that can only be accessed by air or boat, according to Inciweb.
Crews are working to reduce risk from the Pioneer Fire to the community in Stehekin, which has been under evacuation, but where many residents have opted to stay. As of Aug. 9, the fire is at 36,970 acres. Containment of the fire is at 13% and the estimated date when the fire will be fully contained is Halloween.
The Miners Complex Fires
The Miners Complex Fires were first reported on the evening of July 17 following a dry lightning storm moving through Washington and Oregon. The complex consists of 10 fires burning in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, including the Miners Fire, Vista Ridge Fire, Dolly Creek Fire, Sulphur Three Fire, Sulphur Four Fire, Sulphur Thirty-Four Fire, Upper Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, Lower Sulphur Thirty-Two Fire, Plummer and Middle Ridge Fires.
As of Aug. 9, the fire is 642 acres and is 0% contained. The estimated containment date is Halloween.
The Moss Mountain Fire
The Moss Mountain Fire is part of the South Willamette Complex in Oregon. The fires are 5,907 acres and are 35% contained. The Moss Fire in particular is at 627 acres with no containment. The fire was caused by dry lightning and was reported around mid-July.