Wildfire Update

Date: July 21, 2009
Contact: Kerry Olson, 360 854-7302

North Cascades National Park Service Complex firefighters successfully contained the small One Mile Fire in the Stehekin area of Lake Chelan. Containment was reached on Monday, July 20 at 6:15am. Four firefighters were demobilized from the fire on Monday. The remaining nine will be demobilized today along with all the firefighting equipment that has been used on the fire. Total acreage of the One Mile Fire was 1.5 acres in very steep, rugged terrain.

In the northern region of North Cascades National Park, the Luna Pilot Fire has burned less than one acre. The fire is on the northeast flank of Luna Peak and just up from Luna Creek.

The Panther Creek Fire has continued to burn down to Panther Creek. The fire is now estimated to be 215 acres in size. Most of the burning has occurred at the base of the fire near and along Panther Creek. Fire managers continue to manage this fire with anticipated actions if or when the fire reaches specified parameters.

TRAIL CLOSURES:

The Panther Creek Trail is closed from the trailhead on Highway 20 to Fourth of July Pass until further notice.

HIGHWAY 20:  Highway 20 is open. Park visitor facilities have not been affected.

For current fire information, contact the North Cascades Visitor Center in Newhalem (206-386-4495), the Wilderness Information Center (360-854-7245) in Marblemount or visit www.nps.gov/noca/parknews/

To learn more about wildland fire in the National Park System go to: www.nps.gov/fire/fire/fir_wildland.cfm