News reports
Warmer and drier
weather provided the first real test of firelines on the Gnarl Ridge Fire,
burning on Mount Hood south east of Cooper Spur.
As of Friday
morning the fire burned approximately 296 acres and was 50-percent
contained, with an expected 100-percent containment date of Aug. 31.
Thursday was the
start of three days of warm, dry weather and unstable atmospheric
conditions, which that led to what firefighters call Red Flag Warnings
through Saturday night, according to Jennifer Via, Incident Meteorologist.
“This weather will
be a good test, allowing us to identify and strengthen any weak points in
our fire lines,” said Carl West, Incident Commander. “It will also help us
locate any small spot fires outside the line.”
With the warm, dry
weather and an unstable atmosphere, the potential for flare-ups, fire
whirls and spot fires is high. Helicopter crews will be on alert for spot
fires, which they can contain by water drops until hand crews arrive.
An area closure
remains in effect around the Gnarl Ridge Fire; however, the Timberline
Trail is open from Timberline Lodge to Eliot Creek.
A complete map of
trail and campground closures can be found at the
Mount Hood National
Forest Web site.
