New wildfires spotted in Mount Baker wilderness, North Cascades National Park
Several new wildfires started Friday in and near Whatcom County, according to the Watch Duty app that draws information from fire dispatch centers in the Northwest.
New wildfires were reported in the North Cascades National Park east of Newhalem, the Mount Baker wilderness north of Glacier, and on Sumas Mountain east of Kendall.
Little information was immediately available on how the fires started. Thunderstorms were reported across the North Cascades on Friday, and the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for severe fire danger.
“Main threats with any thunderstorms are lightning and gusty and erratic winds. Lightning strikes will have the potential to create new fire starts,” meteorologist Logan Howard said in the online forecast fro the National Weather Service in Seattle.
Three of the fires in Whatcom County, each listed as less than 1 acre, are burning north of the mountain village of Glacier. They are called the Canyon Creek, Bear Paw and Cowap Peak fires.
A fire was reported on Sumas Mountain about 5 p.m. Friday but no information was immediately available.
One fire in the North Cascades park, called the Riprap Creek Fire, was burning near the location of last year’s Sourdough Fire, which threatened Seattle City Light power facilities and the North Cascades Institute.
A fifth fire, called the Ruby Fire, is burning near the Easy Fire and has grown to 107 acres since it was reported at 7 a.m. Friday.
“The Ruby Fire will be managed with a full suppression strategy. Initial attack today included aerial delivered water with four Fire Bosses, two twin engine Scoopers, and two helicopters throughout the day. Two large air tankers applied retardant on the right flank of the fire. (On Saturday), crews will utilize aviation resources when available and continue to look for opportunities to suppress the fire while managing for firefighter safety,” North Cascades National Park officials said in a statement late Friday.
The Easy Fire was reported at 1,754 acres late Friday, and has forced a closure of the North Cascade Highway since Aug. 5.
Conditions along the highway are worsening, and the Washington State Department of Transportation reported burning trees falling on the road and smoke creating poor visibility.
The road will remain closed throughout the weekend and will be re-evaluated Monday, WSDOT said.
