Perry, Thunder, and Big Beaver Fires Monday Update

SEDRO WOOLLEY, Wash. - Although fire behavior moderated under morning air inversions, the Perry Fire remained active over the weekend and is estimated at 600 acres. On Sunday, the Type-3 helicopter delivered aerial water but had to disengage due to reduced visibility. Steep, difficult, and cliffy terrain pose significant threat to firefighter safety which limits direct handline work. Fire managers continue a full suppression strategy with aerial delivered water.

The Type-1 Whiskeytown Wildland Fire Module, which includes 10 firefighters, arrives on Tuesday. Additional resources, including a Type-3 Incident Commander, have been ordered to support active suppression operations.

Unseasonably hot and dry weather is expected for Monday throughout the remainder of the week. An air inversion will likely occur overnight and into the morning, lifting early in the afternoon. Once the inversion lifts, increased fire behavior is expected due to hot and dry conditions. Visitors should expect to see smoke impacts in the Ross Lake area.

Today the Type-3 helicopter with helitack crew will continue aerial delivered water operations to the fire area as conditions safely allow. Visitors recreating on Ross Lake should keep away from aerial resources, such as helicopters, utilizing the lake as a water source for firefighting suppression efforts.

The Thunder Fire remains at 1.5 acres. Smokejumpers continue mop up operations and are expected to have the fire contained and controlled by the end of shift on Monday. A fire is considered contained and controlled when a control line has been completed around the fire, including all spot fires, and the control line can reasonably be expected to stop the fire's spread.

The Big Beaver Fire is currently in patrol status following a full suppression effort with aerial delivered water from the Type-3 helicopter. No smoke has been observed in the last two shifts.

Regional and national smoke is present in the area which may affect air quality. Air quality can change quickly. Know your risk from wildfire smoke and plan to reduce exposure. Learn more at https://fire.airnow.gov.

Drones are prohibited in the area during emergency fire response. If you fly, we can't! If there are drone incursions, all helicopter flights will be grounded. Keep drones away from wildfires.

Visitors should check the park Fire Closures page prior to a visit for up-to-date trail and camp closure information. Closures are in place to protect the public.

Fire restrictions remain in effect in all areas of the park complex. Campfires are banned in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex - North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This includes all National Park Service lands and campgrounds along State Route 20 as well as Hozomeen and the entire Stehekin Valley.

ww.nps.gov/noca