Four lightning-caused fires burning in Whatcom County east of Mt. Baker Ski area
Four lightning-caused fires are burning in Whatcom County east of the Mt. Baker Ski Area in the North Cascades National Park Complex, causing trail and camp closures in the area.
“Smoke from fires in the park may be visible,” Tuesday’s news release from the North Cascades National Park Complex states. “With active fires across the region, a haze over the general area is to be expected over the coming days.”
The four fires are all in the Stephen Mather Wilderness — three (North Fork, Little Chill and Copper Lake fires) near the Copper Loop Trail system and the fourth (Brush Creek Fire) near the Brush Creek Trail in the Whatcom Pass area, according Tuesday’s release. According to Googlemaps, the trails are between five and 15 miles east of the Mt. Baker Ski Area.
The fires have caused additional trail and camp closures in the 3,700-acre Chilliwack Complex, the release states, as fire activity is impacting the portion of Little Beaver Trail between Stillwell and Perry Creek camps, the portion of Big Beaver Trail between Stillwell and Luna camps, and Beaver Pass Camp.
“All other trail and camp closures remain in effect. Firefighters are working in the Copper Lookout and adjacent areas protecting park infrastructure with protective fire wrap, hose lay, and sprinklers,” the release reads.
A weather trough is expected to bring increased winds and low humidity to the area on Wednesday, Sept. 7, which could increase fire behavior. A National Incident Management Organization Team 2, working with the U.S. Forest Service, assumed command over the four fires in the Chilliwack Complex along with five additional fires in the nearby Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest on Tuesday, according to the release.
The release advised taking precautions for anyone recreating in the area when heavy smoke is present, and that backcountry reservations in the closure area can be canceled on a rolling basis based on fire activity and conditions.
This story was originally published September 6, 2022 at 12:33 PM.
