Wildfire growing slowly in southeast Whatcom County
A wildfire that started Sunday in the remote mountains of southeastern Whatcom County is growing in size as a crew of smokejumpers works to provide access for firefighters.
Called the East Creek Fire, it is burning near Azurite Peak, about 5 miles above Highway 20 in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and about 22 miles due east of Newhalem.
It started on Sunday and its cause was undetermined, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.
Fire crews in the Methow Valley Ranger District are working at several fires that started when thunderstorms passed through the region last weekend, according to the U.S. Forest Service and local newspapers.
“Crews are preparing the East Creek Trail to Gold Hill Mine to provide access to the fire and sweeping nearby trails for recreationists. Users are asked to avoid the East Creek Trail and surrounding area,” the U.S. Forest Service said on a Facebook page for the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
There were no road closures related to the fire, an official with the Washington State Department of Transportation told The Bellingham Herald.
Temperatures in the area were close to 90 degrees with light southeast wind, according to the National Weather Service.
Campfires, fireworks and tracer ammunition are prohibited, the National Park Service said online.
“Lack of spring rains and warm weather has contributed to drier fuels and increased fire danger,” the park service said.
