Firefighters protect buildings as air drops continue on Whatcom County wildfire
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- Perry Fire grows past 1,300 acres, threatens park buildings near Ross Lake.
- Firefighters focus on structure defense as steep terrain limits ground access.
- Weather shift this weekend may ease conditions, with rain and cooler air ahead.
A wildfire in eastern Whatcom County is burning nearly unchecked and is threatening National Park Service buildings near Ross Lake as warm and dry weather grips the North Cascades.
Two helicopters are continuing to drop water on the Perry Fire, which grew to more than 1,300 acres Thursday, the park service said in a statement.
“Steep, difficult and cliffy terrain pose significant threats to firefighter safety which limits direct handline work,” the park service said.
Firefighters are working to protect park service buildings along the Little Beaver Trail instead of digging fire line or using hoses to apply water, the park service said.
National Weather Service meteorologist Dana Felton said online that severe fire conditions should ease this weekend as wind brings cooler air from the west, along with the chance of rain.
There is a chance of thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evening Saturday across the Cascades. Cool and showery weather Sunday into the middle of next week will keep the fire danger suppressed.
The Perry Fire, one of four wildfires burning in Whatcom County, was sparked by lightning on Aug. 27 as dry thunderstorms moved through the North Cascades. It is burning in timber about 16 miles northeast of Newhalem.
Fire has been backing downhill, running uphill and burning in tree crowns, according to previous Bellingham Herald reporting. Several trails in the area are closed, and boaters on Ross Lake are asked to stay away from firefighting helicopters as they gather water.
Other fires in Whatcom County include the Swift Fire and the Delta Fire on the north side of Baker Lake, south of Mount Shuksan. Both were reported Aug. 31 and remain less than an acre in size.
Another fire, called the East Creek Fire, has grown to 44 acres. It was reported July 20 and was likely sparked by lightning about 5 miles above Highway 20 in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and about 22 miles due east of Newhalem.
Because of the East Creek Fire’s remote location, firefighters, including a team of smokejumpers, were using natural features for fire breaks. They have been protecting buildings.
“Fire behavior has been minimal; it is crawling in and around the rocky terrain in steep avalanche chutes,” the U.S. Forest Service said online.
Wildfire smoke, especially from the Perry Fire and fires in British Columbia, have caused air quality to drop to moderate levels in parts of western Whatcom Cunty, according to previous Herald reporting.
