August 18, 2008

Gnarl Ridge fire grows

By RODGER NICHOLS
of The Chronicle


     A fire burning in steep terrain on Mt. Hood jumped fire lines Saturday, and nearly doubled in size.
     The Gnarl Ridge fire, in the Cold Spring Creek Drainage about two miles southeast of the historic Cloud Cap Inn, sent a smoke column high above Mt. Hood and ash began to fall on Parkdale Saturday.
     The fire was estimated Monday at 516 acres and only 8 percent contained.
It began Aug. 7 from a lightning strike. Rugged terrain, high temperatures and low humidity, dry fuels and difficult access have hampered firefighting efforts.
     The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office began contacting residents in the Cooper Spur area Saturday to notify them the fire is moving toward them. This precaution was to allow occupants with special needs, as well as owners of pets and livestock, time to plan should they need to leave.
     Helicopters worked all day dropping water on hot spots, and air tankers released fire retardant on the advancing fire.
     According to the incident commander’s report Sunday, crews pulled back and monitored the fire from safety zones, due to the fire’s dangerous behavior.
     As a contingency, crews began wrapping structures at Tilly Jane and Cloud Cap. Plans are also in place to use Therma Gel, if necessary. Crews installed a sprinkler system at the Tilly Jane Campground and are also doing fuels reduction work there.
     Cloud Cap and Tilly Jane Campgrounds are closed, as well as the access road to Cloud Cap. Officials are recommending no use of Nottingham Campground. Little John Snopark is closed for helicopter operations. A complete list of closures can be found online at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/maps/1465.
     More than 525 firegighters are battling the blaze, along with five helicopters and a fixed wing aircraft.