A wildfire in Washington State is burning within the boundaries of Crystal Mountain Ski Resort. The resort has reported that the Norse Peak Fire is within the ski area boundary between Bullion Basin and Norse Peak. The resort is closed and the area is currently under a Level 3 evacuation. Thankfully the fire has not yet reached any of the resorts infrastructure.
Official Statements from Crystal Mountain Ski Resort:
9/4/17 8:46pm: “The fire has crossed the ridge and is moving down the slope between East Peak and Norse Peak. We are now under a level 3 evacuation. Please leave the area immediately.”
“The fire has crossed into the ski area and is burning between East Peak and Norse Peak. Everyone has been evacuated. Fire crews have pulled out for the night due to risk of fire closing off the road. Firefighters will re-evaluate the situation in the morning. It has not reached any buildings or ski lifts at this time. The wind is blowing out of the southeast and the fire is still on the move. It’s out of our hands at this point, hoping for the best. Stay tuned for updates.”
Update: “The latest development. Good news is it sounds like we haven’t lost anything overnight. Everyone made it out safe which is most important.”
About the Norse Peak Fire
Thirteen fires were ignited by lightning on August 10th and 11th, in the vicinity of the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wilderness Areas on the Naches Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The fires are burning in steep rocky terrain, with difficult access. Two of the fires have reached significant size and remain active: the Norse Peak Fire (burning north of State Route 410 (SR410) near Union Creek) and the American Fire (burning between SR410 and Bumping Lake). These fires are all being managed collectively as “Norse Peak.” Resources are being shared between the fires. Until August 28th, fire growth had been moderate. A weather event called a thermal trough moved over the fire on Monday August 28th, and combined with very hot and dry conditions, the Union Creek Fire and Fire #367 merged with the Norse Peak Fire. While the American Fire had moderate growth that day, the fires north of Highway 41
*We will keep you posting as more information comes forward.
