TROUT LAKE — East winds were blowing at 50 miles per hour at exposed ridge tops of the Cascade Creek fire on Mount Adams on Friday morning.
Fortunately, unconfined sections of the fire appear somewhat sheltered in by the mass of Mount Adams. Where winds reach the fire area, they will cause active burning and send embers flying, according to the Forest Service.
The blaze has burned more than 20,000 acres since it started on Sept. 8 and fire fighting costs are estimated at $12.4 million.
It was 24 degrees this morning at fire camp near Trout Lake.
Five of the six helicopters assigned to the Cascade Creek Fire have been loans to several new fires in the Mount Hood National Forest, Columbia Gorge National Scenic Area and in the north end of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
If needed, they can be called back to the Cascade Creek Fire. The fire is listed as 68 percent contained.
