Heavy smoke choking Southwest Washington is complicating efforts to fight the Big Hollow Fire in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.
A bulletin from the U.S. Forest Service released Saturday morning said conditions made it impossible to assess the size of the fire, which as of most recent estimates had burned just over 12,000 acres.
That smoke cut visibility in the fire area to less than a half mile at times but it has also resulted in cooler temperatures and higher humidity that has reduced fire activity.
With no containment, however, the fire continues to grow. Crews have been constructing control lines and preparing cabins at Government Mineral Springs for fire protection.
Crews plan to keep working on firelines today and assess structures for risk in Chelatchie Prairie, Yale and Northwood. More resources are set to arrive to assist in firefighting efforts.
The 42 cabins at Government Mineral Springs are under a Level 3 evacuation order.
The areas southeast and northwest of Yale Lake, including the communities of Yale and Cougar, are under a Level 2 evacuation order.
The areas northeast and southwest of the Level 2 evacuation area, including Northwoods and portions of the towns of Amboy and Yacolt, are under a Level 1 evacuation order.
The Forest Service has issued area closures in the southwest portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that include most developed campgrounds, dispersed camping, trails, and most forest roads and trails within the closure area.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has issued closures for the Siouxon Block and recreation sites within the Merrill Lake Conservation Area. The Pacific Crest Trail remains open.
