Wildfire creates closures in Gifford Pinchot National Forest

TROUT LAKE — More than 5,500 acres are burning on the southwest flank of Mount Adams in the 4-day-old Williams Mine Fire in the southern Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Level 3 (go now) evacuation orders have been issued by Klickitat County for areas north and east of the community of Trout Lake. A Level 2 (get ready) order has been issued for south and west of Trout Lake.

The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Mount Adams Wilderness plus national forest land east of Gifford Pinchot National Forest roads Nos. 23 and 2329.

The closure includes the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail No. 2000 from Potato Hill trailhead on the north to Williams Mine trailhead on the south.

Other closed trails include Muddy Meadows No. 13, Divide Camp No. 112, Killed Creek No. 113. Riley No. 64, Stagman Ridge No. 12, Salt Creek No. 75, Shorthorn No. 16 and Round the Mountain No. 9.

Popular Takhlakh Lake campground is within the closure area.

Friday’s update listed the fire at 5,549 acres and 1 percent contained. It was started by a lightning strike.

Ninety-six firefighters are working the blaze. Efforts on Thursday were along GPNF roads No. 8020 and 8031 toward road No. 23, which is a main north-south road on the east side of the Gifford Pinchot.