Lightning starts small fires in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie forest

DARRINGTON — An Aug. 3 lightning storm started seven small fires in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The biggest, at 15 acres, is the Pincer Creek Fire in the Glacier Peak Wilderness, about 18 miles southeast of Marblemount.

The rest are between a tenth of an acre to seven acres, according to a news release from the forest service. In Snohomish County, three are in the Darrington Ranger District and two are in the Skykomish Ranger District.

“We’re actively responding with the safest possible options in our toolbox to each and every fire as they are discovered,” said Jody Weil, forest supervisor for the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. “The closure of specific roads and trails near the Pincer Creek Fire will help keep the public safe as firefighters work in areas where they can safely engage.”

Near the Pincer Creek Fire, the forest service has shut off access to the Cascade River Trail, the Middle Fork Cascade Trail and the South Fork Cascade Trail.

Sibley Creek Road and Hidden Lake Trail are also closed, to let firefighters through to staff the lookout.

So far, the fires have stayed fairly small, and no evacuations have been initiated because of them, according the forest service. But the forecast brings with it bad news. According to the National Weather Service, more hot days are on the way, with temperatures on Thursday, Friday and Saturday expected to climb into the 80s and possibly the 90s.

As of Tuesday, air quality in the Puget Sound region was still good, but winds could bring smoke here later this week, according to the Washington Smoke Blog.

For the latest alerts in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mbs/alerts-notices.

Zachariah Bryan: 425-339-3431; zbryan@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @zachariahtb.