DAYTON—Incident Commander Mike Almas of the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team is leading efforts on the Rattlesnake Fire burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness 20 miles south of the Pomeroy Ranger District and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton.

The fire has closed Tucannon Road at the Tucannon Campground with no access to Panjab or Lady Bug campgrounds. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed. Forest Road 4620, known as Patrick Grade, is also temporarily closed at the Forest boundary due to fire traffic. In addition to these road and trail closures, there is an area of closure south of the Panjab and Tucannon Creek junction.

On Monday, the fire was estimated at 486 acres. It has been burning in a fifteen-year-old fire scar, since Aug. 19. Fire activity increased on Saturday due to an anticipated cold front, which brought westerly winds with gusts as high as 25 to 35 mph and tested fire containment lines. Four crews remain on the fire to improve lines, mop-up, and patrol along the east and west flanks of the fire. Crews are using pumps and hoses to cool hotspots in the steepest areas on the north side of the fire, and helicopters are available to assist with bucket drops.

Private lands, wilderness, recreation activities, and an endangered fish species have been threatened by the fire.

Updates on the Rattlesnake Fire are at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/.