Seattle City Light is helping control the spread of the Sourdough wildfire in the North Cascades National Park Complex adjacent to its Skagit Hydroelectric Project near Diablo and Newhalem, which consists of three dams supplying up to 30% of Seattle’s power during the year.
The fire, which was set up near the Sourdough Mountain trail as a result of a lightning strike, has covered 2,933 acres. While a multi-agency incident management team is focusing on slowing the fire spread, protecting structures and preserving public safety, crews are using scooper planes and helicopters on containment.
On August 3, City Light initiated evacuating employees and residents from Diablo and also assisted with the evacuation of visitors and staff from the North Cascades Institute’s Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake and the Ross Lake Resort. City Light staff are working to maintain operations and monitor infrastructure to avoid fire impacts on customers.
With no injuries reported so far, all precautions like the distribution of personal protective equipment, air filtering systems and more to ensure employee health and safety have been taken.
“I want to thank the hundreds of fire personnel, emergency management teams, first responders and City Light staff who are working tirelessly on the Sourdough wildfire efforts,” said Mike Haynes, Interim General Manager and CEO of Seattle City Light. “It takes constant communication and coordination to tackle a rapidly evolving fire of this scale, and their ability to work under pressure is astounding.”
Currently, State Route 20 between mileposts 120 and 156, Newhalem to Rainy Day Pass is closed, all Skagit Tours are suspended until further notice and National Park Service trail, area and camp closures are in effect due to the fire activity and allow fire personnel and first responders to work safely.
