Firefighters will begin using direct suppression techniques today on the 250-acre Horseshoe Fire burning in the Mt. Adams Wilderness. According to incident commander Brian Gales, crews are laying hose lines to suppress the fire and begin mop-up along the perimeter. The reasons include the drought in the Western U.S. and the potential for the fire  to leave the wilderness and impact tribal and private lands. The first priority for containment is the northern boundary of the fire, where the blaze is smoldering in abundant fuels. Second priority is the reduction of hazard trees and mopping up along the west flank. The third priority is cleaning up hotspots along the east flank and inside the perimeter of the 2012 Cascade Creek Fire. Hotspots have been observed inside that area. There will be flaggers and a pilot car on Forest Road 23. 189 personnel are working on the fire, along with helicopters and a water tender. Containment is still considered 0%, although the size of the fire hasn’t grown the last couple of days. The cause of the fire is unknown.