Single Incident Information

Dense timber, live and beetle killed, dead and down trees.

Update 9/17/2024: The closure order has been rescinded - all trails are once again open.

Update 9/16/24: No growth observed in last week. Fire received rain last week and more rain anticipated this week. Fuels work wrapping up on South Poorman Road.

Update 9/10/24 @3 p.m.: No growth observed in fire today or yesterday. Fuels work is nearly complete in North and South Little Prickly Pear and McQuithy Gulch. More days needed to complete the fuels work in the South Fork of Poorman drainage. 

Update: 9/7/24: Crews continue to remove hazardous fuels between the fire and private property in the Canyon Creek community, which is located approximately 3 miles east of the fire. So far crews have been successful removing fuels in the North Fork of the Prickly Pear drainage and McQuithy Gulch. Additionally, crews have begun fuels work in the South Fork of Poorman drainage, located approximately 3 miles northeast of the fire. As this work begins, crews and equipment remain staged in North and South Fork of Prickly Pear Road as well as McQuithy Gulch. Other areas further from the fire have been identified for treatment, if needed based on fire activity, include the South Fork of the Prickly Pear drainage and Marsh Creek road. 

Update 9/4/24: The Marsh Creek Fire is now listed as 90 acres.

Update 9/2/24: The Marsh Creek Fire is estimated to be 88 acres with most of the growth on the eastern flank. Aviation was used today to slow growth giving crews more time to reduce fuels around homes in the McQuithy Gulch and North Fork of the Prickly Pear drainage. Another crew and engine arrived today and will continue this work into next week.

We have seen some questions about why we aren’t putting people out by the fire itself. Looking at the photo you can see the continuous dead and down trees. There are no escape routes if the wind changes direction and the fire flares up suddenly. We are not willing to endanger the lives of our firefighters in the area under those conditions. We will continue doing work around homes and using aviation resources as needed to slow the growth of the fire.

Update 8/31/2024: The Marsh Creek Fire showed an increase in activity, growing toward the west for an increase of approximately 20 acres. The fire is burning in heavy timber, and smoke will be visible from surrounding communities for the next few days. A heavy helicopter was used to cool the eastern edge of the fire, slowing growth in that direction. 

Due to increased fire activity, the weather forecast and dry fuel conditions the following trails are closed:

• Trail #466 Nevada Creek Trail is closed from the Nevada Creek Trailhead to the Continental Dive Trail (CDT).
• Trail #440 CDT is closed from Meyer’s Hill Trailhead to Stemple Pass Trailhead.
• Trail #467 Helmville/Gould Trail is closed from the CDT to the Prickly/Nevada Trail.
• Trail #487 Prickly/Nevada Trail is closed from Nevada Creek Trail to the Helmville/Gould Trail.