Single Publication

Red Rock Fire:

Today’s fire area estimate is at 3033 acres, with 0% containment.

Yesterday, crews continued with a full suppression strategy on the northern perimeter of the Red Rock Fire, constructing handlines to directly attack the fire from both the east and west sides. The crews’ efforts on the ground were supported by helicopter bucket drops throughout the area. Additionally, heavy machinery was used to repair and improve area roads, which will make it easier to get crews closer to the fire line. A large portable tank, called a Heliwell was set up on Panther Creek Road giving helicopters an additional source for refilling their water buckets. 

Today, yesterday’s efforts continue on the north, east, and west side of the fire, with the arrival of new hand crews, fire engines, and heavy equipment. On the southern perimeter of the fire, incident management will continue to monitor the fire’s behavior and look for opportunities to go direct attack.  Structure protection groups will continue to develop their plan on the east side of Panther Creek Road.

Black Eagle Fire:

Today’s fire area estimate is at 6433 acres, with 0% containment.

Yesterday, incident management utilized helicopter bucket drops to extinguish hot spots southeast of the fire perimeter near Black Eagle Creek.

Today, a hand crew working in conjunction with the helicopters will work to address the remaining spot fires in the area.  Additionally, firefighting forces will keep working on their structure protection plan, ensuring they are prepared to use the tools and measures already set up to safeguard local campgrounds and communities.

Weather:

Today is expected to be another warm day.  Temperatures are predicted to reach the lower to mid 60’s, with 15 mph winds coming out of the south, and gusts up to 25 mph in the afternoon.  Cooler temperatures are expected to move in later this afternoon, with precipitation returning to the area as early as 7pm.  Heavier rain and lower temperatures are expected by Tuesday of next week.

Fire Behavior:

A slight uptick in fire behavior is expected as warmer weather, lower humidity, and persistent winds continue to dry out and threaten the lighter, finer fuels in the area.  The arrival of increased cloud cover, however, will help counter these conditions.  Therefore, there is a low probability of significant fire spread, and fire behavior will continue to be conducive to direct attack.

Forest Closures and Evacuation Orders:

No new forest closures or evacuation orders have been issued.

Evacuation Zone 1 is in “Go Status,” and Evacuation Zones 2, 3, and 4 are in “Ready Status.”  National Forest Closure Orders 04-13-24-017 and 04-13-24-019 remain in place.

Special Notes:

Due to challenging weather conditions over the past few days, air resources had been unable to provide incident management with updated fire acreage information.  Therefore, although fire acreage numbers have increased since yesterday’s update, it is likely that most of this fire growth took place prior to Thursday’s rains.