Incidents All News

Rain impacted operations yesterday when native surface roads and dozer lines became impassable due to mud. This resulted in crews being positioned only on hard surfaced roads after noon. Today, it is expected that rain and wind will impact the fire area. In the interest of fire fighter safety and to prevent resource damage, operations will be suspended today. Members of Northwest Incident Management Team 13 will shadow Team 6 today and will take command of the incident at 1800 hours (6PM) today.  

September 29, 2023 Daily Update Dinner, Grizzly, Brice, Chilcoot and Ridge Fires Total personnel:  201 | Resources:  7 engines, 3 crews, 3 Helicopters  

September 27, 2023 Daily UpdateDinner, Grizzly, Brice, Chilcoot and Ridge FiresTotal personnel:  240 | Resources:  7 engines and 3 crews

Successful suppression tactics, cooler, moister weather and the changing season has led to minimal fire behavior on both fires. The transition from suppression to repair and stabilization is well under way; some crews and resources are being released. As a result, Sharps Creek Base Camp that has been supporting resources assigned to Grizzly and Brice Creek fires will be dismantled over the next few days.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity over the fires have resulted in minimal fire behavior. In response to a significant low-pressure system that is expected to bring up to 3 inches of rain to the fire areas, crews will focus on stabilization and repair of containment lines to mitigate possible erosion. Brice Creek Fire: Size: 571 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 70%

Over the last couple days firefighters made good progress due to favorable weather conditions. Today there is a chance of precipitation. Clouds and poor visibility could hinder air support today. Lower temperatures and higher humidities will continue to benefit suppression efforts. Brice Creek Fire: Size: 571 acres | Start Date: August 24, 2023 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 62%

Air support resources were grounded yesterday afternoon due to a private drone flying within the fire’s airspace creating a dangerous situation. Flying drones grounds all of our aircraft, preventing operations. Air resources are critical to fire suppression efforts, often providing lifesaving operations in addition to fire suppression. Remember – IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T

Even though the temperature was a little lower and the humidities were a little higher the Grizzly fire grew slightly. Smoke limited visibility which impacted the availability of air resources in the morning. Crews working on the ground were supported by aircraft in the afternoon.  

Friday’s unseasonably warm and dry weather tested containment features on all three fires. Although there was a moderate amount of smoke visible Friday afternoon, its source was mostly from islands of unburned fuel well within the fire perimeters, the Grizzly Fire did grow about 25 acres. Crews working on the ground supported by aircraft were successful in preventing large scale growth on all three fires.

A strong warming and drying trend will impact the fire area Friday bringing above normal temperatures and lower humidities. In the late afternoon, when humidity is at its lowest, an increase in fire behavior is possible during this time, especially on southern facing slopes. Firefighters on the ground, supported by aircraft will continue suppression, and patrol across all three fires as well as at Chilcoot and Ridge Fires.