Single Publication

Middle Fork Complex Fire Update

October 14, 2024

Middle Fork Complex Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Email: 2024.middleforkcomplex@firenet.gov

Middle Fork Complex: 61,495 acres, 90% completed, 133 personnel

Snag Fire: 33,437 acres, 90% completed, 17 personnel

Goat Fire: 35,648 acres, 34% completion, 148 personnel

Current Situation: After nearly 70 days, things are looking up with the current situation on the Middle Fork Complex and Snag and Goat fires. Started by lightning on August 5, an incredible amount of hard work has happened over the past couple of months by many firefighters who came from all across the country to help bring these fires to the completion they are currently at. With fire suppression efforts winding down, firefighters began focusing on the vital task of suppression repair to the road, dozer and hand lines constructed to protect the critical values at risk and contain the fires. They are returning disturbed areas, fire lines, staging areas, helipads etc., to as natural a state as is possible. This is to minimize any future damages due to erosion. 

As the repair work continued, the weather also remained hot and dry and suppression repair returned to firefighting as fire behavior increased across the fire areas. In spite of the challenges, firefighters have accomplished nearly all of the suppression repair work. This includes repair to approximately 50 miles of hand line, 41 miles of dozer line and 124 miles of roads that were used as direct and indirect fire lines. Additional repair work remains, but the bulk of the repairs spread across the fire areas are almost completed.

Great Basin Team 6 has reached the end of their 14-day assignment and will transition management of the fires to a Boise National Forest Type 3 organization led by Incident Commander Ryan Shannahan. They will assume command of the fires at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15. This will be the final update from Great Basin Team 6. On behalf of IC Mack McFarland and team, we would like to express our thanks for your support and welcoming us into your communities.

Weather: Monday will be similar to yesterday with temperatures in the 70s with humidity in the teens and winds on the ridges increasing with the approaching cold front. Wednesday and Thursday are still forecast to bring much cooler and likely wet weather. By Wednesday, there is an 80% chance of a wetting rain and by Thursday, there is an 77% chance of rain and snow at high elevations across the fire area.

Goat Fire: The northern flank of the Goat Fire is in monitor status, where there is some smoke in the Rice Creek area and around the Yellow Jacket Trailhead. South of Warm Lake, crews continue to prep the contingency line along the Bear Creek Road. Firefighters remain in the Yellow Jacket Trail area monitoring hot spots, ready to take suppression action where needed.

Snag Fire: The Snag Fire continues to see little fire activity. Crews will patrol and monitor the area looking for hot spots, keeping an eye on the Middle Fork on the west side and will utilize aviation support if there is any increase in fire activity.

Middle Fork Complex: Fire behavior on the Nellie and Bulldog show little activity and no growth is expected, remaining in patrol status. Repair work on the 555 Road continues. This work needs to be completed before the road can be reopened and includes cleaning out culverts and hazard tree removal.

Notice: Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the Warm Lake area with firefighters and equipment traveling to the Logan Fire burning near Edwardsburg. General deer hunting season started this week and hunters should be aware of fire traffic in the area. 

Closures: The Boise National Forest “Area, Road and Trail Closure Order” for the Middle Fork Complex and Snag and Goat fires can be found at this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.

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