Single Publication

Current Situation: 

• The Lava Fire is 67% contained at 97,773 acres, with 543 personnel assigned. 
• Gusty winds affected fire behavior yesterday with isolated torching observed. 
• Helicopters dropped buckets of water on the fire to cool flare-ups in DIV C along the fire’s northeastern flank.
• Cooler weather is forecast for the next two days.
• Suppression repair is ongoing in many areas, including DIVs K and N along the west flank to mitigate future erosion and repair damage caused by firefighting efforts. 
• Firefighters scouted the northeast corner of the fire to identify opportunities to increase containment near Willow Creek subdivision
• The Sawtooth Hotshots worked in the Anderson Creek drainage on the north side of the fire completing direct hand line to further secure the fire line. Crews will lay hose in this area for added protection.
• The Idaho City Hotshots worked above Forest Road 653 in DIV U along the southern flank of the fire.
• Firefighters used unmanned aerial systems to identify areas of heat to assist ground-based crews.

Weather: Wednesday saw higher temperatures and lower humidity over the fire along with gusty winds. Cloud cover increased yesterday evening. Humidity is expected to be somewhat higher which will help mitigate the fire behavior.

Evacuations: A Level 1 “READY” notice remains for residents south of South Grays Creek, along Little Weiser River Road in Indian Valley, North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and the Mesa Area. Valley County Sheriff’s Office has removed Zones 2 & 3 from LEVEL 1 “READY” status. Zones 4 – 6 remain in a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation notice. 

Closures: The Boise and Payette National Forests implemented a joint Lava Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure for public and firefighter safety. For more information see Payette National Forest closures or Boise National Forest closures. 

Gem County Road and Bridge has issued the following road closures: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. The Sweet-Ola Highway is closed at the High Valley intersection in Ola. Please be advised that the Gem County Sheriff’s Office is staffing the road closure check points. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been updated. View a map of the TFR and details at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_8199.html. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems or drones. If you fly, we can’t! Learn more about how to use drones safely and responsibly at Home - Know Before You Fly.

Fire Info Phone: 208-708-5003  Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Email: 2024.Lava@firenet.gov        .

Facebook:@LavaFire Inciweb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-lava-fire