Single Publication

Friday September 13, 2024

*** There will be a Community Meeting this evening, Friday September 13th at 7:00 PM at the Ola Community Center 2175 Main Street, Ola, ID*** 

Overview: The Lava Fire is on the Boise and Payette National Forests and lands administered Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands. The fire is located north of Emmet and west of Lake Cascade and started by lightning on Monday, September 2nd and is burning in tall grass, brush, and timber. 

The Lava Fire is currently 94,589 acres with 6 percent containment and 746 personnel assigned. 

Any property remaining in an area that is either evacuated or impacted by Forest Service closures will need to remain in place until fire managers and Sheriff’s departments deem the area is safe for reentry. 

Operations: Yesterday, structure protection prioritized God’s Acres Subdivision and The Church Camp. Crews installed lines connecting with natural unburnable features to secure structures. The fire is burning slowly in the previous Four Corners Fire scar of 2022 near Hazard Creek and Lookout Peak. Lava Fire personnel and equipment supported a new initial attack response five miles south of Lake Cascade. Fire was controlled at one quarter of an acre. Firefighters escorted communication companies to telecommunication towers to inspect and repair equipment and local ranchers were escorted to Hwy 618 to retrieve their stock from the fire area.

On the western flank of the fire, crews began mopping up on dozer lines east of Indian Valley Road, North Crane Road, and Spring Creek. 

Night shift crews patrolled and monitored fire activity ready to respond to any concerns. 

Today, fire suppression activities include handlines, dozer lines, and using natural features for containment lines around the fire perimeter.

On the northern flank, personnel are scouting location for direct perimeter containment. Structure protection personnel will continue structure assessments in God’s Acres Subdivision, the Church Camp, and Tamarack Ski Resort. 

On the eastern flank, firefighters are mopping up dozer lines on Forest Service Road 404 and Willow Creek. Crews continue mop up along the fire perimeter north of Boulder Creek. Continue the structure assessments and structure protection around Lake Cascade. 

On the southern flank, structure protection priority is on Third Fork, Nesbitt, and 653 Roads. Personnel scouting line construction from the 601 Road to the north. Initial attack resources are mopping up the new start from yesterday. 

Along the western flank, fire personnel are constructing a continuous containment line northward to Little Weiser River Road. Firefighters will mop up and extinguish areas of heat near the fire edge as they move north, protecting the range allotments, grasslands, and private property outside the fire perimeter. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: Yesterday, a cloudy sky and isolated rain showers moved across the fire area with precipitation up to three quarters of an inch. Lower temperatures and higher humidity resulted in minimal fire activity and allowed firefighters to effectively mop up areas where heat persisted. A drying trend begins today with higher temperatures and lower humidity. Fuels will lose the moisture gained through these rain events, creating the potential for increased fire activity. 

Evacuations and road closures: 

Adams County Sheriff’s Office issued a LEVEL 3 “GO!” Evacuation notice to residents south of South Grays Creek and along Little Weiser Road in Indian Valley. A LEVEL 2 “SET” Evacuation has been issued for residents North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation has been issued for the Mesa area.

Gem County Sheriff’s Office issued a LEVEL 3 “GO!” Evacuation notice to residents on Third Fork Road (North of Nesbitt Lane), Second Fork Road (North of Nesbitt Lane), and the Sage Hen Reservoir area. Gem County Sheriff’s Office notified the residents in person on September 8th, 2024. A LEVEL 2 “SET” Evacuation has been issued for Nesbitt Lane residents. 

Gem County Road and Bridge 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.

Valley County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded zones 4, 5, 6 to a “Set” status, effective as of 9/12/2024 at 10:15 AM. Zones 7 – 11 remain in their current unchanged in a “Set” status. 

Forest Closures and Restrictions: The Boise and Payette National Forests implemented a joint Lava Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure for public and firefighter safety. The closure includes Forest Service lands north of the 601 Road (approximately 7 miles southwest of Smiths Ferry) and north all the way to the northernmost extent of Lake Cascade. This expanded closure order supersedes previous closure orders and will be in place through December 31, 2024 unless rescinded. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes the use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly.