Single Publication

Sunday September 15, 2024 

*** A Community Meeting will be held in Indian Valley on Monday September 16th at 7:00 p.m. at the Indian Valley Community Hall, 803 Indian Valley Road*** 

Overview: The Lava Fire is on the Boise and Payette National Forests and lands administered by the 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 95,697 acres with 22 percent containment and 824 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, Sheriff’s departments, and emergency management departments deem the area is safe for reentry.  

Operations: Yesterday, structure protection continued in the church camp, northeast of the fire perimeter. Structure protection wrap was placed on Indian Mountain Lookout as a precaution. A dozer line from Cold Spring Ridge to Cascade Lake behind structures was scouted to tie into Lake Cascade. Indirect lines were prepped along Willow Creek Trail to West Mountain Road, north of structures. Firefighters gridded lines on the western flank, extinguishing any heat found along control lines. Crews continued to assess structures in Indian Valley, moving north towards Council. The southern flank personnel mopped up along line to the east, including the area that came across 653 Road. On the eastern flank, a containment line was connected into 404 Road to behind Willow Creek Subdivision. Lines north of the Four Corners fire scar were patrolled and mopped up.  

Today, fire suppression activities include handlines, dozer lines, engine and chipping work on containment lines around the fire perimeter. 

On the northern flank, firefighters are scouting line from Grays Creek Road to the east in steep terrain and timber. Structure protection at the church camp and Tamarack Ski Resort continues northeast of the fire. Areas between the Forest Service Road 435 and B roads are being identified for direct and indirect line construction. Structure protection assessments will continue in and around Indian Valley.    

On the eastern flank, structure assessments and protection plans continue around Lake Cascade. Mop up and chipping operations continue around the structures on the southeast corner along Forest Service Road 404. Firefighters are working on Willow Creek and Le John Road increasing mop up depth to 50 feet in from the fire edge.   

On the southern flank, personnel will be mopping up and cold trailing to the west of Tree Spring Mountains Area. Cold trailing is a technique used by firefighters to ensure the fire edge is cold to the touch. Crews will improve firebreaks along FS 653 Road west to FS 618 Road. Crews will continue scouting line construction along 601 Road to the north.  

On the western flank, personnel will grid containment lines for heat, actively mopping up and mitigating all threats to control lines. Patrolling continues around the range allotments, grasslands, and private property outside the fire perimeter line. Equipment road repair in areas that have been impacted by firefighter traffic working south to north.  

Weather/Fire Behavior: weather will remain mild and mostly cloudy today. Temperatures will be in the upper 60s this afternoon. There is a slight chance of showers today. A cold front will move through early this evening, shifting winds to the northwest and becoming breezy. Showers will increase after midnight bringing a slight chance of thunderstorms. Good humidity recovery last night is helped  to extinguish some smoldering areas under timber stands that continued to burn last night. Logs and stump holes will continue to burn through the day. Late afternoon single tree torching is possible where ladder fuels are present.  

Evacuations and road closures: 

Adams County Sheriff’s Office issued a LEVEL 3 “GO!” Evacuation notices 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 Has downgraded to a LEVEL 2 “SET” 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. A LEVEL 1 “READY” 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 zones 4 – 11 are in a LEVEL 2 “SET” Evacuation notice.  

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.