Single Publication

Monday September 16, 2024

*** A Community Meeting will be held in Indian Valley TONIGHT 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 Emmett 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 95,746 acres with 26 percent containment and 918 personnel assigned, which includes 23 crews, 2 large helicopters, 1 small helicopter, 54 engines, 11 bulldozers, 10 water tenders, 5 excavators, 7 skidders and 8 ambulances.

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 and Tamarack Ski Resort northeast of the fire perimeter. A bulldozer line from Cold Spring Ridge to Cascade Lake behind structures was started and tied into Lake Cascade where hand crews continue identifying opportunities for line construction south along the fire’s edge. 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. Firefighters on the southern flank continue mopping up heat found along lines in the Tree Springs area. Crews held and mopped up heat found along the line from the Gross Community northward on the 653 Road. On the eastern flank, mop up and chipping operations continued around the structures on the southeast corner along Forest Service Road 404. Dozers made progress on the northern flank constructing approximately half of the dozer identified line needed for the northern flank.

Today, fire suppression activities include handlines, dozer lines, engines, helicopters, chippers, drones and suppression repair containment lines around the fire perimeter. Initial attack firefighters stand ready to respond to new starts with the predicted lightning today.

Structure protection continues all around the fire including God’s Acres, the church camp, Tamarack Ski Resort, Little Weiser Road, and Mesa Communities. Activities include assessments, protection plans, and hose lays.

On the northern flank, firefighters and drones are scouting line from Grays Creek Road to the east in steep terrain and timber. Crews, engines and equipment are shifting to high priority areas in Indian Valley to mop up hot spots in and around structures. Crews are scouting areas between Indian Mountain Road and Jeep Mountain Road to construct direct and indirect line. 

On the eastern flank, 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 and beginning suppression repair. 

On the southern flank, crews will mop up and search for heat sources by cold trailing west of Tree Spring Mountain Area. Firefighters will continue to focus on the Gross Community to secure line along Forest Service Road 653 to prevent the fire from crossing the road.  Aircraft are available if weather conditions are suitable for flying. 

On the western flank, personnel will patrol and monitor all control lines north to south lines for heat by 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. Roads degraded by fire traffic will be maintained with equipment today as suppression repair continues. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: after isolated showers this morning, showers and thunderstorms will increase by mid-afternoon and continue tonight. Thunderstorms are likely to produce wetting rains with erratic gusts to 40mph. Temperatures will be in the upper 60’s this afternoon. Frequent lightning is expected this afternoon and evening. Fire behavior in the morning will consist of some smoldering in heavy ground fuels. As we move into the afternoon, little movement is expected across the fire. 

Evacuations:

Adams County Sheriff’s Office issued a LEVEL 3 “GO!” Evacuation notices to residents south of South Grays Creek and along Little Weiser River 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. These evacuation notices are effective as of Tuesday, September 10. 

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.