Single Publication

Tuesday September 17, 2024

Per Gem County Sherriff’s Office please note that county roads closed by the fire remain closed (listed below).

Adams County Sheriff’s Office downgraded to level 1 “READY” for all Adams County residents.

A Community Meeting will be held in Cascade TOMORROW, Wednesday September 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the Cascade Fire Department, 109 E. Pine St. Cascade, Idaho

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

The Lava Fire is currently 97,844 acres with 33 percent of the perimeter contained. There are 825 personnel assigned, including 19 crews, 2 large helicopters, 1 small helicopter, 58 engines, 11 bulldozers, 16 water tenders, 6 excavators, 7 skidders and 8 ambulances.

Any property that is currently evacuated or impacted by Forest Service closures will remain unchanged until the Sheriff’s departments, fire managers, and emergency management departments deem the area safe for reentry. These are being evaluated daily to insure accuracy.

Operations: Yesterday, structure protection crews continued protecting homes and structures around God’s Acres and the church camp. Bulldozer line construction and improvement continued from Cold Spring Ridge to Cascade Lake behind structures, tying together hand lines crew securing the southern perimeter of the fire edge. Firefighters strengthened fire lines along west mountain road toward Willow Creek subdivision. Resources are holding the containment line on the western flank, working on suppression repair, and patrolling for any heat sources. No heat sources were found around the structures at Second or Third Fork Road during a reconnaissance flight over the southern flank of the fire. On the eastern flank, mop up and chipping operations continued around structures on the southeast corner along Forest Service Road 404 and 421. Bulldozers completed line construction on the northern flank. Crews scouted lines east toward Anderson Creek to connect with crews working west from Little Weiser River. Last night, 38 people attended the Indian Valley Community Meeting for the Lava Fire. 

Today, firefighters will evaluate conditions impacted by yesterday’s rainstorm to ensure safe conditions before beginning work. Rain received yesterday may impact access, road conditions, natural resources, and create slick surfaces throughout the fire perimeter. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority. After conditions are deemed safe and suitable, firefighters will construct and improve handlines and bulldozer lines with engines, hand crews, heavy equipment, and chippers around the fire perimeter. Helicopters will support ground resources while UAS platforms will be used to gather intelligence along the fire perimeter. 

Structure protection continues all around the fire including God’s Acre, the church camp, Tamarack Ski Resort, Little Weiser Road, and structures near the fire. Activities include assessments, protection plans, and equipment installation.

On the northern flank, fire crews are working between the 435 and B roads to strengthen the fire line where the fire had previously slopped over the line. A mix of hand crews and heavy equipment will strengthen line that was constructed yesterday on the northeastern perimeter along the Cold Springs Ridge toward Cascade Lake.

On the eastern flank, firefighters will focus on suppression repair and backhaul of equipment. They will extinguish areas of heat detected around Forest Service Roads 404 and 421 as well as structures near the fire’s edge. 

On the southern flank, firefighters will continue to make progress moving northeast to secure line along Forest Service Road 653, strengthening the line to the Gross community. Crews will mop up and search for heat sources by cold trailing west of Tree Spring Mountain Area.

On the western flank, personnel continue to patrol all control lines north to south for heat by mopping up threats to control lines. They will grade roads with motor graders for suppression repair as conditions allow. Patrolling continues around the range allotments, grasslands, and private property outside the fire perimeter line. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: Today, storms will be capable of producing gusty and erratic winds, lightning, and heavy rainfall. Weather will clear late Tuesday leading to cooler, drier weather conditions. After the system passes, temperatures will be 15-20 degrees below normal with a high of 56 degrees. Relative humidity is 70 percent, and we will see westerly winds 5-10 mph with 15 mph gusts. Lightning has been reported and rain amounts were not enough to extinguish the fire. Smoldering will continue in heavy ground fuels. No fire spread is expected today but as we move into the cooler and drier weather, fire activity will return to smoldering and creeping. 

Evacuations:

Adams County Sheriff’s Office Downgraded to a Level 1 “READY” for all Adams County residents. These evacuations notices are effective as of Tuesday September 17, 2024. 

Gem County Sheriff’s Office A LEVEL 2 “Ready” Evacuation notice has been issued 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. The extent of this closure order is being re-evaluated due to firefighting progress and recent precipitation. The public can expect to see changes later this week.

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.