Single Publication

 Friday September 20, 2024

All evacuations orders have been lifted for Gem County starting at 8:00 a.m. today.

The Boise and Payette National Forest reduced the Lava-Boulder Fire Closure Order effective today, opening more areas to the public (see below). 

Emmett and Cascade Ranger Districts on the Boise National Forests rescinded Stage 1 fire restrictions effective at 8:00 a.m. today. 

A Community Meeting will be held in Ola this evening at 7:00 p.m. at the Ola Community Hall, 21750 Main Street, Ola, Idaho.

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 2. It is burning in tall grass, brush, and timber. 

The Lava Fire is currently 97,844 acres with 57 percent of the perimeter contained. 734 personnel are assigned, including 17 crews, 1 large helicopter, 1 small helicopter, 30 engines, 10 bulldozers, 16 water tenders, 7 excavators, 1 skidder and 8 ambulances.

Property remaining in an area that is evacuated or impacted by Forest Service closures must remain until fire managers, Sheriff’s departments, and emergency management departments deem the area is safe for reentry. 

Operations: Yesterday, as a drying trend continued, firefighters made good progress all around the fire. Backhaul of firefighting equipment continued in the eastern flank. Chipping operations continued along Forest Service Road 446E and Gopher Road to reduce burnable vegetation near structures. In the northern flank, grinding of burnable vegetation and removal of hazard trees continued along the Cascade Ridge bulldozer line between Indian Mountain Road and Jeep Mountain Road. Smoke was detected from burning isolated logs and stumps in the interior of this area. Direct handline construction continued from the northeastern fire edge south to Anderson Creek to meet with a direct handline on the northwestern fire edge. Crews mopped up heat sources along the handline in the western flank and remained on patrol to respond when needed. Suppression repair crews repaired roads in the Little Weiser Road system and bulldozer line in the interior. Mop up continued on bulldozer lines in the southern flank. Hotshot crews built direct line on the fire edge along Forest Service Road 653 and completed masticating branches along Forest Service Road 626. 

A firefighter was injured in the southern flank by a rolling log but was quickly transported to the hospital, treated and released. Training that occurred during the rain event this past Tuesday helped firefighters respond quickly and effectively. Firefighters use the term “golden hour” to describe the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury occurs and the window in which trauma care must be initiated for the best outcome. Firefighters on the southern flank responded to yesterday’s injury and had the injured firefighter in the helicopter in 38 minutes, well within the golden hour. This morning, Safety Officer Ed Bratcher and personnel assigned to the Lava Fire applauded firefighters for their excellent response to the medical emergency.

Today, unmanned aircraft systems (drones) will be used to detect heat and fire activity along containment lines and throughout the fire perimeter,

On the northern flank, saw work will continue to remove hazardous trees on Forest Service Road 435 to allow firefighters safe access to interior handlines. Crews will prepare and improve alternate bulldozer line between Indian Mountain Road and Jeep Mountain Road. Crews will continue to clean up vegetation along the line between Indian Mountain Road and Jeep Mountain Road. Any equipment that is not being used around structures will be backhauled. Hand crews will continue to install direct fire line along the fire edge between the Little Wesier Creek and Anderson drainage working east toward a bulldozer line. Crews will continue to remove hazardous trees on Forest Service Roads 206 and 835. 

On the eastern flank, the primary focus will be finishing chipping to reduce thick, burnable vegetation on Forest Service Road 446E and Gopher Road. Crews will backhaul any excess equipment. They will work alongside resource advisors to repair bulldozer lines and assess equipment needs.

On the southern flank, firefighters continue to monitor fire activity near the Gross Community, ready to respond by mop up if necessary. Crews are working northeast along Forest Service Road 653 building direct and indirect lines and cold trailing. Firefighters are installing fire hose to the north of Sage Hen Reservoir and Forest Service Road 626. 

On the western flank, crews continue to patrol and mop up containment lines by moving further into the fire from established lines to cool hot spots. Firefighters will work alongside resource advisors in the southwest to repair bulldozer line that was installed for containment. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: Slightly drier and fairer weather is forecasted all day. Minimal cloud cover will provide little to no shade across the fire. Although temperatures are below normal, they will continue to increase with highs in the 60s. Relative humidity continues to drop and will be down to 30 percent as conditions dry. Winds are expected to increase from the north to northwest direction at 7 to 12 mph, with gusts in the upper teens. Fire activity may increase as conditions clear and dry, but it is expected to burn at minimal spread and low intensity. Firefighters will continue to watch for new ignitions from recent lightning that may ignite under sunny conditions.

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

Gem County: no evacuations in effect as of 8:00 a.m. today. 

Valley County Sheriff’s Office Zones 2 – 6 are in a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation notice. All remaining zones have been removed from any evacuation status for the Lava Fire effective Tuesday, September 17, 2024. 

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 southern portion of this closure area follows roads 601 (which remains closed) and 644 (which remains open). The northern boundary follows a portion of the Payette National Forest’s road 186 (open) and crosses over to the Boise National Forest just south of trail 116. Snowbank Road (446) and Sage Hen Reservoir area remain closed, French Creek Campground remains open. This closure adjustment became effective on September 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. 

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.

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