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OLA, Idaho, September 8, 2024 – The Lava Fire was first reported on September 2 at 11:20 p.m. and is currently 2,493 acres in size. The lightning-caused fire is burning in heavy timber, brush and grass approximately 9 miles north of Ola, Idaho, in the Chief Eagle Eye Creek Drainage. 

Firefighting resources include multiple fire engines, air resources, dozers and multiples hand crews, with 191 personnel currently assigned to the fire. Additional resources have also been ordered. 

Aircraft will be used to suppress short range spotting of the fire to the northeast in Third Fork Creek and Mesa Creek, east in Mesa Creek, and southeast into Lava Gulch, Kimball Creek, and Muir Creek. Ground firefighting resources will continue securing the 653 Road/Third Fork Creek and look for locations to engage the fire directly and indirectly on the south flank of the fire. The northeast flank has a solid anchor point for firefighting crews to work from, and resources will work to corral spotting activity while continuing to build line east to the 653 Road. Direct firefighting tactics will be used as much as possible. The Forest Service uses all available strategies and tools to suppress wildfires, and public and firefighter safety are the top priorities for fire managers.

Continued dry weather along with dry thunderstorms and gusty outflow winds are predicted for today and could increase fire behavior and growth. Beginning Tuesday night, cooler temperatures with showers and thunderstorms are forecasted. 

Boise National Forest implemented the Lava Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure 0402-06-62 for public and firefighter safety. Visit the Forest Alerts and Notices web page for details.

Gem County Sheriff's Office issued the following Level 2 "BE SET" to evacuate notice: “Due to fires in the following areas a Level 2 evacuation has been ordered: Second and Third Fork North of Nesbitt Lane and all of Nesbitt Lane. The Sheriff's Office has gone door to door making notifications to residents in that area. LEVEL 2 Evacuation means “BE SET” to evacuate. BE PREPARED TO LEAVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE.” Follow Gem County Sheriff’s Office Facebook Group for updates. 

Learn about “Ready, Set, GO!” preparedness on the Gem County Emergency Management website and sign up to receive alerts from the county at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/?regionid=1190.

Visit the Lava Fire InciWeb page at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident- information/idbof-lava-fire for more information. For other news, events and information, visit the Boise National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/boise and follow the Boise on Facebook @BoiseNationalForest.