Single Publication

Middle Fork Complex Fire Update
Tuesday, September 10, 2024

Cooler Weather with Rain Expected Wednesday

The Middle Fork Complex is 60,809 acres with 30% completion. There are currently 697 personnel assigned to these fires, including 18 hand crews, 26 engines, and 4 helicopters. Changing weather patterns will begin impacting the area on Wednesday. Today, expect continued dry conditions with increased southwest winds gusting up to 25mph. Increased high cloud cover will keep temperatures down a few degrees with highs in the 70s and 80s, but the combination of higher southwest winds and low relative humidities will promote elevated fire activity across the area. A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for scattered thunderstorms on Wednesday, including the possibility of outflow wind gusts up to 50 to 60 mph.

Yesterday, the Bulldog Fire grew about 90 acres, mostly on the north and northeast edges further into the 2006 Rattlesnake fire area. Crews continue to hold the fire east of the Middle Fork corridor, holding and patrolling Road 698. Crews continue using heavy equipment and handline to strengthen contingency fireline northwest of Road 671 and fuel mitigation around Boiling Springs and the Silver Creek Lookout in anticipation of Goat Fire movement south.

Crews continue patrolling the indirect fireline from the Nellie Fire to the southwest corner of the Bulldog Fire, and the fires made no progress in that area. Crews continue to patrol the southwest side of the Nellie Fire and the Highway 17 corridor, and Highway 17 road repair work continues. Crews are strengthening the contingency fireline along Road 555 from the junction with Road 579 towards Deadwood Outfitters. Mop up and patrolling continues around the Deadwood Reservoir and along Road 510.
When weather and fuel conditions allow, operations will conduct fuel mitigation around the Scott Mountain Tower. An engine crew will reduce fuels around the tower and an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) will conduct firing operations along the Scott Mountain ridge. Community members may see more smoke from the fire interior when these operations commence.

There will be a community meeting Wednesday, September 11, at 6 p.m. at the White Barn Building, near 85 Severance Road, Garden Valley, Idaho.

Boise National Forest Closure Order Number 0402-06-60 remains in effect. An interactive forest closure map is available on the Boise National Forest Alerts & Closures website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.
Hunters are not allowed access to these closed areas.
Highway 21 is closed from the Sourdough Lodge in Lowman to Stanley (MP 84 to 130) due to nearby wildfire activity. Only local traffic is allowed between the Sourdough Lodge and Warm Springs Airstrip. There is no public access from the highway to surrounding areas including Grandjean, Bull Trout, Boundary Creek, Cape Horn, or Seafoam. For more information, visit the Idaho Department of Transportation website, https://511.idaho.gov/

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. Visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect in the fire area.

Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8am – 8pm) Email: 2024.middleforkcomplex@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-middle-fork-complex-fire-bulldog-and-nellie
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Middle-Fork-Complex-Fire-Boise-National-Forest/61565022204468
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2024.middleforkcomplex