Single Publication

Middle Fork Complex Fire Update

October 7, 2024

Middle Fork Complex Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8 a.m. - 8 p.m.)

Email: 2024.middleforkcomplex@firenet.gov

Middle Fork Complex: 61,493 acres, 90% completion, 152 Personnel 

Snag Fire: 33,437 acres, 90% completion, 12 Personnel 

Goat Fire: 31,831 acres, 27% completion, 195 personnel

Fire activity on the Goat Fire returned to mostly creeping and smoldering behavior. Engine crews patrolling the southern edge of the Goat Fire yesterday did encounter a few active spots and were able to deal with them before they grew bigger. On the northeast end of the Goat Fire, crews are continuing to reinforce contingency lines and address some of the areas of increased activity caused by the weather event last week.

On the southern edge of the Goat Fire, crews are conducting strategic firing operations today along the Silver Creek and the existing roads and trails in the area, reinforcing the fire lines there. Strategic firing occurs when fire managers want to intentionally reduce the amount of unburned fuel between their indirect fire line and the main fire. This will reduce the fuel load in a controlled manner and help prevent the uncontrolled spread of the fire ultimately creating more secure containment lines. Increased smoke may be visible in the area during these operations.

On the western edges of the Snag and the Middle Fork Complex Fires, crews have completed most of the suppression repair work. They are currently working to remove all the heavy equipment from the area.

There was no significant activity on the Snag Fire and very little activity on the Middle Fork Complex Fire yesterday. Firefighters will continue to patrol the areas today, watching for any increase in fire activity. Crews are also continuing their night shift monitoring and patrolling to watch for and immediately address any increase in fire activity.

Weather over the fires continues to be unseasonably warm and dry. The temperature today is expected to reach 70 and possibly 75 tomorrow. Humidity levels continue to be unseasonably low. Winds over the fire is forecast to be minimal and mostly terrain driven over the next couple days. No significant fire growth is expected at this time, but firefighters will remain vigilant and continue to work on suppression and containment efforts to be ready for potential dry frontal passage which could enter the area by the end of the week.

Smoky conditions in the mornings to early afternoons is expected as the temperature inversions continue. A temperature inversion is when warm air traps cooler air, causing smoke to linger in valley bottoms at night and in the early morning. The trapped smoke generally begins to lift after the sun rises and heats the earth’s surface.

Please check the Valley County Idaho Facebook page for any updates on evacuation readiness level changes. Residents are still encouraged to sign up for Code Red Emergency Alerts to stay informed. For any questions or updates on evacuation readiness, please contact the Valley County Dispatch Center at 208-382-5160. Currently, Warm Lake Road remains open for travel without restrictions.

Forest area and road closures remain in effect. Visit the Middle Fork Complex Fire Facebook page for a detailed description of where those closures are.

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