Single Publication

Middle Fork Complex Update
Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Fire Size: 47,400
Completion: 5%
Resources: 6 helicopters, 32 engines, 13 hand crews
Total Resources: 724 

A community meeting will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, at 6 p.m. at the White Barn Building, 85 Severance Road, Garden Valley, Idaho. Updates will be provided by the Incident Commander, key team members, and Boise National Forest representatives. 

Weather and Fire Behavior
Today, stronger winds blowing from the west-southwest are expected, and a dry cold front will move through the fire area, bringing low humidity. This may increase fire activity, which could lead to faster spread, torching, and spotting. Moderate growth is anticipated. The wind will shift and blow from the west-northwest tonight, and skies will clear. Temperatures are expected to decrease on Wednesday but are projected to rise again later in the week. 

Operations 
Recent progress has put crews in a good position before the upcoming weather. For the Bulldog Fire, containment lines remain secure along FS Roads 698 & 671. 

Crews will assess options for indirect containment line to the north of the Bulldog area to tie into trails and previously burned areas. Structure protection crews will continue to patrol Crouch and Garden Valley. 

Heavy equipment crews built containment lines along the southwestern edge of the Nellie fire connecting to Highway 17 on the southern end. Air tankers used retardant to further strengthen these lines. To the north of the highway, successful tactical firing operations expanded on previous work. Night shift crews will patrol and monitor the Banks Lowman Highway. 

Crews and aerial resources were engaged in suppressing spot fires on the eastern side of Deadwood Reservoir. The goal remains to herd the Nellie Fire to a previously burned area and from keep it from moving farther north. No homes or infrastructure in the Deadwood reservoir area have been lost. 

Closures
The Boise National Forest has issued Order Number 0402-06-59, effective August 23, 2024. For more details, please visit the Boise National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices. Highway 21 is closed from the Sourdough Lodge in Lowman to Stanley (MP 84 to 130) due to wildfire activity. Only local traffic is permitted between the Sourdough Lodge and Warm Springs Airstrip. For additional information, visit https://511.idaho.gov/ 

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR)
A TFR is in effect over the fire area. It is illegal for the public to fly drones over or near wildfires due to the risk of accidents and interference with firefighting eff