Single Publication

Middle Fork Complex Update
Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Fire Size: 47,978
Completion: 5%
Total Resources:  814 personnel

Community Meeting: A community meeting is scheduled today at 6 p.m. at the White Barn Building, near 85 Severance Road, Garden Valley, Idaho. The Incident Commander, key team members, and Boise National Forest representatives will provide updates on the fire and answer any questions.  The meeting will be provided and later posted on Facebook and Great Basin Team 3/Team 1 YouTube channel.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Forecasters predict temperatures may be 5-10 degrees cooler than yesterday with sunny skies. Relative humidity will decrease into the mid-teens, and winds from the northwest will blow 6-12 mph with gusts around 25 mph. These two factors are expected to create a longer dynamic burn period today. The fire is fuels driven, with slope and terrain wind influence increasing rates of spread. Tonight, relative humidity recoveries will be poor especially on the mid-slopes and ridges.

Operations: In the Silver Creek area of the Bulldog Fire, crews are completing structure protection and constructing indirect handline to connect with the Rattlesnake Trail. The Middle Fork corridor along FS Road 698 remains secure along the fire’s western edge. The southwestern containment lines, which are closest to Crouch, are still secure and remain a high priority. Smoke visible yesterday from the Bulldog Fire was from the eastern side of the fire, moving through the 2006 Rattlesnake burn area. Working with local resource advisors, teams are identifying options for indirect containment lines. 

Fire activity on the west side of the Nellie Fire increased yesterday, but the fire remained within the completed containment lines. A very large air tanker (VLAT) and large air tankers further strengthened these lines, and crews may initiate tactical burning operations in this area over the next few days. Fire behavior near Deadwood Reservoir increased yesterday, prompting crews and heavy equipment to build direct and indirect containment lines. The fire continues to grow east and has now entered the Bearskin burn area. Operations will focus on safeguarding critical values at risk and continuing to expand and strengthen containment lines.  

Closures: The Boise National Forest has issued Order Number 0402-06-60, 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 remains in effect over the fire area. It is illegal for the public to fly drones over or near wildfires because of due to the risk of accidents and interference with firefighting efforts.