Single Publication

Incident Commander:  Rick Connell, Northern Rockies Team 5

Middle Fork Complex Location: 9 miles east of Garden Valley, ID   

Bull Trout Location: 15 miles WNW of Stanley, ID                Wapiti Location: 2 miles southwest of Grandjean, ID

Start Dates:  07/24/24 – 08/06/2024

Cause: Lightning

Size:                                       

Bull Trout: 271 acres                        Wapiti: 9,049 acres

Middle Fork Complex:                    Bulldog: 4,986 acres                       Nellie: 19,517 acres

Containment:                          Middle Fork Complex: 5%                           Wapiti: 10%     Bull Trout:  92%

Resources on site:      

Middle Fork Complex: 2 hotshot crews; 7 type 2 hand crews; 5 engines; 1 bulldozer; 1 water tenders 

Wapiti: 2 type 1 hand crews; 1 type 2 hand crew; 16 engines; 2 water tenders; 1 skidgen, 1 bulldozer

Bull Trout: 1 engine

Total Personnel:         Middle Fork Complex: 347                           Wapiti:        Bull Trout: 22  

KEY MESSAGE:

Yesterday critical fire weather was observed however a red flag warning was not issued. Firefighters observed hot, dry windy conditions as the inversion lifted earlier in the day. Due to the heat and conditions, fires were active late into the night again and today conditions are predicted to remain the same and active fire behavior will continue. 

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 

Middle Fork Complex: The Middle Fork Complex is comprised of the Bulldog and Nellie fires.  

Yesterday the Bulldog Fire actively grew to the north/northeast due to southwest winds. Firefighters were successful in suppressing a small spot fire between the river and the forest road 698 on the west side of the fire. The southern edge of the fire is holding due to crews working and improving the line as they work to the east along the fire’s edge. Weather conditions will be similar to the past two days and the fire is expected to grow to the northeast. The public is reminded that the Middlefork Road (FS Road 698) is closed at the Forest Service boundary just north of Lightning Creek and the Scriver Creek Road (FS Road 693) is also closed at the Forest Service Boundary for firefighter and public safety as crews continue to work to protect private property and structures in the vicinity of Crouch.

The Nellie Fire experienced active fire behavior and grew 3 miles to the north due to wind and terrain alignment. Firefighters reported that the Deadwood Lookout was not directly impacted by fire. Crews will continue point protection and planning infrastructure protection in the Deadwood Reservoir area and along the Highway 21 corridor. Air resources continue to support the fire when weather and air conditions permit. Smoke will remain visible as weather conditions remain hot and dry. The public is reminded that Forest Service Road #555 is closed at the intersection of Highway 17 all the way to the Forest Service Road #579 intersection.

Wapiti Fire: Yesterday, the Wapiti Fire experienced continued active fire behavior due to weather conditions, fuels and terrain. The fire crossed the river, and the alignment of slopes and winds allowed the fire to spread by group torching and long-range spotting to the north/northwest. Firefighters were able to assess structures that were impacted by fire during the red flag conditions on August 17th. Six structures were lost in the Wapiti Summer Home area. Crews are working 24 hours a day to secure the fire near structures and values at risk.  Fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are being used to support the firefighters on the ground, but smoke can limit visibility and access for aerial resources at times. Smoke will impact the Highway 21 corridor and the public is reminded to always follow emergency responders’ instructions and drive safely.

Bull Trout Fire: The Bull Trout fire is still 92% contained, with little heat observed yesterday. An engine continues to patrol the fire daily to ensure no changes in activity. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Yesterday critical weather conditions continued, and southwest winds continued with gusts on ridges up to 20 mph. Today elevated to near critical fire weather conditions can be expected again this afternoon. The morning inversion will lift early this afternoon and relative humidity will drop by 2 pm. Winds will remain terrain driven across most sheltered areas and south winds will spread across upper ridgelines and into aligned drainages during afternoon and early evening hours. Wapiti and Bulltrout fires may experience scattered showers thunderstorms in the afternoon today. Persistent hot, dry and breezy conditions continue to facilitate large fire growth potential. Group torching, spotting with wind and terrain influence fire movement in the afternoon and fire has been most active between 7pm and 9pm. Critical fire weather is expected to remain in place through Wednesday with changing cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity predicted Thursday and into the weekend.

CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS, AND EVACUATIONS:

Middle Fork Complex: The Boise County Sheriff's Office continues to maintain the Level 2 evacuation notice for residents on and near the Middlefork Road between Stump Ranch Road up to Tie Creek Campground. The Boise National Forest issued an area closure for the fire (Closure #0402-06-59) effective August 12, 2024. The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during the fires.

Wapiti Fire: The evacuation order for Summer Homes and the Sawtooth Lodge remain in effect for the Wapiti Fire, as does the area closure issued by the Sawtooth and Boise National Forests (Closure #0402-05-94) effective August 12, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Wapiti Fire. 

Bull Trout Fire: The Bull Trout Fire Area Closure (Closure #0402-05-93) remains in effect for the roads and trails within the perimeter of the fire. The Boise National Forest issued this order on August,12, 2024. It will be rescinded as soon as it is safe to do so. 

Closure information and maps are posted on the Forest’s website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7 

The Boise National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management are in Stage 1 fire restrictions on state, endowment, private and federal lands within the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Zone. For more information on the restrictions and a map visit: 

https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/