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: 4,943 acres

Middle Fork Complex:                    Bulldog: 4,392 acres                       Nellie:11,237 acres

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

Resources on site:      

Middle Fork Complex: 2 hotshot crews; 5 type 2 hand crews; 9 engines; 1 bulldozer; 2 water tenders; 
1 skidgen

Wapiti: 1 type 2 hand crew; 8 engines; 1 water tender

Bull Trout: 2 engines

Total Personnel:         Middle Fork Complex: 342                           Wapiti: 82       Bull Trout: 22  

KEY MESSAGE:

Yesterday a red flag warning was in effect for hot, dry and unstable conditions across the area. Most fires in the area saw increased activity and growth as a result of the hot, dry, windy conditions. Fires were active late into the night. On the Wapiti Fire, due to the increased fire behavior, some structures near the Wapiti Summer Home area were impacted. Firefighters are currently assessing the impacts to these structures. 

Join us for a Middle Fork Complex, Bull Trout, and Wapiti Fire Community Meeting today, August 18, 2024, at 7pm for an in-person explanation of current fire activity and planned actions on these fires. The Community Meeting will be located at the Crouch Community Center, 1022 Old Crouch Road.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 

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

Yesterday the Bulldog Fire grew over 680 acres to the north and east due to southwest winds. The south/southwest line held and continued to be maintained and improved throughout the day. Today crews will continue along the ridge line to the north holding and improving the previously built fire line. The fire is expected to grow to the north/ northeast with weather conditions today. 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 increased fire activity yesterday and burned into the night growing over 4,000 acres to the north and west. Firefighters will continue point protection at lookouts and a communication tower. Air resources continue to support the fire by cooling the fire’s edge. 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 active fire behavior and spotting due to the red flag conditions, terrain and shifting winds. The fire spotted into the 2018 Wapiti fire area and firefighters and helicopters responded to the increased activity. Some structures within the Wapati Summer Home area were impacted by the fire. Today, firefighters are assessing the impacts from the fire and more information will be made available when available. 

Bull Trout Fire: The Bull Trout fire is still 92% contained, with little heat observed yesterday. Due to falling dead and live trees, crews cannot safely access the interior of the fire and will continue to patrol the perimeter. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Yesterday a red flag warning was in effect through the evening for hot, dry and unstable conditions across the area. Overnight conditions allowed for continued fire activity until after midnight, with light downslope, down valley winds. Today, critical fire weather conditions continue however a Red Flag Warning has not been issued. The morning inversion will lift early this afternoon allowing relative humidity values to drop for the remainder of the day. Winds will remain terrain driven, across most sheltered areas with southwest winds across the fire area. Backing, group tree torching, and long-range spotting with wind and terrain influenced movement is expected today. 

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/