Single Publication

Wapiti Fire Daily Update - Sept. 16, 2024

Wapiti Fire Statistics

Size: 125,459 acres

Completion: 53%

Total Personnel: 789

Location: Grandjean, ID

Reported: July 24, 2024

Cause: Lightning

For More Information

Information Phone: 208-593-7132

Email: 2024.wapiti@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-wapiti-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024

Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024

Interactive Map:  https://tinyurl.com/WapitiFireInfoMap

Special Notes: 

The mixed containment and confinement strategy is in full effect on the Wapiti Fire. Fall temperatures continue to support a reduction in fire behavior. Air quality and smoke outlooks have improved from the previous week allowing relief for the surrounding communities and businesses.

Additionally, Idaho Transportation Department is working to repair guardrails and road signs.  The incident management team is preparing to move the Wapiti Fire command post west of Stanley to what was formerly the Valley Spike Camp. 

Aviation resources are being shared with the Frog fire but are available to support the Wapiti Fire if needed.

Current Situation: 

The east side of the fire has achieved containment along the Highway 21 corridor to Valley Creek. On the west side of the fire, confinement lines have been identified; these lines will be used to hold the fire in areas where it is not safe or effective to get crews on the ground. The confinement lines held near Eight Mile Ridge despite the winds today.  The fire has reached 53% completion between both the containment and confinement objectives. Another storm is expected to bring additional precipitation, which will continue to moderate fire behavior. Last night was the final night operational shift, with fire behavior moderating and tactics transitioning to suppression repair there is no longer a need. 

Division KK (Structure Group East), HH, and DD: Suppression repair efforts continued with the goal of repairing disturbances caused by the initial suppression and structure protection efforts. Miles of hose, pumps, and other equipment have been removed (backhauled) from the area over the weekend. Hazard tree removal and suppression repair in the Stanley Lake Recreation Area is continuing and should be completed soon.

Divisions MM and PP: Firefighters worked with resource advisors in division MM to continue suppression repair activities in addition to the removal of hazard trees. In division PP, north-east of Cape Horn, suppression repair activities were finalized on Sunday, with crews removing the structure protection equipment, including structure wrap at Camp Bradley.

Division WW and Structure Group West: Fire activity in the area has continued to hold, allowing firefighters to add to containment in the WW division. No additional growth was observed for a second day in a row, and aviation resources were not used due to minimal fire activity. Communities of Ten Ax, Two Ravens, Seven Peaks, and others South of Highway 21 have full structure protection mitigations in place with hoses, sprinklers, and fold-a-tank systems at the ready. Pump systems have been winterized and are staged in the area, ready for quick deployment if necessary. Structure protection equipment has been removed from the communities on the south side of the highway due to the change in fire potential. Careful planning and attention have been taken to ensure heavy equipment does not damage those communities.

Division VV: The Grandjean area is secure, and all the structure protection equipment was removed on Saturday. Sunday, homeowners were escorted into Grandjean to winterize their homes. Resources are hoping to complete suppression repair activities today. 

 Infrared flights show very little heat in heavy fuels closer to the interior. Natural barriers, such as rocky scree and cliffs continue to hold the perimeter in place. 

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior: On Monday there will be minimal precipitation until later in the afternoon and into Tuesday; up to 0.5 inch of accumulation is expected over the next three days. Wind gusts will decrease after the storm passes and relative humidity will increase to the 50-80% range. 

Fall weather trends are continuing with cool mornings and temperatures in the low 70s throughout the day. Dry conditions are expected in lower elevations that precipitation may not reach, but fire activity is expected to remain low; creeping in some areas but not expanding.

Evacuations: 

For evacuation information on the Wapiti Fire, please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/p/Custer-County-Sheriff-Idaho-61558947312289/  and the Boise County Sheriff’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/boisecountysheriff/. 

To sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications, text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll online at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF

To sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notification enroll online at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163 

Closures and Fire Restrictions: 

The Middle Fork Complex Fire Closure Order is amended to provide consistency with the Wapiti Fire closure. This amended order, Forest Order #0402-06-64, closes the 582 and 563 roads, as well as the 579 road from its junction with 563 eastward to the junction with Highway 21. More information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices

State Highway 21 remains closed from MP84 (Sourdough Lodge) to MP126 (Stanley Lake turn off) for public and firefighter safety.

A Wapiti Fire Area Closure / Forest Order: 0414-04-151 for portions of the Boise, Sawtooth, and Salmon-Challis National Forests can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices

Boise National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions / Forest Order: 0402-00-63 can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices

Sawtooth National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions / Forest Order 0414-00-044 can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices

Fire restrictions on federal, state, and private lands may be found at this site: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the Wapiti Fire. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t.  For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.