Single Publication

Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4 assumes command of the Chimney Fire

Daily Update – Sunday, September 8, 2024       

Acres: 3,708                                                                            Start Date: 9/2/2024

Location: 9 miles northwest of Fairfield, ID                              Personnel: 320

Containment: 10%                                                                  Fuels: Timber, brush, grass, understory

Highlights: The Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Chimney Fire at 6:00 a.m.  A complex team brings additional resources and management capabilities.  

Operations: The Chimney Fire experienced short, isolated runs on the northwest corner on Saturday. Minimal fire behavior was observed elsewhere inside existing lines. Along the southern flank of the south fork of Lime Creek, the fire continues to hold. Heavy equipment is being used to reinforce lines on the eastern flank. Crews continue to work on the west flank of the fire while identifying control features to the north. Additional air and ground resources are expected to arrive today. Firefighters and aircraft are available to provide support to initial attack needs as they arise.

Weather: Today, a 30 percent chance of showers in the morning with minimal precipitation expected. Thunderstorm risk continues until the afternoon, with southwest wind gusts up to 30 mph. Temperatures will drop by a few degrees with a high of 82 and low relative humidity levels.

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from the Fairfield area, with continuing smoke and hazy conditions predicted.  An interactive smoke map located at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest conditions.

Closures: The Sawtooth National Forest has issued an emergency temporary closure of trails and trail segments for the Chimney Fire. The purpose of the closure order is for the protection of firefighters and public during wildfire suppression activities occurring in and around the trails. The full closure order (No. 0414-05-065) and map are available on the Sawtooth National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ideix-chimney-fire / 

208-246-8292 / https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest / 2024.chimney@firenet.gov / https://www.facebook.com/IdahoDepartmentofLands/