The Wallowa County Sheriff's Office issued an updated list of road closures this morning at 10:00 a.m.

Fire Road Closure Updates - Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 10:00 AM

Road Closures:

• Lostine River Rd south of the Forest Boundary 
• Lower Imnaha Rd & Dug Bar Rd closed
• Upper Imnaha Rd closed
• Hat Point Rd closed  
• FS 39 Road is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground including the Canal Rd (3920) and Lick Creek Rd (3925)

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two Fires
September 17, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Highlights: The Southern Area Blue Team assumed command of the Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires at 6:00 a.m. today. The team worked alongside the outgoing Pacific Northwest team yesterday to assess the current situation of the fires and gain knowledge of the area that will help develop their plan moving forward. The Southern Area Blue Team plans to use the favorable current weather to make operational decisions that will set firefighters and the community up well when the forecasted warmer and drier weather arrives. Suppression and protection strategies will continue to be used but the team will also look to establish suppression repair branches in the coming days.

Double Creek Fire: 157,185 acres | 27% contained |720 personnel assigned
The lightning caused Double Creek Fire is a full suppression fire, and the protection of lives and property remain the primary objectives of this incident. The control line on the north of the fire was completed to Dug Bar Road. Crews will continue improving the fireline and are working with local resource advisors to protect cultural sites to the north in anticipation of increased fire activity during a forecasted warming period. From Imnaha to the spot fire area west of the Imnaha Grange remains in patrol status. An east-west line was established on the southern end of the fire that crews will work to tie into the trail system that runs along the rim of Hells Canyon Recreation Area.

Weather: This weekend will be cool and recent high humidity will remain. There are chances of rain this weekend, but the rain will not fall across a wide area. The system will likely come from the south and the Sturgill Fire currently has the best chance of receiving rain. The Nebo Fire and Double Creek Fire may receive little to no precipitation. This afternoon shows chances for thunderstorms that could last into the evening. One week remains in this period of cooler, wetter conditions before the area trends back to a warmer, drier period.

Smoke: A smoke outlook for northeast Oregon is available from the wildland fire air quality program. Additional information can be found at PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office rescinded all evacuation levels at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14.

Wallowa Whitman National Forest Temporary Area Closures: The Wallowa Whitman National Forest issued Temporary Area Closures for the Double Creek Fire, Nebo Fire, and Sturgill Fire (includes Goat Mountain 2 Fire). Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page.

Road Closures: Lostine River Road at the Forest Service boundary is closed. Highway 350 going to the town of Imnaha is open. Lower Imnaha Road and Dug Bar Road are closed, Upper Imnaha Road is closed, Hat Point Road is closed, and FS 39 Road is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground [including the Canal Rd (3920) and Lick Creek Road (3925)].

Airspace: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the Double Creek Fire (TFR 2/5592) to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations over the fire. The Sturgill Fire TFR (TFR 2/3189) was released on September 15 after the fire was placed in patrol status. Flight restrictions also apply to drones. Drones flying in areas of wildfire activity will cause firefighting aircraft to be grounded.  

Restrictions: Forest Order #06-16-00-22-04 covers Phase B Fire Restrictions for all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, except for the area within a ¼ mile of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam, River Mile 247.5, downstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Snake River Mile 176.0, which is regulated by Forest Order #06-16-04-22-01. 

Fire Information 

Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM  

Phone: 541-216-4579 

Email: 2022.doublecreek@firenet.gov  

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8366/  

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/doublecreekfire2022  

• YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/Double-Creek-Fire 

Trail Ridge Fire Update

October 17, 2022

Incident Commander: Josh Hansen

Incident Commander (t):  Ian Fowler

Start Date: August 26, 2022 Cause: Lightning Size: 18,021 acres 

Type: 4   Completion: 78%

CURRENT STATUS

The Trail Ridge Fire is burning on the Wisdom District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Darby-Sula District of the Bitterroot National Forest.

The fire is currently 18,021 acres according to the Infra-Red flight from last night.  The fire is actively burning in the Hilltop and Four B Creek Drainage areas.  Two medium helicopters are doing buckets drops of water near Hilltop and Four B Creek to help cool and slow the progression of the fire.  The fire is also burning previously unburned fuels inside the current fire perimeter near Prairie Creek and Gibbons Pass and smoke is visible in these areas. According to Incident Commander (t) Ian Fowler the fire remains within the containment lines.

The main objective for this fire continues to be firefighter and public safety.  Other primary objectives include keeping the fire from impacting private lands and values along Highway 93 and East Fork of the Bitterroot corridors utilizing point protection and indirect lines where needed. Suppression repair work will continue when and where fire behavior allows.

Most of the resources are on the north side of the fire where the fire is currently most active. Firefighters will continue suppressions of spots. A Type 6 engine is helping with fire activity and suppression efforts. All remaining resources will continue to monitor the fire and look for opportunities for suppressions repair.  There is still an active fire area closure which includes Mink (FS 5763) and Meadow Creek Roads (FS725) and a portion of the Continental Divide Trail.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Today through Friday the weather is expected to be sunny and warm, with highs in the mid 70’s and lows in the mid 30’s.  Precipitation is forecasted for Friday night and into Sunday, with a possibility of snow on Sunday.  Winds will be out of the north/northwest 5-7 mph.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSA

The most current Closure Order for the Trail Ridge Fire is effective as of 22SEP22 and can be viewed in full at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

Trail Ridge Fire Update

October 16, 2022

Incident Commander: Josh Hansen

Incident Commander (t):  Ian Fowler

Start Date: August 26, 2022  Cause: Lightning Size: 17,583 acres Type: 4   Completion: 78%

CURRENT STATUS

The Trail Ridge Fire is burning on the Wisdom District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Darby-Sula District of the Bitterroot National Forest.

The fire is currently 17,583 acres according to the Infra-Red flight from last night.  The fire is actively burning in the Hilltop area.  A Type 3 helicopter has been doing bucket drops of water to help cool and slow down the fire.  The fire is also burning previously unburned fuels inside the current perimeter near Prairie Creek and smoke is visible from this area.

The main objective for this fire continues to be firefighter and public safety.  Other primary objectives include keeping the fire from impacting private lands and values along Highway 93 and East Fork Bitterroot corridors utilizing point protection and indirect lines where needed. Suppression repair work will continue when and where fire behavior allows.

Most of the resources are on the north side of the fire where the fire has is currently most active. Firefighters will continue suppressions of spots. A Type 6 engine is helping with fire activity and suppression efforts. All remaining resources will continue to monitor the fire and look for opportunities for suppressions repair.  There is still an active fire area closure which includes Mink (FS 5763) and Meadow Creek Roads (FS725) and a portion of the Continental Divide Trail.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

On Monday, a strengthening ridge over western Montana will bring a return to light, terrain-driven winds much like we saw late this past week.  This pattern will stick around until later in the week. The next chance for precipitation come this next weekend.  Today, mostly sunny with a high of 63-68. Minimum humidity will be 13-18 percent. The winds will be southeast 6-12 mph shifting to the southwest in the afternoon.  Monday will be mostly clear, lows 38-43 and highs 64-69.     

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSA

The most current Closure Order for the Trail Ridge Fire is effective as of 22SEP22 and can be viewed in full at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

The Trail Ridge Fire will be updated when significant events occur.

Trail Ridge Fire Update

October 14, 2022

Start Date: August 26, 2022  Cause: Lightning Size: 17,509 acres Type: 4   Completion: 78%

CURRENT STATUS

The Trail Ridge Fire is burning on the Wisdom District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Darby-Sula District of the Bitterroot National Forest.

Yesterday, October 13, 2022, at 0800, the fire transitioned to Incident Commander Type 4, Josh Hansen.  Ian Fowler remains as Incident Commander Type 4 (t).  The fire is currently 17,509 acres.  Fire acreage has changed due to more accurate mapping from the Infra-Red flight last night.

The main objective for this fire continues to be firefighter and public safety.  Other primary objectives include keeping the fire from impacting private lands and values along Highway 93 and East Fork Bitterroot corridors utilizing point protection and indirect lines where needed. Suppression repair work will continue when and where fire behavior allows.

Most of the resources are on the north side of the fire where the fire has been more active over the past few days. Firefighters will continue suppressions of small spots. A Type 6 engine has arrived on the fire and will help with fire activity and suppression efforts. All remaining resources will continue to monitor the fire and look for opportunities for suppressions repair.  There is still an active fire area closure which includes Mink (FS 5763) and Meadow Creek Roads (FS725) and a portion of the Continental Divide Trail.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

A drying trend will continue for the next 14 days.  This will likely increase fire activity with smoke being seen from the Big Hole and Bitterroot Valleys. 

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSA

The most current Closure Order for the Trail Ridge Fire is effective as of 22SEP22 and can be viewed in full at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

Trail Ridge Fire will be updated when significant events occur.
 

 Trail Ridge Fire Update
October 13, 2022 

 Beaverhead-Deerlodge & Bitterroot National Forests Incident Commander: Kyle Cole, Incident Commander (t) Ian Fowler

Start Date: August 26, 2022 Cause: Lightning Size: 17,639 acres Type: 4 Completion: 65%
 
  CURRENT STATUS

The Trail Ridge Fire is burning on the Wisdom District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Darby-Sula District of the Bitterroot National Forest.

Incident Commander Kyle Cole is currently reporting this fire to be 17,639 acres.  With the warmer, drier, and windier weather the past few days fire activity has increased. Active burning is on the northern edge of the fire which is moving towards Hilltop Mountain in the Four B Creek Drainage area.   Incident Commander (T) Ian Fowler says the fire remains within containment lines.  Fire crews continue to mop up and monitor containment lines where necessary. The fire has grown approximately 100 acres the past few days   An Infra-Red flight has been ordered for tonight so exact acreage can be identified.

Suppression repair has been completed on several of the roads.  Road grading continues and the public can expect delays when traveling in the area. There is still an active fire area closure which includes Mink (FS 5763) and Meadow Creek Roads (FS 725) and a portion of the Continental Divide Trail.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

The weather over the next several days will be warm and dry with northwest winds in the afternoons. This will likely increase fire activity with smoke being seen from the Big Hole and Bitterroot Valleys. 

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

The most current Closure Order for the Trail Ridge Fire is effective as of 22SEP22 and can be viewed in full at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

 Beaverhead-Deerlodge & Bitterroot National Forests INCIDENT COMMANDER: Kyle Cole

Start Date: 26AUG22 Cause: Lightning Size: 17,539 acres Type: 4 Completion: 65%

CURRENT STATUS

The Trail Ridge Fire is burning on the Wisdom District of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest as well as on the Darby-Sula District of the Bitterroot National Forest.

Incident Commander Kyle Cole is currently reporting this fire to be 17,539 acres. Yesterday, the increased winds and lower Relative Humidities resulted in increased activity compared to previous days. Incident Commander (T) Ian Fowler says single and some group tree torching was observed however the fire remains within containment lines. The majority of smoke from the fire is due to smoldering and creeping through dead and down timber. Most of the fire activity is happening along the northern fire edge within the Four B Creek drainage. Fire crews continue to mop up and monitor containment lines. 

Suppression repair has been done from the Sula Work Station to Gibbons Pass (FS 106). Road grading will continue along the Reimel Creek Road (FS 727) and the public can expect delays when traveling in this area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Cooler air with decreasing clouds will occur over the fire today. Southerly winds becoming westerly by late morning. A ridge of high pressure rebounds over the fire Wednesday through the end of the week causing warm and dry conditions. This, along with the winds today may increase fire activity. 

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

The most current Closure Order for the Trail Ridge Fire is effective as of 22SEP22 and can be viewed in full at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

406-925-3353 catherine.mcrae@usda.gov FB: Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE BITTERROOT NATIONAL FOREST

DARBY RANGER DISTRICT

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE

BEAVERHEAD -DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST WISDOM RANGER DISTRICT

Supervisor’s Order

TRAIL RIDGE FIRE ROADS AND TRAIL CLOSURE

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on

the National Forest System (NFS) lands, roads, and trails on and within the Darby-Sula Ranger District on the Bitterroot National Forest, Ravalli County, Montana and the Wisdom Ranger District on the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest, Beaverhead County, Montana described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Roads” and “Described Trails”):

PROHIBITION

1.       Being on the Described Trails, 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

2.       Being on the Described Roads 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to Title 36 C.F.R § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1.       Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1).

2.       Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in performance of an official duty. 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(4)

DESCRIBED ROADS

CLOSED Roads:

1.       US Forest Service Road #725 – Meadow Creek Road from its intersection with Highway 472 (East Fork Road) to the Schultz Saddle and Continental Divide Trail.

2.       US Forest Service Road #5763 - Mink Creek Road from its intersection with Highway 472 (East Fork Road) to its intersection with the Meadow Creek Road #725

DESCRIBED TRAILS

CLOSED Trail:

The Described Trail Closure Area is portions of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) as described below and shown on the attached map, and applies to both jurisdictions:

Starting in the NE¼ of the SW¼ of Section 14 in T1S R19W at the junction of FS Road 106 and FS Trail 9- CDNST (Gibbons Pass Trailhead); then continuing along the Trail 9-CDT to the junction of FS Trail 3374 (north of the Bender Cabin and near the head of Hell Roaring Creek) and the Trail 9-CDT in the NW¼ of the SE¼ of Section 21 in T1N R17W, as shown on the attached map.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this order is for public health and safety from the effects of the Trail Ridge Fire. This order replaces Order Number V2-22-D2-06, which has been rescinded.

VIOLATION

Violation of these provisions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both (16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3559, 3571, and 3581).

IMPLEMENTATION

1.       This order will be in effect September 22, 2022 and will remain in effect until December 31, 2022 or until fire conditions subside, and this order is rescinded.

2.       A map identifying the Closed Roads and Trails is attached and made part of this Order.

3.       Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Hamilton, MT, telephone number (406) 363-7100.