Tenmile Fire:

Today crews will continue prepping and improving roads to use as indirect containment lines. Additionally, they will begin utilizing chippers to reduce downed vegetation. Crews continue to protect the communities of Burgdorf and Secesh by installing water pumps and hoses while also improving containment lines.

Despite recent precipitation, the Tenmile Fire still has isolated areas of heat in the fire area and fire activity remains consistent with creeping, smoldering, and isolated torching in timber fuels. The east side of the fire is showing minimal movement through the brush and heavy dead and down fuels within the 2000 Burgdorf Junction fire scar.

Weather over the next several days is forecast to be partly to mostly cloudy with showers likely. Fire activity will likely remain moderated due to the increase in moisture and precipitation in the area. The fire area has been covered by fog and an inversion layer over the past several days limiting the use of aircraft. The inversion layer is expected to clear by early afternoon today.

Due to the ongoing efforts of firefighters and current weather conditions, the potential for the Tenmile Fire to impact surrounding communities has been reduced. Great Basin Team 4 is developing a long-term plan to address potential future threats to critical values, like private property, recreation, and communication facilities, in the event of increased fire activity if weather patterns show signs of warming.

Middle Fire:

With a combination of precipitation and diligent efforts by crews, the Middle Fire is 100% contained. This will be the final update on the Middle Fire.

Air Quality:

Due to the recent precipitation in the area, air quality has shifted to the moderate category. However, smoke will remain in areas near the fire. Much of the smoke in the surrounding area is due to the large fires burning in other states. Visit airnow.gov for more information.

Closure:

For the safety of firefighters and the public, two emergency fire area closure orders are in effect for the Tenmile Fire; one for the Payette National Forest and one for the Bureau of Land Management, Cottonwood Field Office. The closure orders, including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed, are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8401/. 

Tenmile Fire:

Yesterday crews continued prepping and improving roads to use as indirect containment lines. Similar work will continue over the next several days. Preparation is also ongoing around the communities of Burgdorf and Secesh where crews are installing water pumps and hoses, building containment lines, and clearing vegetation.

Fire activity has moderated on the Tenmile Fire due to the recent precipitation, however, the perimeter and the interior of the fire remain active. After it rains, the fuels absorb moisture which shortens and reduces the active burn period, but when the cloud cover lifts and the sun returns, there will be an uptick in fire activity and single and group tree torching is possible in pockets of dry vegetation.  

The east side of the fire is burning through brush and heavy dead and down fuels within the 2000 Burgdorf Junction fire scar. The larger dead and down vegetation will hold heat longer than finer fuels and although fire activity is currently moderated, plans are in place should fire activity increase.

Cloud cover lingered into the afternoon yesterday impacting the use of aircraft. Cloud cover is expected to remain over the area again today likely limiting the use of aircraft until the weather lifts around midday. Chance of showers and thunderstorms continues through Friday.

Middle Fire:

The Middle Fire received wetting rain over the fire area which reduced fire activity to minimal creeping and smoldering. Hotshot crews engaged in direct suppression efforts on the fire and were able to gain 85% containment. Crews will continue working to achieve 100% containment, anticipated over the next couple of days.

Air Quality:

Due to the recent precipitation in the area, air quality has shifted to the moderate category. However, smoke will remain in areas near the fire. Much of the smoke in the surrounding area is due to the large fires burning in other states. Visit airnow.gov for more information.

Closure: 

For the safety of firefighters and the public, an emergency fire area closure order is in effect for the Tenmile Fire. The complete closure order, including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed and an accompanying map, is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8401/. 

Tenmile Fire:
 
The perimeter of the Tenmile Fire remained active today with group torching, backing, and short-range spotting on the southwest side of the fire, where it is moving toward the South Fork of Threemile Creek. On the east side, the fire continues burning through brush and heavy dead and down vegetation within the 2000 Burgdorf Junction fire scar. Crews are utilizing existing features such to roads and trails to create containment lines and are scouting for additional opportunities to create indirect containment lines to stop the fire’s spread.

Temperatures on Monday ranged from five to ten degrees above normal, despite varying amounts of clouds and smoke over the area. The majority of smoke in the surrounding area is from large fires burning in other states. Temperatures will trend cooler the next several days as a series of mid-level fronts move across the area. These features will bring some moisture and increasing potential for afternoon showers and possibly thunderstorms Tuesday through Thursday. Total rainfall amounts Tuesday through Thursday are expected to be between 0.20" and 0.30". Smoke impacts will continue throughout the area.

Middle Fire:

The Middle Fire, burning in the West Fork of Rapid River/Jackley Mountain area on the New Meadows Ranger District, remains at 54 acres. Yesterday, two hotshot crews engaged in direct suppression efforts on the Middle Fire to obtain perimeter control. Work is anticipated to continue for the next several days.

Air Quality:

Smoke will remain visible in the surrounding communities and the air quality index is rated as unhealthy for sensitive groups. People within sensitive groups should avoid physical outdoor activity. Visit airnow.gov for smoke information.

Closure: 

For the safety of firefighters and the public, an emergency fire area closure order is in effect for the Tenmile Fire. The complete closure order, including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed and an accompanying map, is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8401/

Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 continues to make strides on managing the Tenmile and Middle Fires. Both fires ignited after lightning moved through the area on September 7.

Tenmile Fire: Fire behavior remained active within the Tenmile Fire area yesterday, with single and group tree torching and active backing on the west and northwest sides. Smoke dispersed for a short period of time that allowed fire activity to increase but smoke from other fires eventually moved back into the area, decreasing fire activity. Subalpine fir and lodgepole pine are driving fire growth on the northwest, west, and southwest sections of the fire perimeter, whereas the fire growth on the east and southeast sections of the fire perimeter are mainly driven by brush, grass, and dead and down vegetation. The east side of the fire is moving through the burn scar of the 2000 Burgdorf Junction Fire where is it burning through the heavy brush and downed logs which are providing fuel to keep the fire active.

Today will be mostly cloudy with some smoke impacts. Visibility will be restricted by smoke this morning, with the inversion lifting midday. Scattered showers are forecasted over the fire area Tuesday with the chance of showers and thunderstorms increasing Wednesday and Thursday. The predicted milder, wetter weather may reduce favorable burning conditions and moderate fire behavior.

Middle Fire: The Middle Fire, burning in the West Fork of Rapid River/Jackley Mountain area on the New Meadows Ranger District, remains at 54 acres. Today, hotshot crews will begin to engage in suppression efforts on the Middle Fire. There has been minimal fire activity on the Middle Fire over the past several days. Potential fire spread is reduced due to sparse fuels and natural barriers. The steep and rocky terrain creates challenges on the ground, but as safety allows, aircraft and crews will be utilized as needed for any areas showing increased activity. 

 Air Quality: Smoke will remain visible in the surrounding communities and the air quality index is rated as unhealthy. People within sensitive groups should avoid physical outdoor activity.

  

Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of managing the Tenmile and Middle Fires at 6:00 a.m. this morning. Both fires ignited after lightning moved through the area on September 7.

Tenmile Fire:

Fire behavior remained active within the Tenmile Fire area yesterday, mainly on the southwest and east/ southeast sides. Vegetation remains critically dry and there is a potential for increased fire activity today. Additional resources, ranging from aircraft, bulldozers, hand crews, and engines, are arriving to continue to support suppression efforts. Crews on the ground continue work on scouting and constructing containment lines to stop the fire’s progression.

A priority for firefighters is to protect values at risk such as private property and adjacent communities, communication facilities, historic resources, critical habitat for federally protected species, and recreation facilities.

Today will be mostly sunny with some smoke impacts. Fire managers expect higher temperatures today along with some smoke dispersal. These conditions could increase fire behavior. Visibility will be restricted by smoke this morning, with the inversion lifting midday. It is forecasted to be partly to mostly cloudy Monday through Wednesday with higher humidity levels which may reduce favorable burning conditions and mitigate fire behavior.

Middle Fire:

The Middle Fire, burning in the West Fork of Rapid River/Jackley Mountain Area on the New Meadows Ranger District, remains at 54 acres. There has been minimal fire activity on the Middle Fire over the past day.

Potential fire spread is reduced due to sparse fuels and natural barriers, but there are preparations underway in case fire activity increases. The steep and rocky terrain limits the use of firefighters on the ground, but aircraft will be utilized as needed for any areas showing increased activity. 

Air Quality: Smoke will remain visible in the surrounding communities and the air quality index is rated as unhealthy. People within sensitive groups should consider avoiding physical outdoor activity.

Closure:  For the safety of firefighters and the public, an emergency fire area closure order is in effect. The complete closure order, including a full description of the trails, roads, and areas closed and an accompanying map, is available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/8401/.

Determination to Change Sequoia and Kings Canyon Regulations

Regulation Change: Under the authority provided to the Superintendent in 36 CFR 1.5, the following park areas administered by the National Park Service within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are closed, effective immediately, until further notice.

Closure Order – Portion of a Park Area
• The areas of immediate fire suppression operations related to the Summit Fire, west of the Cyclone Meadow trail, South of the South Fork River, north of the Castle Fire footprint and east of the Touhy Trail, as pictured on the attached map.
• Cyclone Meadow trail to Summit Lake. Trail will be close at the Windy Gap trail junction and at the Windy Ridge trail junction
Authority: 36 CFR 1.5(a)(1)(2)

Notice: This administrative order applies to all individuals subject to the regulatory authority of the National Park Service (NPS) within the boundaries of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks except, firefighters, overhead personnel assigned to the Summit fire, or other individuals approved by the Incident Commander.

Finding: The Summit fire will create short term hazards (falling trees and branches, burned out holes, lack of route finding, rolling rocks, mud and debris flows, etc.) in areas impacted by the fire. This order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

This Determination of Change is consistent with Categorical Exclusion A.8: Modifications or revisions to existing regulations or the promulgation of new regulations for NPS-administered areas, provided the modifications, revisions, or new regulations do not:
a) increase public use to the extent of compromising the nature and character of the area or causing physical damage to it,
b) introduce noncompatible uses that might compromise the nature and characteristics of the area or cause physical damage to it,
c) conflict with adjacent ownerships or land uses, or
d) cause a nuisance to adjacent owners or occupants.

Evacuations: Level 1 "Get Ready" evacuations are removed for the Getta Creek and Deer Creek areas as of September 11th at 6:05pm. With that, there are no longer any evacuations or closures within the Jones Creek Fire area.

Fire Restrictions: As of August 5th, 2022, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has entered fire restrictions that prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within designated campfire rings at a developed recreation site.

Northwest Incident Management Team 7 will transfer management of the Jones Creek Fire back to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest as of September 11, 2022 at 8:00pm.

Grangeville, ID – The Jones Creek Fire is burning east of the Snake River on public lands administered by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about seven miles north of Pittsburg Landing. The fuels in the area are composed of primarily grass, with timber stringers. It was reported early in the morning on September 4th, 2022. The cause is under investigation.

Status: Firefighters have increased containment to 90%. The fire has not gained acreage in several days. Northwest Team 7 will transfer command of the incident back to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest this evening at 8 p.m. This will be the last update issued by NW Team 7.

Yesterday two crews and an engine continued structure protection around the High Range cabins on the north edge of the fire. On the eastern perimeter crews continued mop-up and cold trailing to secure the fire’s edge. Cold trailing means firefighters search for hidden heat and move along the fire’s edge leaving cold ground behind them. Firefighters assessed structure protection needs at Pittsburg Landing, and patrolled the Snake River at the eastern edge of the neighboring Double Creek Fire to watch for spots across the river. Firefighting equipment that is no longer needed was retrieved from the fire.

Today: Dozers are staged at Pittsburg Landing if needed to reinforce fire lines. The fire has burned to the Snake River along the western edge. There is no immediate threat to river travel or boating facilities. River users are asked to remain aware of the status of both fires. Firefighters continue repairing dozer and hand lines where the fire’s edge is cold. Repair involves creating diversions to direct rain water off of fire lines to prevent erosion and restore natural drainage patterns. Firefighters and two engines will continue structure protection work near the High Range cabins. Retrieval of firefighting equipment will continue today.

Weather: As a ridge of high pressure strengthens over the area, warm and dry conditions will continue through today and early next week, with very low relative humidity, temperatures into the low 90’s and light, variable winds from the south and southeast.

Smoke: Along with the much larger Double Creek Fire burning west of the Snake River, this fire has periodically filled the Snake River Canyon with smoke. Today expect smoke to be trapped in the valleys as stable conditions develop.

Closures/Restrictions: As of August 5th, 2022, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has entered fire restrictions that prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within designated campfire rings at a developed recreation site.

Evacuations:  25 homes in the Getta Creek and Deer Creek areas remain in a Level 1 “Get Ready” status.

With high temperatures and very low humidity, any ignitions can become dangerous fire very quickly. There is a lot of fire season ahead of us. Please do all you can to prevent new fires.

Grangeville, ID – The Jones Creek Fire is burning east of the Snake River on public lands administered by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about seven miles north of Pittsburg Landing. It was reported early in the morning on September 4th, 2022. The cause is under investigation.

Status: Successful suppression actions have resulted in slowing the fire’s progression and limiting impacts to values at risk. The fuels in the area are composed of primarily grass, with timber stringers. Firefighters have completed indirect contingency dozer and hand lines on the east and south side of the fire where terrain and fuels permit, which could be used if the fire grew significantly in those directions. The fire remains stable with no perimeter spread.

Mop-up continues inside constructed control lines as well as cold trailing in light fuels. Cold trailing means firefighters search for hidden heat and move along the fire’s edge leaving cold ground behind them. Dozers are staged at Pittsburg Landing if needed to reinforce fire lines. The fire has burned to the Snake River along the western edge. There is no immediate threat to river travel or boating facilities. River users are asked to remain aware of the status of both fires.

Firefighters have begun repairing dozer and hand lines where the fire’s edge is cold. Repair involves creating diversions to direct rain water off of fire lines to prevent erosion and restore natural drainage patterns.

Today: Firefighters continue assessing structure protection needs if the fire moves north into the Getta Creek drainage, and will also assess structure protection needs at Pittsburg Landing.

Weather: As a ridge of high pressure strengthens over the weekend, expect smoke to be trapped in the valleys as the stable conditions develop. Warm and dry conditions will continue through Sunday and early next week, with very low relative humidity, temperatures into the low 90’s and light, variable winds from the south and southeast.

Smoke: Along with the much larger Double Creek Fire burning west of the Snake River, this fire has periodically filled the Snake River Canyon with smoke. There is minimal smoke production from the Jones Creek Fire.

Closures/Restrictions: As of August 5th, 2022, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has entered fire restrictions that prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within designated campfire rings at a developed recreation site.

Evacuations:  25 homes in the Getta Creek and Deer Creek areas remain in a Level 1 “Get Ready” status.

With high temperatures and very low humidity, any ignitions can become dangerous fires very quickly. There is a lot of fire season ahead of us. Please do all you can to prevent new fires.