UPDATE: 9/29/24 at 4:25pm - WYDOT has reopened US Hwy 26/287

ALERT: Highway 26/287 is under emergency closure due to #FishCreek and #PackTrail fires. See WYDOT Teton County and https://map.wyoroad.info/wtimap/index.html for up to date information. Estimated reopening time is unknown.

GO!!!!! EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.

Fremont County - Wyoming - Emergency Management Agency has issued IMMEDIATE evacuation for the following due to the Pack Trail and Fish Creek Fires.

Brooks Lake Road, East & West Pinnacle Drive, Breccia Drive, US HWY 26: Togwotee Pass from Mile Post 30-44, Long Creek Subdivision, Lava Mountain Subdivisions, Triangle C Ranch, old KOA, Bourban subdivision, including Timberline Ranch and Rawhide Ranches.

Immediate Evacuation Required. Extreme winds and fire behavior have caused extreme fire behavior and rapid fire movement to these developments.

Updated EMERGENCY CLOSURE ORDER 09-09-24-07-Effective September 28, 2024

Pursuant to the provisions of 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 36 C.F.R. §§ 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited in the Superior National Forest, due to hazards on portions of lands within Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) and trails in Lake County, Northeastern Minnesota. These restrictions go into effect at 12:01 a.m. CT on Tuesday, September 28, 2024.

The following areas are restricted:

• Northeast section of Wood Lake- The area within the Wood Lake Fire perimeter.

Superior National Forest Updates Closure Area for Wood Lake Wildfire Within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness

New exhibits for Closure Order 09-09-24-07 showing the extent of the closure effective September 28, 12:01am CT.

Duluth, MN. September 16, 2024 — The Superior National Forest is updating the closure areas under Emergency Forest Closure Order 09-09-24-07 established for the Wood Lake Fire, beginning on Saturday, September 28, 2024, at 12:01 a.m., within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The adjusted Exhibit A-List of Closed Areas and Exhibit B-Closure Map, have removed the following recreation areas from the closed area:
BWCAW points of entry:

• #26 Wood Lake
  Lakes:
• Hula Lake
• Good Lake
• Indiana Lake
  Portages:
• Wood Lake Entry Point Parking Lot to Wood Lake
• Wood Lake to Hula Lake
• Hula Lake to Good Lake
• Good Lake to Good Creek
• Good Lake to Hoist Bay (Basswood Lake)
• Good Lake to Indiana Lake
• Indiana Lake to Basswood Lake
• Indiana Lake to Wind Bay Creek (Wind Bay, Basswood Lake)

The Forest Order closures include the area within the Wood Lake Fire perimeter on the northeastern section of Wood Lake – see Exhibits for details. 

The Forest Service has notified permit holders, cooperators and outfitters of the closure change. This emergency closure is necessary for the safety of our visitors, our wilderness rangers and our firefighters.

The Wood Lake fire, as of today, is 50% contained and at 27 acres. Please see the inciweb page for future updates: Mnsuf Wood Lake Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)

Northern Minnesota continues to experience drought conditions, causing active and increasing fire across the landscape. Forest staff are monitoring the Wood Lake Fire with additional resources on standby. Visitors to the area may see smoke in the area. There is no need to report this unless it’s outside the closure area.
Beyond the closures for the Wood Lake Fire, the Forest is open to the public and no other restrictions apply.

Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why is there going to be a closure for such a small wildfire?
A. A closure order is needed to prioritize safety: Firefighter and public safety are the top priorities. Superior National Forest (NF) management also considered other factors that determined the need for a necessary closure order including above average temperatures, forest drought conditions, extended forecast conditions, availability of firefighting resources, and vegetative fuel conditions in and around the fire area. In addition, the fire is in a unique area of the Forest – a designated Wilderness, which is managed differently.

Q. Which areas are affected by this Closure order?
A. The following areas are restricted:
Lakes: Fire perimeter area on NE Wood Lake
See closure order and map for more information.

Q. How long will the closure be in place?
A. Public lands closures help to reduce interference with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area recovery. The original Forest Closure Order was effective September 12,2024, updated September 17, 2024, and again September 27, 2024. The order will remain in effect until the fire is declared out, unless sooner rescinded. The Superior NF wants to express gratitude for the public's patience as we work to reopen these special places as quickly as safely possible.
Please remain vigilant while out on your public lands. Fuel conditions remain very dry and new fire starts are possible. Help us thank firefighters, and protect your community from new, human-caused fires.

Q. How do I find more information about the Wood Lake Wildfire?
A. Go to Inciweb for this incident can be found at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-wood-lake-fire. You will find information on other wildfires on this website as well.

Q. How many campsites will be affected by this closure on the BWCAW? Does this closure impact any points of entry?
A. There are not currently any campsites affected by the closure.
The Wood Lake (#26) point of entry is no longer affected by the closure. We still encourage people to seek alternate locations for your visit, either on the BWCAW or at any of the 23 developed campgrounds and 18 rustic campgrounds. There are 254 backcountry campsites outside the wilderness that offer remote paddling, camping and fishing. Here you can experience solitude without reservations, fees or permits and have similar amenities that you would find in a Wilderness campsite. Many backcountry campsites are located on canoe routes outside the BWCAW. State forests and parks and county lands are also available for recreation.

Q. Can I fly a recreational drone over the wildfire to take photos?
A. No, flying drones or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) within or near a wildfire without permission could cause injury or death to firefighters and hamper their ability to protect lives, property, and natural cultural resources. In addition, drones are prohibited from launching, landing or being controlled from within designated wilderness areas.

Individuals who fly UAS without authorization over wildfires may be violating federal, state, and/or local laws, regulations, and ordinances, whether a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place or not. All unauthorized UAS flights over wildfires on National Forest System lands will be reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and law enforcement agencies.

Individuals who have been determined to have endangered manned aircraft or people on the ground with a UAS and/or interfered with wildfire suppression may be subject to civil penalties, including fines of up to $25,000, and potentially criminal prosecution. Drones are not legal within federally designated wilderness areas nationwide.

Q. What does it mean by the Forest Service is using Full Suppression tactics for this wildfire?
A. The Forest Service is using a full suppression approach. By Forest Service policy, every fire receives a strategic, risk-based response appropriate for the circumstances and associated threats and opportunities. Each strategy uses the full spectrum of management actions that consider fire and fuel conditions, weather, values at risk and resource availability.
Fire danger is high from Duluth through Arrowhead due to drought conditions and above normal warm weather. Fire danger is likely to remain high for the next few weeks. In addition to the weather conditions, this area includes high fuel loads, due to spruce budworm affected trees – both standing and laying down that can increase fire behavior.

Q. How is the current air quality situation affecting wildfire operations?
A. Canadian wildfires are contributing to some decreased air quality conditions across northern and central Minnesota. Air quality is currently GOOD for the Ely area. For more information on air quality where you live, see. https://www.airnow.gov/

Safety is our number one priority and, in some instances, aviation resources like planes, helicopters, etc. may not be used in suppressing a fire because of continued air pollution from Canadian wildfires.

There are 254 backcountry campsites outside the Wilderness that offer remote paddling, camping and fishing. Here you can experience solitude without reservations, fees or permits and still have similar amenities to that of a BWCAW campsite. Many backcountry campsites are located on canoe routes outside the BWCAW. State forests and parks and county lands are also available for recreation.

For more information on recreation alternatives outside the BWCAW, please visit: Superior National Forest - Water Activities:Boating - Non-Motorized (usda.gov) For a list of canoe routes with backcountry campsites in the Superior National Forest, visit: Canoeing 2012 rev 0415 final.pub (usda.gov)

The Superior National Forest also offers 23 developed campgrounds and 18 rustic campgrounds. Rustic campgrounds are free of charge and available first come, first served year-round. Fee campgrounds are open May – September and may be reserved at Recreation.gov. See the Forest website for more information.

For additional information regarding fire-related and/or forest closures and updates:
• Inciweb for this incident can be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnsuf-wood-lake-fire.
• SNF Forest Orders
• Superior National Forest general fire information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/superior/fire
• To sign up for our Superior NF newsletter and news, including fire information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/home/?cid=FSEPRD1115779

The 60-mile per hour wind gusts have pushed the Fish Creek Fire within two and a half miles of US Highway 26/287. A Red Flag Warning is a term used by fire weather forecasters to alert fire personnel and the public of potential extreme and critical fire weather. It means warm temperatures, very low humidities, and stronger winds are expected to combine to produce an increased risk of fire danger. Only the National Weather Service can issue Red Flag Warnings.  The smoke plume has increased in size and conditions are hazardous for fire personnel.

Current Situation:  

• The Lava Fire is 72% contained at 97,747 acres, with 528 personnel assigned.  
• Crews secured hot spots along the northeastern edge, expecting 3 – 4 days of effort to establish containment west of God’s Acres. A type 1 helicopter supported Hotshot operations with water drops, cooling hot spots along the northeast edge of the fire, dipping 28,000 gallons from Lake Cascade. 
• The Kern Valley Hotshots scouted the fire edge south of Gabes Peak to the Second Fork of Squaw Creek yesterday. They are cutting brush and extinguishing hot spots along the fire’s edge to secure the line today. 
• Along the northern perimeter, firefighters made good work securing Anderson Creek. It will take several more shifts to establish containment on that side of the fire. The western perimeter is cold and suppression repair resources are moving north. 
• An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) was used along the fire’s southeastern edge to identify heat sources using InfraRed surveillance to assist ground-based efforts. UAS will continued to be used around the fire. 

Weather: Today a dry cold front is expected to pass through the fire area in the late afternoon. Southwest winds will bring gusty winds,shifting to the west and then to the northwest after the frontal passage. No overnight inversion is expected, impeding humidity recovery. Expect elevated burning conditions into Monday.  

Evacuations: A Level 1 “READY” notice remains for residents south of South Grays Creek, along Little Weiser River Road in Indian Valley, North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and the Mesa Area. Valley County Sheriff’s Office has removed Zones 2 & 3 from LEVEL 1 “READY” status. Zones 4 – 6 remain in a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation notice.  

Closures: Closures: The Boise and Payette National Forests implemented a joint Lava Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure for public and firefighter safety. For more closure information see the Payette National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/payette/alerts-notices or the Boise National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices. 

Gem County Road and Bridge issued the following road closures: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. The Sweet-Ola Highway is closed at the High Valley intersection in Ola.   

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been updated. View a map of the TFR and details at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_8199.html. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems or drones. If you fly, we can’t! Learn more about how to use drones safely and responsibly at Home - Know Before You Fly. 

Fire Info Phone: 208-708-5003  Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Email: 2024.Lava@firenet.gov  . 

Facebook:@LavaFire Inciweb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-lava-fire 

UPDATE: West Fire, Payson Ranger District 
September 29, 2024

Size: 15,074 acres                              Start Date: August 28, 2024
Cause: Lightning                               Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
Containment: 72%                         Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral
Total personnel: 127

Operations:  Fire managers would like to remind the public that FSR 64 (Control Road) in the fire area is currently open to residents only and to please use caution when operating any vehicle near the fire.  The task of returning fire supplies from the line will be completed today.  Heavy equipment will work on the western edge of the fire, repairing the line after fire activity.  Smoke will be visible as the fire slowly consumes unburned fuel within the perimeter until the area receives significant rainfall.  Fire crews will continue to monitor and patrol fire activity. 

Weather:  Today, mostly sunny with high temperatures of 86-91 degrees. Winds E 5 mph, shifting to S 5-10 mph, 0% chance of precipitation, with humidity in the 17% range.  Tonight, partly cloudy with a low around 59 degrees. Winds variable, then NE around 5 mph.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always a priority. Please remember to respect closure areas and be cautious when driving near fire equipment on the roads. 

Smoke: Smoke from the West fire may be visible as interior fuel continues to dry and burn.  Expect concentrations in low-lying areas near the fire perimeter in the mornings. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the ArizonaDepartment of Environmental Quality website.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure for land surrounding the West fire.  This includes the Pine Trailhead.  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/aztnf-2024-west-fire-tnf/us-forest-service-closure-order-for-west-fire-09-04-2024

Evacuations:  Pine residents on the east side of SR 87 and east of North Pine Creek Canyon Road are in READY status. Geronimo Estates residents near the West Fire are in READY status.  For information on evacuation status, visit https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appid=9bf2ca222ee74f8697bc670ae9c2531a  To receive emergency notifications from Gila County, visit https://gilacountyaz.genasys.com/portal/en

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update 

Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires 

Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024 

Fire Causes: Lightning 

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov 

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742  

Willamette Complex South: Total Personnel: 471| Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,594 

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south 

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 68 | Total Red Fire Acres: 2,069 

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/ 

Summary 

The reallocation and repositioning of resources to maximize impact and efficiency on these fires is netting positive results. Though there have been slight increases in smoldering acreage, the fires remain well within established containment perimeters. Firefighters continue their focus on monitoring and suppression efforts. The forecast for the beginning of the week calls for a slight rebound of humidity levels before they trend down late Sunday into Monday. Crews continue repairing McKinley Creek dozer lines and clearing ditches in the Coffee Pot area. Repair work along the 2129 Road is ongoing. The Chalk, Coffee Pot, McKinley Creek and Tire Mountain fires are 100% contained. Any hot spots are well inside the perimeter, and the seeding of the Red Fire shaded fuel breaks is complete.  

Red Fire (1,961 acres, 11% containment) 

The Red Fire, which continues to creep slowly toward Crescent Lake, will remain on the landscape and won’t be completely extinguished until a season-ending event. The assessment of 11% containment of the Red Fire is based on cold sections of the fireline running north on the Pacific Crest Trail. As the fire moves to the south toward Crescent Lake and meets the shaded fuel break built along Forest Service Road 60, this percentage will increase. Percentage of fire contained is based on how much of the current fire perimeter has a directly positioned control-line that is stopping fire spread. This number -- a percentage of the total fire perimeter -- may fluctuate as the fire grows and an additional surrounding control line is secured. 

The strategic firing operations tentatively planned for yesterday along the shaded fuel break were paused as wind shift resulted in unfavorable conditions. The intent is to clean up potential fuels ahead of the active fire where the fire’s edge will meet the fuel break and intersect FSR 60. As they have done for weeks, fire managers continue to update and review that plan regularly to ensure firefighter safety while protecting the community and critical resources.

An emergency fire closure remains in place for the Red Fire. Fire managers and Deschutes National Forest leadership are continually reevaluating the closure based on factors such as current and expected fire behavior and weather conditions. The Deschutes National Forest will reduce the closure as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTE: This will be the last daily written update for the Red Fire. The Eastern Area Team will transition the Red Fire back to the Deschutes National Forest at 6pm today, September 29. There will also no longer be a dedicated incident email or Public Information phone line for the Red Fire. Significant fire updates will continue to be posted on the Red Fire Facebook page and Inciweb. Written updates will be produced as needed.

208 Fire (9,045 acres, 4% containment) 

Chipping operations and mop-up continues on indirect lines surrounding the fire as crews near completion of this work. Much of that is happening on the west side near the Sierra Pacific Industries timberland and along the 2149 Road. Firefighters also continue frequent monitoring of the northwest corner of the fire in the Swift Creek area, and erosion prevention water bars are being constructed along the 6010 Road.  

Moss Mountain Fire (2,186 acres, 10% containment) 

Fuel reduction operations near the Wolf Mountain Communications site are nearing completion. Heavy equipment continues working in that critical area. The 23 Road remains closed to accommodate the removal of slash and brush. Air operations will be conducted as necessary. The weather forecast means favorable flight conditions for the next several days.

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Mild, fall-like conditions will continue for the next several days. Temperatures are predicted to reach the upper-60s to low-70s. The air will give way to increasingly dry air by Sunday evening, and the relative humidity will likely drop to 20% or less in the early part of next week. This lower relative humidity could result in a change in fire behavior. 

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuation 

For closure information, visit:

https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosures2024

https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024. 

For fire restrictions, visit:

https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024

https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024. 

The Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice remains in effect for the Red Fire. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management.

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update 

Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires 

Date: Sunday, September 29, 2024 

Fire Causes: Lightning 

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov 

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742  

Willamette Complex South: Total Personnel: 471| Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,594 

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south 

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 68 | Total Red Fire Acres: 2,069 

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/ 

Summary 

The reallocation and repositioning of resources to maximize impact and efficiency on these fires is netting positive results. Though there have been slight increases in smoldering acreage, the fires remain well within established containment perimeters. Firefighters continue their focus on monitoring and suppression efforts. The forecast for the beginning of the week calls for a slight rebound of humidity levels before they trend down late Sunday into Monday. Crews continue repairing McKinley Creek dozer lines and clearing ditches in the Coffee Pot area. Repair work along the 2129 Road is ongoing. The Chalk, Coffee Pot, McKinley Creek and Tire Mountain fires are 100% contained. Any hot spots are well inside the perimeter, and the seeding of the Red Fire shaded fuel breaks is complete.  

Red Fire (1,961 acres, 11% containment) 

The Red Fire, which continues to creep slowly toward Crescent Lake, will remain on the landscape and won’t be completely extinguished until a season-ending event. The assessment of 11% containment of the Red Fire is based on cold sections of the fireline running north on the Pacific Crest Trail. As the fire moves to the south toward Crescent Lake and meets the shaded fuel break built along Forest Service Road 60, this percentage will increase. Percentage of fire contained is based on how much of the current fire perimeter has a directly positioned control-line that is stopping fire spread. This number -- a percentage of the total fire perimeter -- may fluctuate as the fire grows and an additional surrounding control line is secured. 

The strategic firing operations tentatively planned for yesterday along the shaded fuel break were paused as wind shift resulted in unfavorable conditions. The intent is to clean up potential fuels ahead of the active fire where the fire’s edge will meet the fuel break and intersect FSR 60. As they have done for weeks, fire managers continue to update and review that plan regularly to ensure firefighter safety while protecting the community and critical resources.

An emergency fire closure remains in place for the Red Fire. Fire managers and Deschutes National Forest leadership are continually reevaluating the closure based on factors such as current and expected fire behavior and weather conditions. The Deschutes National Forest will reduce the closure as soon as it is safe to do so.

NOTE: This will be the last daily written update for the Red Fire. The Eastern Area Team will transition the Red Fire back to the Deschutes National Forest at 6pm today, September 29. There will also no longer be a dedicated incident email or Public Information phone line for the Red Fire. Significant fire updates will continue to be posted on the Red Fire Facebook page and Inciweb. Written updates will be produced as needed.

208 Fire (9,045 acres, 4% containment) 

Chipping operations and mop-up continues on indirect lines surrounding the fire as crews near completion of this work. Much of that is happening on the west side near the Sierra Pacific Industries timberland and along the 2149 Road. Firefighters also continue frequent monitoring of the northwest corner of the fire in the Swift Creek area, and erosion prevention water bars are being constructed along the 6010 Road.  

Moss Mountain Fire (2,186 acres, 10% containment) 

Fuel reduction operations near the Wolf Mountain Communications site are nearing completion. Heavy equipment continues working in that critical area. The 23 Road remains closed to accommodate the removal of slash and brush. Air operations will be conducted as necessary. The weather forecast means favorable flight conditions for the next several days.

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Mild, fall-like conditions will continue for the next several days. Temperatures are predicted to reach the upper-60s to low-70s. The air will give way to increasingly dry air by Sunday evening, and the relative humidity will likely drop to 20% or less in the early part of next week. This lower relative humidity could result in a change in fire behavior. 

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuation 

For closure information, visit:

https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosures2024

https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024. 

For fire restrictions, visit:

https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024

https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024. 

The Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice remains in effect for the Red Fire. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management.