The Chalk Mountain Fire has grown north of FM205 with the majority of fire activity in the north and northeastern areas of the fire.  Group torching and crown fires have been visible with the fire spotting up to 200 yards north from timbered areas into brush and grassy fuels. To the west, crews are working to keep the fire east of FM51. Crews will continue constructing fire containment lines and providing structure protection to homes around the fire area today.  

Weather and Fire Behavior: 
A heat advisory is in affect across the fire area today with temperatures expected to approach 110 degrees. Relative humidities are expected to be in the high teens with morning winds of about 10-15mph out of the southwest. Winds are expected to die down in the early afternoon and pick up by the late afternoon with gusts up to 20mph. There is a chance of thunderstorms late in the afternoon, bringing little rain but a high chance of high winds and the possibility of severe microbursts. 

Closures/Evacuations
On July 19, The Hood County Judge issued a mandatory evacuation for the area of Hutchinson, Coleman Ranch Road, Rock Church Highway, and Nocal in Tolar, however, the evacuation order has since been rescinded. The Somervell Sheriff’s Office recommended residents north of 67 and west of 56 evacuate on July 18, 2022. The Somerville Expo Center is open and available for residents affected by the fire with food and sleeping arrangements. FM 205 from CR 1008 to FM51 is currently closed due to fire activity in the area. 

Damages and Injuries: 
The Post Fire Assessment Team arrive on scene yesterday afternoon and will be conducting structural assessments in the fire area. There are 12 structures confirmed lost at this time, however, this number is expected to increase as the Post Fire Assessment Team completes their assessments. There are no reportable injuries on the fire at this time.  

Special Announcements: 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Unauthorized aircraft, including drones, near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters and results in a suspension of all aerial firefighting until unauthorized aircraft leave the area. This hampers crews fire suppression abilities and can result in uncontrolled fire growth.  

An increase in fire activity on the northeast side of the fire caused visible smoke plumes in and around Glen Rose this afternoon and evening.  The fire has grown to an estimated 6,000 acres. 12 structures are confirmed to have been lost since the fire’s start yesterday afternoon. Containment remains at 10%. 

Crews are working to prevent the fire's forward movement by creating wide firelines with dozers and then conducting strategic burnout operations off those constructed firelines. Strategic burnout operations restrict the fire’s forward progress by removing fuels between the fire’s front and the line constructed by dozers and crews. Additionally, 5 airtankers have been assisting ground crews by dropping retardant along the northeastern side of the fire. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Unauthorized aircraft, including drones, near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters and results in a suspension of all aerial firefighting until unauthorized aircraft leave the area. This hampers crews fire suppression abilities and can result in uncontrolled fire growth.  

 Chalk Mountain Fire

Acres: 4,000 estimated 
Containment: 10%
Cause:  Under Investigation

As of yesterday, July 18, 2022, the Chalk Mountain fire had started approximately at 2:30 pm at the junction of CR1006 and FM 51. Texas A&M Forest service had worked in unified command with local fire departments. Dozers were engaged on the eastern flank of the fire constructing fire line and made good progress. Fire engines were utilized on the west flank of the fire and aviation resources were heavily used on the north side of the fire holding it south of CR 1008. 

For today, July 19, 2022, the eastern and northern sides of the fire remain very active with high fire activity. Crews will be working these areas of concern. Aviation resources will be assigned to the fire today and will be utilized on these areas also.

Closures/Evacuations 
Yesterday, the Sheriffs office had went door to door recommending residents north of 67 and west of 56 to evacuate. The Somerville Expo Center is open and available for residents affected by the fire with food and sleeping arrangements. FM 205 from CR 1008 to CR 51 will be closed today for aerial operations on the fire. 

Damages and Injuries
Currently there is no confirmed number of structure loss, but crews will be working on a defined count.

Overview: 
    
Yesterday, rainy and cooler weather significantly decreased fire activity over much of the area. Moist monsoonal air continues to bring rain and thunderstorms through the weekend. Warmer and drier air is pushing eastward, which may increase fire activity in the next few days. 
   
Crews remain to monitor fire activity and respond to new starts. Monitoring is an important function, as the Woodtick Fire still has potential to spread. At the Meyers Cove and Camas Creek area, equipment and supplies are staged if needed for future structure protection actions. For the Norton Fire, fire managers continue to monitor fire activity remotely using cameras, and crews will respond if fire behavior calls for action. 
    
Fire camps were consolidated yesterday, and resources continue to demobilize from the Woodtick Fire. The nation is at Preparedness Level 3, which means that two or more geographic areas in the country are experiencing significant wildland fire activity that require extensive resources. This also means that up to 8,000 wildland fire personnel are committed to incidents across the country. Demobilizing allows firefighters time for rest and resupply before the next assignment. Preparedness levels are also determined by fuel and weather activity. This week’s forecast may result in more potential fire weather: hot and dry.
    
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): A TFRs remain in effect over both fire areas. More information can be found on the Federal Aviation Administration website at: https://tfr.faa.gov 
    
Evacuations for Woodtick: Evacuation orders issued by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office remain in effect for residents at Camas Creek.  For more information, go to : https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs 
     
Closures: Two closures remain in effect on the Woodtick Fire. To view the orders in their entirety and other information regarding the fires, please refer to: https://bit.ly/WoodtickFireClosure 

Overview: Cloud conditions were seen over the fire areas yesterday, bringing cooler conditions and moisture with the monsoonal low-pressure system coming in from the south the day before. Damper conditions are favorable for reducing fire behavior today. Showers and thunderstorms are to be expected throughout the weekend, with the potential for wetting rain and light winds., with smoke less visible from nearby communities than in past days.

Summary: Fire managers are now utilizing two cameras that were hiked in by firefighters several days ago into the wilderness. A camera is placed at the Twin Peaks Lookout and Middle Fork Peak, providing views of both the Woodtick and Norton Fires. This equipment will help fire managers monitor changes in fire behavior and growth, reducing exposure and risk to firefighters on the ground and by air in inaccessible and rugged terrain.

Weather: Fire areas received warm, sunny conditions yesterday with a low-pressure system moving in from the south in the later afternoon. Today, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms expected to last through the weekend, with cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and the potential for light winds with gusts up to 20 mph. This weather should provide favorable conditions for reducing fire behavior. Fire still has the potential to spread and will stay active in isolated spots around the uncontrolled edge of the fire, possibly visible from nearby communities.

 Weather: Dry And warming conditions continue to be anticipated through Tuesday as a ridge of high pressure builds over the region. Today will remain warm and sunny but will start to cool as the wind picks up in the later in the day. By the evening, the incoming monsoonal moisture from the south brings a chance of showers and thunderstorms through the weekend. Fire still has the potential to spread and will stay active in isolated spots around the uncontrolled edge of the fire, possibly visible from nearby communities.

Woodtick Fire: Firefighters continue monitoring the fire’s edge, keeping an eye on areas of concern, especially around Martindale Ridge, where the fire was most active yesterday. Crews will also look for possibilities to utilize aerial or hand ignition for tactical burning operations when conditions are favorable. Fire managers continue to use structure protection strategies, developing plans for future protection measures to lessen the risk to existing properties within the vicinity of the fire. Structure assessments are still in progress, looking for areas of concern, including Meyers Cove off Camas Creek and other locations where structures exist around the fire area. Crews working near Meyers Cove continue to hold and secure the fire’s edge upstream along Camas Creek. Considering the recent fire activity, predicted moisture in the next few days may minimize fire activity throughout the week.

Norton Fire: The fire was active yesterday in the northern perimeter, increasing by 43 acres to a total of 180. Air resources were utilized to monitor and assess the fire, which allowed fire managers to establish management action points that will trigger reassessing management strategies if the fire becomes more active. Structure protection plans continue to take place, allowing firefighters to make a plan for protection in the future if needed.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): A TFRs remain in effect over both fire areas. More information can be found on the Federal Aviation Administration website at: https://tfr.faa.gov

Evacuations for Woodtick: Evacuation orders issued by the Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office remain in effect for residents at Camas Creek.  They are now in a GO status, which means immediate evacuation is necessary.  Residents at Castle Creek and Sliver Creek, including Ramshorn Creek are in READY status, meaning residents should prepare for the possibility of evacuation.  https://bit.ly/LemhiCountyEvacs

Closures: Two closures remain in effect on the Woodtick Fire in order to protect the public and firefighting resources. The Norton fire currently has no closures. To view the orders in their entirety and other information regarding the fires, please refer to: https://bit.ly/WoodtickFireClosure 

 Woodtick and Norton Fires Update – Monday August 8, 2022 

Weather: Dry and warming conditions are anticipated through Tuesday as a ridge of high pressure builds over the region causing lower relative humidity, higher temps and potential thunderstorms in the next several days. Due to this trend, fire has been slightly more active on the Woodtick Fire.  Smoke may be visible from surrounding communities as fire activity increases. By Wednesday, a southernly flow will bring monsoonal moisture with a chance for shower and thunderstorms. 

Woodtick Fire: The fire received a little precipitation only enough to cool things down briefly over the weekend; however, fire activity increased slightly yesterday afternoon, growing approximately 200 acres making its way southwest and down into the Martindale drainage. Yesterday, small spot fire below Meyers Cove on Camas Creek was detected and today firefighters will be assessing for opportunities to take action. Recent fire growth has resulted in increased smoke which may be seen by the surrounding communities near Challis.  Crews near Meyers Cove continue to watch for rolling materials, mop up and secure the fires edge where safe to do so. The fire is generally smoldering with a slow rate of spread due to sparse grass, brush and dead and down fuels. Air resources continue to monitor, looking for areas of concern and chances to act, if necessary.  

Norton Fire: With higher temperatures and lower humidity’s the fire increased slightly to approximately 17 acres. Fire behavior can still be described as creeping and smoldering. Today, air resources are being utilized to assess and determine management action points and continue structure assessments. Yesterday, crews hiked into the wilderness to set up a remote camera that will be utilized to help monitor change in fire behavior as well as growth.  The Norton Fire was started by lightning on August 1st, 2022. The fire is located approximately seven miles northwest of Lower Loon in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness on the Middle Fork Ranger District. The fire is burning in subalpine fir, Douglas fir, sagebrush, and grass.

The fire received a little bit of precipitation yesterday morning measuring around .10 inches. The little amount of rain was only enough to cool things down briefly. The fire picked up slightly in the afternoon, generally in the Martindale drainage. Crews near Meyers Cove continue to watch for rolling materials, mop up and secure the fires edge where safe to do so.

Weather: Dry and warming conditions are anticipated through Tuesday as a ridge of high pressure builds over the region. The ridge breaks down and shifts east Wednesday as monsoon moisture surges north into the region fueling scattered showers and thunderstorms.

Evacuations for Woodtick: Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office has announced an evacuation Status for residents at Camas Creek.  They are now in a GO status, which means immediate evacuation is necessary.  Residents at Castle Creek and Sliver Creek, including Ramshorn Creek are in READY status, meaning they should prepare for the possibility of evacuation.  Latest updates for Moose Creek Fire and Wood Tick updated 8:49am 07/25 | Lemhi County, ID (lemhicountyidaho.org)