Today will be the FINAL UPDATE from Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 5. 

The team will transfer command of all fires back to the Bitterroot National Forest on September 20, 2024 at 6 p.m.

NEW PHONE NUMBER for fire information: 406-499-2997.

CHANGES to Closures

• The Johnson Fire Area and the Railroad-Daly Fire Area Closures will be terminated on Friday, September 20th at 8 a.m.
• The Sharrott Creek Fire Area closure is still in effect but was reduced in size, effective September 18th. 
• The Skalkaho Highway (Highway 38) road closure will be modified on September 20th at 7 a.m. and will now be closed from milepost 14.5 to 21.4. 
• Forest Service Road 75 (Skalkaho Rye) will be open. 
• Forest Service Road 711 is open; however, you cannot get to Hwy 38 from Road 711.
• Visit Montana DOT for the most updated information: https://www.mdt.mt.gov/.  More information on Bitterroot National Forest area closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bitterroot/alerts-notices

Sharrott Creek Fire:

Cause: Lightning

Size: 3,204

Completion: 83%

Total Personnel: 137

Phone Number: 406-403-7976

Current Status 

Excavators continue to work on the west and north flanks of the Johnson Fire and are on schedule to complete suppression repair efforts by the end of the weekend. On the Sharrott Creek Fire, excavators continue to pull back berms on constructed firelines. Chippers have completed their work, demobilizing and returning home. Suppression repair work, where necessary, continues on Daly and Railroad Fires. 

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Drier and milder conditions will continue over the next few days. Temperatures will rise into the high 60s in the valley and high 50s at the higher elevations. Minimum relative humidity will be around 40% with mostly sunny skies. Southwest winds will be sustained around 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25-30 mph.  

Fire behavior will be isolated smoldering, primarily in stump holes. Large heavy fuels are saturated and no longer support burning or combustion.  

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team #4 
Contact Fire Information:  Phone:  208-593-7132  
Email:  2024.wapiti@firenet.gov 

Frog Fire Statistics 

• Size: 3,105 acres 
• Containment: 42% 
• Total Personnel: 105 
• Location: east of Clayton, ID 
• Reported: September 7, 2024 
• Cause: Lightning 

For More Information

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idstf-frog  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest 

Special Updates:  Highway 21 is now open to public traffic. Drivers are urged to exercise caution traveling between Lowman and Stanley. Personnel are working along the highway to continue fire suppression and rehabilitation efforts. Speeds will be reduced to 45 mph. Drive with headlights on. Smoke and occasional flames will be visible from areas where fire is smoldering in heavy downed timber. Rocks and other debris are also likely along the roadway. Traffic control measures and pilot cars may be used, particularly in areas where the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) may be working to replace guardrails. The area closure is still in place, which affects several roads leading from Highway 21. Access is open to Boundary Creek. 

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team #4 took command of the Wapiti and Frog Fires last night.  Multiple fire camp locations are established to support the assigned firefighters and personnel. Highway signs mark these locations to alert drivers to large vehicle traffic entering and exiting the roadways; please drive cautiously. 

Weather:  Warmer and drier weather is forecast; however, it should not significantly increase fire activity on the Wapiti or Frog Fires.  Dense morning fog is likely and should lift around 11 AM. 

Current Situation:  The Frog Fire is now being managed jointly with the Wapiti Fire to facilitate shared resources and support to firefighters. Minimal smoke was visible from the fire yesterday. Firefighters worked to remove hoses and other equipment which had been placed near property for fire defense as the likelihood of further fire spread towards houses has decreased.  Crews and helicopters will continue to work in the area to increase containment while weather conditions are more favorable. The primary fire camp location for the Frog Fire is near Yankee Fork. 

Evacuations:  There are currently no evacuations related to the Frog Fire. 

Closures:  An area closure is in place around the Frog Fire. Roads 669 and 670 and trails 678 and 047 are all included in the closure. See the map and read the complete description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idstf-frog. 

Wapiti Fire Statistics

• Size: 125,474 acres
• Completion: 72%
• Total Personnel: 478
• Location: near Grandjean, ID
• Reported: July 24, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-wapiti-fire
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024
• Interactive Map:  https://tinyurl.com/WapitiFireInfoMap

Special Updates: Highway 21 is now open to public traffic. Drivers are urged to exercise caution traveling between Lowman and Stanley. Personnel are working along the highway to continue fire suppression and rehabilitation efforts. Speeds will be reduced to 45 mph. Drive with headlights on. Smoke and occasional flames will be visible from areas where fire is smoldering in heavy downed timber. Rocks and other debris are also likely along the roadway. Traffic control measures and pilot cars may be used, particularly in areas where the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) may be working to replace guardrails. The area closure is still in place, which affects several roads leading from Highway 21. Access is open to Boundary Creek.

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team #4 took command of the Wapiti and Frog Fires last night.  Multiple fire camp locations are established to support the assigned firefighters and personnel. Highway signs mark these locations to alert drivers to large vehicle traffic entering and exiting the roadways; please drive cautiously.

Weather:  Warmer and drier weather is forecast; however, it should not significantly increase fire activity on the Wapiti or Frog Fires.  Dense morning fog is likely and should lift around 11 AM.

Current Situation:  The Wapiti Fire perimeter has grown minimally in the past 7 days, since significant rain fell in the area. Firefighters continue work to repair fire suppression actions. Smoke will be visible from areas where fire is smoldering in heavy downed timber, and flames may also be seen coming from internal pockets of unburned fuel within the fire’s existing perimeter. Firefighters are actively working in all areas of the fire and will take appropriate actions to limit fire spread.

On the western portion of the fire, repair work is occurring near Lowman and the Sourdough vicinity. Assessment of the debris flows near Grandjean are occurring to determine necessary equipment and work to open the roadways. At this time, there is no estimate when the road will be passable. To the north, the fire is uncontained near Copper Mountain but has not grown since receiving rain and snow earlier in the week. Heavy equipment is working around Stanley Lake and in Iron Creek to remove trees that may fall into roadways or on infrastructure. Fireline built by dozers is being repaired on the eastern side of the fire along the 210 road. On the southern edge, the fire has burned in extremely steep and inaccessible terrain where natural features such as rock screes are limiting fire spread.

Evacuations:  Evacuation status for Stanley Zone 1 is currently at READY. Stanley Zones 2 – 5 and Kasino are no longer in an evacuation status. To sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications, text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll online at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF.

Evacuation status for Boise County on the Lowman side of the Wapiti Fire has been downgraded to READY (Level 1) in all zones. To sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notifications, enroll online at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163.

For evacuation information on the Wapiti Fire, please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/p/Custer-County-Sheriff-Idaho-61558947312289/, and the Boise County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/boisecountysheriff/

Closures:  The Wapiti Fire area closure has been reduced but still covers portions of the Sawtooth, Boise, and Salmon National Forests. Please reference the map and description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idbof-wapiti-fire. Recreationalists and hunters should reference this map and obey all posted signage regarding the closure area and any related road, trail, and campground closures.

Residents and visitors should also be aware of the closure for the Middle Fork Complex, found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.

Middle Fork Complex Daily Update

September 20, 2024

Fire activity is expected to remain minimal today throughout all fires as high humidity and cooler temperatures remain. A warm, drying trend is expected to begin on Tuesday and continue for the remainder of next week. Firefighters continue to work and strengthen control lines in preparation for drier weather.  A lot of great work has been done and the team will begin focusing on the transition from suppression to suppression repair.  This will entail downsizing suppression resources and an uptick in suppression repair resources.

The Middle Fork Complex is 61,484 acres with 35% completion. 

Today firefighters continue masticating and chipping on the Bulldog and Nellie Fires along the Forest Service Roads 678, 671, and northern section of the 555 road to finish clearing debris within the fuel breaks.  Indirect lines are being cleaned up, so lines will be around Silver Creek, the lookout tower, the plunge and the hot springs so they will be ready to go for repair efforts and in case there is an Indian Summer in October.  On the Nellie Fire, crews will continue strengthening fire line on the Southwest side of Deadwood Reservoir and are beginning repair work. 

The Snag Fire is 33,300 acres with 33% completion.

Where the fire crossed over the Warm Lake Highway, scouts have checked that area, and we expect to see more containment in that area.  Equipment that is no longer needed will be removed from that area.  Firefighters will continue to use Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to see if there is any heat remaining on the side that impacted the Cascade Area. 

The Goat Fire is 26,466 acres with 0% contained.

Firefighters are tying in direct line from old forest roads on the western and southern portion of the Goat Fire to protect values at risk. Preparations are being made in case this fire tries to move south. Crews are cleaning up dozer and hand lines and working towards suppression repair in those areas. 

A new closure order for the Middle Fork Complex Fire is in place opening several areas within the Boise National Forest. Closure changes specific to the Boise National Forest include opening roads 582, 563, and 579 that now allow access to lower Bear Valley Creek area, which is also now open. As a reminder, while the roads themselves are open, the lands west of 582 and 563 are still closed due to the Middle Fork Complex. This closure change goes into effect on Sept. 20 at 8 a.m.  An interactive forest closure map is available on the Boise National Forest Alerts & Closures website and see the current closures for the Cascade Ranger District.  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices

Hunters are not allowed access to closed areas. The Boise National Forest is re-evaluating closure orders across the forest due to firefighting progress and recent precipitation. The public can expect to see further changes later this week. 

In the meantime, we ask the public to adhere to the closures as they currently exist; in particular, Trail Creek Hot Springs is currently within the closure area for the West Mountain Complex and is closed.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions have been rescinded for the Boise National Forest at 8 a.m. Sept. 20, 2024. For more information on the restrictions visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area.  Visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect in the fire area.

Middle Fork Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)                     Email: 2024.middleforkcomplex@firenet.gov 

Inciweb:https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-middle-fork-complex-fire-bulldog-and-nellie

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/people/Middle-Fork-Complex-Fire-Boise-National-Forest/61565022204468

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2024.middleforkcomplex

Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the prohibition listed in Order number 24-D2-05 Johnson Fire Area Closure, applicable to the Darby Ranger District, Bitterroot National Forest, dated September 5, 2024, and signed by Matthew D. Anderson, is hereby terminated effective September 20, 2024, at 0800.
Done at Missoula, Montana this 18th day of September 2024.

LEANNE MARTEN
Regional Forester

Ruby Fire Quick Facts

Size: 1336 acres                            Location: North Cascades National Park, Ruby Mountain, Diablo, Washington

Containment: 0%                        Cause: Lightning/Natural

Start Date: August 9, 2024       Total Personnel: 20

Fire Information: 360-208-8096

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wancp-ruby-fire Email: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov

Current Status: The Ruby Fire is now 1336 acres based on updated infrared mapping. Yesterday, single tree torching and smoke was observed within the fire perimeter with the warmer, drier weather. Cooler and wetter weather is expected over the weekend and will moderate fire activity. Firefighters will continue to work in the Ruby Mountain area assisted by a Type 3 helicopter and a helitack crew. Travelers should use extra caution when traveling on State Route 20 (SR20) near Colonial Creek Campground to avoid inhibiting active firefighting operations. Panther Creek Trail and Thunder Creek Trail north of Junction camps are closed.

Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue to support fire suppression efforts and be ready to protect critical infrastructure such as campgrounds, SR20, trails, and backcountry camps in preparation for possible fire growth. The Ruby Fire is a full suppression fire, and firefighters are using tactics with the highest chance for success, while reducing safety risks to themselves and the public. 

Weather: Cooler temperatures and a chance of precipitation continue. 

Closures: Multiple closures remain in place for public safety. Panther Creek Trail and Thunder Creek Trail north of Junction camps are closed. Go to the park website https://go.nps.gov/fireclosures for a complete list.

Smoke: Air quality is forecast to be GOOD on Friday at https://www.airnow.gov.

Burning Restrictions: There are currently no fire restrictions in place: https://go.nps.gov/ban-lifted.

Drone Restrictions: If you fly, we can’t. Drones can jeopardize firefighting efforts, and operating drones within North Cascades National Park is prohibited, except with prior written approval from the superintendent. 

Cooperating Agencies & Tribes: National Park Service, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Seattle City Light, Whatcom County, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Dept. of Transportation, Washington DNR.

To sign up for Ruby Fire updates, email: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov Thank you.

CURRENT SITUATION: Today’s lingering inversion limited fire spread by keeping a lid over the fire, depriving it of wind and heat, and allowing firefighters time to go direct which increased overall containment of the fire. Crews worked to keep the fire within its current footprint, strengthen containment lines, and secure areas with concentrated heat on the northwest flank southeast of Jackson Lake. Still, burning material that could rollout over containment lines remains a hazard in that area. Favorable weather conditions allowed crews to maintain last night’s containment gains above Vincent Gap and go direct along the fire’s edge to prevent spread toward Mile High and Paradise Springs.

On the east flank, crews continued to halt the fire’s spread into the drainages northwest of Lytle Creek, adding additional containment line to the map on and around Dawson Peak. 

On the south and west flanks, crews gained additional ground by completing secondary containment lines and prepared to focus on suppression repair of these lines in the coming days. Suppression repair efforts return disturbed areas and fire lines to as natural a state as possible, which can reduce future erosion damage.

Tree felling crews and additional firefighting personnel continued removing fire-weakened trees today, as well as mopping up and patrolling in recently repopulated communities. Firefighters mopping up, focus on extinguishing or removing burning material near fire lines down to the mineral soil, felling dangerous fire-damaged trees, and cooling ash pits to make a fire less likely to escape containment. 

Damage inspection teams continued to update interactive maps for residents affected by the Bridge Fire. 
For San Bernardino County: prepare.sbcounty.gov/bridge-fire/ 
For Los Angeles County: recovery.lacounty.gov/bridgefire/

Local Assistance Centers:

Los Angeles and San Bernadino Counties are working together providing assistance to residents affected by the recent Bridge and Line Fires. The purpose of the LAC is to provide a one-stop center where individuals, family members, and business owners may obtain information on services and assistance needed because of a disaster or damage to personal property. Informational hours for interested members of the public are scheduled as follows:

September 20, 2024

10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

LA County Fairplex

1101 W. McKinley Avenue

Pomona, CA 91768

Expo Hall 8 – Enter Gate 3

September 21, 2024

10a.m. – 8p.m.

The Way World Outreach

Hallmark Campus

4680 Hallmark Parkway

San Bernadino, CA 92407

September 23, 2024

10a.m. – 8p.m.

The Way World Outreach

Hallmark Campus

4680 Hallmark Parkway

San Bernardino, CA 92407

https://lacounty.gov/2024/09/18/los-angeles-and-san-bernardino-counties-to-open-joint-local-assistance-centers-for-residents-impacted-by-bridge-and-line-fires/

Evacuation Orders:

• North, Northwest of Mt. Baldy Ski Resort
• Big Pines Canyon Road to the community of Big Pines 
• East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort and River Community

Evacuation Warnings: 

• Community of Wrightwood
• Mt. Baldy Village
• Icehouse Canyon Trailhead, north to the Mt. Baldy Ski Resort
• From San Antonio Canyon east to Telegraph Peak
• Shinn Road north to Icehouse Canyon is open to residents only

 For interactive maps on evacuations: 

• Los Angeles County: Genasys Protect website or download the app. https://protect.genasys.com  
• San Bernadino:  https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com 

            For emergency alerts, please register here:  

• Los Angeles County: https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications/  
• San Bernardino County: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/  

Evacuation Centers:

• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds: 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 
• Pomona Fairplex: 601 W McKinley Avenue Pomona, CA (Gate 3, corner of McKinley/White)

Animals: 

• Devore Animal Shelter: 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA. (909) 386-9820. After hours: (800) 472-5609
• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds: 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 
• Palmdale Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 
• Lancaster Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA

For more information on evacuation centers:

• www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
• https://lacounty.gov/emergency/

ROAD CLOSURES: 

• Big Pines Highway
• Big Rock Creek Road 
• Largo Vista Road
• Mescal Creek Road
• Panorama Motorway
• SR-39 at the Base of San Gabriel Canyon 
• Glendora Mountain Road north of Big Dalton Road
• Mt. Baldy Rd at Shinn Road (open to residents only)
• Mt. Baldy at Ice House Canyon Road
• SR-2 at Flume Canyon Road westbound                                             

WEATHER:
Rain is forecasted tomorrow with a chance of thunderstorms. Arising storms are likely to be slow moving with lower wind speeds. Members of the public in and near recently burned areas are asked to be prepared for the possibility of debris flow. Over the coming weekend, a warming and drying trend will begin, reducing relative humidities in the area.

KXGV radio host Uncle Doug interviews Great Basin 2 Team member Jarrod MacNeil about the Middle Fork Complex. 

https://youtu.be/4Ef8SMjkNOI?si=lZmqUQJC8OQJEfQ6

A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team has been established by the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest to begin a post-fire burned area assessment of National Forest System lands that burned in the Davis Fire. BAER assessments can take up to two weeks to complete depending on size and complexity of the fire.

“BAER is an emergency program that conducts a risk assessment and develops a plan for stabilization work that involves time-critical activities to be completed before the first damaging storms,” said Kendal Young, Natural Resource and Planning Staff Officer for the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest. “Emergency response efforts are focused on the protection of human life and safety, and property, as well as critical cultural and natural resources.”

He also explained that the Davis Fire BAER Team is also coordinating with the Washoe County, Truckee Meadow Fire Protection District, State of Nevada, Natural Resources Conservation Service, American Farm Bureau, National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

Team leaders are Dirk Netz, Forest Service BAER Coordinator, and Meagan Carter, Forest Service BAER Co-Coordinator. The team consists of scientists in hydrology, geology, soil science, botany, biology, and archeology and specialists in geographic information system (GIS), recreation, and road engineering. 

 The Davis Fire BAER Team is currently conducting field surveys and using science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area. This is the first step in assessing potential impacts from wildfires to any Forest Service values that may be at-risk from potential increased flooding, sedimentation, debris flows, and rockslides.  

“The information gathered will help the team produce a report that describes potential threats associated with the burned area’s post-fire conditions,” Young said. “Recommended emergency stabilization measures and actions may be included in this report.” He added that the team will share their findings with local agencies to assist them with their analysis of private and county lands affect by the Davis Fire.

Additional information on understanding the BAER program, process, and other post-fire information will be posted on the Davis Fire Burned Area Emergency Response page found at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nvhtf-davis-fire-burned-area-emergency-response-baer.

Effective immediately, the USDA Forest Service has further decreased the emergency area closure order on the Davis Fire. Any National Forest System lands within the fire footprint will remain closed. This includes Forest Service roads 41040, 41041, and 41727, as well as the Ophir Creek Trail. Additionally, Washoe County Parks and Recreation has closed the Browns Trail.

 “I am happy we were able to quickly reopen most of the Forest Service roads, trails, and developed sites in the Mt. Rose Highway corridor as quickly as we did,” said Carson District Ranger Matt Zumstein. “This would not have been possible without the dedication of the fire crews who fought the fire and who have been implementing the suppression repair.”

 Zumstein also wants to remind the public that the emergency fire closure is in place to reduce the risk to visitors, damage to resources, and to allow for post-fire recovery and repair.

This order is in effective until Thursday, Oct. 31, 2024, or until rescinded. For more details, please refer to the Emergency Fire Closure document and map at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/htnf/alerts-notices/?aid=90526.