SUMMARY: Crews continue to be focused on hazardous fuel reduction and structure triage of private and Forest Service infrastructure around the Alturas Lake campground.  Fire protection efforts have been expanded which include pumps and hose lays.  Aerial resources will continue to attack hotspots.   The Forest closure order remains in effect. Firefighter and public safety are the priority in this high recreation use area. 

YESTERDAY: The strategy of continual, +med placement of water in specific location was again used yesterday with significant success.  This strategy involved both hand crews and air resources and were critical in keeping the fire in check on the Southern edge. Additional ground resources worked along the Northern edge of the fire.  Crews continue chipping the mitigated brush in the Alturas Lake area.

TODAY: Air resources will continue to play a critical role in fire suppression. The Boise Hot Shots will still be working along the north end shoring up the contingency line. The structure group will be laying hose and sprinklers in the areas where they thinned the trees. The Sawtooth Hot Shots will continue along the southern edge. 

WEATHER: Forecasts continue to indicate a high likelihood for a significant wind event beginning overnight Wednesday in the Thursday with low RH.   No moisture is predicted until the weekend.

INTERACTIVE MAP:  An interactive map of the Jakes Gulch fire and closure area is available at this link Bit.ly/JakesGulchFire CLOSURE ORDER REMAINS IN PLACE CLOSED ROADS: • Cabin Creek Rd • Alturas Creek Rd • Beaver Creek Rd CAMPSITE CLOSURES: A friendly reminder that a closure order is in effect for several areas around Alturas Lake.  This includes:  • Cabin Creek Trailhead • Perkins Lake • Alturas Lake • Pettit Lake Areas • Smokey Bear Alturas Campground • North Shore Alturas Campground • Alturas Inlet Group Picnic Area B. 
 
INCIDENT STATISTICS 
Location of Origin:  23 miles south of Stanley, ID.
Start date:  September 5, 2021
Size: 509 Percent Contained: 5%
Cause: Human Caused 
Resources Assigned: 214 personnel • Engines: 1 • Hand crews: 5 • Helicopters: 6 • Aircraft: 2 • Water tenders: 1

CLOSURES: See closure Info at hBps://www.fs.usda.gov/ alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices 

SAFETY:
1. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. 
2. Flying drones in the restricted area will shut down air operations. 
3. Move to shore if planes or helicopters are refilling water tanks or buckets from lakes. Do not move toward operations.

EVACUATIONS: None  COOPERATORS: USDA Forest Service  

  

SUMMARY: Crews continue to be focused on hazardous fuel reduction and structure triage of private and Forest Service infrastructure around the Alturas Lake campground. Fire protection efforts have been expanded which include pumps and hose lays. Aerial resources will continue to attack hotspots.

The Eastern Area Silver Incident Management Team assumed management of the fire this morning (09/13/2021).

Firefighter and public safety are the priority in this high recreation use area.

 YESTERDAY: Air resources were critical to keeping the fire in check yesterday with a strategy of continual, timed placement of water in specific locations. Ground resources worked along the Northern edge of the fire, while the structure group worked at thinning trees and clearing brush to make some defensible space in the recreational org area.

TODAY: Air resources will continue to play a critical role in fire suppression. The Boise Hot Shots will still be working along the north end shoring up the contingency line. The structure group will be laying hose and sprinklers in the areas where they thinned the trees. A new crew has been added and they will be assessing the south side of the fire.

 WEATHER: A drying trend is expected for the next three day, bringing afternoon winds, and leaving the RH about 15-20%. Current forecasts are presenting the potential for in-creases winds later in the week. No moisture is predicted until the weekend.

INCIDENT STATISTICS

Location of Origin: 23 miles south of Stanley, ID.

Start date: September 5, 2021

Size: 499

Percent Contained: 5%

Cause: Human Caused

Resources Assigned: 250 personnel

• Engines: 1

• Hand crews: 5

• Helicopters: 6

• Aircraft: 2

• Water tenders: 1

CLOSURES: See closure Info at https://www.fs.usda.gov/ alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices

SAFETY:

1. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area.

2. Flying drones in the restrict-ed area will shut down air operations.

3. Move to shore if planes or helicopters are refilling water tanks or buckets from lakes. Do not move toward operations.

EVACTUATIONS: None

COOPERATORS: USDA Forest Service

 September 12, 2021

Jakes Gulch Daily Update

Fire Information: (208) 312-1697 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Email: ryan_berlin@firenet.gov

Sawtooth National Forest Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest/

 

                   4% Contained       460 Acres       23 Miles south of Stanley, ID       Burning in grass, brush,
                                                                                                                    sub alpine fir and lodge
                                                                                                                    pole pine

Fire Behavior

Eastern Area IMT Silver Team, Steven Goldman, IC has arrived in town and will take over management of the fire at 6 am tomorrow. The Type 2 team will be shadowing today bringing themselves up to speed with what has been happening with the fire.

The fire did not make much of a run yesterday and crews were able to get a bit of the containment back. Helicopter bucket drops enhanced the efforts on the ground.

There will be a drying trend for the next three days, but it is not a hot drying trend like we have seen all summer. Temperatures will be cooler and RH recoveries will be higher.

Crews are focused on hazardous fuels reduction and structure triage of private and Forest Service

Infrastructure around the Alturas Lake campground. Boise IHC is going direct up from the Alturas Lake Creek trail up to the ridge, as well as up the Alturas Lake trail with a mix of indirect and direct line construction.

Wildland Fire Modules continues to monitor fire activity in the Alturas Lake Creek drainage and Johnson Creek drainage. Aircraft will continue to be used to prevent further growth in the Johnson Creek drainage and toward management action points.

60Elk and antelope bow hunting has opened. None of the closed area, roads or trails have been opened, and for public and fire fighter safety please adhere to all closures and restrictions. Be sure of what you are shooting at before you let the arrow fly.

Total Fire Resources Assigned

 

200 personnel, 6 crews, 6 helicopters, 1 engine, 2 water tenders

 

Web: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7834/     Air Quality: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

 Closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices  

 September 11, 2021

Jakes Gulch Daily Update

Fire Information: (208) 312-1697 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Email: ryan_berlin@firenet.gov

Sawtooth National Forest Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest/

 

 0% Contained         432 Acres          23 Miles south of Stanley, ID           Burning in grass, brush,
                                                                                                                       ponderosa pine & Douglas-fir 

Fire Behavior

After Thursday’s run, yesterday was a day of re-grouping and re-evaluating. Crews are focused on hazardous fuels reduction and structure triage of private and Forest Service infrastructure around the Alturas Lake campground. One wildland fire module (WFM) was left to monitor fire activity in the Alturas Lake Creek drainage. They will continue to utilize aviation to prevent further growth toward the wilderness and management action points.

A type 2 team was ordered and will be in-briefed today at 6 pm. It is not sure when they will take over management of the fire, freeing up some of the local resources in case another fire breaks. More resources have been ordered.

There were lightning strikes in the fire area last night but so far there have been no reports of any new starts. A short moderate to heavy rainfall was reported over the fire area but did little dampen the fire. High winds are expected from passing storm fronts and could cause the fire to grow in all directions.

A virtual community meeting was held yesterday and 74 people attended it via Zoom. Kirk Flannigan, Sawtooth National Recreation Area Manager, Ryder Bennett, IC and Angenie McClary, Blain County Commissioner were the speakers. There was a question-and-answer period at the end and there were some very good questions asked and answered.

Elk and antelope bow hunting has opened. None of the closed area, roads or trails have been opened, and for public and fire fighter safety please adhere to all closures and restrictions.

Total Fire Resources Assigned

·        199 personnel, 6 crews, 5 helicopters, 1 engine, 2 water tenders

 

Web: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7834/          Air quality: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

 

     Closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices

 September 10, 2021

Jakes Gulch Daily Update

Fire Information: (208) 312-1697 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Email: ryan_berlin@firenet.gov

Sawtooth National Forest Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest/

 

 0% Contained         410 Acres          23 Miles south of Stanley, ID           Burning in grass, brush,
                                                                                                                       ponderosa pine & Douglas-fir 

Fire Behavior

Low RH and increased winds contributed to the fire kicking up a little yesterday. There was some group tree torching as well as short range spotting that jumped over the containment lines. There was about a 40 acre increase and between the growth and the fact it jumped the containment line it brings containment back to 0%. The fire moved to the west toward the head water of the north fork of Ross Creek, away from any structures.

A type 3 helicopter arrived on the fire yesterday bringing the total to 6 helicopters, 2 seats and 2 type 1 airtankers.

Another type 3 incident command team was ordered but none were available. There are still a lot of fires burning in the west and it is hard to get teams, crews and equipment. However, a type 2 team was available, so they were ordered and will be here on Saturday unless a larger fire needs them more. More resources have been ordered.

Today high winds are expected from passing storm fronts. There is a red flag warning from noon until 10 pm, with wind gusts up to 35 mph. Possible alignment of winds and topography may push to management action points established in Jake Gulch drainage and Alturas Lake Creek drainages as a low-pressure system moves over the area. Cooler and wetter weather could be on the way.

Elk and antelope bow hunting has opened. None of the closed area, roads or trails have been opened, and for public and fire fighter safety please adhere to all closures and restrictions.

Total Fire Resources Assigned

·        149 personnel, 3 crews, 6 helicopters, 2 type 1 air tankers, 2 seats, 1 engine, 2 water tenders

 

Web: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7834/          Air quality: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

 

     Closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices

 September 09, 2021

Jakes Gulch Daily Update

Fire Information: (208) 312-1697 daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Email: ryan_berlin@firenet.gov

Sawtooth National Forest Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest/

 10% Contained          376 Acres          23 Miles south of Stanley, ID           Burning in grass, brush,
                                                                                                                       ponderosa pine & Douglas-fir 

Fire Behavior

Jakes Gulch Fire is currently being managed by a local Sawtooth National Forest Type 3 Incident Management Team, Ryder Bennett, IC.

The fire continues to back down towards Alturas Lake Creek Trail 034, being carried by heavy dead and down fuel.

Boise and Black Mesa Hotshots continue to improve Alturas Creek Trail 034, while smokejumpers are working the ridgetop and the northern perimeter. Bucket drops were used to aid the ground efforts. Fire personnel continue to look at contingency options including improving roads, trails and natural barriers. A structure group is accessing structures as a precautionary measure.

Bow hunting for elk and antelope is open and for public and fire fighter safety please adhere to all closures and restrictions.

A virtual community meeting is scheduled for 4 pm tomorrow, September 10.  If you would like to attend, please email me at d50harve@blm.gov, by 6 pm today.

Total Fire Resources Assigned

·        135 personnel, 3 crews, 5 helicopters, 2 seats, 1 engine, 2 water tenders,

 

Web: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7834/          Air quality: https://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/home/map

 

     Closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices

 Sand Lake  Fire Closure Order 2021-D3-040 effective 10.08.2021
See description and map under photos 

 ANNOUNCEMENTS: A Type 3 team took control of the fires on Friday, October 8 at 6:00 a.m. with Paul Diaz as Incident Commander. These updates will now be written every other day.

TRAIL CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 62,013 acres | 75% complete:  The Trail Creek Fire will quiet down, with less smoke and fire activity as a cold front moves into the area on Sunday and Monday. There may be some lingering smoke visible as the fire continues to lose heat with longer nights, shorter burn periods, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity’s  Suppression repair and clean up along Hwy 43 should be completed today.  Water bars are being installed and clipper and dozer lines are being rehabbed. A winter storm warning is predicted for Sunday thru Tuesday with significant moisture.  Equipment will be pulled down from the fires ahead of the storm. With the predicted approaching storm, equipment and personnel that are no longer needed with be demobbed over the next few days.   ALDER CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 36,968 acres | 55% complete: Smoke may linger on the Alder Creek Fire in the Christiansen Creek drainage as it flanks the old Pattengail burn scar. However, there shouldn’t be active burning over next several days. Crews continue to do suppression repair around the northwest and southwest sides of the Sawlog area and spots to the north. Suppression repair work is complete on the northeast perimeter.   SAND LAKE FIRE | Start Date: September 1, 2021 | Cause: Unknown | 228 acres: The Sand Lake Fire continues to be monitored. Sand Lake Fire has a new closure (Order number 2021-D3-40) effective October 7, 2021.  Please check the new closure before entering the area.    WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: A cooling trend will continue through Saturday. High pressure regains control through Sunday with largely dry conditions prevailing, however, another storm system will quickly begin to move into the area by on Sunday night.   A cold front associated with the storm system will begin to approach the area late Sunday, causing an uptick in southwesterly winds prior to its arrival. Much cooler temperatures and a chance of accumulating snow will develop Monday and Tuesday.   EVACUATIONS & SAFETY:  The Lemhi County Sheriff and Beaverhead County Sheriff have lifted all stages of evacuations for Gibbonsville, Idaho and the Alder Creek Fire area. U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are open. Please be careful of fire crews working in these areas. Hunters watch for fire personnel as there may be firefighters working outside the closure areas. Please obey all closure signs. Law enforcement is patrolling the closure areas. FIRE CLOSURES ARE CHANGING. BE SURE TO CHECK THE NEWEST CLOSURES FOR THE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS: ·         The Big Hole National Battlefield visitor center is OPEN. ·         Gibbonsville Road is closed at FS Road 944 (Big Moosehorn Creek Road) coming from the east, all the way to Dahlonega. Big Hole Pass is also closed. ·         Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed.  ·         May Creek Campground is closed.  Steel Creek campground and trailhead are OPEN. ·         New closure orders have been put in place for the fires opening several areas. ·         Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest (www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices), the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices), and the Bureau of Land Management.   FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Public lands in southwest Montana and central Idaho are in varying stages of fire restrictions. Check www.mtfireinfo.org and www.idahofireinfo.com for the latest information.

  

ALDER CREEK/CHRISTENSEN, TRAIL CREEK & SAND LAKE FIRES

OCTOBER 7, 2021

 

Public Information Line: 406-624-9452 (8 am to 8 pm) | Email: 2021.AlderCreek@firenet.gov

Facebook: @AlderCreekandTrailCreekFires

Alder Creek: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7641/  | Trail Creek: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7634/

Sand Lake: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7833/

Total Personnel: 329

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The current Northern Rockies Type 2 team will transition to a Type 3 team on Friday, October 8 at 6:00 a.m. with Paul Diaz Incident Commander. These daily updates will now be written every other day, with the next one on Saturday, October 9.

TRAIL CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 62,013 acres | 69% complete: Overall, the Trail Creek Fire is quieting down, with less smoke and fire activity. Suppression repair continues around all sides of the fire. Smoke in May Creek has decreased with slow, log-to-log burning occurring. Fire activity in Nez Perce Creek and Nugget Creek has also diminished with less visible smoke on Wednesday. The fire will continue to lose heat with longer nights, shorter burn periods, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity’s.

ALDER CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 36,968 acres | 48% complete: The most smoke on the Alder Creek Fire Wednesday was in the Christiansen Creek drainage as it flanked the old Pattengail burn scar. However, there wasn’t much active burning. Tucker Creek is holding, as well as the spot picked up in Sawlog Creek on Tuesday. Crews continue to monitor Calvert Creek and do suppression repair around the northwest and southwest sides of the Sawlog area. Suppression repair work is complete on the northeast perimeter.

SAND LAKE FIRE | Start Date: September 1, 2021 | Cause: Unknown | 228 acres: The Sand Lake Fire continues to be monitored.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR:  Thursday brings increased cloud cover and chance of showers, although these storms are unlikely to bring any significant wetting rain over the fire areas. Temperatures will be in the mid-40’s to mid-50’s, with humidity’s 40-50 percent, and winds 6-11 mph with 15-20 mph gusts. With the change in weather, active fire is not expected today. However, fuel is critically dry so large fuels will continue to burn out.

EVACUATIONS & SAFETY:  The Lemhi County Sheriff lifted all stages of evacuations for Gibbonsville, Idaho and the Beaverhead County Sheriff lifted all stages of evacuations in the Alder Creek Fire area. U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are open. Please be careful of fire crews working in these areas. Hunters, watch for fire personnel as there may be firefighters designated as lookouts working outside the closure areas. Don’t mistake them for the game you are hunting! Please obey all closure signs. Law enforcement is patrolling the closure areas.

CLOSURES:

• The Big Hole National Battlefield visitor center has reopened. The lower parking lot, trails, and picnic area remain closed for public safety and resource protection.
• Gibbonsville Road is closed at FS Road 944 (Big Moosehorn Creek Road) coming from the east, all the way to Dahlonega. Big Hole Pass is also closed.
• Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. 
• May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed.
• The BLM modified its closure order, and the East Bank Campground is now OPEN (See order on Inciweb).
• Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest (www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices), the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices), and the Bureau of Land Management.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Public lands in southwest Montana and central Idaho are in varying stages of fire restrictions. Check www.mtfireinfo.org and www.idahofireinfo.com for the latest information. 

ALDER CREEK/CHRISTENSEN, TRAIL CREEK & SAND LAKE FIRES
 

OCTOBER 6, 2021

 

Public Information Line: 406-624-9452 (8 am to 8 pm) | Email: 2021.AlderCreek@firenet.gov

Facebook: @AlderCreekandTrailCreekFires

Alder Creek: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7641/  | Trail Creek: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7634/

Sand Lake: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7833/

Total Personnel: 357

ANNOUNCEMENTS: The current Northern Rockies Type 2 team will begin transitioning to a local Type 3 team over the next few days. The new team will shadow on Thursday and take control of the fire on Friday at 6:00 a.m. Hunters, please watch for fire personnel. There may be firefighters designated as lookouts working outside the closure areas. Don’t mistake them for the game you are hunting! Please obey all closure signs. Law enforcement is patrolling the closure areas.

TRAIL CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 61,992 acres | 69% complete: Overall, the Trail Creek Fire is quieting down, with less smoke and fire activity. May Creek continues to burn out, and fire in Smithy Creek is burning back into itself. Helicopters continue with water drops at the head of Nugget Creek to slowly bring it into the creek bottom. Longer nights and shorter burn periods are helping keep the fire in check. Crews continue to monitor the Morgan Jones Lake area and Nez Perce Creek. Suppression repair continues around all sides of the fire.

ALDER CREEK FIRE | Start Date: July 8, 2021 | Cause: Lightning | 36,968 acres | 45% complete: On Tuesday, firefighters worked on a 10-acre slop over in the head of Sawlog Creek. They were able to get in and anchor it, utilizing helicopter support to keep the fire in check. Firefighters have a good handle on it and conditions are favorable today. Some heat remains in Tucker Creek, but crews are using helicopter water drops to keep the humidity’s up until the weather changes. Crews are monitoring Calvert Creek and doing suppression repair around the northwest and southwest sides of the Sawlog area. Suppression repair work is complete on the northeast perimeter. On the southern perimeter, little smoke was observed yesterday and is looking good.

SAND LAKE FIRE | Start Date: September 1, 2021 | Cause: Unknown | 228 acres: Fire growth and activity on the Sand Lake Fire has been minimal and is being monitored by air. Despite the critical fire weather conditions Monday and Tuesday, no activity was observed.

WEATHER/FIRE BEHAVIOR: Another breezy day is in store, with humidity values on the rise. Temperatures will be in the mid-50’s to 60’s, with humidity’s in the upper-20’s to 30’s, and winds 7-13 mph with 20-25 mph gusts. Fire activity should be low. An unsettled weather pattern and cold front will move in starting this afternoon, and some precipitation is expected over the next several days.

EVACUATIONS & SAFETY:  The Lemhi County Sheriff has lifted all stages of evacuations for Gibbonsville, Idaho. The Beaverhead County Sheriff has lifted all stages of evacuations in the Alder Creek Fire area. U.S. Route 93, Highway 43 (Chief Joseph Pass to Wise River), and the Pioneer Scenic Byway are open to through traffic. Please be careful of fire crews working in these areas.

  CLOSURES:

• The Big Hole National Battlefield visitor center has reopened. The lower parking lot, trails, and picnic area remain closed for public safety and resource protection.
• Gibbonsville Road is closed at FS Road 944 (Big Moosehorn Creek Road) coming from the east, all the way to Dahlonega. Big Hole Pass is also closed.
• Portions of the Continental Divide Trail remain closed. 
• May Creek Campground and Steel Creek Campground are closed.
• Closure orders remain in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest (www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices), the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices), and the Bureau of Land Management.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Public lands in southwest Montana and central Idaho are in varying stages of fire restrictions. Check www.mtfireinfo.org and www.idahofireinfo.com for the latest information.