Williams Mine Fire Update for Saturday, September 7, 2024 

The Red Flag Warning has been extended for the Williams Mine Fire area. This warning will remain in effect until 8:00 p.m. today. The warning was issued due to continued low relative humidity and unstable atmospheric conditions which may lead to rapid fire growth. There is also a Heat Advisory through 9:00 p.m. today.

A smoky haze has hung over the fire vicinity since Thursday. Much of this is from other fires burning in the western states. The haze has provided some “smoke shading” which lowered temperatures on the fire and reduced fire activity. When the smoke began to clear Friday afternoon, the fire burned more intensely. Scattered pockets of residual fuels continue to burn on the interior of the fire. Firefighters are monitoring these areas, but focusing their work on areas with the highest potential to threaten containment lines.

The area of greatest concern is in the Morrison Creek drainage west to northwest of the South Climb trailhead, within the Mt. Adams Wilderness. The fire is burning on the lower part of a slope and has the potential to make an uphill run to the east. This could send sparks past the South Climb Trail, which has been prepped for use as a control line. 

Fire managers looked at having firefighters directly attack this hot area, but determined it would be unsafe to do so. This is an extensive snag patch, with many unstable dead trees. There is no safe access to this part of the fire and heavy equipment cannot be used in the Wilderness. Wind, fire, and helicopter water drops are causing trees to topple without warning. There are no safety zones for firefighters in case the fire makes a run. To keep the fire in check, helicopters are being used to drop water. Some aerial operations are being hampered by dense smoke.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures fine particulate matter 2.5 microns or less in diameter. PM2.5 is associated with the greatest proportion of adverse health effects related to air pollution from wildfire smoke. The AQI reached the “Unhealthy” level yesterday morning in Trout Lake. Anyone with lung problems should limit exposure to outdoor air when it is smoky. For more information, please see AirNow.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Tract D Recreation Area is currently closed, please see Yakama Tract D Road Closure for more information. FS Rd 23 south of FS Rd 90 is still CLOSED to the public due to fire suppression activity. Takhlakh Lake is still closed. The revised closure for the Mt. Adams Wilderness and FS Rd 23 closure can be found at Williams Mine Fire: Area and Road Closure. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the PCT's intersection with FS Rd 23 to Potato Hill. The current area closure spans the entire Mt. Adams Wilderness.

Headlines

• The Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests assumed command of their respective sides of the Boise Fire effective at 7 p.m. Friday September 6, 2024.
• For Fire Information please call the Supervisor’s Offices for either national forest
  • Six Rivers National Forest: (707) 442-1721
  • Klamath National Forest: (530) 842-6131 
• For all evacuation information please visit the following links:
  • Humboldt County: https://humboldtgov.org/356/Office-of-Emergency-Services
  • Siskiyou County: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices
• This will be the final written update for the Boise Fire unless significant activity occurs

Operational Update: Suppression repair operations continue on the western portion of the fire under the advisement of cultural and resource advisors to reduce potential impacts to cultural and natural resources. All suppression repair operations on the eastern side of the fire are complete. Snagging and chipping operations will continue in and around the fire area. The entire fire area will continue to be monitored for growth. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: The region will see a slight cooling trend with temperatures in the mid to high 80’s. RH’s will be in the mid 20’s to high 30’s, and winds will be light and variable out of the south. Fuel moistures continue to recover but will support creeping surface fire. No significant spread is expected.

Northern Rockies Team 2, Incident Commander Scott Shuster

Location:  7 miles SW of Togwotee Pass

Start Date: Friday, August 16, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Size: 19,952 acres

Percent complete:  69%

Resources: 427 Total Personnel: 8 Hand Crews; 21 Engines; 1 Dozer; 17 Heavy Equipment; 4 Helicopters 

KEY MESSAGES:
As of this morning, the Northern Rockies Team 2 has taken over operations on this incident and welcomes the opportunity to serve the public, residents, and visitors of this area.

U.S. Highway 26/287 will remain open this weekend, but motorists will continue to be escorted by a pilot vehicle from MM 26 to MM 29.8 (an area between Moran and Dubois) during the hours 7:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. Motorists are asked to drive slowly and proceed with caution through this area due to fire vehicles, firefighters and the potential of smoke which could limit visibility around the roadway. Please do not stop your vehicles in this area.

CURRENT STATUS:
Fire crews continue to patrol for spot fires along Highway 26 and in the areas north and east of the highway, where there is the highest potential for additional spot fires.  Through a combination of firefighters and helicopter water bucket drop support, all detected spot fires have been controlled.

Identified values at risk continue to be the Highway 26 corridor, and the areas of Brooks Lake, Pinnacle and Breccia Drives. The northeast corner of the fire continues to remain an operational priority of the suppression resources to protect the identified critical values at risk. Structure protection crews will patrol the Brooks Lake Lodge and Pinnacle areas and test the pumps, hose, and sprinklers to ensure their readiness, if needed.

Night operations are expected to continue for the next few days, monitoring any fire activity, patrolling for spot fires, and being ready to respond overnight if the fire threatens any of the critical values at risk.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: 
The warming trend will continue through today with temperatures increasing and relative humidity decreasing. Winds will continue to be from the west, with occasional stronger gusts. 

As fuels dry out, there will be a predicted increase in fire behavior including the potential for torching and spotting, especially on the northeast portion of the fire. Spotting distances have been observed up to 1 mile. 

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE:
Air quality, smoke conditions and forecasts can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/.

Closures and Evacuations:
A joint Closure Order for the fire area has been issued by the Bridger-Teton and Shoshone National Forests for public and firefighter safety. Please do not enter the closure area or use the Forest Roads that are closed. The Fish Creek Area, Roads, and Trails Closure Order (map) has been established for public and firefighter safety in the fire area. Full details can also be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/btnf/alerts-notices.

Fremont County: Brooks Lake, Pinnacle Drive and Breccia Drive areas are currently under a Level 3 Evacuation notice. A Level 3 Evacuation means “Go” to evacuate. Residents must evacuate immediately. See the alert notice on the Fremont County Fire Protection District Facebook page. 

Teton County: The Teton County Division of Emergency Management utilizes a Ready, Set, Go www.tetoncountywy.gov/1846/Ready-Set-GO system for evacuation messaging. All residents should be in the Ready status by preparing for evacuations and becoming fire adapted.

US HWY 26/287 continues to experience smoke and sometimes limited visibility. Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) is working closely with Fremont County Emergency Management and fire officials for the safety of motorists and firefighters. Drivers are encouraged to visit https://www.wyoroad.info/ prior to traveling on US HWY 26/287 for road status and information, or download the Wyoming 511 app at https://www.wyoroad.info/511/WY511Mobile.html to monitor for any changes due to fire activity.

Ruby Fire Quick Facts

Size: 1216 acres                         Location: North Cascades National Park, Ruby Mountain, Diablo, Washington

Containment: 0%                        Cause: Lightning/Natural

Start Date: August 9, 2024         Total Personnel: 54

Fire Information: 360-208-8096 

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

Current Status: Another day of hot, dry weather in the North Cascades led to continued active fire behavior and smoke on Friday. The Ruby Fire continued to burn upslope on Ruby Mountain, primarily above Panther Creek. A Washington DNR helicopter worked the fire for a second day, strategically dropping water on hot spots to slow fire spread. Fire crews are positioned and prepared to defend Colonial Creek South Campground and other infrastructure if the fire encroaches. For safety, drivers should please not stop along State Route 20 (SR20) to watch firefighting operations, avoid walking onto the bridge at Diablo Lake, and avoid the closure area at Colonial Creek South Campground and the south arm of Diablo Lake.

Planned Actions: Firefighters remain vigilant, using tactics to confront hot, dry and unstable weather, including calling in aircraft for water drops to cool hot spots. A focus of fire crews is protection of park campgrounds like Colonial Creek South, critical infrastructure, SR20, trails, backcountry camps and other resources 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 firefighters and the public. Primary objectives are protecting human life, infrastructure and park values by limiting wildfire spread to the north and west.

Weather: The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT SATURDAY. Upper-level ridging is contributing to warm and dry weather across the incident area. Elevated to critical fire conditions are expected Saturday with relative humidity as low as 15 to 25% in concert with an unstable airmass. Conditions are expected to improve however, as a moister onshore flow returns on Sunday. 

Closures: There are multiple closures in place for public safety; Colonial Creek South Campground and boat launch, Thunder Arm south of Diablo Lake, Happy Creek Trail, and area trails and camps. See all closures: https://go.nps.gov/fireclosures

Smoke: Air quality is forecast to be MODERATE on Saturday and Sunday. Forecast at https://www.airnow.gov

Burning Restrictions: Campfires, the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex: North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. 

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 our daily updates, please send an email to: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov  Thank you.

Northern Rockies Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens

Location: Three miles west of Stevensville, Montana in Ravalli County

Start Date: 8/23/2024

Cause: Lightning  

Size:   3,000 Acres

Completion/Containment: 32 percent

Resources assigned: 631 people

Key messages

A community meeting will be held today at 3 pm at Stevensville High School. It will be broadcast live on the Discover Bitterroot National Forest Facebook page. An update on the Daly, Railroad, and Johnson fires will be given at the end.

The fire's most intense heat is on the western flank, where it's advancing slowly into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Due to yesterday's hotter, drier weather and terrain alignment, the fire generated significant smoke as it burned in the head of Sharrott Creek.

Current Status

On the northern side, rappelers finished work on the large spot northwest of the fire. All the spots on the map on that side are now considered contained. Due to lots of duff, firefighters continue to mop up and secure the head of the Larson Creek Drainage. Control lines on the east perimeter are complete and reflected on the fire map as a black edge. Firefighters will continue to patrol that line. 

On the south, crews continue to use water handling equipment to cool hot spots from the St. Mary’s Trailhead to the southeastern fire edge. Fire managers remain optimistic about limiting the fire spread south. On the southwestern edge, a rappel module remains, digging handline to tie together natural control features near the St. Mary’s Trail. 

Structure protection crews are still backhauling sprinkler system equipment from the northern neighborhoods. They also have initial attack responsibilities. Fire managers began downsizing the night shift, but some resources will remain to continue night patrol. During the day, helicopters continue to support ground operations with water drops as needed.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Hot and dry conditions will reach their peak today and tomorrow with sunny skies, temperatures in the 80s and humidity’s in the teens in the afternoon. Expect increased fire activity and smoke production, especially on the west side.

SMOKE

For the current smoke reports, visit https://www.airnow.gov/   

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES 

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has reduced evacuation orders for neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Sharrott Creek Fire to evacuation warnings. Download the Ravalli Co. Sheriff’s Office app for information or call 406-375-6650. The Bitterroot NF has an area closure from North Fork Sweeney Creek to Sweathouse Creek. See https://tinyurl.com/Sharrottclosurefor the order and map. There are temporary flight restrictions (TFR) over the fire area west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek. 

National Forest System (NFS) Road 474 is now OPEN from the Boise National Forest boundary to Warm Lake. This alternate route provides travelers a nearly six-hour drive from McCall to Warm Lake, requiring them to take the Lick Creek Road along Lick Creek and the Secesh River to its confluence at the South Fork Salmon River, then south along NFS Road 474 along the South Fork Salmon River until it finally hits Warm Lake Road.

Travellers should check for fire and closure updates from the Boise National Forest and from the West Mountain Fires Facebook page. 

Area Closures related to the Dollar and Snag Fires remain unchanged. Warm Lake Highway remains closed from Horsethief Road eastward to Johnson Creek Road.

Red Flag Warning signals hot, dry and windy conditions, firefighters continue to hold lines

MITCHELL, Ore. – Resources assigned to the Shoe Fly Fire faced another challenging day on the line. Hot temperatures and low relative humidity were present once again, naturally increasing fire behavior. Firefighters continued to work on corralling the southwest portion of the fire, which has been the most active area for the past couple of shifts. New lines were added today, which will be tested with incoming windy weather. Tonight, firefighters will continue to work on connecting new lines with existing ones around the main body of the fire. 

Across the rest of the incident, progress continues to be made. The northeast corner is another active area where spot fires have been observed in the last 48 hours. Firefighters worked today to line and mop up these areas. 

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through Saturday night at 7 p.m. for hot, dry and unstable conditions across the fire area. A slight chance of thunderstorms is also in the forecast, which may bring cooler temperatures, minimal rain showers and windy conditions. These conditions may allow for opportunities to make progress across the fire, and firefighters will be looking to take advantage if favorable conditions allow. 

Command of the Two Cabin Fire has been transferred to Oregon Department of Forestry Team 2, Incident Commander Howard, as of 6 p.m. Friday night as one of four fires in the Fossil Complex. ODF Team 1 continued to support firefighters on this incident prior to the transfer, and all lines were held and strengthened throughout the day. Future updates will be available on the Fossil Complex Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire. 

Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act today, which enabled the Oregon State Fire Marshal to send an Incident Management Team to the neighboring Rail Ridge Fire and an additional task force to the Shoe Fly Fire to provide structural protection. This task force will bring the total to three on this incident; they have been working under the Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief and are now integrated with ODF Team 1. The new task force will be working night shift tonight, and the two task forces that have been on the fire will continue to work day shifts. 

Late Thursday, the Wheeler County Sheriff changed evacuation levels around the fire to provide for public safety. Evacuation notices for residents around the fire continue to be evaluated by the Wheeler County Sheriff, Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief, and Team 1 Operations personnel. More information on current evacuations is available at https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info

While there are no current road closures due to the Shoe Fly or Two Cabin fires, other fires nearby may be impacting travel. Check https://tripcheck.com/ for current closures and potential delays.

Red Flag Warning signals hot, dry and windy conditions, firefighters continue to hold lines

MITCHELL, Ore. – Resources assigned to the Shoe Fly Fire faced another challenging day on the line. Hot temperatures and low relative humidity were present once again, naturally increasing fire behavior. Firefighters continued to work on corralling the southwest portion of the fire, which has been the most active area for the past couple of shifts. New lines were added today, which will be tested with incoming windy weather. Tonight, firefighters will continue to work on connecting new lines with existing ones around the main body of the fire. 

Across the rest of the incident, progress continues to be made. The northeast corner is another active area where spot fires have been observed in the last 48 hours. Firefighters worked today to line and mop up these areas. 

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect through Saturday night at 7 p.m. for hot, dry and unstable conditions across the fire area. A slight chance of thunderstorms is also in the forecast, which may bring cooler temperatures, minimal rain showers and windy conditions. These conditions may allow for opportunities to make progress across the fire, and firefighters will be looking to take advantage if favorable conditions allow. 

Command of the Two Cabin Fire has been transferred to Oregon Department of Forestry Team 2, Incident Commander Howard, as of 6 p.m. Friday night as one of four fires in the Fossil Complex. ODF Team 1 continued to support firefighters on this incident prior to the transfer, and all lines were held and strengthened throughout the day. Future updates will be available on the Fossil Complex Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire. 

Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act today, which enabled the Oregon State Fire Marshal to send an Incident Management Team to the neighboring Rail Ridge Fire and an additional task force to the Shoe Fly Fire to provide structural protection. This task force will bring the total to three on this incident; they have been working under the Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief and are now integrated with ODF Team 1. The new task force will be working night shift tonight, and the two task forces that have been on the fire will continue to work day shifts. 

Late Thursday, the Wheeler County Sheriff changed evacuation levels around the fire to provide for public safety. Evacuation notices for residents around the fire continue to be evaluated by the Wheeler County Sheriff, Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief, and Team 1 Operations personnel. More information on current evacuations is available at https://tinyurl.com/RAPTOR-Evacuation-Info

While there are no current road closures due to the Shoe Fly or Two Cabin fires, other fires nearby may be impacting travel. Check https://tripcheck.com/ for current closures and potential delays.

Incident Commander: Austin Robins 
Location: Southwest of Branham Lakes Campground 
Start Date: 09/05/2024
Cause: Lightning
Size: estimated at 12-15 acres
Resources on Site: 2 Initial Attack Modules 
Total Personnel: 9

The Pedro Mine Fire, located nine miles east of Sheridan in the Mill Creek area, is burning in steep, rocky terrain with little to no access for firefighters. The area contains a large concentration of standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding to potential medical emergencies, jeopardizing the well-being of firefighters and other responders. 
Fire managers from the Forest, working in collaboration with local Madison County officials have identified and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. Firefighting efforts will focus available resources on the protection of structures on private inholdings and active mining claims approximately .1-.7 miles from the fire and the Branham Lakes Campground 1.5 miles from the fire.

Several factors, including firefighter safety, terrain, resource availability, fire behavior, past prescribed fire units and vegetation management projects in the area, threats to public safety and property, and fire season outlook and modeling, inform wildfire management decisions. Fire managers are strategic in their approach and continually reassess conditions and alter management strategies to protect critical values.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
Fire managers were focused on point protection for the cabin closest to the fire and completed fuels reduction around it. They continue to assess the other identified values at risk for protection needs, order the appropriate resources and equipment, and identify timely implementation of the protection measures. Point protection objectives will be accomplished by reducing fuels around the structures and installing sprinkler systems. These actions will only occur if the fire poses an imminent threat to the structures.

Tomorrow’s actions will focus on installation of the sprinkler system around the cabin closest to the fire. Additional planned actions involve mechanically reducing fuels around the other values, monitoring fire activity and subsequent movement, observing and recording weather trends, and furthering a long-term strategy for the fire until a season-ending weather event occurs. An additional four-person Initial Attack module will arrive on the fire tomorrow.

These actions are designed to allow fire personnel to protect the identified values at risk while operating in areas that have much better access and egress to safety.

Agency representatives will be compiling contact information for affected landowners immediately adjacent to the fire area. The Madison Ranger District, Madison County, and Sheridan VFD encourage people to refrain from using the Mill Creek area, allowing fire personnel to operate without congestion on FS RD 111.

A map of the fire will be included as part of this evening update beginning September 7.
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
The fire area is under building high-pressure which will result in warming and drying conditions over the next week. Temperatures will get into the mid-70s, and winds are forecasted to be 5-10 mph, gusting to 15 mph for the next two days. Thunderstorms are forecasted for Monday and Tuesday, which could bring gusty and erratic winds from outflows. A low-pressure system will come through towards the end of next week, and conditions are forecasted to return to a cooler, more fall-like weather pattern.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device.