Fire activity increases on Shoe Fly Fire, firefighters remain relentlessly engaged 

MITCHELL, Ore. – Hot temperatures and low relative humidity prompted a more active day on the Shoe Fly Fire. Fire behavior naturally increased in these conditions, creating challenges for firefighters throughout the day. 

This is prompting new Level 1 and 2 evacuation notices on the north, east and west side of the fire, including the north side of Highway 26 in Mitchell, which is now in a Level 1, Be Ready zone. The majority of Mitchell, on the south side of Highway 26, is not currently in an evacuation zone. 

Evacuation notices for residents around the fire will 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

On the southwest side of the fire, resources remained engaged in the Flock and Keyes Mountains area. With southeast and northeast winds, the fire activity pushed forward toward Peggy Butte. Resources responded aggressively and have been surging in this area. Tonight, cooler temperatures should help to moderate fire behavior, which many allow for opportunities for firefighters to build line directly against the fires edge in an effort to tie this section of the fire back into existing lines. 

On the east side, fire activity also increased today, with small pushes made near Waterman Road and on the northeast corner. Firefighters have been dedicated to these areas and are making good progress at building new containment lines.

Two task forces of structural firefighters from the Oregon State Fire Marshal, working under the Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief, remain in the area to provide structure protection.

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.

Fire activity increases on Shoe Fly Fire, firefighters remain relentlessly engaged 

MITCHELL, Ore. – Hot temperatures and low relative humidity prompted a more active day on the Shoe Fly Fire. Fire behavior naturally increased in these conditions, creating challenges for firefighters throughout the day. 

This is prompting new Level 1 and 2 evacuation notices on the north, east and west side of the fire, including the north side of Highway 26 in Mitchell, which is now in a Level 1, Be Ready zone. The majority of Mitchell, on the south side of Highway 26, is not currently in an evacuation zone. 

Evacuation notices for residents around the fire will 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

On the southwest side of the fire, resources remained engaged in the Flock and Keyes Mountains area. With southeast and northeast winds, the fire activity pushed forward toward Peggy Butte. Resources responded aggressively and have been surging in this area. Tonight, cooler temperatures should help to moderate fire behavior, which many allow for opportunities for firefighters to build line directly against the fires edge in an effort to tie this section of the fire back into existing lines. 

On the east side, fire activity also increased today, with small pushes made near Waterman Road and on the northeast corner. Firefighters have been dedicated to these areas and are making good progress at building new containment lines.

Two task forces of structural firefighters from the Oregon State Fire Marshal, working under the Wheeler County Fire Defense Board Chief, remain in the area to provide structure protection.

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.

Wyoming Department of Transportation maintenance crew workers will reopen U.S. Highway 26/287 over Togwotee Pass Friday at 7 a.m.

Motorists will be led through the area, west of Dubois, where the Fish Creek Fire has been most active near the highway, according to WYDOT area maintenance supervisor Mike Hitshew.

"WYDOT's Dubois maintenance crew will be piloting traffic through the fire between milepost 26 and milepost 29.8 tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.," Hitshew said. "This area is near the Fremont-Teton county line."

Hitshew said WYDOT will look for traffic hazards, due to the fire, throughout the day.

"If it's clear Friday evening and Saturday evening, the road will stay open for the weekend," Hitshew said.

The lightning-caused Fish Creek Fire is located southwest of Togwotee Pass. It has grown to nearly 19,000 acres. Fire personnel said Friday the fire is 59 percent complete. Currently, 449 personnel are working on the fire, including eight hand crews, 14 engines, one dozer, 18 pieces of heavy equipment, and five helicopters.

The Broom Canyon Fire has grown to 7,975 acres and continues to burn in steep, rugged, and inaccessible terrain above 7,000 feet on Currant Mountain located in the Currant Mountain Wilderness approximately nine miles east of Duckwater or 60 miles southwest of Ely, Nevada. The Ely Ranger District is managing the fire under a confine and contain strategy. Even though the fire remains active it is still well within its planning area. Firefighters have almost completed the contingency lines around the fire should the fire move west and/or outside the wilderness and planning area boundaries.

Predicted afternoon winds continue to increase the Broom Canyon Fire behavior resulting in a highly visible large column of smoke. The fire, which is burning in white fir, pinyon pine and juniper, keeps spreading to the north as well as spotting to the east. Additionally, there are interior pockets of unburnt vegetation that continue to burn in the southern part of the fire with no threat of it moving more to the south or west at this time. Similar fire behavior is anticipated over the next three days.

Smoke and fire activity will likely be seen into September and October until the first snow hits the mountain. For updates on air quality, visit: www.fire.airnow.gov.

Ely Ranger District (Sept. 5, 2024, at 2 p.m.)

• Acres: 7,975
• Location: Currant Mountain in the Currant Mountain Wilderness
• Start Date: July 29, 2024
• Cause: Lightning
• Containment: 15%
• Personnel: 98

Fire Information: 

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nvhtf-broom-canyon-fire 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF #BroomCanyonFire
• X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/HumboldtToiyabe #BroomCanyonFire
   

The Alexander Mountain Fire Area Closure has been lifted as of 5 p.m. on the 5th of September, 2024.

For a complete list of all Forest Closures and Alerts, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/arp/alerts-notices

Chiloquin, Ore. – Yesterday and last night, fire crews expanded the cold black perimeter of the fire, extending hose lines and cooling hot spots along the fire line to achieve 26% containment. Most of the fire growth was due unburnt pockets consuming fuels within the fire lines to assist in containment. Hot spots putting up smoke are still visible within the footprint of the fire, which is being addressed by aircraft water drops as well as crews working further into the main fire.  The goal for containment is 100’ feet around the perimeter.

Today the focus will be on preparing for a change in weather. Later this afternoon there will be an increase in SE winds, low humidity, and higher temperatures, which will increase the risk of spot fires. Task forces will continue supporting structure protection and mop up in wildland sections of the fire. The wildland crews will continue to strengthen the western perimeter of the fire to hold the present footprint.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) will be demobilizing two task forces today from Washington and Lane Counties to return to their local fire departments. Today will also be the last full shift for OSFM; the remaining task forces and OSFM Incident Management Team members will return to their home agencies on Friday. ODF Team 3 will remain in command of the fire. Hundreds of wildland resources, along with local resources, will continue mop-up operations, containment efforts, and structure protection.

Evacuation levels will continue to change with the increase of the fire containment. Evacuation levels are determined by the Klamath County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with fire officials and agency administrators. Current evacuation areas and levels can be found at https://www.klamathcounty.org/300/Emergency-Management. 

Headlines

• Fire information phone: (707) 572-4860 or email at 2024.Boise@firenet.gov
• Get all your Boise Fire information in one mobile-friendly place! https://linktr.ee/2024boisefiresrf 
• Evacuations are in place for residents near the fire area in Humboldt County. For the most current evacuation information please visit the Boise Fire linktree  or visit--
• Humboldt County: https://humboldtgov.org/356/Office-of-Emergency-Services
• Siskiyou County: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices 

Operational Update: Suppression resources continue to make progress on the eastern edge of the fire increasing containment. Crews are cooperating with cultural and resource advisors on suppression repair tactics to return the forest to its natural habitat. The highway through Forks of Salmon will see little to no fire traffic to limit driving exposure in difficult terrain, providing for public and firefighter safety. Snagging operations continue in and around the fire area to provide a safe route of travel for fire resources. Along the western edge of the fire, resources continue to mop up and monitor the fires edge. Hazardous fuels reduction and chipping operations will continue. Aircraft assets remain available for water dropping and cargo missions. Firefighter safety remains top priority considering steep terrain. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: The trend of elevated temperatures and decreased RH’s will continue Thursday. Temperatures will be in the high 80’s to low 90’s with RH’s ranging from 15-20%. Winds will be light and variable from the west to north-west at 5-9 mph with gusts to 12 mph. The drying trend will continue to increase fire activity within the fire perimeter but no significant spread is to be expected.

Incident Commander: Jamie Tyson

Location: 16 miles northwest of Philipsburg, MT

Start Date: 8/26/2024

Cause: Undetermined

Size: estimated at 130 acres

Resources on Site: 1 crew; 2 engines; miscellaneous heavy equipment

Total Personnel: 24

The McDermott Fire, located in the Upper Willow Creek area, is burning in an inaccessible area containing a large concentration of standing dead trees (“snags”) that pose challenges to ensuring firefighter safety and in responding to potential medical emergencies.

Fire managers from the Forest, working in collaboration with local county officials and cooperating agency representatives, have identified and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. The closest values are located three miles to the east of the fire’s location.

Helicopters dropped water on the fire during the initial attack phase, but high winds and the inaccessibility of the fire location resulted in fire growth. Additionally, drift smoke from other large fires to the west and south resulted in the inability to fly additional helicopters for air operations in subsequent days.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS:

Helicopters will continue to support ground crews with water bucket drops on the east flank to cool hot spots and prevent fire progression. The crew will continue to construct handline on the fire, east of the Black Pine Trail.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Gusty outflow winds associated with passing thunderstorms materialized over the fire area days ago, with little to no measurable precipitation. Temperatures are expected to continue in the mid to upper 80s for at least the next week.

Fire behavior initially was active, with spotting and group torching and a moderate rate of spread. The fire showed little to no movement and was burning internal pockets of timber in the McDermott Ridge area. Small plumes of smoke from group torching of trees on the northern flank near McDermott Gulch were visible today.

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.

Size: 3,327
Start Date & Time: Sept. 2, 2024, 1400
Containment: 0%
Cause: Under investigation
Resources:  465
Location: South of Sierra Brooks off Bear Valley Rd., Tahoe National Forest 

CURRENT SITUATION

Our main goal on the Bear Fire is to protect the public with care and dedication. We're committed to ensuring the safety of both you and our firefighters while managing the fire to safeguard your forests, communities, and natural areas. 

Yesterday, improved weather conditions allowed our fire crews to set up anchor points in areas where the terrain and fuel conditions were favorable. This enabled them to go direct when safe, with continuous support from aviation throughout the day.

Crews successfully contained the fire at Bear Valley Road and used this position to build a direct line to Turner Canyon Road. Crews worked diligently around the Smithneck Creek State Wildlife Area, establishing a direct line south to the Calvin Powers Memorial Grove. South of the Memorial Grove, crews utilized a dozer line to continue going direct and establish line.

Overnight, crews focused on improving the direct lines and hose setups made during the day. Aircraft continued to assist with water drops throughout the evening.

Today, our efforts will be on strengthening the existing lines and creating new ones to reduce the fire’s impact on local communities. We are also beginning the mopping-up process, which involves extinguishing any remaining hot spots near control lines, removing dangerous burned trees, and handling logs to prevent them from rolling and causing additional fires or smoke.

WEATHER

High pressure will prevail through Today with a general light east-southeast flow and very dry conditions. Poor recoveries on midslopes and ridges. Temperatures will continue to warm with afternoon readings 5-8 degrees above average by today and tomorrow. A pattern change will bring a 15-20% chance of thunderstorms Friday, followed by increasing southwest winds this weekend into next week. 

EVACUATIONS

Sierra County: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search. For updated information with evacuations, visit: http://sierracounty.ca.gov/853/Bear-Fire-2024.

FOREST CLOSURE

A forest closure has been issued. For more information visit the Tahoe National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tahoe/alerts-notices.