Incident Commander: Matt Racicot, Noah Criner (T)

Location: 15 miles north/northwest of Whitehall, MT

Start Date: 8/18/2024

Cause: Lightning

Size: 1,158 acres

Resources on Site: 4 crews; 1 engine

Total Personnel: 74

The northern, eastern, and southern edges of the fire are currently where fire managers want them, preventing forward progression of the fire toward critical values at risk. Recent strategic firing operations have been successful at protecting these values identified by local Jefferson County officials and cooperating agency representatives, by keeping the fire on Forest Service land west of the Hay Canyon Road and north of Little Whitetail Creek.

The fire, located between Ratio Mountain and Whitetail Reservoir, is burning in an area that has recently experienced several large fires. Fire footprints (or previously burned areas) lie to the north (State Creek Fire of 2020), the south (McClusky Fire of 2019), and the west (Placer Fire of 2021) of the fire location.

The entire area, including the previous fire footprints and the area immediately surrounding the Ratio Mountain fire, 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 all responders.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS:

Crews, utilizing hand ignitions with drip torches, completed additional firing operations along the southern section of line on the southeast corner of the fire and moving to the west. Previously hung up in an unnamed drainage on the southwest corner, the fire progressed westerly beyond the drainage. Crews will engage if/when the fire advances further and backs down towards critical values along this southern flank in Little Whitetail Creek. Crews will continue to “mop-up” and extinguish pockets of residual heat, securing and holding the edges where all firing operations have taken place.

The UAS will be utilized to monitor and patrol the more remote portions of the fire via aerial reconnaissance.

Utilizing Unmanned Aircraft System (“drone”) due to the steep, rocky slopes and numerous snags in the fire area, crews successfully implemented strategic firing operations to connect the eastern section of line to the fire footprint from the State Creek Fire of 2020. Crews completed similar strategic firing operations on the eastern side of the fire last week, igniting and burning the fuels along the Hay Canyon Road, working southerly along Pony Creek.

These firing operations have created some depth (reducing fuels available to burn) along the constructed lines.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Passing thunderstorms brought a 60-80% chance of wetting rain last night; however, the fire area did not receive any measurable precipitation. There is a continued threat of thunderstorms this afternoon and evening, with potential for gusty outflow winds, lightning, hail, and brief heavy rain. The extended forecast calls for another warm and dry ridge over the area, starting tomorrow and lasting for the long term.

Gusty outflow winds associated with passing thunderstorms materialized yesterday, resulting in active fire behavior with short crown runs, group torching, and isolated torching. Fire progression to the northeast and east has been mitigated with the successful strategic firing operations; fire movement uphill to the northwest is possible.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:

The Forest has issued an area closure around the fire area, north of Whitehall on the Butte Ranger District. An area closure often involves specific trail and road sections. The area closure information and maps can be found on the Forest website, under the Closures and Alerts tab. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices

This closure applies to the following National Forest System (NFS) lands, approximately 15 miles north of Whitehall.

All National Forest System lands within:

• T3N, R5W, SECTIONS 1, 2, 3

• T4N, R5W SECTION 35

Closures surrounding a fire area are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighting efforts and access.

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.

Williams Mine Fire Update for Tuesday, September 3, 2024 

The Williams Mine Fire continued to spread yesterday in the Mt. Adams Wilderness near Morrison Creek. The fire consumed down logs and other fuels on the ground, with gusty winds pushing the fire to the east. The fire has crossed Morrison Creek, but is west of the South Climb Trail. Scooper airplanes and a “heavy” helicopter dropped water on the fire to slow it’s spread.

A strategic firing operation was conducted to consume fuels around the Morrison Shelter yesterday. This reduced the intensity of the main fire when it reached this area.

The La Grande Interagency Hotshot Crew arrived at the fire, and has been working with the local Cascade Initial Attack crew on preparing the South Climb Trail for use as a control line, if necessary. They are cutting the down logs near the trail and moving the wood away from it. Brush and small trees are also being cut as needed to make the trail a safe place to stop the fire if it continues to spread to the east. Prep work will continue today.

A dozer did some road repairs on the FS Rd 550 to allow dump trucks to access the South Climb trailhead. Piles of limbs, small trees, and other woody debris will be hauled away from this area to be piled in a safe location. 

Overnight, thunderstorms rolled through the area, bringing lightning and some showers. Today fire personnel will be evaluating how the storm affected the fire and fuels. The rain may make fine fuels like grass and brush too wet to burn, but will do little to affect the flammability of down logs and snags. Ground and air resources will be watching for new fires ignited by lightning, and are prepared to take suppression action.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

Most schools, including Trout Lake School, are now back in session. Watch for children and buses along the roads and stop when the STOP signs are extended and lights are flashing. Hunting season is also starting. Watch out for distracted drivers and hunters inside the closure.

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. 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.

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  7 miles SW of Togwotee Pass

Start Date: Friday, August 16, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Size: 15,506 acres

Percent complete:  54%

Resources: 433 Total Personnel: 6 Hand Crews; 20 Engines; 1 Dozer; 16 Heavy Equipment; 5 Helicopters 

KEY MESSAGES:

Late yesterday afternoon the Incident Management Team recommended to the Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) that Highway 26 be temporarily closed due to increased fire activity approaching the highway. WYDOT made the decision to close the highway around 4:00 p.m. for public and firefighter safety. Highway 26 remained closed overnight and is still closed this morning due to active fire behavior near the highway corridor near Togwotee Pass. Currently there is no estimated time for when the highway might reopen.

Fire crews shifted to night operations last night to patrol and implement firing operations west of the highway to slow or stop the fire from jumping to the east side of the highway. “Firing operations” is terminology used to describe the use of fire to burn wildland fuels between a control line and the fire’s flaming front. When successful, the main fire will slow or stop advancing since the fire’s fuel has been removed.

CURRENT STATUS:

Yesterday, continued warm and dry conditions along with some shifting winds resulted in active fire behavior in several locations around the fire. On the west side most of the activity was in Cottonwood Creek and the North Fork of Spread Creek where both backing fire and upslope fire was observed. On the northeast corner of the fire winds were causing fire activity to back or move upwind towards Highway 26. Additional firefighting personnel were moved into the highway corridor and helicopter water bucket drops were actively used to cool down hot spots closest to the highway. Crews initiated hand firing operations overnight off the west side of the highway for approximately a 1.5 mile stretch due to the movement and threat of the fire. Active fire is still well within the defined indirect control lines that have been constructed and strengthened. 

The Deception Road shaded fuels break south of Brooks Lake Lodge is complete and ready to be implemented if necessary. Crews and equipment continued to work on the Flagstaff Road indirect control line. Crews worked on removing the vegetation that had been cut on the Holmes Cave Trail and a segment of the Continental Divide Trail. Structure protection crews tested the pumps, hose and sprinklers and remained on site later into the evening prepared to implement the protection plans for the Brooks Lake Lodge and Pinnacle areas if needed. 

Today, crews will continue to monitor the fire activity along the Highway 26 corridor and potentially continue firing operations working their way to the west along the highway. This would continue to be done to prevent the fire from building heat and spotting across the highway. Helicopter water bucket drops will be used where appropriate to cool down hot spots or along the fire edge. Several of the critical values at risk that have been identified as a part of the confine/point protection strategy are located on or northeast of the highway corridor. Crews and equipment will continue working on improving the Flagstaff Road as an indirect control line. The scouting and planning of confinement features located west of the fire area will continue. Structure protection crews will patrol the Brooks Lake Lodge and Pinnacle areas and test the pumps, hose, and sprinklers to make sure they are ready if needed.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Showers and thunderstorms will be possible all day as a cold front approaches. Any storms that develop will be capable of erratic outflow winds gusting to 30 mph as well as cloud-to-ground lightning. Brief heavy rain is possible if a thunderstorm cell passes directly over the fire. Otherwise expect winds to be a little stronger today.

Predicted cooler temperatures, higher minimum humidity, lower mixed heights, and increased precipitation chances today will moderate fire conditions. However, until wetting rain penetrates the canopy, areas of high intensity fire from yesterday may continue to see active surface fire behavior, single tree and or group torching, along with short range spotting. Stronger southwest winds will also promote growth in areas holding heat. The chance of thunderstorms today brings a chance of dangerous outflow winds over the fire. These can be erratic in nature and cause sudden increased winds in the area.

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 area remain in the Level 2 Evacuation notice. A Level 2 Evacuation means “Be Set” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment's notice. 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.

Size: 1,391 
Start Date & Time: Sept. 2, 2024, 1400
Containment: 0% 
Cause: Under investigation
Location: South of Sierra Brooks off Bear Valley Rd.

CURRENT SITUATION

Fire activity moderated overnight due to cooler temperatures and decreased winds. Yesterday and overnight, crews were able establish anchor points where fuels and terrain would allow and began to lay a combination of hand and dozer line. Today, firefighters will continue to engage in both direct and indirect line and hose lay to suppress and contain the fire as quickly as possible. Due to steep and rocky terrain and limited road access, crews are still working on gaining access to some areas of the fire. In addition to full suppression efforts, significant structure defense resources are working to triage and defend structures in and around Sierra Brooks. Primary and contingency lines will be constructed as necessary in order to protect the community.

Incident control objects are to keep the fire north of Lewis Mill, south of the community of Sierra Brooks, east of Antelope Valley and west of Bald Mountain Range.

Currently 286 structures and 536 residences are currently under mandatory evacuation orders. 760 residences are without power.

EVACUATIONS

The community of Sierra Books remains under a Mandatory Evacuation, and the following zones are under an Evacuation Warning: SIE-E022, SIE-E023, SIE-E027, SIE-E028, and SIE-E029. If additional evacuations become necessary, the Sheriff's Office will issue notifications through Everbridge and Zonehaven – Genesis. Find your zone at https://protect.genasys.com/search.

Actualización Sobre El Incendio Park: Martes, 3 de Septiembre de 2024

Equipo Administrativo De Incidentes Complejos Del Área Suroeste Equipo 2

- John Truett - Comandante Del Incidente 

Tamaño: 429,603 acres

Fecha de Inicio: 24 de Julio de 2024

Contencion: 98%

Personal Total: 606

Recursos: 1 helicóptero, 12 cuadrillas, 9 camiones de bomberos, 8 topadoras, 12 camiones de agua, 3 masticadoras, 16 excavadoras, 2 máquinas para talar árboles, 2 minicargadoras

SITUACIÓN ACTUAL: Continúan los trabajos de reparación de los daños causados ​​por las actividades de extinción de incendios. Una de las razones por las que este trabajo es importante es que protege a las comunidades río abajo y sus instalaciones de tratamiento de agua. Estas instalaciones se contaminan fácilmente con barro y escombros de áreas quemadas. Ayer, los equipos repararon un drenaje al este de la autopista 32 cerca de Deer Creek Trailhead. Este drenaje fluye directamente hacia Deer Creek y se llenó de tierra mediante la construcción de una línea de topadoras. El equipo utilizó herramientas manuales para excavar el drenaje y luego lo cubrió con rocas para evitar la erosión futura y la contaminación de Deer Creek. Continuaron construyendo varias cuencas de captación revestidas de rocas para mantener la escorrentía cargada de lodo fuera del arroyo. Diariamente se producen videos y fotografías del equipo, los bomberos y las actividades de reparación de supresión y se pueden encontrar en la página de Facebook del Bosque Nacional Lassen: facebook.com/LassenNF. 

CLIMA Y SEGURIDAD CONTRA INCENDIOS: El aumento de las temperaturas a partir de hoy se combina con la falta de precipitaciones y una humedad extremadamente baja, lo que hace que la zona sea muy susceptible a la ignición. Cualquier nuevo incendio sería difícil de contener. Tenga cuidado en cualquier actividad al aire libre y preste atención a las restricciones contra incendios emitidas por las agencias locales. El aumento de las temperaturas en los próximos días puede provocar que tocones o ganchos aislados en el interior del incendio produzcan un mínimo de humo. Esto no representa un peligro para las líneas de control y no debería generar alarma.

CIERRE DE BOSQUES: Los terrenos, caminos y senderos del Bosque Nacional Lassen cerca del incendio están cerrados temporalmente. Los individuos son responsables de saber dónde se encuentran en relación con el área de cierre. Mantenga a nuestros bomberos y a usted mismo seguros cumpliendo con la orden de cierre. Si está recreando en sus tierras públicas, prepárese y vea la Orden Forestal No. 06-24-07 y el mapa aquí:  fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. 

RESTRICCIONES DE INCENDIO: ¡Infórmate antes de ir! Hay restricciones contra incendios vigentes dentro del Bosque Nacional Lassen. Para más detalles, consulte la Orden Forestal No. 06-24-04 aquí: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. Encuentre enlaces a las restricciones de incendios de otras agencias de administración de tierras en el árbol de enlaces de información sobre el incendio Park (URL y código QR a continuación).

Información del incendio Park: 530-414-9298, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. 2024.park@firenet.gov       

InciWeb-Incendio Park: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calnf-park-fire  

Bosque Nacional Lassen Facebook: facebook.com/LassenNF   

Park Fire Update: Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2

Incident Commander John Truett

Size: 429,603 acres 

Start Date: July 24, 2024

Containment: 98 percent

Total Personnel: 606

Resources: 1 helicopter, 12 crews, 9 engines, 8 dozers, 12 water tenders, 3 masticators, 

16 excavators, 2 feller bunchers, 2 skidsteers

CURRENT SITUATION: Work continues on repairing the damage caused by fire-suppression activities. One reason this work is important is that it protects downstream communities and their water treatment facilities. These facilities are easily fouled by mud and debris from burned areas. Yesterday crews repaired a drainage east of Highway 32 near Deer Creek Trailhead. This drainage flows directly into Deer Creek and had been filled with dirt by the construction of a dozer line. The crew used hand tools to dig out the large drainage then lined it with rocks to prevent future erosion and fouling of Deer Creek. They went on to construct a several rock-lined catchments to keep mud-laden runoff out of the creek. Videos and photos of the equipment, firefighters, and suppression-repair activities are being produced daily and can be found on the Lassen National Forest’s Facebook Page: facebook.com/LassenNF.

WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY: Increasing temperatures starting today combine with the lack of precipitation and extremely low humidity to make the area very susceptible to ignition. Any new fires would be difficult to contain. Exercise caution in any outdoor activities and pay attention to fire restrictions issued by local agencies. Rising temperatures over the next few days may cause isolated stumps or snags on the fire’s interior to produce minimal smoke. This does not represent a danger to the control lines and should not raise alarm.

FOREST CLOSURE: Lassen National Forest lands, roads, and trails near the fire are temporarily closed. Individuals are responsible for knowing where they are in relation to the closure area. Keep our firefighters and yourselves safe by abiding by the closure order. If you are recreating on your public lands, be prepared and view Forest Order No. 06-24-07 and map here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Know before you go! Fire restrictions are in effect within the Lassen National Forest. For details, view Forest Order No. 06-24-04 here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. Find links to other land management agencies’ fire restrictions in the Park Fire Information Linktree (URL and QR code below).

Park Fire Information (Southwest CIMT 2): 530-414-9298  | 2024.park@firenet.gov               

Park Fire Information (CAL FIRE): 530-529-9233

Park Fire Linktree (fire information website links): linktr.ee/park_fire 

Operational Update: The active flank on the Eastern edge of the fire continues to be staffed with crews engaged in suppression efforts. In addition to direct line construction, there is also a strong suppression repair presence in the areas further East from the fires edge near the Forks of Salmon. With the use of resource and cultural assets along with crews and dozers, the plan is to reestablish a natural resemblance of the area. The Western flank is being maintained through mop up and monitoring efforts, with continued suppression repair. Snagging operations continue to improve safe passage for crews traveling in and out of the fire area. Firefighter safety remains to be the top priority considering the steep terrain. Aircraft continues to be available as needed for water dropping missions.         

Weather and Fire Behavior: The weather prediction for Tuesday will return to warmer and drier conditions with highs in the mid to upper 80’s and minimum RH’s in the mid to low 20’s. Winds will remain relatively calm at 5-8 with gusts of 12. This weather pattern has the potential to increase fire activity, but no significant spread is anticipated. 

Wapiti Fire Update

Tuesday, September 3, 2024 – 10:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 208-593-7132 (public) 208-901-8973 (media) Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: 2024.wapiti@firenet.gov

InciWeb:https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-wapiti-fire

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024/

Information Linktree:https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024

Interactive Map:https://tinyurl.com/WapitiFireInfoMap

Special Notes: There will be a Wapiti Fire community meeting at the fire station in Lowman at 6:00 pm tonight. Officials will also be present to answer questions about the Nellie Fire. The meeting will be streamed live on Facebook (see above link for access). 

State Highway 21 remains closed from east of Lowman to Stanley (MP84 to MP130) due to wildfire activity. Highway 75 remains open. 

Current Situation: Unstable weather allowed the fire to became very active in the afternoon yesterday as thunderstorms, lightning and winds moved into the area. Resources from the fire assisted and will continue to assist the local Forests with initial attack to extinguish any new fire starts. The clear air allowed for greater utilization of air resources with retardant and water drops supporting the efforts on the ground for both the Wapiti Fire and local initial attack. It was proven yesterday that the long hours of work put in by the firefighters to establish and strengthen firelines around communities and other values at risk was effective in checking the fire’s threat. All the firelines held and the values at risk remain secure. Crews will remain on alert today as they continue to strengthen and hold established lines. 

Division DD: Crews completed the indirect line from the Stanley Ranger Station to Redfish Lake. They will be working to extend the line from the Fish Hatchery south along the Decker Flats Road. This indirect line will check the fire’s progress in the event it moves out of Sawtooth Wilderness towards Highway 75 and values at risk. The fire in the Wilderness is slowly growing towards the south and east but is not threatening values at this time. 

Division HH: Crews and heavy equipment have completed the indirect fireline around Goat Falls, Stanley and nearby communities, extending the fireline from Goat Falls to the Stanley Ranger Station. Personnel will continue to work on strengthening the line. This indirect line ties in with the indirect line being constructed in Division DD.  

Division KK and Structure Group East: All lines held in this area. Crews will continue to secure and mop up along control lines in the Iron Creek area. Firefighters will remain in and around communities and other values at risk, watching for spot fires, maintaining defensible space and mopping up. Fire managers are feeling more comfortable with the security of the large spot east of Highway 21, as it remained secure through yesterday’s weather. It posed no threat to the community and crews will continue to assess and mop up within the spot. 

Division PP: Crews continued to secure the fire’s edge and mop up in the finger that crossed Highway 21. They are also evaluating options for checking the fire’s progress to prevent its movement north of Thatcher Creek. Crews will again work at the Bradley Boy Scout Camp and other surrounding structures, prepping the area in the event the fire crosses Highway 21 further to the northwest. 

Division MM: Crews experienced active fire behavior testing their lines yesterday. The firelines held and crews were able to check the fire’s progress. They will remain vigilant within the Bull Trout Lake area, securing the fire’s edge and watching for spot fires. Crews continue to prep along the Highway 21 corridor and have been checking the fire’s progress as it pushes west and northwest along the eastside of the highway.  

Division WW and Structure Group West:  The fire will continue to back in this area against prevailing winds and is checked up above the Warm Spring air strip. Fire managers are assessing opportunities to stop the fire’s progress in Casner Creek should it progress that far. The prep work, firelines and hoses lays around the Sourdough Lodge area, and the subdivisions of Two Ravens, Ten Ax, and Seven Peaks will continue today. The fire has crossed the Warm Springs drainage to the north and is slowly progressing towards the Eight Mile Fire scar. Crews continue patrolling within Hanging Valley and the Wapiti area, along the 524 road, and the Grandjean area looking for hot spots and removing hazards. 

Division VV:  The fire has entered Chapman Creek and fire managers will be assessing this area to see how they can check the fire’s progress to the southwest.  

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior:  

The weather will remain unstable as a low-pressure system passes through the area. It will bring scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms and winds from the west northwest with gust between 15 to 25 mph. Temperatures will remain relatively moderate with relative humidity between 25-30%. The inversion will remain in place until late morning, then lifting and clearing to sunny skies. The unstable atmosphere today is conducive for challenging fire behavior. 

Evacuations: 

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

Red Cross has established a shelter at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 24695 US-93, Challis, ID. 

To sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications, text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll online at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF . 

To sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notification enroll online at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163 

Closures and Fire Restrictions: 

State Highway 21 is closed from MP84 to MP130 for public and firefighter safety. 

A Wapiti Fire Area Closure / Forest Order: 0414-04-151 for portions of the Boise, Sawtooth, and Salmon-Challis National Forests can be found at this site:  

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

Boise National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions / Forest Order: 0402-00-63 can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices. 

Sawtooth National Forest Stage 1 Fire Restrictions / Forest Order 0414-00-044 can be found at this site: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices. 

Fire restrictions on state and private lands may be found at this site: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Wapiti Fire. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t.  For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

Wapiti Fire Statistics: 

Size: over 108,017 acres    

Containment: 2% 

Total Personnel: 1510 

Location: Grandjean, ID 

Reported: July 24, 2024 

Cause: lightning 

For More Information: 

  Information Phone: 208-593-7132 

  Email:  2024.wapiti@firenet.gov 

  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 

Northwest Team 12

Whisky Creek, Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires

Sept. 3, 2024

Fire Information: (541) 208-1743, 8 AM - 8 PM

For links to incident information: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024

Whisky Creek Size: 2,092 acres | Start Date: July 20 | Cause: Human | Containment: 25%

Sandstone Size: 702 acres | Start Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment 75%

Total Resources: 437 | Hand Crews: 6 | Engines: 4 | Dozers: 2 | Heavy Equipment: 8 | Helicopters: 4

The Whisky Creek, Sandstone, and Blister Creek Fires are located in steep and rugged terrain on the Mt. Hood National Forest where rolling debris and fire-weakened trees challenge firefighting efforts. 

Whisky Creek: 

Despite cool and moist weather yesterday, the fire continued to creep in surface fuels and deep duff layers in the east fork of Herman Creek. Gusty winds and fog prevented aircraft from reconnaissance flights and long-line external cargo missions for equipment backhaul. Water tenders, a handcrew, and a group of sawyers successfully secured the nearby Knebal Fire and returned to the Whisky Creek Fire.

Light fire suppression repair will continue where feasible while maintaining the integrity of the firelines. Resource advisors will assess remaining fire suppression tasks to minimize impacts to natural resources. Fire crews are pulling back berms to cover the exposed mineral soil on interior hand lines, cleaning out culverts, and revive wilderness character where suppression activities occurred. Backhaul of extra hose, pumps, and equipment is beginning via ground transportation and helicopter long-line. Fresh resources, including water tenders, graders, excavators, and a handcrew, are arriving to carry out specialized repair activities and to replace critical resources reaching the end of their 14-day assignment. Resources from both fires, including a number of fire engines, firefighters, a dozer, and fire managers, will remain available for initial attack of new fires. 

Sandstone and Blister Creek: 

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) detected heat in both the Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires. Crews hiked into areas to grid and secure a hotspot near the fire’s edge on the Sandstone Fire. Mastication along Forest Service Road (FSR) 7010 is complete, but grading and chipping operations will continue along FSRs 7010 and 6320 east of the 114 spur. An excavator has also arrived to support suppression repair work on the northeast side of the fire.

Weather:  Conditions will be cooler with higher humidity until a warming trend enters the area on Wednesday.

Closures: Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Hood River County closure information can be found at https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024. Please respect area closure orders for your safety as well as the safety of our firefighters.

Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; please use caution with all potential ignition sources. For prevention tips visit: https://keeporegongreen.org. The TFR remains in effect for both fires: https://bit.ly/3T59VWv. Fire restrictions are in place within the Mt. Hood National Forest. More information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire. 

Please join Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 3 for updates on the Middle Fork Complex Fire tomorrow, and meet the incoming Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 5. We will be holding the meeting at 6:00 PM at the White Barn: 85 Severence road Garden Valley, Idaho.