Diamond Complex

• Size: 11,141 acres
• Containment: 78%
• Personnel: 927
• Location: 18 miles SW of Chemult, OR
• Start Date: July 19, 2024
• Cause: Undetermined

Middle Fork Fire

• Size: 5,282 acres
• Containment: 48% 
• Personnel: 75
• Location: Crater Lake National Park
• Start Date: July 17, 2024
• Cause: Undetermined

Visitor and Firefighter Safety, Fire Restrictions and Closures

Throughout the Labor Day holiday, expect heavy traffic including firefighting equipment. Drivers on Hwy. 230, which is on the northwest side of Crater Lake National Park, should be especially cautious. Firefighters are using heavy equipment to remove downed and dead wood in this area. 

Slow down when approaching areas of firefighter activity. Minimize distractions and focus on driving. Please be patient, keep your eyes on the road and be aware of your surroundings. 

For your safety and ours, do not enter closed areas. Barriers may not block the entire roadway to allow for firefighter traffic. However, the public should not drive past these barriers. Areas are closed because of fire activity, falling trees, heavy equipment and road grading operations. Drivers entering closed areas endanger themselves and disrupt firefighters’ work. 

The Umpqua National Forest, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest and Crater Lake National Park have different fire restrictions in place. Crater Lake National Park has implemented a fire ban whereas the Umpqua and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests have Level 2 fire restrictions. Know where you are and follow restriction information posted on the forests’ and national park’s websites.

• Crater Lake National Park: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
• Umpqua National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/umpqua
• Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou 

Current Fire Situation

Fires were moderately active yesterday. However, it was within current fire footprints and did not threaten containment lines. Despite warm, dry weather and afternoon winds, firefighters made good progress on fires in the Diamond Complex and increased containment on the Middle Fork Fire. An initial attack crew is ready to respond to any new starts from possible dry thunderstorms today.

Middle Fork Fire

Firefighters increased containment, securing lines on the south and west sides. Today, they will focus on scouting and patrolling lines on the north and east sides. Crews will continue suppression repair and heavy road work especially on Highway 230 where they are removing downed and dead wood. 

Diamond Complex

• Pine Bench Fire (north of Hwy. 138 near Dry Creek, 3,976 acres, 65% contained): Yesterday, firefighters focused on mopping up heat on the east side of the fire. Today they will focus on heat on the north and northwest side of the fire. Crews also will continue suppression repair and pulling excess equipment.
• Potter Fire (north of Hwy. 138, 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 3,428 acres, 38% contained): Yesterday, firefighters continued monitoring heat in the fire’s interior and found nothing threatening containment lines. Helicopters dropped water on the north side to knock down fire activity, allowing firefighters on the ground to mop up cooled areas. On the east side of the fire, firefighters found heat under the duff layers of heavy timber stands. Crews will continue to patrol and monitor, hold and improve line and clean up around the water flume. On the southwest side of the fire, due to concerns about the possibility of fire moving into dead timber from an earlier fire, firefighters are working on a fuel break plan. Crews will continue chipping operations and road work on the north and east sides of the fire. 
• Lemolo Fire (north of Lemolo Lake, 1,246 acres, 100% contained): Yesterday helicopters dropped water to cool flare ups in needle cast. Firefighters will continue to monitor and mop up heat. 
• Multiple fires within the complex: Firefighters will continue patrolling and mopping up hotspots. Where possible, crews are repairing areas disturbed by wildfire suppression including chipping, brushing and installing water bars to minimize future soil erosion.

Weather and Fire Behavior        

A low-pressure system coming on shore is bringing cooler temperatures and higher humidity. High temperatures in the high 60s to low 70s expected with west winds gusting to 18 mph along ridgelines. There is a 30% chance of thunderstorms moving over the fire area and a 5% chance of wetting rain. Storms will be capable of producing frequent lightning and outflow gusts of 40 mph. Tuesday will be cool and dry. A warming, drying trend returns mid-week.

Cooler, moister weather will reduce fire activity to smoldering and creeping. Higher activity is possible if winds increase. 

Smoke Outlook

Local smoke has increased from new and existing wildfires. For more information, visit outlooks.airfire.org/outlook and fire.airnow.gov.

Evacuations

No evacuations are in place.

Forest Closure and Fire Restrictions

Umpqua National Forest has decreased Public Use Restrictions to Level 2. The forest remains in High Fire Danger and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are at Level 2. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202470. 

Umpqua National Forest’s current closure order allows access to specific roads, trails and campgrounds, which are listed as exemptions in Forest Order 06-15-24-07. For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umpqua/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1202210.

A closure is in place on Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest for the area north and west of Crater Lake National Park along Hwy. 230 south to the intersection with Hwy. 62. The closure order and a map are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices.

All Umpqua National Forest Ranger Stations are closed today in observance of Labor Day.

Park Closure and Fire Restrictions

Crater Lake National Park remains open. However, several closures are in effect. For details, visit  https://www.nps.gov/crla/planyourvisit/conditions.htm.

The north entrance to Crater Lake National Park will remain open until 6 a.m. tomorrow. Fire operations may necessitate temporary closures or delays along the North Entrance Road. 

Traffic at park entrances will be busier than usual throughout the day. Long lines and waits of up to 2 hours are expected at both entrance stations. Arriving before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. may reduce wait times. If you are not visiting the park, consider avoiding Hwy. 62. 

At 6 a.m. tomorrow and continuing until further notice, the North Entrance will be closed to all traffic to allow hazard reduction work related to the Middle Fork Fire to resume. During this time, access to the park will be limited to the South Entrance. 

Know before you go. Check the latest conditions and road status before you arrive at your destination to ensure a smooth, enjoyable visit. Updates are available on the park website at https://www.nps.gov/crla and on Oregon Tripcheck at https://www.tripcheck.com.

REMINDER: The Pacific Crest Trail between the Lightning Springs and Rim Trail Intersections, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails are closed until further notice due to potentially hazardous conditions created by the Middle Fork Fire. Hikers and bikers may not use the North Entrance Road to enter or leave Crater Lake National Park.

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs)

TFRs are in place over the Middle Fork Fire https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_8387.html (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. local time to accommodate uncrewed aircraft systems work) and https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7055.html (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time). TFRs are also in place over the Potter and Pine Bench Fires https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7055.html (9 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time).

Northwest Team 12

Whisky Creek, Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires

Sept. 2, 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: 469 | Hand Crews: 6 | Engines: 6 | Dozers: 2 | Heavy Equipment: 10 | Helicopters: 4

Firefighters, fire engines, and other resources remain available on both the Whisky Creek and Sandstone Fires if needed to assist with new initial attack fires in the area. These fires are located in steep and rugged terrain on the Mt. Hood National Forest where rolling debris and fire-weakened trees challenge firefighting efforts. This Labor Day weekend please help prevent wildfires and protect firefighters by recreating responsibly, respecting fire closures, and complying with all fire restrictions. 

Whisky Creek: 

Yesterday, warmer and drier conditions resulted in a small uptick in interior burning producing light visible smoke in the east fork of Herman Creek. Fire crews continued to engage in light fire suppression repair activities including scattering woody debris, chipping, and constructing water bars without compromising the integrity of fire control lines. A task force including hand crews, heavy equipment, and personnel as well as three heavy helicopters delivering water bucket drops were diverted to a new fire start in the area of Knebal Campground. Aggressive initial attack successfully stopped the new fire at approximately nine acres. Crews are also working on clean up of Forest Service Roads (FSRs) 2810 and 2820 with the assistance of an excavator and water tenders that are arriving today.  

Sandstone and Blister Creek: 

Crews furthered fire suppression repair efforts by finishing masticating on FSR 7015 and chipping activity fuels along FSR 7020 to the 150 spur as well as along FSR 6322. Excavators worked to clear debris out of ditches and road graders worked to repair FSR 4620. Firefighters located and secured a few smoking hotspots near the fire perimeter to eliminate the threat of spot fires establishing. Blister Creek Fire has remained within its footprint with no visible smoke. Today firefighters are clearing culverts and chipping along FSR 7010 to the 160 spur road. An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) will be flying the Blister Creek Fire to identify areas of lingering heat with infrared technology. Personnel will also be monitoring and patrolling the Blister Creek Fire, ready to engage in the event of a flare up.

Weather: Today will see cooler temperatures in the 60s to low 70s with increased relative humidity.

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. 

Incident Commander:  Matt Racicot, Noah Criner (T)
Location:  15 miles north/northwest of Whitehall, MT
Start Date: 8/18/2024 
Cause: Lightning
Size: 1,058 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. The fire is currently holding in an unnamed drainage on this side. 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, in anticipation of predicted gusty winds and subsequent fire movement.

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:
There is a RED FLAG WARNING in effect until 10 p.m. tonight. The combination of low relative humidity and thunderstorm outflow winds may result in critical fire weather conditions, increasing the risk for new and existing fires to spread quickly. The forecast calls for relative humidity at 15-20% and southwest winds 15-25 mph, with stronger outflow winds up to 50 mph with passing thunderstorms.

Fire behavior consists of isolated torching, backing, and creeping. Fire progression to the northeast and east has been mitigated with the successful strategic firing operations; fire movement uphill to the northwest is possible, given the Red Flag conditions through tonight.

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. 
 

Actualización sobre el incendio Park: Lunes, 2 de Septiembre de 2024

Equipo Administrativo De Incidentes Complejos Del Área Suroeste

EQUIPO 2 - Comandante Del Incidente John Truett

Tamaño: 429,603 acres 

Fecha de Inicio: 24 de Julio de 2024

Contencion: 97%

Personal Total: 887

Recursos: 1 helicóptero, 18 cuadrillas, 24 camiones de bomberos, 25 topadoras, 55 camiones de agua, 9 masticadoras, 23 excavadoras, 2 máquinas para talar árboles, 2 minicargadoras

CIERRE DE BOSQUES: Los terrenos, caminos y senderos del Bosque Nacional Lassen cerca del incendio están cerrados temporalmente. Las carreteras cerradas actualmente no cuentan con personal y la ausencia de una rotulo de carretera cerrada no significa necesariamente que la carretera esté abierta. Las personas son responsables de saber dónde se encuentran en relación con el área de cierre. Si está recreando en sus terrenos públicos este Día festivo del Trabajador, observe el cierre, lo que permitirá a los bomberos concentrarse en su trabajo ya peligroso y no correr más peligro por el tráfico de vehículos públicos. Ver Orden Forestal No. 24-06-07 y mapa aquí: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices.

SITUACIÓN ACTUAL: El domingo, los equipos de carreteras y árboles peligrosos terminaron el trabajo en las carreteras Hogback y Plum. Ambos grupos trabajarán en Ponderosa Way durante los próximos días. Los trabajos de reparación de la supresión continúan en varios lugares. Al oeste de la autopista 89, cerca de la zona de esquiar McGowan, por ejemplo, los equipos están reparando una amplia línea de cortafuegos construida con topadoras. Inicialmente, los operadores de equipo pesado esparcieron la vegetación arrasada por encima de la línea de fuego. Ahora, equipos manual están dando los toques finales al proyecto distribuyendo uniformemente la tala y cortando la vegetación suspendida sobre el suelo. Es importante dejar la vegetación en el suelo para reducir la erosión del suelo y acelerar la descomposición. Los bomberos también están utilizando herramientas manuales para derribar los terraplenes creados por el equipo. Esto está sucediendo en numerosos cortafuegos construidos a mano y con topadoras en la esquina noreste del incendio. 

CLIMA Y SEGURIDAD CONTRA INCENDIOS: Las condiciones cálidas y secas persistirán durante la semana y no se esperan precipitaciones. La cosecha de pasto de este año en las cercanías del incendio es extremadamente abundante, seca y receptiva a la quema. Nuevos incendios podrían propagarse rápidamente y ser difíciles de contener inicialmente para los bomberos. Tenga especial cuidado al recrearse fuera de este Día festivo del Trabajador; Sepa qué restricciones contra incendios están vigentes para las áreas en las que está recreando. Con las ráfagas de viento de hoy, las cenizas podrían estar arremolinándose en las áreas quemadas, creando una ilusión de humo de incendios forestales; sin embargo, se genera muy poco humo y eso proviene de tocones y troncos aislados lejos del perímetro del incendio. 

RESTRICCIONES DE INCENDIO: ¡Infórmate antes de ir! Hay restricciones contra incendios vigentes dentro del Bosque Nacional Lassen. Algunos ejemplos de actividades prohibidas incluyen tener una fogata o una estufa (excepto en los sitios de recreación desarrollados enumerados en la orden); fumar fuera de un vehículo o edificio; usar un motor de combustión interna o externa (por ejemplo, motosierras, generadores, OHV) sin un dispositivo parachispas. Orden Forestal N° 06-24-04 puede consultarse 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: Monday, September 2, 2024

Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2

Incident Commander John Truett

Size: 429,603 acres 

Start Date: July 24, 2024

Containment: 97 percent

Total Personnel: 887

Resources: 1 helicopter, 18 crews, 24 engines, 25 dozers, 55 water tenders, 9 masticators, 

23 excavators, 2 feller bunchers, 2 skidsteers

FOREST CLOSURE: Lassen National Forest lands, roads, and trails near the fire are temporarily closed. Closed roads are not currently staffed, and the absence of a road-closed sign does not necessarily mean the road is open. Individuals are responsible for knowing where they are in relation to the closure area. If you are recreating on your public lands this Labor Day, observe the closure, allowing firefighters to focus on their already hazardous work and not be further endangered by public vehicle traffic. View Forest Order No. 06-24-07 and map here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices.

CURRENT SITUATION: On Sunday, the roads and hazard-tree groups finished work on Hogback and Plum Roads. Both groups will be working on Ponderosa Way for the next several days. Suppression repair work continues at multiple locations. West of Highway 89 near the McGowan cross-country ski area, for example, crews are repairing a wide dozer-constructed fireline. Initially, heavy-equipment operators spread the bulldozed vegetation back over the fireline. Now hand crews are putting the finishing touches on the project by evenly distributing slash and cutting hung-up vegetation that is suspended above the ground. Getting the vegetation down on the ground is important to reduce soil erosion and speed up decomposition. The firefighters are also using hand tools to knock down berms created by the equipment. This is happening on numerous hand- and dozer-constructed firelines on the northeast corner of the fire.

WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY: Hot, dry conditions will persist through the week with no precipitation anticipated. This year’s grass crop in the fire’s vicinity is extremely abundant, dry, and receptive to burning. New fires could spread quickly and be challenging for firefighters to initially contain. Be particularly cautious while recreating outside this Labor Day; know what fire restrictions are in effect for the areas in which you are recreating. With today’s gusty winds, ash could be swirling around in the burned areas, creating an illusion of wildfire smoke; however, very little actual smoke is being generated and that is from isolated stumps and snags far away from the fire’s perimeter.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Know before you go! Fire restrictions are in effect within the Lassen National Forest. Some examples of prohibited activities include having a campfire or stove fire (except in in developed recreation sites listed in the order); smoking outside a vehicle or building; using an internal or external combustion engine—for example, chainsaws, generators, OHVs—without a spark-arresting device. Forest Order No. 06-24-04 can be viewed 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 

Williams Mine Fire Update for Monday, September 2, 2024

The Williams Mine Fire burned actively yesterday in the Mt. Adams Wilderness near Morrison Creek. The fire continued to consume fuels on the ground and has mostly spread to the north and west the last few days, burning into the upper reaches of Shorthorn and Crofton creeks. Late Sunday, winds shifted as a front started moving through the area, pushing the fire toward the east. 

In preparation for this wind shift, two scooper airplanes dropped water on hot areas near Morrison Creek to reduce fire intensity. They worked for over five hours and dropped more than 12,000 gallons of water. This should slow fire growth and allow more time for the work being done on South Climb Trail to prepare it as a control line. Over half a mile of fire line preparation was completed on the trail yesterday.

The warm temperatures, low humidity, and light winds from the east have caused other scattered hot areas to smoke, including some where no heat had been detected for several days. Fire personnel are patrolling the fire, monitoring for smoke and checking heat found by infrared detection late on August 31. Due to cloud cover, there was no infrared flight last night, and the acreage was not updated.

Today, a front is bringing a slight chance of showers. Cooler temperatures and gusty winds from the west to northwest are expected today and tomorrow. Gusty winds could push the fire toward the east and will increase the risk of fire-damaged trees falling, often without warning.

Work continues on the shaded fuel break along the FS Rd 23 from the south boundary of the Forest to the FS Rd 23/FS Rd 90 junction. Some masticators are completing their work today and will be released.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

Some people continue to enter the closed areas on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, endangering themselves and fire personnel working on the fire. Security guards are now staffing the roadblocks 24 hours a day. Violators who enter the closure are subject to fines up to $5,000 and up to six months imprisonment.

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.

Wapiti Fire Update

Monday, September 2, 2024 – 9:00 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: State Highway 21 remains closed from east of Lowman to Stanley (MP84 to MP130) due to wildfire activity. Highway 75 remains open.

There will be a Wapiti Fire community meeting at the fire station in Lowman at 6:00 pm Tuesday. Officials will also be present to answer questions about the Nellie Fire.

Current Situation: Yesterday, the fire became very active in the afternoon throughout the entire perimeter as the inversion lifted and winds picked up. Today, a Red Flag Warning will produce challenging conditions for firefighters on Monday as dry fuels and winds from a passing weather system increase fire activity. For more than a week, firefighters have focused on establishing and strengthening firelines around communities and other values at risk in anticipation of this type of event. As a result, firelines have become more secure each day. Crews will remain on alert today as they continue to strengthen and hold established lines.

Division DD: Crews will continue extending the indirect line from the Stanley Ranger Station to Redfish Lake. They are also extending 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 but is not threatening values at this time.

Division HH: Crews and heavy equipment have constructed 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 will tie in with the indirect line being constructed in Division DD.

Division KK and Structure Group East: Crews were able to use strategic firing operations to remove unburned fuels between the fire and control lines in the Iron Creek area. This is to prevent the fire from making a strong push in this area. Firefighters recognize today will challenge their work and will remain in and around communities and other values at risk, watching for spot fires, maintaining defensible space and mopping up. Crews will remain on the large spot east of Highway 21, ensuring it is secure and poses no threat to the community.

Division PP: Firelines established in this area held yesterday as the fire made a push. The fire will again challenge these lines, and crews will be vigilant looking for spot fires and strengthening the firelines as fire activity picks up. Crews will again work at the Bradley Boy Scout Camp and other surrounding structures charging hose lays and prepping the area in the event the fire crosses Highway 21 further to the northwest. Work continues along Highway 21 near and east of the division break to keep the fire to the south side of the highway.

Division MM: Yesterday, the fire was active in this area, but firelines held and crews were able to check the fire’s progress. Today, crews will work to secure the fire’s edge and watch for spot fires as activity picks up. The actions are designed to protect the campground and prevent the fire from moving further north. Fire managers are expecting active fire behavior in Thatcher Creek today. Additional crews will be finishing the prep along Highway 21 corridor. They will evaluate the fire’s progress and take action should fire threaten to push north and west of the highway.

Division WW and Structure Group West: 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. Crews will continue cutting indirect fireline between Warm Springs and Ten Axe. Fireline construction and structure prep will continue around the Sourdough Lodge area. Crews will assess opportunities to harden the lines around the subdivisions of Two Ravens, Ten Ax, and Seven Peaks and work on structure prep. Fireline around the Warm Springs airstrip and Bonneville Campground will be strengthened as crews work to check the fires progress and prevent it from progressing down to the Highway 21 corridor. The fire has crossed the Warm Springs drainage to the north and is slowly progressing towards the Pioneer Fire scar.

Division VV:  The focus in Division VV today will again be on assessing opportunities for fireline construction south of Highway 21 on the southwestern corner of the fire. Fire supervisors are looking for opportunities to check the fire’s slow westward movement on the south side of the highway.

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior:

A Red Flag Warning is in effect beginning at noon today due to a low-pressure system moving into the area. Scattered thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty and erratic winds up to 45 mph could accompany these storms as they track from the southwest to the northeast. Brief rainfall and small hail may accompany the strongest storms. This unsettled weather pattern will persist through Tuesday. The morning will be smoky under an inversion, then lifting and clearing in the early afternoon, bringing sunny skies. The weather will make for challenging and near critical fire behavior with an elevated potential for group torching, runs and long-range spotting.

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 107,986 acres

Containment: 0%

Total Personnel: 1487

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

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:   2,399 Acres

Completion/Containment:  0 percent

Resources assigned: 610 people

KEY MESSAGE

• A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for gusty winds and low relative humidity. 

Current Status

On the northern boundary, firefighters built direct handline west from the existing dozer line. Hot spots were cooled with support from helicopter buckets. A crew held and improved established hand and dozer line to the east. Portions of the northwestern side of the fire continue to hold heat. Today’s weather will test the fireline.

On the east side, secondary dozer line was constructed. Crews have made excellent progress mopping up after burnout along the existing dozer line. They will continue cleaning and mopping up the control line today. 

On the south edge, hotshot crews burned out to tie spot fires into the main fire on the 739 road system. Roads were plumbed with water handling equipment to assist firefighters in holding the new edge on the south. Further south, secondary handline was completed yesterday, and firefighters will continue to construct and improve primary and secondary control lines using heavy equipment and hand crews, stitching together new line with existing roads.

Significant fire growth occurred on the west side of the fire due to warm temperatures and low relative humidity last night. 

Structure protection resources are staging in nearby neighborhoods during the day to respond to fire activity. Night shift resources will work on the southern, eastern and northern edges and patrol affected neighborhoods. They also have initial attack responsibilities. Aviation resources will check fire spread and support firefighters today as conditions allow. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

A red flag warning is in place for critical fire weather conditions from noon to 10 pm.  Winds are expected to be west- southwest at 16 mph and gusts to 45 mph with the passing cold front. The front is expected between 3 and 5 pm. Thunderstorms are possible. Increased fire behavior is expected, with spotting up to one mile. 

SMOKE

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

EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES 

The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has updated evacuation orders and warnings for neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Sharrott Creek Fire. Download the Ravalli Co. Sheriff’s Office app for information. Evacuation questions can be directed to the Ravalli County Emergency Operations Center at 406-375-6650. The Bitterroot National Forest has issued an area closure from North Fork Sweeney Creek to Sweathouse Creek. See https://tinyurl.com/Sharrottclosure for the order and map. There are temporary flight restrictions (TFR) over the fire area west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek. 

Headlines 

• Traffic control remains in place along the Salmon River Road between Butler Flat and Nordheimer Flat for the safety of firefighters and residents. Expect up to 30-minute delays. Incident personnel driving vehicles with more than two axles will not be allowed on the road. 
• Fire information phone: (707) 572-4860 or email at 2024.Boise@firenet.gov 
• Get all your Boise Fire information in one mobile-friendly place! 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  

Leader’s Intent: The Boise Fire is being managed with a full suppression strategy.  

Operational Update: Yesterday, crews were successful in securing additional open line on the east side of the fire, resulting in increased containment. Today, crews will continue to repair control lines and secure direct fire lines along the eastern perimeter of the fire. Firefighters are working closely with resource advisors and cultural specialists to identify, assess and implement suppression repair across the fire area. Resources are working to maintain road access within the fire footprint by removing snags as needed. Efforts also focus on improving roadways, as the footprint of the fire overlays old burn scars. Additionally, personnel are continuing to backhaul unnecessary equipment and materials. Fire behavior increased slightly yesterday due to persistent hot and dry conditions coupled with wind, resulting in 1-acre of growth. All fire activity and growth has remained well within containment lines. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today cooler weather is forecasted, with temperatures dropping by 10 to 15 degrees and minimum relative humidity remaining above 40%. Winds will generally be light and terrain-driven, though exposed ridges may experience winds coming from the west southwest at 6-9 mph. By Tuesday, high pressure will begin to rebuild, bringing a return to hot and dry conditions for the rest of the week. 

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:  49%

Resources: 455 Total Personnel: 6 Hand Crews; 20 Engines; 1 Dozer; 16 Heavy Equipment; 5 Helicopters 

KEY MESSAGES:

Yesterday, warm and dry conditions resulted in active fire behavior throughout the day. Easterly winds pushed the fire west into the Dry Lake Creek drainage the previous night. Around midday the winds shifted to the west and then southwest and the fire worked its way upslope as wind and slope aligned. The most active fire was on the western side in remote areas but still well within the defined indirect control lines that are currently being constructed and strengthened. With the increase in smoke along Highway 26 visitors should use caution and drive carefully due to limited visibility, and firefighters are working off the road in several locations.

Completion has now increased to 49 percent on the fire. Percent complete refers to the degree to which the confine/point protection strategic actions have been accomplished. Confine is a wildfire response strategy of restricting a wildfire to a defined area, primarily using natural barriers that are expected to restrict the spread of the wildfire under the prevailing and forecasted weather. Point protection tactics include the installation of pumps, sprinkler systems, vegetative fuels reduction, and other actions to protect values-at-risk. 

CURRENT STATUS:

Crews and equipment continued to work on widening and improving the shaded fuels break along Deception Road south of the Brooks Lake Lodge. The Flagstaff Road on the fire’s northwest side, south of Hwy 26, firefighters utilized heavy equipment to continue construction of a shaded fuel break as an indirect control line and to assist with point protection of Togwotee Lodge. Firefighters held and improved the indirect control line located from Highway 26 south to Pilot Knob and the Moccasin Basin Trailhead. Active fire on the northwest side was monitored for movement throughout the day. Crews worked on removing cut fuels from the Holmes Cave Trail to continue to improve it as an alternate indirect line. Several locations of the fire on the south and west sides were monitored due to significant increase in fire behavior throughout the day. Structure protection crews reviewed plans, tested, and improved equipment set up in the Brooks, Pinnacle and Breccia areas. Structure Protection resources also continued assessing protection needs farther east of the fire along the Highway 26 corridor. Due to the increase in the fire size the Temporary Flight Restriction over the fire area has expanded to the west.

Today, on the east side of the fire crews will patrol and monitor indirect control line from Highway 26 south to Pilot Knob. Work to construct and improve indirect control lines will continue along the Deception and Flagstaff Roads as part of the confine/point protection strategy employed to protect the identified values at risk. Firefighters will start scouting confinement features west of the fire area for long term planning. Structure protection crews will test hose lays to make sure they are ready when needed and continue assessments of the values at risk in additional areas along the Highway 26 corridor.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

Today is a weather transition day as a system approaches. Highs will still reach the low 70s with humidity dropping below 20 percent. However, shower and thunderstorm chances will increase through the afternoon. The best chances will be after 4:00 p.m. and then continuing through the night. Any storms that develop near the fire will be capable of producing lightning, as well as outflow wind gusts to 40 mph during the afternoon. It will be cooler Tuesday with rain chances increasing.

Another warm, dry day will bring active fire behavior in unchecked fire edges. Expect intense surface fire in the heavy fuels along with single tree and group tree torching. When slope and wind align, expect strong uphill fire runs with active crown fire. Spotting observed from yesterday’s fire behavior was greater than a ¼ mile. Expect more of the same today. Fire behavior will increase after the inversion lifts, around 11:00 a.m., peak around 6:00 p.m. before beginning to moderate after sunset. The chance of thunderstorms today brings a chance of dangerous outflow winds over the fire. These can be erratic in nature and cause the fire to spread in multiple directions.

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.