The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger. 

On InciWeb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7233/ 

The Meridian Fire; reported October 5, is located approximately 22 miles south of Clayton in the Hunter Creek drainage on the Lost River Ranger District.  The fire is established in the timber and is approximately 485 acres burning in Douglas fir and grass.  Fire cause is under investigation.  

Firefighters observed active fire behavior yesterday afternoon.  The fire had isolated torching and short-range spotting.  The fire continues to burn to the northwest towards Hunter Creek Summit.  Today, firefighters anticipate the fire to continue to spread to the northwest towards East Pass Creek with the forecasted winds and low relative humidity and afternoon warming.  

Firefighters are using a confine and contain strategy.  Firefighters are focusing on containing the southern portion of the fire and confining the fire on the east and west sides of the fire using natural barriers, engaging the fire where safe to do so.  Firefighters have completed 7% containment along the southern portion of the fire.  Firefighters anticipate favorable weather this weekend which at that time will slow fire growth to the north.  The fire is staffed with one (1) Type I crew, four (4) helicopters, and smokejumpers.  

CLOSURES:  The Salmon-Challis National Forest has implemented an emergency area closure (#04-13-20-014) to protect Forest visitors from the current fire safety hazards associated with the Meridian Fire.  The following is closed: Area Described:  The closure area is depicted on the map which can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/7233/0/109523.  Roads and Trails Described:  FS Road 477 Hunter Creek Road and FS Trail 050 Hunter Creek Trail.  If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.  

WEATHER:  One more warm and extremely dry day across the central mountains.  Haines of 5 & 6 are forecast once again as well.  Rain arrives later Saturday and spreads east into Sunday.  Snow levels drop to around 5000ft Sunday morning and remain as low as 5500-6000ft during the day.  Strong winds are expected Saturday, but humidity values will be above critical levels. 

Smoke from the Meridian Fire could be seen from the Ketchum area.  Nationally, there are 40 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 37 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.  These fires are contributing to the smoke, which has been drifting into the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the valleys around the Forest.  The public can find further information on smoke at http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/ and http://idsmoke.blogspot.com.  

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The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger. 

On InciWeb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7233/ 

The Meridian Fire; reported October 5, is located approximately 22 miles south of Clayton in the Hunter Creek drainage on the Lost River Ranger District.  The fire is established in the timber and is approximately 387 acres burning in Douglas fir and grass.  Fire cause is unknown.  

Firefighters observed active fire behavior yesterday afternoon.  The fire was running with isolated torching and short-range spotting.  The fire continues to burn to the northwest towards Hunter Creek Summit.  Today, firefighters anticipate the fire to continue to spread to the northwest towards East Pass Creek with the forecasted winds and low relative humidity and afternoon warming.  

Firefighters are using a confine and contain strategy.  Firefighters are focusing on containing the southern portion of the fire and confining the fire on the east and west sides of the fire using natural barriers, engaging the fire where safe to do so.  Firefighters have completed 7% containment along the southern portion of the fire.  Firefighters anticipate favorable weather this weekend which at that time will slow fire growth to the north.  The fire is staffed with one (1) Type I crew, four (4) helicopters, smokejumpers, and an engine.  

CLOSURES:  The Salmon-Challis National Forest has implemented an emergency area closure (#04-13-20-014) to protect Forest visitors from the current fire safety hazards associated with the Meridian Fire.  The following is closed: Area Described:  The closure area is depicted on the map which can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/7233/0/109523.  Roads and Trails Described:  FS Road 477 Hunter Creek Road and FS Trail 050 Hunter Creek Trail.  If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.  

WEATHER:  The ridge over the West begins breaking down today.  Winds and low humidity may approach critical levels this afternoon in select locations. Haines of 5 and 6 will continue today as well as Friday. Rain, wind and colder weather arrives later Saturday into Sunday with snow down to around 5500ft briefly Sunday morning. Wetting rains are likely, some areas could easily see over 0.50 inches. 

Smoke from the Meridian Fire could be seen from the Ketchum area.  Nationally, there are 39 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 36 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.  These fires are contributing to the smoke, which has been drifting into the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the valleys around the Forest.  The public can find further information on smoke at http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/ and http://idsmoke.blogspot.com.  

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The Salmon-Challis National Forest has implemented an emergency area closure (#04-13-20-014) to protect Forest visitors from the current fire safety hazards associated with the Meridian Fire.    

The following is closed: 

AREA DESCRIBED: 

The closure area is depicted on the attached map. 

ROADS AND TRAILS DESCRIBED: 

FS Road 477 Hunter Creek Road

FS Trail 050 Hunter Creek Trail 

The above-described area, roads, and trails are within the proclaimed and administrative boundaries of the Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Custer County, Idaho. 

This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect until October 20, 2020 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. 

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Order:

Order Number: 04-13-20-014

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE
SALMON-CHALLIS NATIONAL FOREST
LOST RIVER RANGER DISTRICT 

Meridian Fire Emergency Area Closure 

PROHIBITIONS: Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (b), the following act is prohibited in the area, and on the roads, and trails described in this Order, all within the Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest until further notice: 

1.       Going into or being upon the closure area (as described below and depicted on the attached map) that is closed for the protection of public health or safety. 36 CFR 261.53(e)

2.       Being on a trail described below in the area described below. 36 CFR 261.55(a)

3.       Being on a road described below in the area described below.   36 CFR 261.54(a)

EXEMPTIONS: Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order: 

1.       Persons with a permit specifically exempting them from the effect of this Order.

2.       Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

AREA DESCRIBED: 

The closure area is depicted on the attached map. 

ROADS AND TRAILS DESCRIBED: 

FS Road 477 Hunter Creek Road

FS Trail 050 Hunter Creek Trail 

The above-described area, roads, and trails are within the proclaimed and administrative boundaries of the Lost River Ranger District, Salmon-Challis National Forest, Custer County, Idaho. 

PURPOSE: 

These closures are necessary to protect Forest visitors from the current fire safety hazards associated with the Meridian Fire. 

IMPLEMENTATION: 

1.       This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect until October 20th, 2020 or until rescinded whichever comes first.

2.       A Map identifying the closure area is attached hereto and made part of this Order.

3.       Any violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months. [Title 16 USC 55 1, Title 18 USC 3571 (b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7)].

4.       This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order in the above-described area. 

Done at Salmon, Idaho this 7th day of October 2020 

Charles A. Mark, 

/s/ Charles A. Mark 

Forest Supervisor,

Salmon-Challis National Forest

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger.  

The Meridian Fire; reported October 5, is located approximately 22 miles south of Clayton in the Hunter Creek drainage on the Lost River Ranger District.  The fire is established in the timber and is approximately 337 acres burning in Douglas fir and grass.  Fire cause is unknown.  

Firefighters observed extreme fire behavior yesterday afternoon.  The fire was crowning and torching along with short-range spotting.  Yesterday afternoon the fire burned primarily to the northwest towards Hunter Creek Summit.  Today, firefighters anticipate the fire to continue to spread to the north with the forecasted southwest winds and low relative humidity and afternoon warming.  

Firefighters are using a confine and contain strategy.  Firefighters are focusing on containing the southern portion of the fire and confining the fire on the east and west sides of the fire using natural barriers, engaging the fire where safe to do so.  Firefighters have completed 7% containment along the southern portion of the fire.  Firefighters anticipate favorable weather this weekend which at that time will slow fire growth to the north.  The fire is staffed with one (1) Type I crew, four (4) helicopters, smokejumpers, and an engine.  

If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.  

WEATHER:  High pressure breaks down Thursday, ushering a major pattern change over the weekend.  A Haines Index (an atmospheric index used to indicate the potential for wildfire growth by measuring the stability and dryness of the air over a fire) of 5 and 6 will persist into Friday ahead of this shift.  Winds pick up tomorrow afternoon with very low humidity values in place.   Rain and mountain snow arrive later Saturday into Sunday, with light snow possible down to near 6000ft Sunday morning.  Wetting rains are likely. 

Smoke from the Meridian Fire could be seen from the Ketchum area yesterday afternoon.  Nationally, there are 36 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 37 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.  These fires are contributing to the smoke, which has been drifting into the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the valleys around the Forest.  The public can find further information on smoke at http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/ and http://idsmoke.blogspot.com.  

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The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger.  

The Meridian Fire; reported October 5, is located approximately 22 miles south of Clayton in the Hunter Creek drainage on the Lost River Ranger District.  The fire is established in the timber and is approximately 30 acres burning in Douglas fir and grass.  Fire cause is unknown.  

The fire is burning primarily to the north towards the Jim McClure-Jerry Peak Wilderness.  Firefighters are using a confine and contain strategy.  Firefighters are focusing on containing the southern portion of the fire and confining the fire on the east and west sides of the fire using natural barriers, engaging the fire where safe to do so.  Firefighters anticipate favorable weather this weekend which at that time will slow fire growth to the north.  The fire is staffed with two (2) helicopters, smokejumpers, and an engine.  A Type I crew is on order and will arrive to the fire today.  

WEATHER:  Building high pressure means warm and dry weather through Thursday.  Look for poor humidity recovery at mid/higher elevations where thermal belts form overnight. A weaker low arrives Friday, for a few mountain showers, stronger winds and cooler/more humid conditions. The best chance of rain and mountain snow will be Saturday and Sunday, with wetting rains a good bet in the mountains.  

Nationally, there are 35 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 35 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.  These fires are contributing to the smoke, which has been drifting into the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the valleys around the Forest.  The public can find further information on smoke at http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/ and http://idsmoke.blogspot.com.  

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Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Cambria",serif;} The Meridian Fire; reported this morning, October 5, is located approximately 22 miles south of Clayton in the Hunter Creek area on the Lost River Ranger District.  The fire is approximately 12 acres burning in Douglas fir and grass.  Multiple helicopters and an engine are responding with additional resources on order.  Cause is unknown.  

BAER KEY MESSAGES PREPARING FOR RAIN

While many wildfires cause minimal damage to the land and pose few threats to the land or people downstream, some fires cause damage that requires special efforts to manage unacceptable risks afterwards.

Summer thunderstorms and other rain events in the mountains can result in high runoff and flash flooding.

Wildfire increases the potential for post fire flooding, soil erosion, and debris flows that could impact campgrounds, fishing areas, homes, structures, roads, and other infrastructure within, adjacent to, and downstream from the burned areas.

Post-fire, watershed conditions will naturally receive and transport water and sediment differently than during pre-fire conditions.

The public and communities adjacent to and downstream from burned areas should expect increased flooding and debris transport during smaller rain events than would normally cause this.

The potential for increased runoff and debris flows are not just a one-year concern.

We need to recognize the threat potential of flash floods and debris flows may exist for the next 3-5 monsoon and winter seasons, depending on the intensity of these storms.

For life and safety concerns, California National Forest closures may need to be implemented prior to forecast rain events until the burned area fully recovers.

Residents and visitors should remain alert to weather events and plan ahead when travelling along roads downstream from the burned areas of recent wildfires.

Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams have been working on California’s National Forests to assess the condition of the watersheds on federal land that burned this summer and fall.

The BAER assessment team identifies potential threats to critical values-at-risk and recommends emergency stabilization response actions that are implemented on federal lands to reduce potential post-fire risks.

BAER critical values that may be considered at-risk on National Forest System (NFS) lands are:

• Human life and safety.

• Property on Forest Service lands such as buildings, water systems and infrastructure, road and trail prisms.

• Natural Resources on Forest Service lands such as water, soil productivity and hydrologic function, areas where invasive species or noxious weeds may impact native or naturalized communities and may include critical habitat or suitable occupied habitat for federally listed threatened or endangered species.

• Cultural and Heritage Resources such as pre-historic and historic properties and sites on Forest Service lands.

For values and resources potentially impacted off NFS lands, one of the most effective BAER strategies is interagency coordination with other responsible agencies, entities, and local cooperators who assist affected businesses, homes, and landowners prepare for rain events. 

While multi-agency efforts are being taken to reduce the risks to life and safety downstream from the burned area, residents in the area should develop individual plans to protect themselves and their property. 

The Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) work together and coordinate with other federal, state and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding and debris flows.

NRCS works with local sponsors to prepare damage survey reports for eligible sites on private lands adjacent to and downstream from affected areas.  NRCS uses these reports, along with the BAER team’s assessment report, to develop emergency measures to reduce the impacts from potential increased water and debris flows, and assist sponsors to implement recommended emergency measures (www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb1045263.pdf).

Many local county offices of emergency management promote preparedness through emergency services programs to assist the public to prepare for, respond appropriately to, and quickly recover from natural emergencies that may impact county residents and visitors. Please check your local county website for emergency preparedness for potential National Weather Service flood warnings.

Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from wildfires may be eligible for flood insurance coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Information about NFIP is available through FEMA at www.floodsmart.gov/, or www.floodsmart.gov/flood-insurance/why. Other flood preparedness information is available at www.ready.gov/floods.

SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/.

BOBCAT POST-FIRE BAER SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED

Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and verification field work of the Bobcat Fire burn area.  The Soil Burn Severity map has been finalized.  Soil Burn Severity levels are Unburned/Very Low, Low, Moderate, and High.

The map shows that in the Bobcat Fire area, approximately 59% of the 115,739 acres analyzed by the BAER team is either unburned/very low (15%) or low (44%) soil burn severity, while 35% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and 7% burned at high soil burn severity.

The BAER post-fire assessment team uses soil burn severity data to identify if there are areas of concern where increased soil erosion, accelerated surface water run-off, and debris flows have the potential to impact human life/safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources from storm events. The BAER team consists of Forest Service scientists and specialists that are considering emergency stabilization actions for those critical resources on National Forest System lands.  The BAER team shares their analysis and findings with interagency cooperators who work with private land and business owners to help them prepare for upcoming rain events.

BAER Team Leader Katie Vinzant stated, “The BAER team expects erosion and run-off within the Bobcat Fire area to moderately increase in watersheds as a result of the fire because 42% of the burned area experienced moderate or high soil burn severity.”  In specific areas that experienced moderate to high soil burn severity, there is concern for increased post-fire run-off from steep hillslopes and resultant increases in post-fire soil erosion and debris flows.”

The Bobcat Fire soil burn severity BAER map can be downloaded at the interagency “Bobcat Post-Fire BAER” InciWeb site (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7232) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “maps” tab.

A "Field Guide for Mapping Post-Fire Soil Burn Severity" can help with interpreting the map and can be found online at http://www.fs.fed.us/rm/pubs/rmrs_gtr243.pdf.

SPECIAL NOTE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.

BAER TEAM BEGINS

POST-FIRE ASSESSMENT OF BOBCAT FIRE

A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team was established by the Angeles National Forest to begin a burned area assessment of the Bobcat Fire. The BAER team is led by Katie Vinzant. The team is coordinating with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Weather Service (NWS), US Geological Survey (USGS), Los Angeles County and other federal, state and local agencies as they assess potential post-fire impacts to the burned watersheds.

BAER surveys are rapid assessments that evaluate the burned area to identify watersheds having increased potential for post-fire flooding, sediment flows and rock slides. Since the BAER survey is a rapid assessment to assist land managers prepare the burned area for rainstorms, the team focuses on potential emergency impacts to life, and safety on National Forest System (NFS) land and share the team’s findings with the responsible downstream agencies.

The interagency Bobcat BAER team consists of scientists and specialists from the Forest Service in California, Idaho, and Montana, the National Park Service and retired former Forest Service employees including hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, wildlife biologists, recreation specialists, archeologists and geographic information mapping specialists. BAER teams collect data during their burned area surveys to analyze through GIS and computer models and presents their findings along with recommended BAER emergency response actions in a BAER assessment report.

BAER teams utilize satellite imagery and specialist data to analyze and produce a map that shows the levels of burn severity on the watersheds. This is the first step in assessing potential watershed impacts from wildfires to any NFS values that may be at-risk from potential increased flooding, sedimentation, debris flows and rock slides. BAER teams produce a report that describes threats associated with the burned area’s post-fire conditions along with recommended emergency stabilization measures and actions. BAER emergency response efforts are focused on the protection of human life, safety and property, as well as critical cultural and natural resource values such as the water quality of streams and wetlands on NFS lands.

BAER reports are shared with interagency cooperators who work with downstream private home and land owners to prepare for potential post-fire flooding and debris flow impacts. Homes or businesses that could be impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from wildfires may be eligible for flood insurance coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Information about NFIP is available through FEMA at www.floodsmart.gov/.

SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the burn scars. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events-be prepared to take action. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/lox/.