Cold Creek Fire Update
September 18, 2020 AM Update

Information line 509-761-4858
Incident Commander- Leonard Johnson 
Acres: 400
Percent Containment: 5   %                                                         
244 personnel
Start Date: September 15, 2020  

Yesterday:  Resources worked throughout the day to reinforce containment lines around the fire perimeter. Early in the evening, progressing fire on the north side of Highway 12 continued to pose challenges to the stability of the slope and rolling debris downhill forced limited access and a new spot fire on the south of Highway 12.  

Firefighters concentrated on the East and West flanks of the fire on the south side of Highway 12 and completed fire line along Clear Creek. Both hand crews and heavy equipment were used to place containment lines connecting it the North side of Clear Creek. The fire has not moved across the creek. However, the on the North side of the high-way has created unstable ground that has loosened big boulders and knocked down burning trees onto the roadway. Some of this debris has rolled or bounced across the road and started new spot fires on the South side of the road. This is causing more burning trees to fall back onto the road. Highway 12 was impassable even by firefighting resources several times today. Thank you to WSDOT for using a plow to keep the road clear when it got bad.  

Personnel also worked on the fire located on the north side of Highway 12 that has expanded into the wilderness area north and west of Indian Creek. This side of the fire is slowly moving down towards the creek bed. Currently firefighters are working in the area of Sand Ridge Trail and widening road 1308 to create a fire line to stop the fire before getting into recreation lands north of Rimrock Lake.  

A closure is being planned by the US Forest Service for the area around the fire. The closure is generally from road 1382 on the East to Dog lake on the West. On the South it starts at Round mountain and Twin Peaks to Tumac Mountain of the North.  

Smoke Information:   The Smoke is not forecasted to start clearing until the weekend . For further smoke information visit wasmoke.blogspot.com/p/state.html  

Road Information:  Highway 12 is still closed around the fire area due to fire near the road and firefighters working on the roadway. Boulders and debris continue to fall out on to the roadway making it unsafe for apparatus to park on the side close to the mountain, so they are mostly in the roadway on the east bound lanes. Road information can be found at https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/southcentral  

Weather and Fire Behavior:   There is a cooler front coming in that could help lift the smoke. The winds will push the fire back to the east.  

Evacuations:   Evacuation levels are evaluated daily but remain unchanged. Please see the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management at www.co.yakima.wa.us   for details.  

Closures:   Fire restrictions are in effect and can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/fire-restrictions.   The Pacific Crest Trail is open in the White Pass area at this time. Please see the Pacific Crest Trail Association at  www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures   for a current trail map.  

Aircraft:  Air resources were able to launch! We had two Helicopters working yesterday! We are hoping the weather will work in our favor and they can fly again today.

Online Cold Creek Fire Updates: InciWeb at    Inciweb cold creek info Facebook at @SEWAIMT

Closure Order and Map

September 17, 2020 AM Update

Information line 509-761-4858

Incident Commander- Leonard Johnson

Acres: 252
Percent Containment: 5 %     
Personnel: 148     
Start Date: September 15, 2020

Current Situation: Crews were able to build some containment line yesterday on parts of the perimeter. Firefighters concentrated yesterday on the East and West flanks of the fire on the south side of Highway 12. Both hand crews and heavy equipment were used to place containment lines connecting it the North side of Clear Creek. The fire has not moved across the creek. There is a forecast later this week for winds to start blowing from the West and the goal is to make sure the southern portion of the fire does not continue to grow towards the Rimrock area.

Personnel also worked on the fire located on the north side of Highway 12 that has expanded into the wilderness area north and west of Indian Creek.

Smoke Information: The Smoke is not forecasted to start clearing anytime soon. For further smoke information visit wasmoke.blogspot.com/p/state.html

Road Information: Highway 12 is still closed around the fire area due to fire near the road and firefighters working on the roadway. Boulders and debris continue to fall out on to the roadway making it unsafe for apparatus to park on the side close to the mountain, so they are mostly in the roadway on the east bound lanes. Road information can be found at https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/southcentral

Weather and Fire Behavior: Mild weather is expected to last for the next day allowing for reduced rates of spread, with continued backing, creeping, and beneficial surface fuel consumption. There is a chance for a thunderstorm to the north that could bring some dry lightning on the northern perimeter of the fire. Winds are predicted to shift to a more westerly direction on Friday.

Evacuations: Evacuation levels are evaluated daily but remain unchanged. Please see the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management at www.co.yakima.wa.us for details.

Closures: Fire restrictions are in effect and can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/fire-restrictions . The Pacific Crest Trail is open in the White Pass area at this time. Please see the Pacific Crest Trail Association at www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures for a current trail map.

Aircraft: Air resources were able to launch yesterday! We had two Helicopters working this afternoon! We are hoping the weather will work in our favor and they can fly again today.

Now that we have aircraft in the air, please remember that use of unauthorized unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, in a fire area endangers the lives of pilots and firefighters. Never fly unmanned aircraft over or near a fire. Remember, if you fly, we cannot.

Online Cold Creek Fire Updates: InciWeb at Inciweb cold creek info Facebook at @SEWAIMT

Cold Creek Fire Update - 3:30 p.m. September 16, 2020
Fire Information:  509-761-4858

More resources will be arriving today and we expect to make some progress toward primary line construction.

Smoke Information: Smoke will likely be visible all day, with increasing amounts of smoke for most of central Washington. For further smoke information visit wasmoke.blogspot.com/p/state.html

Weather and Fire Behavior: Surface winds will generally be light until a slow moving front approaches late Thursday. Mild weather is expected to last for several days allowing for reduced rates of spread, with continued backing, creeping, and beneficial surface fuel consumption.

Evacuations: Evacuation levels are evaluated daily, but remain unchanged. Please see the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management at www.co.yakima.wa.us for details.

Road Closure: US 12 remains closed both directions over White Pass due to a forest fire. Eastbound traffic is stopped 13 miles west of the summit near milepost 138 at the junction of US 12 and SR 123. Westbound traffic is stopped at milepost 183, Oak Creek, two miles west of the Junction of SR 410. An estimated time to open the highway is not determined, and update will be provided at noon. https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/default.aspx

Closures: Area closures are in effect on the Okanogan-Wenatchee and Gifford Pinchot National Forests. Maps and a list of affected areas can be found at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closur. Fire restrictions are also in effect and can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/fire-restrictions. The Pacific Crest Trail is open with cautions. Please see the Pacific Crest Trail Association at www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures for a current trail map.

Online Cold Creek Fire Updates:

InciWeb atcg.gov/incident/7198/  

Badger Fire Final Update 

Badger fire to transition back to Sawtooth National Forest  

Badger Fire Daily Update for October 11, 2020

Public Fire Information: (208) 308-5991                                                      Email: 2020.Badger@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/                                        Twitter:@SawtoothNatlFS

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

Activity on the Fire: Very minimal fire activity was observed yesterday. Fire received rain yesterday afternoon and snow last night. Crews will be patrolling and monitoring throughout the day today.

Weather: Drastically reduced temperatures and high relative humidity is expected over the fire area today. Strong winds, with gust up to 40 mph and additional precipitation are predicted this afternoon and evening.

Area Closure: The Badger Fire Road, Trail, and Area Closure is still in effect. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be viewed on Inciweb and the Sawtooth NF’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth. Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts and endanger personnel.

Hunting: Muzzleloader and rifle season for deer, elk, pronghorn and moose have begun in Game Management Unit 54, much of which is in the fire closure area. Hunting is not permitted within the closure area, above. Those who wish are being offered the opportunity to exchange or rain check their tags by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. To read their press release, go to https://bit.ly/3i1jqk6. For more information, call the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.

Note:  The fire perimeter map will only be updated as percent contained increase or if there is a change in acreage.

Badger Fire Daily Update for October 10, 2020

Public Fire Information: (208) 308-5991                                                      Email: 2020.Badger@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/                                        Twitter:@SawtoothNatlFS

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

Activity on the Fire: Very minimal fire activity was observed yesterday. Helitack and engine crews continue patrol and mop up hotspots. Work continues on the UTV/motorcycle trails, removing hazard trees, completing 50 miles within the burn area. The rest of the repair group is expected to completed all their road and dozer line repairs across the burn area today. The Sawtooth National Forest Fire Area closure remains in effect.

Weather: A strong cold front will move through Idaho today and brining Red Flag conditions this afternoon. Very high winds, with gust reaching 25-30 mph and low relativity humidity throughout the afternoon today, followed by rain and snow this evening. Snow levels will drop to around 6,000 feet.

Area Closure: The Badger Fire Road, Trail, and Area Closure is still in effect. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be viewed on Inciweb and the Sawtooth NF’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth. Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts and endanger personnel.

Hunting: Muzzleloader and rifle season for deer, elk, pronghorn and moose have begun in Game Management Unit 54, much of which is in the fire closure area. Hunting is not permitted within the closure area, above. Those who wish are being offered the opportunity to exchange or rain check their tags by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. To read their press release, go to https://bit.ly/3i1jqk6. For more information, call the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.

Note:  The fire perimeter map will only be updated as percent contained increase or if there is a change in acreage.

Badger Fire Daily Update for October 9, 2020

Public Fire Information: (208) 308-5991                                                      Email: 2020.Badger@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/                                        Twitter:@SawtoothNatlFS

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

Activity on the Fire: Fire activity was confined to small interior islands within the burn area. Helitack and engine crews continue patrol and mop up hotspots. Work continues on the UTV/motorcycle trails, removing hazard trees, completing 45 miles within the burn area. The rest of the repair group has nearly completed all their road and dozer line repairs across the burn area. The Sawtooth National Forest Fire Area closure remains in effect.

Weather: Very dry weather with unstable atmosphere is expected to continue through today and tonight. A cold front will move through Idaho during the day Saturday and winds will increase substantially, with gust reaching 25-30 mph. Rain will move in Saturday night behind the front and wetting rains are expected and snow levels will drop to around 6,000 feet.

Area Closure: The Badger Fire Road, Trail, and Area Closure is still in effect. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be viewed on Inciweb and the Sawtooth NF’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth. Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts and endanger personnel.

Hunting: Muzzleloader and rifle season for deer, elk, pronghorn and moose have begun in Game Management Unit 54, much of which is in the fire closure area. Hunting is not permitted within the closure area, above. Those who wish are being offered the opportunity to exchange or rain check their tags by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. To read their press release, go to https://bit.ly/3i1jqk6. For more information, call the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.

Note:  The fire perimeter map will only be updated as percent contained increase or if there is a change in acreage.

Badger Fire Daily Update for October 8, 2020

Public Fire Information: (208) 308-5991                                                      Email: 2020.Badger@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/                                        Twitter:@SawtoothNatlFS

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

Activity on the Fire: Minimal interior burning yesterday. Helitack and engine crews are patrolling the fire perimeter, monitoring, and mopping up hot spots. The repair group is nearly done repairing roads and UTV/motorcycle trails within the burn area. Crews are also working on removing hazard trees on UTV/motorcycle trails within the burn area, completing nearly 30 miles so far. The Sawtooth National Forest Fire Area closure remains in effect.

Weather: A high pressure system will continue to dominate the overall weather pattern through Friday. Unstable atmosphere with critically low relative humidity, temperatures 10-18 degrees above normal and breezy conditions will likely cause more active fire behavior.

Area Closure: The Badger Fire Road, Trail, and Area Closure is still in effect. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be viewed on Inciweb and the Sawtooth NF’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth. Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts and endanger personnel.

Hunting: Muzzleloader and rifle season for deer, elk, pronghorn and moose have begun in Game Management Unit 54, much of which is in the fire closure area. Hunting is not permitted within the closure area, above. Those who wish are being offered the opportunity to exchange or rain check their tags by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. To read their press release, go to https://bit.ly/3i1jqk6. For more information, call the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.

Note:  The fire perimeter map will only be updated as percent contained increase or if there is a change in acreage.

Badger Fire Daily Update for October 7, 2020

Public Fire Information: (208) 308-5991                                                      Email: 2020.Badger@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/                                        Twitter:@SawtoothNatlFS

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

Activity on the Fire: Crews continue to monitor containment lines and mop up hot spots. The repair group continues their work on repairing roads, trails, removing hazard trees, and repairing dozer lines within the fire area. The Forest Service Burn Area Emergency Response Team (BEAR) and BLM Emergency stabilization and Restoration (ESR) continues their assessment of the burn area, forming a plan to stabilize and rehabilitate the area. The Sawtooth National Forest Fire Area closure remains in effect.

Weather: Extremely dry air is moving over southern Idaho, bringing afternoon humidity down to as dry as 9% in some locations on the incident. A significant storm with wetting rains will first show up as cloud cover on Saturday, which will cool things slightly, but rain on Saturday night and Sunday will cool temperatures below normal with humidity increasing greatly. Wind will also be very strong with this storm.

Area Closure: The Badger Fire Road, Trail, and Area Closure is still in effect. As hunting seasons open, hunters are reminded the closure is in place for their safety as well as the safety of firefighters. The full Forest Closure Order can be viewed on Inciweb and the Sawtooth NF’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth. Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts and endanger personnel.

Hunting: Muzzleloader and rifle season for deer, elk, pronghorn and moose have begun in Game Management Unit 54, much of which is in the fire closure area. Hunting is not permitted within the closure area, above. Those who wish are being offered the opportunity to exchange or rain check their tags by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. To read their press release, go to https://bit.ly/3i1jqk6. For more information, call the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359.

Note:  The fire perimeter map will only be updated as percent contained increase or if there is a change in acreage.