Acres:  89,276     Containment:  49%     Crews:  4     Helicopters:  8     Dozers:  8     Engines:  37     Personnel:392
    
Activity on the Fire: Yesterday afternoon, Governor Brad Little and several other Idaho state officials, along with representatives of the Army and National Guard, visited the Oakley Helibase for a presentation on the Badger Fire and an aerial tour with Incident Commander Sam Hicks.

Weather: A cold front is moving in today and will impact local weather through Saturday. Westerly winds are expected to increase to 15-20 mph, with gusts around 30 mph. Cooler temperatures and cloud cover should assist in relative humidity recoveries in the coming days.

Area Closure: The Sawtooth National Forest issued the Badger Fire Road, Trail, and Area Closure, effective September 15, 2020. 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. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is also in place over the fire area. Unmanned aerial vehicles ("drones") are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts.

Donations: Firefighters on this incident have all the food and supplies they need. If you would like to donate, please consider the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. https://wffoundation.org/.

Badger Fire in Game Management Unit 54 impacts big game hunts
(issued by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game)

The Badger Fire on the Minidoka Ranger District has led to the closure of a large portion of Game Management Unit 54 south of Twin Falls, affecting numerous big game hunts this fall. The Badger Fire started on the Cassia Division of the Minidoka Ranger District on September 12, 2020. Shortly after, the Sawtooth National Forest issued a Road, Trail and Area Closure of all Forest Service land east of Rock Creek Canyon and Deadline Ridge to the eastern-most forest boundary. The closure forbids all public access to much of the Cassia District, which has a direct impact on hundreds of big game hunters in pursuit of deer, elk and pronghorn in Game Management Unit 54.

Hunters who hold controlled hunt tags for Unit 54 have several options to consider before their hunt starts.

Resident big game hunters in Unit 54 can:

• Actively hunt their tag, outside of the Forest Closure.

• Request a refund of the cost of the tag. No refunds will be made for license fees.

• Exchange their 2020 controlled hunt tag for a 2020 general season tag of the same species.

• Rain check their 2020 controlled hunt tag for a 2021 controlled hunt tag for the same species in Unit 54. Hunters who chose to rain check until 2021 will be allowed to purchase any available 2020 over-the-counter tag for the same species.

Non-resident big game hunters in Unit 54 can:

• Actively hunt their tag, outside of the Forest Closure.

• Request a refund of the cost of the tag. No refunds will be made for license fees.

• Rain check their 2020 controlled hunt tag for a 2021 controlled hunt tag for the same species in Unit 54.

• If a non-resident holds a 2020 unlimited archery deer tag, they can request a rain check for the same tag in 2021.

Hunters wishing to exchange or rain check their Unit 54 tag must turn in their 2020 controlled hunt tag to the nearest Fish and Game office prior to the start of the start date of their controlled hunt.

Questions should be directed to the Magic Valley Regional Office at (208) 324-4359 or your nearest Fish and Game office.

Acres:  89,090     Containment:  49%     Crews:  5     Helicopters:  8     Dozers:  8     Engines:  38     Personnel:  373

Activity on the Fire: Helicopters were able to perform numerous bucket drops and assist with hauling supplies in and out of the spike camps yesterday thanks to relatively good visibility. Crews worked on building direct line along Goose Creek. Two hotshot crews worked on handline from Buckbrush Flat south to Fourth Fork Rock Creek. In the north of the fire, crews continued to patrol and improve the line with minimal activity. On the south end of the fire, crews worked on securing and improving the completed line of the fire between Little Piney Creek and Ibex Peak.

Today, crews will continue to monitor and mop-up on the north end of the fire and will continue to patrol and improve the line in the southern part of the fire. Crews working on the southwest flank will work to complete the line between Goose Creek and Piney Creek. Crews will work to cool pockets of heat along the east and west flanks, assisted by aerial resources as conditions allow. Firefighters will mop up and patrol all other areas of the fire perimeter. Road crews will continue to work on clearing snags to ensure public and firefighter safety.

Weather: A high pressure system developing over the region is expected to decrease wind speeds today, but by Thursday a cold front is expected to move into the area which will strengthen southwest winds with gusts up to 30 mph. High temperatures are expected to drop as the week continues and relative humidities are expected to increase 10-20%.

Area Closure: The Sawtooth National Forest issued the Badger Fire Road, Trail, and Area Closure, effective September 15, 2020. 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. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is also in place over the fire area. Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts.

Donations: Firefighters on this incident have all the food and supplies they need.  If you would like to donate, please consider the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.  https://wffoundation.org/.

Acres:  89,090     Containment:  49%     Crews:  5     Helicopters:     8    
Dozers:  6     Engines:36     Personnel:  356

Activity on the Fire: Yesterday, crews and dozers continued to construct direct line on the southern perimeter and completed line down Rams Horn Ridge. Structure protection actions continued around recreation residences near Magic Mountain Ski Resort. Aerial resources supported ground crews along the west flank to halt further fire spread to the west. Heavy equipment cleared rocks and debris from the Trapper Creek Road, moving west toward Diamondfield Jack Campground. Crews began to fall snags along egress routes for firefighter safety. A community meeting for residents of Rock Creek and Dry Creek was held last night with the incident commander and local agency representatives.

Today, suppression resources on the southwest flank of the fire will actively engage the fire’s edge with direct and indirect line to stop fire spread to the south and west near Pike Mountain and Magic Mountain Ski Resort. Crews will work to cool pockets of heat along the east flank, assisted by aerial resources as conditions allow. Firefighters will mop up and patrol all other areas of the fire perimeter. Feller bunchers are dropping snags along roads for public and firefighter safety.

Weather: The weather will be trending warmer and drier through the week. Temperatures will range from 75-78˚F with relative humidity of 15-20%.  Winds will be southwest, shifting to westerly this afternoon, with gusts to 20 mph.

Evacuation:  The evacuation order for all residents on private land in Rock Creek Canyon and Dry Creek was lifted at 8 am Sunday by Twin Falls and Cassia County Sheriff’s Departments.  The Rock Creek Road is closed at the BLM/private land boundary.

Area Closure: The Sawtooth National Forest issued the Badger Fire Road, Trail and Area Closure, effective September 15, 2020. 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. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is also in place over the fire area. Unmanned aerial vehicles (“drones”) are prohibited; they interfere with helicopters and air tankers conducting suppression efforts.

Donations: Firefighters on this incident have all the food and supplies they need.  If you would like to donate, please consider the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.  https://wffoundation.org/.

Acres:  89,090     Containment 25%     Crews:  5     Helicopters:  6     Dozers:  6     Engines:  33     Personnel:  308 

Activity on the Fire: Yesterday, helicopters were used to backhaul equipment from spike camps on the south end of the fire in the morning, and then dropped water on the upper western perimeter of the fire near Magic Mountain Ski Area in the afternoon as fire behavior increased. “Super Scoopers” continued to assist with water drops as needed on active areas around the fire perimeter.  Hotshot crews built direct line from Sagehen Flats south toward Fourth Fork of Rock Creek, assisted by aviation resources cooling hot spots. Another hotshot crew conducted firing operations from the 530 Road to establish a control line on a portion of the eastern flank.  

 Today, dozers will continue to construct direct line on the east half of the southern perimeter, while hand crews build line on the west half of the  southern perimeter toward Diamondfield Jack Campground. Structure protection actions will continue around recreation residences near Magic Mountain Ski Resort. Aerial resources will support ground crews along the west bank to halt further fire spread to the west. Heavy equipment will clear rocks and debris from the Trapper Creek Road, moving west toward Diamondfield Jack Campground.  Crews will begin to fell snags along egress outes for firefighter safety.

Weather: High pressure is building over the area.
Temperatures will range from 74-79˚F with relative humidity of 17-22%.  Winds will be southwest at 6-11 with gusts to 14 mph.

Evacuation:  The evacuation order for all residents on
private land in Rock Creek Canyon and Dry Creek was lifted at 8 am Sunday by Twin Falls and Cassia County Sheriff’s Departments.  The Rock Creek Road is closed at the BLM/private land boundary.

Area
Closure: The Sawtooth National Forest issued the Badger Fire Road, Trail and Area Closure, effective September 15, 2020. 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.

Donations: Firefighters on this incident have all the food and supplies they need.  If you would like to donate, please consider thee Wildland Firefighter Foundation.  https://wffoundation.org/.

Acres:  89,090*     Containment:  12%     Crews:  3     Helicopters:  5     Dozers:  6     Engines:  17     Personnel:  266
     *Acreage based on more accurate data

Activity on the Fire: Yesterday, Bombadier “Super Scooper” airtankers obtained water from Murtaugh Lake to drop on hot spots in the fire near Magic Mountain Ski Area. Firefighters secured vacation cabins and organizational camp structures near the ski area. Feller-bunchers, dozers, and hand crews built line from Elk Butte south to Goose Creek on the western edge of the fire. Heavy equipment cleared large rocks and debris from roads below steep slopes within the perimeter. Line in Trapper Creek area is now contained.

Today, feller-bunchers and dozers will work in the Magic Mountain area to construct direct and indirect line, assisted by aviation resources as conditions allow.  Progress will continue on direct and indirect line construction on all other uncontained edges of the Badger Fire.

Weather: High pressure is building over the area. Temperatures will range from 68-74 ˚F with relative humidity of 27-33%.  Winds will be southwest at 6-12 with gusts to 18 mph.

Evacuation:  The evacuation order for all residents in Rock Creek Canyon and Dry Creek was lifted at 8 am today by Twin Falls and Cassia County Sheriff’s Departments.  The Rock Creek Road is closed at the BLM/private land boundary.

Area Closure: The Sawtooth National Forest issued the Badger Fire Road, Trail and Area Closure, effective September 15, 2020. 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.

Donations: Firefighters on this incident have all the food and supplies they need.  If you would like to donate, please consider the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.  https://wffoundation.org/.

Issued by the Twin Falls County Sheriff: 

On the I8th day of September ,2020, I issued an Emergency Evacuation Order in response to the

Because of improvements in the conditions at that area, the Emergency Evacuation Order is

hereby rescinded. Residents in the previous evacuation area (the bottom half of Rock Creek from

Third Fork Drainage on the south end to Foothill Road on the north end in Twin Falls County)

may retum to their properties at their discretion.
 

This decision was made after consultation with local emergency responders and officials and by

the authority of Idaho Code 31-2202.

In cooperation with the Great Basin Incident Management Team 5, the Twin Falls and Cassia County Sheriff's Departments will lift the evacuation from Rock Creek and Dry Creek, as of 0800 Sunday, September 20, 2020.  The Rock Creek road closure is still in place but has moved south to the BLM/private land boundary between Sections 25 and 36.  The Forest closure remains in effect.

Activity on the Fire: Yesterday, as expected, strong late afternoon winds drove the fire edge northward, approaching private land in Rock Creek Canyon and Antelope Valley and doubling the fire footprint. Firefighters successfully secured structures in Rock Creek. The fire is actively burning in beetle-killed timber, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, grass, and pinyon/juniper forest types, and has now reached agricultural lands to the north. Dozers and hand crews built line and firefighters conducted firing operations to starve the fire of fuel before it reached any structures. Single-engine air tankers dropped retardant and “scoopers” dropped water to cool the flaming front. Heavy smoke and high winds soon limited air operations.
 

Today, crews will continue to construct direct and indirect line on all perimeters, assisted by aviation resources as conditions allow.  
 

Light to no precipitation fell on the fire overnight, and temperatures will be much cooler today with higher relative humidities.  Winds will shift throughout the day, from southerly to westerly this morning, and to west- northwest by this afternoon, with gusts from 25-30 mph. The fire is expected to exhibit less active fire behavior this evening.

Evacuation:  There is a mandatory evacuation order for all residents in Rock Creek Canyon, from Third Fork drainage on the south end to Foothill Road on the north end, in Twin Falls County. Information can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/twinfallssheriff/ , by calling the Sheriff’s Office (208) 736-4177, or on their website at http://twinfallscoso.com/. Evacuations also remain in Dry Creek and Trapper Creek in Cassia County. Information on evacuations in Cassia County can be found by calling the Cassia County Sheriff at (208) 878-1002.

The evacuation shelter at the Eastside Southern Baptist Church closed at last evening at 9pm. Residents needing Red Cross assistance can call (800) 272-6668. RVs and evacuated livestock can stay at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds, in Filer, Idaho. 

Area Closure: The Sawtooth National Forest issued the Badger Fire Road, Trail and Area Closure, effective September 15, 2020. 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.

Donations: Firefighters on this incident have all the food and supplies they need.  If you would like to donate, please consider the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.  https://wffoundation.org/.

Acres:  42,345     Containment:  0    Crews:  5     Helos:  5     Dozers:  6     Engines:  15     Personnel:  216

Management of the Badger Fire transitioned this morning to the Great Basin Incident Management Team 5, Sam Hicks, Incident Commander. Incident objectives were updated to realign with agency objectives for the South Hills area of the Sawtooth National Forest, Minidoka Ranger District.

Evacuation: At 7:45 am, the Twin Falls County Sheriff’s Office posted a mandatory evacuation order for all residents in the bottom half of the Rock Creek Drainage area, from Third Fork drainage on the south end to Foothill Road on the north end in Twin Falls county. Information can be found on their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/twinfallssheriff/ , by calling the Sheriff’s Office (208) 736-4177, or on their website at http://twinfallscoso.com/.

A shelter has been established for Rock Creek Canyon residents at Eastside Southern Baptist Church, 204 Eastland Drive North, Twin Falls, ID. RVs and evacuated livestock can stay at the Twin Falls County Fairgrounds, in Filer, Idaho.

Area Closure: The Sawtooth National Forest issued the Badger Fire Road, Trail and Area Closure, effective September 15, 2020. 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’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth

Fire Suppression: Dozers and ground crews continue building direct and indirect containment lines around the majority of the fire perimeter. Scouting and mop-up efforts are continuing along the northeast and eastern flanks. Helicopters will drop water and fixed wing aircraft will drop retardant across the fire footprint were needed again today. The fire is actively burning to the west and north in beetle-killed timber, subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, grass, and pinyon/juniper forest types.