Emergency Evacuation Order

By the order of the Twin Falls County Sheriff the residents of the Rock Creek Drainage Area are hereby required to evacuate their homes as soon as possible. This order brought under the authority of Idaho Code 3l-2202(1) and,31-2202(5) and is made in response to the BadgerCreek Fire.

The mandatory evacuation area covers 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.

This emergency order is in effect until further notice.

Badger Fire Morning Update

                                  Badger Fire Morning Update

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Contact Information: 

Julie Thomas:

208.731.8604

Julie.thomas@usda.gov

Kelsey Brizendine:

208.308.5991

kbrizendine@blm.gov

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/

Follow:  #BadgerFire

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SawtoothNatlFS

https://twitter.com/BLMIdahoFire

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

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect over the fire area today for very dry conditions, high temperatures, and high winds. Looking ahead to Thursday, a wind event is expected with winds reaching critical thresholds of over 25 mph, along with dry conditions and unstable atmosphere, fire growth should be expected.

The fire made a big push to the east yesterday, gaining about 4, 500 acres. Weather, terrain, and heavy fuel loading are creating extremely difficult conditions for fire fighters. The fire burned actively through the night and activity is expected to increase through out the day with the Fire Weather Watch. Air and ground crews are focusing on improving and securing a safe anchor point and protecting structures. The fire has reach Monument Peak, prompting fire officials to order a Type 2 Incident Management Team to assist with the fire fighting efforts.

CLOSURES – A forest area closure is in effect for the Cassia Division of the Sawtooth National Forest. The purpose of this order is to protect the public and fire fighters during wildfire activity suppression activities. This includes all roads, trails, most campgrounds, and hunting units. Harrington and Third Fork Campgrounds remain open. Please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/ for the full closure order. The order will be in effect until October 30, 2020 unless rescinded by the Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor.

EVACUATIONS-  While there are no evacuation currently in place, now is the time to prepare for any that may come. Follow these steps for a swift and safe evacuation if the need where to arise:

6 P’s of Evacuations-

1. Plan- Make a plan

2. Prescriptions- Gather necessary prescriptions

3. Pets- Gather pets, pet food, and pet supplies

4. Papers- Collect important papers: insurant cards, medical, taxes

5. Pictures- Gather important pictures

6. Plastics- Credit cards

Visit www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/ready-set-go/ for more information on preparing for wildfire evacuations.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE

SAWTOOTH NATIONAL FOREST MINIDOKA RANGER DISTRICT

BADGER FIRE ROAD, TRAIL, AND AREA CLOSURE

Version 1

Public Safety

PROHIBITIONS:

Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited in the Area described in this Order, including the roads and trail within the Area, located within the administrative boundaries of the Minidoka Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest. This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect through October 30, 2020, at 00:01 AM, unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.

1.     Going into or upon the Area described below. 36 CFR 261.52(e).

2.     Going into or upon the Area Described below. 36 CFR261.53(e).

3.     Being on the Roads described below.  36 CFR 261.54(e).

4.     Being on the Trails described below.  36 CFR 261.55(a).

EXEMPTIONS:

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

1.       Persons with a special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization 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.

3.       Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty.

AREA, ROAD, AND TRAIL DESCRIPTIONS

All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundary described beginning at the National Forest boundary with BLM at the intersection with Forest Service Road 515, in T13 S, T12 S, R19 E, Sections 6, 31; then continuing east along National Forest Boundary to the north east corner of the Cassia Division in T13S, R20E, Section 1; then continuing south along the Forest Boundary to the south east corner of the Cassia Division in T16 S, R20 E, Section 25; then continuing south and west along the National Forest boundary to the intersection with FSR 542 in T16 S, R19 E, Section 31; then continuing north along FSR 542, but not including FSR 542, to the intersection with FSR 541 in T15 S, R18 E, Section 24; then continuing north along FSR 541 but not including FSR 541 to the intersection with FSR 500 in T14 S, R19 E, Section 31; then continuing north on FSR 500, but not including FSR 500, to the intersection with FSR 515 in

T14S, R18 E, Section 24; then continuing north along the FSR 515, but not including FSR 515, to the point of beginning at the intersection with FSR 515 and the Forest Boundary in T13 S, R19 E, Section 6.

The described Area is shown on the Map attached hereto as Exhibit A, and includes all roads and trails within the Area and forming the boundaries of the Area, unless specified otherwise in the description above. The Area is within the Minidoka Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest, Cassia and Twin Falls County, Idaho, Boise Meridian.

The Diamondfield Jack Campground Area is described as the entire campground including the parking lot and all roads located in T14 S, R19 E Section 31.

The above described campground is located along Rock Creek Road, FS road 500 within the Minidoka Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest, Boise Meridian, Cassia County Idaho.

Harrington Fork Day Use Area and Third Fork Campground are open for use. Access to the Harrington and Third Fork Trails are both closed.

The described Area is shown on the Map attached hereto as Exhibit A, and includes all roads and trails within the Area and forming the boundaries of the Area, unless specified otherwise I the description above. The Area is within the Minidoka Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest, Cassia and Twin Falls County, Idaho, Boise Meridian.

PURPOSE:

The Area described above is closed to public entry in order to provide for public safety during wildfire suppression activities.

IMPLEMENTATION:

1.       This Order will be in effect when signed and shall remain in effect through October 30, 2020, at 00:01 AM, unless rescinded earlier by the Forest Supervisor.

2.       A Map identifying the above-described Area, Roads and trails is attached hereto as Exhibit A, and is made part of this Order.

3.       Violation of the above prohibition(s) 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 551, Title 18 USC 3571 (b)(6), Title 18 USC 3581 (b)(7).]

4.       Further information regarding this Order may be obtained at the Minidoka Ranger District office in Burley, ID, 208-678-0430 or the Sawtooth National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Jerome, ID, 208-423-7500.

Done at Jerome, ID this 15day of September 2020.

DEMAAGD

JAMES

Digitally signed by JAMES DEMAAGD

Date: 2020.09.15

10:08:20 -06'00'

Jim DeMaagd

Forest Supervisor Sawtooth National Forest

                                                                                    Badger Fire Morning Update

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Contact Information: 

Julie Thomas:

208.731.8604

Julie.thomas@usda.gov

Kelsey Brizendine:

208.308.5991

kbrizendine@blm.gov

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7196/

Follow:  #BadgerFire

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/SawtoothNatlFS

https://twitter.com/BLMIdahoFire

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

The Badger fire is located on the Minadoka Ranger District – 20 miles southwest of Oakley, ID. The Badger Fire started on September 12, 2020, near Badger Gulch, off Forest Service road 533 and 536. Dry conditions, high winds, low visibility, and extreme fire behavior, including long range spotting, torching and fire whirls caused fire grow quickly. Great Basin Type 3 Team Nevada Sierra Front assumed command of the Badger fire this morning, with Incident Commander Scott Stephenson. The fire is currently burning in grass, brush, logging slash and heavy timber, multiple structures are threatened.  

Unfavorable weather conditions are expected today, with southwest winds 6-11 mph with gust up to 22mph. In addition to high winds, warm temperatures and low relative humidity may lead to critical fire weather today, creating difficult conditions for fire fighters. Fire crews will be focusing on creating a safe anchor point, constructing direct fire containment lines, and point protection on structures.

# # #

October 9, 2020: This page is no longer being updated. Updates for the Thielsen Fire can be found on the Archie Creek Fire Inciweb page. Thielsen Fire Information can also be obtained at 941-334-7674 or 2020.archiecreek@firenet.gov.

Archie Creek and Thielsen Fire Update October 8, 2020

  Incident Commander Bob Shindelar

 Archie Creek Fire

 Email: 2020.archiecreek@firenet.gov

 Phone: 971-334-7674

 InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/

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

Thielsen Fire

Email: 2020.Thielsen@firenet.gov

Phone: 541-625-0687

InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/

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

The Archie Creek Fire is east of Roseburg in the North Umpqua corridor on state, private, and federal land. The Thielsen Fire is located five miles north of Crater Lake near Diamond Lake on federal lands. A weather pattern change will begin today with cooler temperatures and higher humidities. Rain is possible Friday evening, with more widespread rainfall expected Saturday.

All Level 1 Evacuations for the Archie Creek and Thielsen Fires have been lifted today, including those along Rock Creek Rd, CR 138, and Diamond Lake.

Yesterday’s Operations:

Archie Creek – Firefighters conducted mop-up, patrol and suppression repair. Crews also conducted hazard tree mitigation, particularly in the southeast area of the fire. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is assessing post-wildfire environmental conditions, such as severe loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may result in poor water quality and flash flooding.

Thielsen – The fire continued to smolder in large stumps and deep duff with some isolated single tree torching. Fire crews conducted mop up and suppression repair along containment lines.

Today’s Operations:

Archie Creek – Firefighters will continue to mop-up, patrol and conduct suppression repair work. Hazard tree mitigation will continue in the southeast area of the fire. Expect to see smoke coming from the fire area, particularly in the southeast. The BAER team will continue assessing post-wildfire environmental conditions. Emergency actions may be identified to mitigate unacceptable degradation of natural and cultural resources or to minimize threats to life or property resulting from effects of the fire. Roseburg Forest Products Company will be blasting on Roseburg Resources Company property to the west of Rock Creek.

Thielsen – Mop up and suppression repair will continue along containment lines, and firefighters will continue improving a shaded fuel break along Forest Road 60. Forest Road 005, near North Diamond, will remain closed today while crews cut hazard trees.

Pacific Power and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have been working tirelessly to repair facilities damaged by the fire. If you have questions, please contact Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070 or ODOT at 541-957-3683.

Safety Message & Help for Fire Victims:

Please stay out of fire closure areas for your safety and that of the firefighters. Be aware that heavy equipment traffic may be encountered around the fire area. Smoke may be present over the next few days. Be cautious driving in low visibility, and visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at http://www.oregon.gov/deq for Air Quality information.
 
  Statistics and Resources:

Archie Creek:

SIZE: 131,542 acres

CONTAINMENT: 94%

PERSONNEL: 324

Thielsen:

SIZE: 9,975 acres

COMPLETION: 71%

PERSONNEL: 139

CAUSE: unknown for both fires

ARCHIE CREEK RESOURCES: 

Hand Crews            4                 

Engines                    7                    

Dozers                      6                   

Water Tenders       4                    

Helicopters              0      

THIELSEN RESOURCES: 

Hand Crews            1                 

Engines                    3                    

Dozers                      2                   

Water Tenders       6                    

Helicopters              1      

Tomorrow, October 8, will be the final posting on this page. Beginning October 9, updates for the Thielsen Fire can be found on the Archie Creek Fire Inciweb page.

Archie Creek & Thielsen

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12

Incident Commander: Bob Shindelar October 7, 2020

The Archie Creek Fire is east of Roseburg in the North Umpqua corridor on state, private, and federal land. The Thielsen Fire is located five miles north of Crater Lake near Diamond Lake on federal lands. Weather will be slightly cooler than yesterday with higher humidities. Expect more smoke from the fires in the afternoon. Rain is expected to arrive Friday evening or Saturday morning.

Yesterday’s Operations:

Archie Creek – As anticipated, the fire continued to produce smoke from smoldering logs and stumps in the interior of the fire, but no fire perimeter growth occurred. A flare-up occurred internal to the fire near Hwy 138 and was visible from nearby communities. Firefighters continued mop-up and patrol, as well as conducting suppression repair work.

Thielsen – The fire continued to smolder in large stumps and deep duff with some isolated single tree torching. Fire crews conducted mop up and suppression repair along containment lines. Crews were able to complete suppression repairs on all indirect dozer lines.

Today’s Operations:

Archie Creek – Firefighters will continue mop-up, patrol, and suppression repair work. Suppression repair work is done in collaboration with agency resource advisors to meet resource protection objectives. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will be in the field today. The BAER Team will assess post-wildfire environmental conditions that may require emergency action, such as severe loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may result in poor water quality and flash flooding. Emergency actions may be identified to stabilize and prevent unacceptable degradation of natural and cultural resources or to minimize threats to life or property resulting from effects of the fire.

Thielsen – Today, mop up and suppression repair will continue along containment lines, and firefighters will continue improving a shaded fuel break along Forest Road 60. Forest Road 005, near North Diamond, will remain closed today while crews cut hazard trees.

Pacific Power and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have been working tirelessly to repair facilities damaged by the fire. If you have any questions, please contact Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070 or ODOT at 541-957-3683.

Archie Creek: 131,542 acres

Containment: 94%

Personnel: 382 

Cause: unknown 

Hand Crews: 10                    

Engines: 12                     

Dozers: 5                  

Water Tenders: 6                  

Helicopters: 2
 

Thielsen: 9,975 acres

Completion: 71%

Personnel: 143

Cause: unknown

Hand Crews: 2

Engines: 3

Dozers: 3

Water Tenders: 6

Helicopters: 1

Safety Message & Help for Fire Victims:

Please stay out of fire closure areas for your safety and that of the firefighters. Be aware that heavy equipment traffic may be encountered around the fire area. Smoke may be present over the next few days. Be cautious driving in low visibility, and visit the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at http://www.oregon.gov/deq for Air Quality information.

FIRE INFORMATION:   

Archie Creek: (971) 334-7674

2020.archiecreek@firenet.gov

Thielsen: (541) 625-0687

2020.Thielsen@firenet.gov

INCIWEB:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/

FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/ArchieCreekFireInfo/

https://www.facebook.com/ThielsenFire

(CDC guideline and recommendations)

Disaster aid, and organizations helping victims of the Archie Creek Fire, can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57029/.  An interactive map of the current evacuation area can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations.  For more evacuation information, visit the Douglas County Sheriff website www.dcso.com/evacuations and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCoSO The Douglas County Fairgrounds has full RV spaces, electric hookup spaces and dry camping available. They also have stalls and arenas for livestock and farm animals. Contact Ciera Keith at (541) 440-4394.

Closures, Restrictions & Evacuations:

• Roads – Highway 138E is open, but delays should be expected. The route to Miller Lake via FS Road 9772 remains closed from the intersection with Hwy. 97 to the intersection with FS Road 110 due to firefighter traffic. Drivers are being directed to take FS Road 9774 to connect with FS Road 110 as an alternative route. See www.tripcheck.com for updates on highway closures.

• Bureau of Land Management – All BLM-managed lands in the Swiftwater Resource Area east of the Range 3 and 4 boundary line and north of Little River Road are closed. This includes portions of Rock Creek Road and all BLM recreation and day use sites within the closure boundary, including Rock Creek, Lone Pine, Millpond, Scaredman and Susan Creek campgrounds. Cavitt Creek Falls Campground is closed for the season. For more information, see https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57115/

• Umpqua National Forest – Sections of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Districts remain under a fire closure order. Umpqua Hot Springs, fire lookouts, cabins and group picnic sites remain closed. Diamond Lake Resort and Diamond Lake are now open for public recreation, but Diamond Lake Campground is closed for the rest of the year. North Umpqua District closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57090/ and Diamond Lake District closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7195/57398/. More information on Forest Service closures is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. The Umpqua National Forest is currently at Industrial Fire Precaution Level I. The fire danger is Moderate.

• Temporary Flight Restriction: There is temporary flight restriction for aircraft, including drones, for the Archie Fire. No temporary flight restriction is in effect for the Thielsen Fire.

• Evacuations: There are Level 1 Evacuations along Rock Creek Rd, CR 138 and Diamond Lake.

Archie Creek and Thielsen Fires Update October 6, 2020 Incident Commander Bob Shindelar

Hours: 8 am-8 pm

Archie Creek Fire

Email: 2020.archiecreek@firenet.gov

Phone: 971-334-7674

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7176/

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

Thielsen Fire

Email: 2020.Thielsen@firenet.gov

Phone: 541-625-0687

InciWeb:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7195/ Facebook: http://bit.ly/ThielsenFire

Special Notes: Today, Northwest Incident Management Team 12 (NW12) assumed command of the combined Archie Creek and Thielsen Fires. The Incident Command Post is now located at the Strader Ranch in Glide.

Archie Creek Fire: The Archie Creek Fire is east of Roseburg in the North Umpqua corridor on state, private and federal land. It has burned 131,542 acres and is 94 percent contained. There are currently 422 personnel assigned. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Personnel and equipment include 13 hand crews, 2 helicopters, 13 engines, 6 bulldozers, 6 water tenders, 1 masticator and 2 skidgines.

Northwest Team 12 will manage the Archie Creek Fire on lands managed by the Umpqua National Forest and Oregon and California (O&C) lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. A Douglas Forest Protective Association Type 3 Incident Management Team, with Incident Commander Paul Ritter, continue to mop up and patrol private lands. The teams will work collaboratively to protect homes, timber and other values.

Smoldering logs and stumps in the interior of the fire will continue to put up smoke, but no fire perimeter growth is expected. Firefighters will continue to mop-up and patrol, as well as conduct suppression repair work. Suppression repair work is done in collaboration with agency resource advisors to meet resource protection objectives. The largest remaining task is removing hazard trees along Wright Creek and the Cool Water area.

Pacific Power and the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) have been working tirelessly to repair facilities damaged by the fire. If you have any questions, please contact Pacific Power at 1-888-221-7070 or ODOT at 541-957-3683.

Thielsen Fire: The Thielsen Fire is located five miles north of Crater Lake near Diamond Lake Resort. It has burned 9,975 acres and 71 percent of objectives have been met. There are currently 171 personnel assigned. The cause of the fire is unknown. Personnel and equipment include 3 hand crews, 1 helicopter, 3 engines, 3 bulldozers and 6 water tenders.

The fire continues to smolder in large stumps and deep duff with some isolated single tree torching. Yesterday, fire crews conducted mop up and suppression repair along containment lines. Today, mop up and suppression repair will continue, and firefighters will continue improving a shaded fuel break along Forest Road 60. Forest Road 005, near North Diamond, will remain closed today while crews cut hazard trees.

NW12 is honored to serve the communities affected by the Archie Creek and Thielsen fires and is dedicated to providing assistance to our partners and the people in these communities.

Help for Fire Victims: Information on disaster aid and organizations helping victims of the Archie Creek Fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57029/. An interactive map of the current evacuation area can be found at www.dcso.com/evacuations. For more evacuation information, visit the Douglas County Sheriff website www.dcso.com/evacuations and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/DouglasCoSO The Douglas County Fairgrounds has full RV spaces, electric hookup spaces and dry camping available. They also have stalls and arenas for livestock and farm animals.

Contact Ciera Keith at (541) 440-4394.

Air quality: See the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality at http://www.oregon.gov/deq

Closures:

• Roads – Highway 138E is open, but delays should be expected. The route to Miller Lake via FS Road 9772 remains closed from the intersection with Hwy. 97 to the intersection with FS Road 110 due to firefighter traffic. Drivers are being directed to take FS Road 9774 to connect with FS Road 110 as an alternative route. See www.tripcheck.com for updates on highway closures.

• Bureau of Land Management – All BLM-managed lands in the Swiftwater Resource Area east of the Range 3 and 4 boundary line and north of Little River Road are closed. This includes portions of Rock Creek Road and all BLM recreation and day use sites within the closure boundary, including Rock Creek, Lone Pine, Millpond, Scaredman and Susan Creek campgrounds. Cavitt Creek Falls Campground is closed for the season. For more information, see https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57115/

• Umpqua National Forest – Sections of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Districts remain under a fire closure order. Umpqua Hot Springs, fire lookouts, cabins and group picnic sites remain closed. Diamond Lake Resort and Diamond Lake are now open for public recreation, but Diamond Lake Campground is closed for the rest of the year. North Umpqua District closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7176/57090/ and Diamond Lake District closure: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7195/57398/. More information on Forest Service closures is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. The Umpqua National Forest is currently at Industrial Fire Precaution Level I. The fire danger is Moderate.

• Temporary Flight Restriction: There is temporary flight restriction for aircraft, including drones, for the Archie Fire. No temporary flight restriction is in effect for the Thielsen Fire.