The Archie Creek Fire burning east of Roseburg spread to the west Wednesday due to hot, dry and windy conditions. The fire started Tuesday in the Steamboat area and merged with the Star Mt Fire in the Susan Creek area.  The combined fires are now called the Archie Creek Fire which is now 107,000 acres and is at 0% containment.  It is burning in the North Umpqua drainage on the west slope of the Cascades. The French Creek Fire to the north is approximately 400 acres and is in patrol status.  It did not merge with the Archie Creek Fire. 

Northwest IMT 9 (I.C. Goff) assumed command of the fire Wednesday evening and is coordinating suppression efforts with the Umpqua National Forest, the Roseburg Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA), the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, and Search and Rescue.  

Today fire managers will continue assessment of the fire. They are working with local fire departments on point protection and with local loggers on construction of control lines. 

Weather conditions have led to another Red Flag Fire Warning for this afternoon. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Air quality: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Pollution Advisory for today. For more information, visit http://www.oregon.gov/deq

September 9, 2020 

KOOTENAI NATIONAL FOREST

31374 US Hwy 2 

Libby, MT 59923
Forest Supervisor's Order

AREA, TRAIL, and ROAD CLOSURE ORDER

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551, and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b), the following restrictions are in effect on the Three Rivers Ranger District on the Kootenai National Forest, Lincoln County, Montana.

PROHIBITION

Pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 261.50 (b) the following restrictions are in effect on this National Forest System road administered by the Kootenai National Forest in Lincoln County, Montana as depicted on the attached map as Exhibit A, and hereby incorporated  into  the order. The temporary  restrictions are in addition to those enumerated in Subpart A, Part 26 1, Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations.

36 CFR 261.52 - Fire. When provided by an order, the following are prohibited: Going into or being upon an area [36 CFR 261.52(e)].

36 CFR 261.53 - Special Closures When provided in an order, it is prohibited to go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of:

Public health or safety. [36 CFR 261.53(e)].

36 CFR 261.54 - National Forest System Road:

Using any type of vehicle prohibited by the order [36CFR 261.54(a)]. Use of any type of traffic prohibited by the order [36 CFR 261.54(b)].

36 CFR 261.55 - National Forest System Trails. When prohibited by an order issued in accordance with Sec.

261.50 of this subpart, the following are prohibited on a National Forest System trail: Being on the trail [36 CFR 26 1 .55(a)].

PURPOSE

For Public Safety, the National Forest System Lands & Trails in the Vicinity of the Callahan Fire are closed to public use and travel due to current fire activity.

AREA CLOSED

For the purpose of this order, it is prohibited to be on any National Forest System Land, Roads, or Trails within the following areas;

Boise Meridian (Idaho)

T58N R2E Sections 1 and 2; T58N R3E Sections 3-6, 8, 9; T59N R2E Sections 25, 26, 35, 36; and T59N R3E Sections 27-34, all within the Kootenai National Forest boundary.

See Exhibit A.

Road closures include: NFSR 414 (South Fork Callahan Creek Road) at the junction with NFSR 4554 (Goat Creek Road); NFSR 4530 (Smith Mountain Road); and NFSR 4541 (Glad Creek Road).

Trail closures include: Trail 410 (Caribou Creek); Trail 154 (South Fork Callahan); Trail 155 (Smith Mountain); and Trail 156 (Smith Lake).

IMPLEMENTATION

This order will be in effect 1200 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time on September 28, 2020 and will remain in effect until rescinded or no later than October 15, 2020.

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. §261.50(e), the following are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.

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

PENALTY

Violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581).

INFORMATION

Further information regarding this order may be obtained at the Three River Ranger District office Troy, MT

(406) 295-4693, or at the Kootenai National Forest Supervisor's Office located at 31374 US Hwy 2 Libby, MT 59923, (406) 293-6211.

Done at Libby, Montana this 28th  day of September 2020.  

FINAL DAILY UPDATE
Additional updates for the Callahan Fire will be posted to Inciweb and the Kootenai National Forest Facebook page as needed.

Incident Statistics:   

Size: 1,276 acres

Containment: 72%

Cause: Under Investigation

Resources Assigned:   

Total Personnel: 136

Crews: 1

Engines: 2

Water Tenders: 0

Heavy Equipment: 3

Helicopters: 3

Current Status & Planned Activity: Containment has reached 72% due to the hard work of remaining personnel. Yesterday, crews used chainsaws to clear out fire weakened trees that had fallen onto road 4541. Firefighters also checked for any heat remaining in the spot fire and cleaned out ditches along roads 4541 and 4530. The fire received over 2 inches of precipitation in the past few days significantly reducing fire activity.

Firefighters will work on suppression repair, completing debris clean up along road 4541 and 4530. Crews will pull remaining hose and equipment from the fire area where no longer needed. The Northern Rockies Type II Incident Management Team 7 will transition with a local Type III Incident Management Team tomorrow, September 28. This is the final daily update.

Weather: Sunny weather will return today, with temperatures in the mid 40s and southwest winds 5-9mph.

Closures: An area, trail and road closure order is in effect for National Forest System lands on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest. Road Closures include NFSR 427 (Callahan Creek Road) from the junction with NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile Road); NFSR 14390 (Snowstorm Road); NFSR 414 (South Fork Callahan Creek Road); NFSR 4554 (Goat Creek Road); NFSR 4530 (Smith Mountain Road); and NFSR 4541 (Glad Creek Road). The closure area is bounded by, but does include closure of, NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile) north to NFSR 4477 (Brush Creek Cutoff) then west to NFSR 582 (Ruby Creek). Trail closures include Trail 152 (Goat Creek); Trail 154 (South Fork Callahan); Trail 155 (Smith Mountain); Trail 156 (Smith Lake); Trail 407 (Roberts Mountain); Trail 410 (Caribou Creek); and Trail 548 (North Fork Callahan). https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd803759.pdf

Incident Statistics:

Size: 1,276 acres

Containment: 66%

Cause: Under Investigation

Resources Assigned:

Total Personnel: 143

Crews: 2

Engines: 2

Water Tenders: 1

Heavy Equipment: 3

Helicopters: 3

Current Status & Planned Activity: Firefighters removed hose from trail 154 and along road 4541 where containment has been reached. Crews patrolled for fire activity and cleaned up work areas by removing debris and flagging as weather allowed. An additional 0.5 inches of rain accumulated over the fire yesterday bringing the total precipitation to over an inch in the past 24 hours.

Further precipitation is predicted today and work will be contingent upon road conditions. Debris clean up from fire lines will continue as crews and dump trucks haul slash  to designated areas. Mop up standards have been met on the spot fire and crews will remove hose from that area. Unneeded resources have been reassigned to other fires in eastern Montana and nationally.

Weather: Sunshine is expected this morning with clouds and rain resuming later in the day. Temperatures will be in the 40s with southwest winds 10-15mph.

Closures: An area, trail and road closure order is in effect for National Forest System lands on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest. Road Closures include NFSR 427 (Callahan Creek Road) from the junction with NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile Road); NFSR 14390 (Snowstorm Road); NFSR 414 (South Fork Callahan Creek Road); NFSR 4554 (Goat Creek Road); NFSR 4530 (Smith Mountain Road); and NFSR 4541 (Glad Creek Road). The closure area is bounded by, but does include closure of, NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile) north to NFSR 4477 (Brush Creek Cutoff) then west to NFSR 582 (Ruby Creek). Trail closures include Trail 152 (Goat Creek); Trail 154 (South Fork Callahan); Trail 155 (Smith Mountain); Trail 156 (Smith Lake); Trail 407 (Roberts Mountain); Trail 410 (Caribou Creek); and Trail 548 (North Fork Callahan). https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd803759.pdf

Incident Statistics:

Size: 1,276 acres

Containment: 66%

Cause: Under Investigation

Resources Assigned:

Total Personnel: 211

Crews: 2

Engines: 3

Water Tenders: 1

Heavy Equipment: 3

Helicopters: 3

Current Status & Planned Activity: Yesterday, firefighters disengaged from working in the fire interior due to strong winds and carefully patrolled the perimeter for any activity. Crews were able to complete chipping operations along road 427. The fire received 0.75 inches of rain during the day resulting in some slick and impassable roads in the fire area.

More rain is expected today with fire activity remaining minimal. Fire spread has decreased dramatically over the past couple days. Patrol and mop up will be ongoing. Firefighters and heavy equipment will continue to pile debris from line construction as the weather allows.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the low 40s. Rain is expected again today with southwest winds 15-20mph and gusts over 30mph.

Closures: An area, trail and road closure order is in effect for National Forest System lands on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest. Road Closures include NFSR 427 (Callahan Creek Road) from the junction with NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile Road); NFSR 14390 (Snowstorm Road); NFSR 414 (South Fork Callahan Creek Road); NFSR 4554 (Goat Creek Road); NFSR 4530 (Smith Mountain Road); and NFSR 4541 (Glad Creek Road). The closure area is bounded by, but does include closure of, NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile) north to NFSR 4477 (Brush Creek Cutoff) then west to NFSR 582 (Ruby Creek). Trail closures include Trail 152 (Goat Creek); Trail 154 (South Fork Callahan); Trail 155 (Smith Mountain); Trail 156 (Smith Lake); Trail 407 (Roberts Mountain); Trail 410 (Caribou Creek); and Trail 548 (North Fork Callahan). https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd803759.pdf  

Incident Statistics:

Size: 1,276 acres

Containment: 60%

Cause: Under Investigation 

Resources Assigned:   

Total Personnel: 258

Crews: 3

Engines: 6

Water Tenders: 1

Heavy Equipment: 5

Helicopters: 3 

Current Status & Planned Activity: Containment reached 60% as additional line was completed along the northwestern perimeter. Additionally, a hand crew gridded the spot fire to the east, systematically walking through to detect and eradicate residual heat.   

As weather allows, firefighters will continue to mop up and clean line by piling slash. Engines will patrol the line along road 4541. Crews will also begin to remove hose from areas where mop up standards have been met. Mopping up consists of extinguishing burning material, felling snags, and securing logs so they can’t roll a certain distance into the interior of the fire.

Weather: Southwest winds will increase to 19-28mph with gusts up to 40mph. Temperatures will drop to the mid 40s, and bring rain with a chance of thunderstorms.

Closures: An area, trail and road closure order is in effect for National Forest System lands on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest. Road Closures include NFSR 427 (Callahan Creek Road) from the junction with NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile Road); NFSR 14390 (Snowstorm Road); NFSR 414 (South Fork Callahan Creek Road); NFSR 4554 (Goat Creek Road); NFSR 4530 (Smith Mountain Road); and NFSR 4541 (Glad Creek Road). The closure area is bounded by, but does include closure of, NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile) north to NFSR 4477 (Brush Creek Cutoff) then west to NFSR 582 (Ruby Creek). Trail closures include Trail 152 (Goat Creek); Trail 154 (South Fork Callahan); Trail 155 (Smith Mountain); Trail 156 (Smith Lake); Trail 407 (Roberts Mountain); Trail 410 (Caribou Creek); and Trail 548 (North Fork Callahan). https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd803759.pdf

Incident Statistics:

Size: 1,276 acres

Containment: 41%

Cause: Under Investigation

Resources Assigned:

Total Personnel: 289

Crews: 5

Engines: 7

Water Tenders: 2

Heavy Equipment: 4

Helicopters: 3

Current Status & Planned Activity: Fire activity remained minimal yesterday with creeping and smoldering allowing crews to work directly on the fire’s edge. Firefighters contained the 8 acre spot fire to the east using hoses to wet and secure the line. Areas of heat can now be eliminated into the spot fire interior.

Today, crews will continue to mop up into the fire interior along road 4541 thoroughly searching for and extinguishing any areas holding heat. They will also monitor and patrol line south of Smith Mountain, removing fuels and putting in check line as needed. Sprinklers are in place to check fire spread in areas unsafe for firefighters.

Weather: Weather will be similar to yesterday with temperatures in the mid 50s and southwest winds 10-15mph. An incoming cold front will gradually increase winds throughout the day and bring rain in the evening.

Closures: An area, trail and road closure order is in effect for National Forest System lands on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest. Road Closures include NFSR 427 (Callahan Creek Road) from the junction with NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile Road); NFSR 14390 (Snowstorm Road); NFSR 414 (South Fork Callahan Creek Road); NFSR 4554 (Goat Creek Road); NFSR 4530 (Smith Mountain Road); and NFSR 4541 (Glad Creek Road). The closure area is bounded by, but does include closure of, NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile) north to NFSR 4477 (Brush Creek Cutoff) then west to NFSR 582 (Ruby Creek). Trail closures include Trail 152 (Goat Creek); Trail 154 (South Fork Callahan); Trail 155 (Smith Mountain); Trail 156 (Smith Lake); Trail 407 (Roberts Mountain); Trail 410 (Caribou Creek); and Trail 548 (North Fork Callahan). https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd803759.pdf

Incident Statistics:

Size: 1,276 acres

Containment: 40%

Cause: Under Investigation

Resources Assigned:   

Total Personnel: 315

Crews: 6

Engines: 7

Water Tenders: 3

Heavy Equipment: 5

Helicopters: 3

Current Status & Planned Activity: Containment increased to 40% yesterday as firefighters continued to extinguish heat along the fire’s southern edge. Engines and crews patrolled and monitored existing lines, engaging when necessary. Mechanical equipment continued to improve contingency line to the north of the fire by removing fuels along road 427.    

The eight acre spot fire to the east has been completely lined and firefighters will begin to work the interior to ensure the spot is contained. Heavy equipment will remain along road 427 to strengthen line by removing slash. Crews will persist in eliminating heat from the fire, working their way into the interior while avoiding snag heavy areas. In areas unsafe for firefighters to engage directly, sprinklers will be utilized to cool the fire’s edge.

Weather: The sunny weather continues this afternoon with temperatures in the upper 50s and southwest winds 6-10mph. Cooler temperatures and precipitation are forecasted for later in the week.

Closures: An area, trail and road closure order is in effect for National Forest System lands on the Three Rivers Ranger District, Kootenai National Forest. Road Closures include NFSR 427 (Callahan Creek Road) from the junction with NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile Road); NFSR 14390 (Snowstorm Road); NFSR 414 (South Fork Callahan Creek Road); NFSR 4554 (Goat Creek Road); NFSR 4530 (Smith Mountain Road); and NFSR 4541 (Glad Creek Road). The closure area is bounded by, but does include closure of, NFSR 4478 (Ruby Three Mile) north to NFSR 4477 (Brush Creek Cutoff) then west to NFSR 582 (Ruby Creek). Trail closures include Trail 152 (Goat Creek); Trail 154 (South Fork Callahan); Trail 155 (Smith Mountain); Trail 156 (Smith Lake); Trail 407 (Roberts Mountain); Trail 410 (Caribou Creek); and Trail 548 (North Fork Callahan). https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd803759.pdf