Revised Fire Size Estimate: 2,000 acres – An infrared (IR) flight was not available again last night. Based on National Guard data from a drone and firefighter observations on the ground, the fire size estimate has been revised to 2,000 acres. This is the best available data, but it is still considered a ROUGH ESTIMATE ONLY. The main fire shown on the map is the drone data; the hand drawn area shows field observations.

Current Situation: The fire is in the Rubicon River drainage and the King Fire burn scar and burned actively last night. The Rubicon canyon is an extremely steep and remote area which makes firefighting difficult. The fire has been exhibiting moderate to rapid rates of fire spread, spotting, torching and running in dense timber and dead and down from fire killed trees from the 2014 King Fire.  

The operational priorities today are to prevent fire spread onto private property and to protect surrounding communities and other values at risk. Firefighters will establish direct fire line and utilize indirect lines where possible. Operational objectives are to keep the fire west and north of Wentworth Springs Rd., east of 11 Pines Rd. and south of Hell Hole Reservoir.

Immediate Concerns:  Recreation residences, power and water facilities, recreation sites and private property in Stumpy Meadows, Quintette and Volcanoville. Hell Hole reservoir & campground, French Meadows reservoir & campground and Oxbow reservoir & campground.

Evacuations: El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that the mandatory evacuations are still in effect for Volcanoeville, Quintet and Stumpy Meadows. a virtual evacuation service center is available for residents affected by the evacuations contact the emergency preparedness line at 530-377-3256.   Please note, the community of Georgetown is NOT under the evacuation order currently.

Weather and Fuels: High pressure along the west coast will keep a warm, dry air mass over the region. Lighter daytime easterly winds and a return of normal westerly and upslope winds will allow for more humidity recovery at night. Fuels will continued to be very dry due to prolonged heating trend.

Forest Closure: The Eldorado National Forest is closed until further notice as part of a Regional Temporary Emergency Closure Order. All public access to national forest system lands and forest service roads & trails is prohibited at this time.

As of 6:00am this morning Almas' Type 2 team has returned management of the Clover and MM49 fires to the local fire management agencies. 
For more information please use the following contacts:

Clover and Iron Gate Fires - CPTPA - 208-476-5612
MM49 - IDL - 208-334-0233 

Thank you! 

Fire Information Line: 208-254-2099
Email: 2020.sunnysidecomplex@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunnyside-Complex-Fires-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-110063324168351

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Team 3 began managing the Sunnyside Complex on Tuesday, September 8.  The complex currently includes the Clover Fire and MM49 Fire. The Iron Gate fire was added to the complex on September 12; however, fire managers returned command of that fire to the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (C-PTPA) on September 16. Tomorrow, September 18, Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Team 3 will return management of the Clover Fire to C-PTPA and the MM49 Fire to Maggie Creek Idaho Department of Lands (IDL).  

Clover Fire:  The Clover Fire is estimated at 1,550 acres and approximately 95% containment. Although the fire is nearly contained and the remaining line is quite secure, some interior smoke caused by smoldering stump holes and large logs could continue for some time (especially during periods of warm/dry weather). Crews will continue to patrol the fire area.

MM 49 Fire:  The MM49 Fire acreage is now estimated at 2,801 acres and approximately 85% containment.  Fire crews continue mopping up the fire’s eastern and southern perimeter, as well as providing point protection around private structures and power poles where necessary (primarily adjacent to the Highway 12 corridor).  Fire managers expect that some pockets of unburned fuels within the fire perimeter may continue to smolder for weeks; however most of the fuels adjacent to containment lines are sufficiently reduced to ensure that fire growth is extremely unlikely.  Due to the fire activity, rocks, trees, and debris continue to roll down onto Highway 12, and those traveling on that route should exercise caution.

Closures/Restrictions/Evacuations:  There are currently no road restrictions on Highway 12 adjacent to the Sunnyside Complex fires. Because there is potential for debris to fall onto the highway for weeks or months to come, please continue to exercise caution in the area, and check road status before you travel http://511.idaho.gov/.  Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) have been rescinded from the Clover fire; however, a TFR is still in effect around the MM49 fire.  Those restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones).  No evacuation orders are currently in place.

Special Announcements:  Air quality in the area remains unhealthy related primarily to drift smoke from large fires in Oregon and California. Check http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/ for current air quality conditions. Thank you to the communities of Orofino, Ahsahka, Lenore, Peck, Greer, and Kamiah for welcoming our Incident Management Team into your communities as we worked on the Sunnyside Complex fires! 

Travel patterns on Highway 12 returned to normal at 8:00pm on September 16, 2020.  Pilot cars are no longer operating and both lanes are open to traffic.  Please use caution through the fire area as rocks and debris continue to roll down onto the highway.  For the most up to date information on road conditions or travel restrictions please visit https://511.idaho.gov/.

Fire Information Line: 208-254-2099

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7164/

Email: 2020.sunnysidecomplex@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunnyside-Complex-Fires-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-110063324168351

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Team 3 began managing the Sunnyside Complex on Tuesday, September 8.  The complex currently includes the Clover Fire and MM49 Fire. The Iron Gate fire was added to the complex on Saturday, September 12; however, fire managers returned command of that fire to the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CP-TPA) at 6:00am today. One engine crew will remain on the Iron Gate fire to complete mop-up and suppression repair.  For information regarding the Iron Gate fire call CP-TPA (208-476-5612).

Clover Fire:  The Clover Fire is estimated at 1,550 acres and approximately 95% containment. Firefighters continue mop up and suppression repair around the fire perimeter.  Hotspots or hazard trees which could pose a threat to structures, powerlines, or containment lines are being addressed as they are located.  Interior smoke will likely continue to be visible as tree stumps smolder, but the containment line is quite secure.

MM 49 Fire:  The MM49 Fire acreage changed slightly due to more accurate mapping and is now estimated at 2,801 acres with 75% containment.  Fire crews continue mopping up the fire perimeter and providing point protection around private structures where necessary (primarily adjacent to the Highway 12 corridor).  Fire managers expect that some pockets of unburned fuels within the fire perimeter may continue to smolder for some time.  Due to the fire activity, rocks and debris continue to roll down onto Highway 12, and those traveling on that route should exercise caution.

Closures/Restrictions/Evacuations:  The pilot car continues to guide traffic through one lane of Highway 12 between MM48 and MM53. Vehicles are being allowed to turn either direction from the Greer bridge onto Highway 12.  Travel patterns are likely to change as fire management activities decrease.  Stay up to date with current road status and conditions by visiting http://511.idaho.gov/.  Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) have been lifted from the Clover fire; however, a TFR is still in effect around the MM49 fire area.  Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!  No evacuation orders are currently in place.

Special Announcements:  A virtual public meeting will be held at 6:00pm this evening (Wednesday, September 16) via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Sunnyside-Complex-Fires-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-110063324168351).  Air quality in the area is currently unhealthy due to a combination of both area smoke and drift smoke from large fires in Oregon and California. Check http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/ for current air quality conditions.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: A drying trend will occur today causing relative humidity to drop down to 10 percent.  The southwest air flow will continue to bring smoke into the area from western wildfires.  Tomorrow, temperatures will become cooler and winds will shift to the east while a cold front sets up over the fire area.  There is a chance of wetting rain over the weekend.

Fire Information Line: 208-254-2099

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7164/

Email: 2020.sunnysidecomplex@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunnyside-Complex-Fires-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-110063324168351

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Team 3 began managing the Sunnyside Complex on Tuesday, September 8. The Sunnyside Complex is currently comprised of three fires: the Clover Fire and MM49 Fire (along the Highway 12 corridor between Lenore and Kamiah) and the Iron Gate Fire (located approximately eight miles southeast of Clarkia.) 

Clover Fire:  The Clover Fire is estimated at 1,632 acres and is approximately 95% contained. Firefighters continue patrolling and mopping up interior hotspots or hazard trees which could pose a threat to structures, powerlines, or containment lines.  Interior smoke will likely continue to be visible as tree stumps smolder, but the containment line is quite secure.  Crews have begun suppression repair and a Resource Advisor has been evaluating suppression rehabilitation needs.

MM 49 Fire:  The MM49 Fire is estimated at 2,867 acres and is approximately 65% contained.  Fire crews completed the burnout operation down to Highway 12 on the southeast area of the fire.  Today crews will mop up along the highway and around private structures within the burnout area. Small islands of unburned fuel on the interior of the fire perimeter will be burned to clean up and secure the fire.  Mop up and suppression repair have begun on the north, west, and south perimeters.  Due to the fire activity, rocks and debris continue to roll down onto Highway 12, and those traveling on that route should exercise caution.

Iron Gate Fire:  The fire is approximately 115 acres and is approximately 50% contained. The gain in acreage was due to more accurate mapping and not related to fire growth.  The southern portion of the fire has burned downslope to West Fork Stony Creek where moist conditions have minimized fire spread. Firefighters have completed handline along the eastern fire perimeter, hand line and hose lay along the western perimeter, and dozer line along the northern perimeter above the road.  Additionally, much of the western and northern fire perimeter has been mopped up, and fire managers plan to turn back management Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association tomorrow.  Today, crews will continue mop up and will begin suppression repair activities (including installation of water bars along dozer lines).   A small road segment that leads into the fire (locally known as the “Iron Gate” road) is currently closed to public.

Closures/Restrictions/Evacuations:  Travel on Highway 12 is currently restricted to a single lane with a pilot car guiding traffic through the MM49 fire area (approximately MM48 to MM53), and the road could be temporarily closed at times for public safety.  Please use caution to avoid rolling/falling debris in the area, expect a potential 60-minute delay in the area, and if possible, select alternative routes between Orofino and Kamiah. Vehicles are being allowed to turn either direction from the Greer bridge onto Highway 12.  Stay up to date with current road status and conditions by visiting http://511.idaho.gov/.  Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) have been lifted from the Clover fire; however, a TFR is still in effect around the MM49 fire area.  Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!  No evacuation orders are currently in place. For information about evacuation status, please contact the appropriate county Sheriff’s Office:  Clearwater County Sheriff’s office – 208-476-4521 and Lewis County Sheriff’s Office – 208-937-2447.

Special Announcements:  A virtual public meeting will be held on September 16 at 6:00pm on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Sunnyside-Complex-Fires-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-110063324168351).  Air quality in the area is currently unhealthy due to a combination of both area smoke and drift smoke from large fires in Oregon and California. Check http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/ for current air quality conditions.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Heavy smoke from west coast wildfires will continue today. Temperatures are expected to be 70-80 degrees and relative humidity should be 25-30%. Meteorologists predict that a low pressure system could arrive for the weekend, helping to move smoke out of the area and potentially bringing precipitation.

Fire managers from the Mike Almas Incident Management Team will hold their final community meeting on Facebook Live on Wednesday, September 15, 2020, at 6:00 p.m.  The meeting will be broadcast on the Sunnyside Complex - Idaho Department of Lands Facebook page.  Please tune in for an update on the Clover Fire, the MM 49 Fire and the Iron Gate Fire.  "See" you there!

Fire Information Line: 208-254-2099 
Email: 2020.sunnysidecomplex@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunnyside-Complex-Fires-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-110063324168351

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Team 3 began managing the Sunnyside Complex on Tuesday, September 8. The Sunnyside Complex is currently comprised of three fires: the Clover Fire and MM49 Fire (along the Highway 12 corridor between Lenore and Kamiah) and the Iron Gate Fire (located approximately eight miles southeast of Clarkia.) 

Clover Fire:  The Clover Fire is estimated at 1,632 acres and is approximately 90% contained. Firefighters will patrol the perimeter of the fire area and continue to search for and mop up any remaining interior hotspots or hazard trees which could pose a threat to structures, powerlines, or containment lines.  Due to the cooler, moister conditions, smoke may not be as visible today, but hotspots will likely continue to smolder for some time.

MM 49 Fire:  The MM49 Fire is estimated at 2,661 acres and is approximately 50% contained.  Yesterday, fire crews completed the burnout operation down to Highway 12 to secure the indirect containment lines southeast of the fire while minimizing the impact to any values at risk.

Containment lines along the fire’s northwestern and southwestern perimeter continue to hold, and crews will continue to improve those lines and patrol the perimeter.  Firefighters will patrol and mop up the remaining portions of unburned fuels along the fire’s southeast perimeter adjacent to Highway 12, as well as continuing to provide point protection for homes/structures, powerpoles, and other resources in that area. Due to the fire activity, rocks and debris continue to roll down onto Highway 12, and those traveling on that route should exercise caution.

Iron Gate Fire:  The fire is approximately 95 acres in size due to more accurate mapping and is approximately 15% contained. The fire is located on steep, private industrial timber land and is burning in timber slash.  Yesterday, firefighters were able to get hand line and hose lay along the western fire perimeter and a portion of the eastern perimeter, and crews constructed a dozer line on the northern border.  
The southern portion of the fire has burned downslope almost to West Fork Stony Creek where moist conditions have minimized fire spread, and crews are patrolling that area to ensure that the fire does not spread further south. Although recreation in the general area is not yet affected, the road segment that leads into the fire (locally known as the “Iron Gate” road) is closed to public.

Closures/Restrictions/Evacuations:  Travel on Highway 12 is currently restricted to a single lane with a pilot car guiding traffic through the MM49 fire area (approximately MM48 to MM53), and the road could be temporarily closed at times for public safety.  Please use caution to avoid rolling/falling debris in the area, expect a potential 60-minute delay in the area, and if possible, select alternative routes between Orofino and Kamiah. Vehicles turning left onto Highway 12 from Greer will be held before the bridge until the one-way traffic flow on Highway 12 moves from south to north (towards Kamiah). Stay up to date with current road status and conditions by visiting http://511.idaho.gov/.  A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire areas. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t! No evacuation orders are currently in place.  Many residents near the MM49 fire are in ‘set’ mode.  For information about evacuations, please contact the appropriate county Sheriff’s Office:  Clearwater County Sheriff’s office – 208-476-4521 and Lewis County Sheriff’s Office – 208-937-2447.

Special Announcements:  Air quality in the area is currently unhealthy due to a combination of both area smoke and drift smoke from large fires in Oregon and California. Check http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/ for current air quality conditions.

Fire Information Line: 208-254-2099
Email: 2020.sunnysidecomplex@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sunnyside-Complex-Fires-Idaho-Department-of-Lands-110063324168351

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Team 3 began managing the Sunnyside Complex on Tuesday, September 8. The Sunnyside Complex is currently comprised of three fires: the Clover Fire and MM49 Fire (along the Highway 12 corridor between Lenore and Kamiah) and the Iron Gate Fire (located approximately eight miles southeast of Clarkia.)   

Clover Fire: The Clover Fire is estimated at 1,632 acres and is approximately 80% contained. Today, fire crews will continue to search for and mop up remaining interior hotspots. With warm and dry weather conditions, these hot spots and unburned islands in the fire’s interior may continue to burn and smoke for some time. Where hot spots could potentially impact containment lines or structures, or where burned snags could affect the powerlines, crews are working to eliminate those hazards.

MM 49 Fire: The MM49 Fire is estimated at 1,996 acres and is approximately 35% contained.  Containment lines along the fire’s northwestern and southwestern perimeter are holding, and crews continue to patrol and strengthen the hand and dozer lines. Fire crews continue to improve point protection efforts near homes, both north of the fire near Crockett Bench and south of the fire along the Highway 12 corridor. Much of the fire is burning in extremely steep, rocky terrain, and the fire is continuing to flank up-valley to the south/east along Highway 12, causing rocks and debris to roll down onto the highway. 

Favorable weather conditions Saturday enabled crews to continue the long, slow process of conducting burnout operations late into the night to help secure indirect containment lines southeast of the fire while minimizing the impact to any values at risk. Today firefighters will continue providing point protection around homes, powerlines/poles, and other resources, as well as continuing to strengthen indirect containment lines with burnout operations, as conditions allow.

Iron Gate Fire:  The fire started on September 8, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. and is approximately 100 acres in size. It is located on steep, private industrial timber land and is burning in timber slash.  Yesterday, fire managers were able to develop a plan to safely secure the fire area while minimizing exposure and risk to the firefighters around the area comprised of large, heavy timber and snag hazards. Although recreation in the general area is not yet affected, the road segment that leads into the fire (in the general Telephone Booth Hill area) is closed to public.

Closures/Restrictions/Evacuations:  Travel on Highway 12 is currently restricted to a single lane with a pilot car guiding traffic through the MM49 fire area, and the road could be temporarily closed at times for public safety.  Please use caution to avoid rolling/falling debris in the area, expect a potential 60-minute delay in the area, and if possible, select alternative routes between Orofino and Kamiah. Stay up to date with current road status and conditions by visiting http://511.idaho.gov/.  A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire areas. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t! No evacuation orders are currently in place.  Many residents near the MM49 fire are in ‘set’ mode.  For information about evacuations, please contact the appropriate county Sheriff’s Office:  Clearwater County Sheriff’s office – 208-476-4521 and Lewis County Sheriff’s Office – 208-937-2447.

Special Announcements:  Air quality in the area is currently unhealthy due to a combination of both area smoke and drift smoke from large fires in Oregon and California. Check http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/ for current air quality conditions.