East Fork Fire: Firefighters now have continuous containment line running from the Bear Lake area on Rock Creek Road all the way to Mackentire Draw. Crews are conducting suppression repair in these areas to reduce the firefighting impact on the land. Near Mackentire Draw firefighters completed firing operations, improving the burned fuel between the planned containment line and the advancing fire. A continuous series of direct and indirect line now exists all the way to the wilderness boundary. Close monitoring of the fire above Rock Creek Road continues. Crews completed indirect handline from the west shore of Upper Stillwater Reservoir to the wilderness boundary. High in the wilderness the fire is burning at varying intensities and leaving pockets of unburned forest stands.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Today’s Operations: Crews will conduct holding operations on the fire’s eastern perimeter – they will monitor for spotting as burning from yesterday’s firing operations slowly backs downhill to combine with the advancing fire. Excavators will finish suppression repair activities on Bear Hollow Road and the nearby contained line. Chipping operations will finish up today on Blindstream Road and relocate to Moon Lake for tomorrow’s operations.

Safety: As containment increases and suppression repair progresses, some closures may soon be lifted. Fire-affected areas may still present hazards to the public. Fire-weakened trees fall easily, fire-damaged soils can contribute to rockslides and flooding, and firefighters and fire traffic may still be operating nearby. We ask that the public maintain vigilance when and if visiting fire-affected areas.

Weather: Today’s temperatures will rise to 75° at lower elevations and 65° at higher elevations. Combined with dry fuels and west/southwest winds of 14-18 mph with gusts up to 26 mph, moderate fire behavior is expected. Any showers or thunderstorms in the forecast will likely occur northeast of the fire. Weather tonight is expected to dip into the mid-30s.

Resources: 3 Helicopters, 21 Engines, 6 water tenders, 2 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrews, 2 dozers and 1 Wildland Fire Module. Currently 272 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 12 firefighters assigned. 
 

Quick Facts

Incident Summary

East Fork   
   Fire Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT
   Approximate A4reage: 66,706
   Containment: 24%
   Start Date: August 21, 2020
   Cause: Natural - Lightning
   Total Personnel: 284

Center Creek Trail
   Location: 5 miles northeast of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness 
   Approximate Acreage: 1,214
   Containment: 0%
   Start Date: August 25, 2020 
   Cause: Natural - Lightning  
   Total Personnel: 12
 
Incident Commander: Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7
Jurisdiction: Ashley National Forest, Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands, State of Utah
 

Online Links

East Fork InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Center Creek Trail InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7166/

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

E-mail: 2020.EastFork@FireNet.gov

Phone #: 435-635-8738 

East Fork Fire: Yesterday’s precipitation did not fall on much of the fire area. The southern and eastern fire perimeter held during yesterday’s wind event. Firefighters continued building depth, expanding the burned fuel buffer between planned containment line and the advancing fire. Further south, crews continue making progress on containment lines. Excavator operators worked closely with resource advisors to repair roadways used during suppression operations on Bear Hollow Road. Close monitoring of the fire above Rock Creek Road continues. On South Fork Rock Creek Road, chipper operations removed the debris created during the previous day’s hazard tree removal activities.  High in the wilderness the fire is burning at varying intensities and leaving pockets of unburned forests.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Today’s Operations: On the eastern perimeter firefighters will continue burn operations to remove fuels in front of the advancing fire. Excavators will continue repairing roadways and dozer lines. Ground crews will begin repairing handlines near Stillwater Reservoir by installing water bars and moving vegetation and debris back over the contained line.

Suppression Repair: This work is now a major component of the firefighting effort. As fire management objectives continue to be met, crews working with hand tools and heavy machinery will repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and other impacts resulting from fire suppression activities along dozer lines, handlines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

Weather: The cold front moving over the area yesterday produced strong winds across the fire. Although rain fell on the western side of the fire, very little moisture reached the eastern perimeter. Even with precipitation, heavy fuel concentrations throughout the fire will continue to burn.  Slightly drier and warmer temperatures are expected today with temperatures in the upper 50s° at higher elevations and in the upper 60s° at lower elevations. Afternoon winds will be south/southwest at 7-12 mph with gusts up to 17 mph. Weather tonight is forecasted to be in the 40s°.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 24 Engines, 8 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 287 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 23 firefighters assigned. 
 

Quick Facts

Incident Summary

East Fork   
   Fire Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT
   Approximate A4reage: 60,057
   Containment: 22%
   Start Date: August 21, 2020
   Cause: Natural - Lightning
   Total Personnel: 287

Center Creek Trail
   Location: 5 miles northeast of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness 
   Approximate Acreage: 1,153
   Containment: 0%
   Start Date: August 25, 2020 
   Cause: Natural - Lightning  
   Total Personnel: 23
 
Incident Commander: Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7
Jurisdiction: Ashley National Forest, Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands, State of Utah
 

Online Links

East Fork InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Center Creek Trail InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7166/

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

E-mail: 2020.EastFork@FireNet.gov

Phone #: 435-635-8738

East Fork Fire: Firefighters improved and added depth to the containment line south of Flea Flat, north to Mill Park. Crews added depth through successful low-intensity hand-fired ignitions, slowly guiding the fire to planned containment line as it burned away built-up fuels. Protection measures were taken on a bridge near Moon Lake as fire continued burning towards Brown Duck Basin. Fire suppression repair began on the southwest fire perimeter. Close monitoring of the fire above Rock Creek Road continued. On South Fork Rock Creek Road, crews felled and bucked up hazard trees, contributing to firefighter and future public safety. High in the wilderness the fire is burning at varying intensities and leaving pockets of unburned forests.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Today’s Operations: High winds in Raspberry and Mackentire canyons will continue testing direct and indirect lines Crews will monitor and mop up perimeter from Bear Hollow Road to Mountain Sheep Pass. Indirect line is being constructed near West Fork Rock Creek to prevent fire spread south towards Stillwater Reservoir. Monitoring hot spots continues on the fire’s western edge east of Stillwater Reservoir.

Suppression Repair: This work is now a major component of the firefighting effort. As fire management objectives continue to be met, crews working with hand tools and heavy machinery will repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and other impacts resulting from fire suppression activities along dozer lines, handlines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

Weather: A cold front arrived this morning, accompanied later today with increasing southwest winds bringing smoke from the west coast. At high elevations, temperatures will rise up to 55∞ and at lower elevations up to 65∞. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers after 12:00, with up to 1/8 inch of wetting rain possible, both contributing to higher relative humidities. By afternoon expect south/southwest winds sustained at 12-15 mph with gusts up to 28 mph. Weather tonight will dip down to 40∞.

Safety: Closures are in place for the protection of the public and for firefighters. Even when it seems the fire is far off in the distance and posing no danger, a critical combination of high winds, low humidity, dry fuels, and warm temperatures can quickly increase fire behavior. We ask that the public respect all closures.

Resources: 3 Helicopters, 27 Engines, 7 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 278 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 25 firefighters assigned.

Quick Facts

Incident Summary

East Fork   
   Fire Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT
   Approximate Acreage: 60,057
   Containment: 24%
   Start Date: August 21, 2020
   Cause: Natural - Lightning
   Total Personnel: 311

Center Creek Trail
   Location: 5 miles northeast of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness 
   Approximate Acreage: 1,214
   Containment: 0%
   Start Date: August 25, 2020 
   Cause: Natural - Lightning  
   Total Personnel: 23
   Incident Commander: Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7
   Jurisdiction: Ashley National Forest, Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands, State of Utah
 

Online Links

East Fork InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Center Creek Trail InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7166/

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

E-mail: 2020.EastFork@FireNet.gov

Phone #: 435-635-8738
 

East Fork Fire: The fire is slowly burning towards Brown Duck Basin, west of Moon Lake, taking advantage of dense, dry vegetation along the way. Just east of Moon Lake the fire burned actively. Seeing an opportunity further south, firefighters implemented burning operations west of the Petty Mountain Loop Trail, bringing the fire closer to planned containment lines. Firefighters successfully lined one spot that ignited east of the trail. Crews continued fortifying direct and indirect line from Flea Flat to the wilderness boundary. On the fire’s western perimeter, chipping operations from Blind Stream Road to Rock Creek Road were completed, helping to remove excess fuels from along the roadways.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Today’s Operations: High winds in Raspberry and Mackentire canyons will indubitably test direct and indirect lines to the east. Given favorable conditions, firefighters may ignite a low-intensity burn from Flea Flat to the southern slope of Lake Fork Mountain. Further south, crews will work to monitor and mop up perimeter from Bear Hollow Road to Mountain Sheep Pass. Monitoring hot spots continues on the fire’s western edge near Stillwater Reservoir.

Weather: Today’s weather will contribute to active fire behavior. Some cloud cover will provide for slightly cooler temperatures, up to 73∞ at lower elevations and 64∞ at higher elevations. Relative humidities remain low and winds will increase, coming from the south-southwest 12 to 15 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Weather tonight will be in the low 50s.

Safety: Closures are in place for the protection of the public and for firefighters. Even when it seems the fire is far off in the distance and posing no danger, a critical combination of high winds, low humidity, dry fuels, and warm temperatures can quickly increase fire behavior. We ask that the public respect all closures.

Resources: 3 Helicopters, 25 Engines, 5 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 278 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 25 firefighters assigned.
 

Quick Facts

Incident Summary

East Fork   
   Fire Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT
   Approximate Acreage: 59,585
   Containment: 22%
   Start Date: August 21, 2020
   Cause: Natural - Lightning
   Total Personnel: 303

Center Creek Trail
   Location: 5 miles northeast of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness 
   Approximate Acreage: 1,153
   Containment: 0%
   Start Date: August 25, 2020 
   Cause: Natural - Lightning  
   Total Personnel: 25
   Incident Commander: Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7
   Jurisdiction: Ashley National Forest, Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands, State of Utah
 

Online Links

East Fork InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Center Creek Trail InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7166/

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

E-mail: 2020.EastFork@FireNet.gov

Phone #: 435-635-8738
 

East Fork Fire: The Forest Service has modified the closure area east of Blindstream Road and south of Rock Creek Road. The Blindstream Road remains closed from the switchbacks to Rock Creek Road. Yesterday saw very active fire behavior in Mackentire and Raspberry Draws. The area northwest of Moon Lake campground continued to burn moderately, and there was also growth along the West Fork Rock Creek area. Crews completed indirect line from Flea Flat to the wilderness boundary.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has closed county roads in and near the fire area.

All closures are posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/ 7052/.    

Closure Map: https://go.usa.gov/xGR78

Today’s Operations: Crews will work to monitor and mop up the south and southeast perimeter of the fire. Crews will also continue to secure and hold established containment lines and indirect lines throughout the fire perimeter. If the fire continues to push to the northeast, firefighters, given favorable conditions, may burn out from Flea Flat to Mill Park towards the fire’s head to combat fire spread.

Weather: Today’s temperatures are expected to be in the mid 70s. Relative humidities are low and fire behavior is expected to be active. Winds will be south-southwest from 10 to 14 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph, with northwestern winds picking up early afternoon. Active fire behavior is expected in higher elevations due to increased winds. Weather tonight will be in the high 40s.

Safety: The public is asked to respect road and area closures. Please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area and smoke reduces visibility. Drones are hazardous to fire aviation assets and are not permitted in the fire area. Remember: If you fly, we can’t. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority for Great Basin Team 7.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 24 Engines, 4 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 277 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 25 firefighters assigned.
 

Quick Facts

Incident Summary

East Fork   
   Fire Location: 13 miles north of Hanna, UT
   Approximate Acreage: 59,585
   Containment: 22%
   Start Date: August 21, 2020
   Cause: Natural - Lightning
   Total Personnel: 302

Center Creek Trail
   Location: 5 miles northeast of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness    
   Approximate Acreage: 1,153
   Containment: 0%
   Start Date: August 25, 2020 
   Cause: Natural - Lightning  
   Total Personnel: 25
   Incident Commander: Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7
   Jurisdiction: Ashley National Forest, Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands, State of Utah
 

Online Links

East Fork InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Center Creek Trail InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7166/

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

E-mail: 2020.EastFork@FireNet.gov

Phone #: 435-635-8738

 ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST CLOSURE UPDATE:

Closures remain in effect on the Forest due to the East Fork Fire and Center Creek Trail Fire. However, The Closure area has changed. Below is the text of the updated closure order signed by the Forest Supervisor. The Public Information Map will reflect this change in the closure boundary tomorrow. This update ONLY affects closures on Forest Service lands:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE

ASHLEY NATIONAL FOREST ORDER:

TEMPORARY AREA and ROAD CLOSURE

East Fork Fire Closure Order

Order Number: 0401-2020-08

PROHIBITIONS:

Pursuant to title 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited within the area described below, all within the Duchesne Ranger District, Ashley National Forest until notice to end.

1. Being within the described area, 36 CFR 261.53(e)
2. Being on a trail, 36 CFR 261.55(a)
3. Being on a road, 36 CFR 261.54(e)

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261 .50 (e), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Persons with special use authorization or other Forest Service authorization.
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 DESCRIBED:

Everything within the boundary as described. Starting from the forest boundary along the Rock Creek Road Forest Service Road (FSR) 134 to the South Fork Rock Creek Road FSR 143 continuing to the wilderness boundary, then west along wilderness boundary to the Mill Flat Trail then north along forest boundary to Red Knob Pass on Forest Service Trail FST 025 then south and east along FST 025 transitioning to the Lake Fork Trail FST 061 to the junction with FST 063. Closure will continue directly east to the intersection of Forest Service Trails 058 and 057 then continuing northeast along FST057 to the junction of FST 057 and 055 then following the ridge north of the Timothy Lake basin, southeast to Mt Emmons and around the ridge to FST 055. Then follows FST 055 to the southeast to the Limekiln Spring road FSR 123, to Forest Service road 119 to the Forest Boundary and then west along the Forest boundary to the start at Rock Creek.

All roads and trails within the area closure. An additional road closure will be in effect on the Blind Stream Road (Forest Service Road (FSR) 135 beginning at the junction with FSR 215 north of Hannah, Utah to the intersection of the Blind Stream Road and the Rock Creek Road (FSR 134).

PURPOSE:

For the purpose of public health and safety due to wildfire 36 CFR 261.53 ( e).
 
Susan Eickhoff /s/
Forest Supervisor
Ashley National Forest

East Fork Fire: Firefighters continue working hard to contain the 51,784 acre East Fork Fire. Successful burn out operations along the fire’s southern perimeter and crews being able to directly engage the northeastern edge with aerial resources have led to increased containment and slowing of fire spread. Fire size along with difficult terrain and significant tree mortality poses challenges to firefighting efforts. Expect the fire to have hot spots and pockets of activity until significant precipitation events occur. Firefighters will continue establishing containment lines to minimize risk to persons and property.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has closed county roads in and near the fire area.

All closures are posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures /7052/.    

Closure Map: https://go.usa.gov/xG8PW

Today’s Operations: Crews will continue directly engaging the northeast flank of the fire with assistance from aerial resources. Additional crews will begin mopping up successful firing operations conducted over the last few days in order to secure the southern perimeter. The fire is expected to continue burning actively in heavy fuels northwest of the Moon Lake campground in Brown Duck Creek and in Mackentire and Raspberry Draws.

Weather: Today’s temperatures are expected to be near 76 degrees. Relative humidities are low and fire behavior is expected to be active. Winds will be from the northwest early in the day at 7-9 mph with gusts up to 18 mph, with southeasterly winds later in the day. A Pacific storm moving onshore will bring higher surface winds out of the south/southwest. Active fire behavior is expected in higher elevations due to increased winds. Weather tonight will be in the high 40s.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 24 Engines, 5 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 283 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 25 firefighters assigned.
 

Quick Facts

Incident Summary

5 miles northeast of Moon Lake in the High Uintas Wilderness    

  Approximate Acreage 1,153

  Containment: 0%
  Start Date: August 25, 2020 

Total Personnel: 27

Incident Commander: Jeff Knudson, Great Basin Type 2 Incident Management Team #7

Jurisdiction: Ashley National Forest, Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands, State of Utah
 

Online Links

East Fork InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7052/

Center Creek Trail InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7166/

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

E-mail: 2020.EastFork@FireNet.gov

Phone #: 435-635-8738

 Virtual Community Meeting

TONIGHT, Sept. 15, 2020 at 7 p.m.

To learn more about current operations, closures and restrictions, tune in on the Ashley National Forest Facebook Page or on Zoom at: https://tinyurl.com/y4bu8ofc
 

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and on Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has closed county roads in and near the fire area.

All closures are posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7052/.    
Closure Map: https://go.usa.gov/xG8PW

Today’s Operations: Burning operations should be completed by this evening on the south fire perimeter west of Bear Hollow Road to Mountain Sheep Pass. The north/northeast fire perimeter is expected to be active again today, burning along Brown Duck Creek. Helicopter water bucket drops will work along the eastern perimeter to cool hot spots as crews engage the fire when safe to do so. Crews and dozers should finish digging indirect containment lines ahead of the fire’s eastern perimeter today as well. Team 7’s long term strategy to contain all fire outside the wilderness continues.

Weather: Today’s temperatures are expected to be near 76 degrees. Relative humidities are low and fire behavior is active. Winds will be from the northwest early in the day at 7-9 mph with gusts up to 20 mph, with southeasterly winds later in the day. Large heavy fuels continue to burn, and grass and shrubs have dried and are receptive to fire. Active fire behavior is expected in higher elevations due to increased winds. Today’s burning operations will produce additional smoke, visible in surrounding communities. Weather tonight will be in the high 40s.

Safety: The public is asked to respect road and area closures. Please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area and smoke reduces visibility. Drones are hazardous to fire aviation assets and are not permitted in the fire area. Remember: If you fly, we can’t. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority for Great Basin Team 7.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 24 Engines, 5 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 283 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 25 firefighters assigned.

East Fork Fire: Warmer temperatures have reawakened the fire, leading to increased fire behavior and smoke yesterday. The fire burned actively in the Bear Wallow and Brown Duck Creek areas. Crews successfully burned west of Moon Lake Road and north of Bear Hollow Road, which will hold fire progression to the southeast.

Center Creek Trail Fire: The Center Creek Trail Fire is showing limited fire behavior and currently poses no threat of moving south toward the wilderness boundary.

Closures: Closures are in effect for the Ashley National Forest and on Uintah and Ouray Tribal Lands. Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office has closed county roads in and near the fire area.

All closures are posted at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7052/.

Closure Map: https://go.usa.gov/xG8PW

Community Meeting: A virtual community meeting will be held Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 7 p.m. Two options will be available for viewing: The Ashley National Forest Facebook page will live-stream the event, and a Zoom link will be provided in tomorrow’s update.

Today’s Operations: Assuming favorable conditions, burning operations on the south fire perimeter may begin west of Bear Hollow Road to Mountain Sheep Pass. By intentionally introducing fire, low to moderate fire behavior will help contain the fire to the Bear Wallow area. This will stop future spread by eliminating fuel sources ahead of the fire. The north/northeast fire perimeter is expected to be active again today, burning along Brown Duck Creek. Helicopter water bucket drops will work to extinguish hot spots and herd the fire toward the wilderness. Crews and dozers are digging containment lines ahead of the fire’s eastern perimeter. Crews continue to increase containment lines along Rock Creek Road near Upper Stillwater Reservoir. Team 7’s long term strategy to contain all fire outside the wilderness continues.

Weather: Today’s temperatures are expected to be about 76 degrees, about 2-4 degrees higher than yesterday, continuing an upward warming trend. Correspondingly, relative humidities are declining and fire behavior is becoming more active. Winds will be from the southwest 7-11 mph with gusts to 17 mph. Large heavy fuels continue to burn, and grass and shrubs have dried out and are receptive to fire. Today’s burning operations will produce additional smoke, visible in surrounding communities. Weather tonight will be in the high 40s.

Safety: The public is asked to respect road and area closures. Please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area and smoke reduces visibility. Drones are hazardous to fire aviation assets and are not permitted in the fire area. Remember: If you fly, we can’t. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority for Great Basin Team 7.

Resources: 4 Helicopters, 26 Engines, 5 water tenders, 1 Hotshot crew, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack handcrew, 2 dozers and 3 Wildland Fire Modules. Currently 284 firefighters are assigned to the East Fork Fire. The Center Creek Trail Fire has 25 firefighters assigned.