Tuesday, August 20, 2024 

Total Willamette Complex South Personnel: 696

Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 13,013

Resources: 2 Type 1 Hotshot Crews, 24 Type 2 Crews, 2 Type 2 Initial Attack Crews, 24 Type 6 Engines, 8 Dozers, 8 Masticators, 1 Skid Steer, and 7 Feller Bunchers

Fire Cause: Lightning  

 Summary 

On the Willamette Complex Fires South, crews have added containment to the Chalk and Coffeepot fires with support uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), heavy equipment, and aviation. 

Chalk Fire (5,663 acres, 66% containment) 

Crews added 9% containment on the Chalk Fire. UAS equipped with infrared sensors for thermal mapping have been critical for finding hot spots in the fire area. Often, heat has been found high in snags and cedar trees that are difficult to detect from the ground. 

Coffeepot Fire (6,176 acres, 77% containment) 

Crews are mopping up fireline along the southeast side of the Coffeepot Fire, and have added 6% containment. They will improve control lines and continue addressing hotspots and removing hazard trees. UAS infrared are being used to locate ground and aerial heat. 

 Moss Mountain Fire (842 acres, 0% containment) 

Firefighters are continuing to maintain containment on the southern boundary of the Moss Mountain Fire. Two hotshot crews, with the support of a helicopter equipped with a water-dropping bucket, continue to be critical for preparing and holding the lines due to steep terrain, heavy fuels, and rollout.

208 Fire (247 acres, 0% containment) 

The 208 Fire is mostly inactive. The fire remains active in the southwest corner where the fire is moving slowly westward downhill into the wind, or backing. Bucket drops are being used to reduce fire activity. 

217 Fire, Tire Mountain Fire, and McKinley Fire 

The 217, Tire Mountain, and McKinley Fires are 100% contained. 

 Weather and Fire Behavior 

The weather will remain relatively warm and dry through mid-week before a low-pressure system from the coast, bringing a likelihood of precipitation on Thursday. Subdued, creeping fire behavior is expected through the end of the week. 

Closures and Fire Restrictions

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in place on the Willamette National Forest in the vicinity of many active fires. Temporary road barricades are in place to restrict traffic across the fire areas. 

• For specific closure information visit tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024  
• For current fire restrictions visit tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024  

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are in place over the Chalk, Coffeepot, and Moss Mountain Fires. Visit tfr.faa.gov for up-to-date areas. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.     

For More Information 

Phone: (541) 208-1742, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south

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

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WillametteComplexFiresSouth

Firefighters using drones to identify hot spots near fireline

COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. – Mop-up continues to be the focus for firefighters on the Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fire. The use of handheld infrared cameras and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) equipped with infrared cameras has helped firefighters identify fire burning below the surface. Once located, firefighters dig up these hotspots and use water to cool the heat and douse the flames.

Fire behavior remains minimal as fuels are still wet from the inch of rain accumulated during Saturday’s thunderstorms. Today fuels will dry as the relative humidity reduces and temperatures warm. This will make areas of heat more visible for firefighters. The fire has reached 68% containment.

Headlines

• TRAFFIC CONTROL started last night on the Salmon River Road between Wooley Creek and Nordheimer Flat and will be in place 24 hours per day. The traffic will leave on the hour every hour westbound, and on the half hour every hour going eastbound. 
• A public meeting is planned at the Forks of Salmon Community Club TODAY at 5 p.m. This meeting will not be livestreamed. 
• Fire information phone: 707 572-4860 or email at 2024.Boise@firenet.gov
• Get all your Boise Fire information in one mobile-friendly place! https://linktr.ee/2024boisefiresrf 
• Evacuations are in place for the Boise Fire for residents near the fire area in Humboldt County. For the most current evacuation information please visit the Boise Fire linktree or visit--
• Humboldt County: https://humboldtgov.org/356/Office-of-Emergency-Services
• Siskiyou County: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices 
  
   

Leader’s Intent: The Boise Fire is being managed with a full suppression strategy. 

Operational Update: The fire showed an uptick in visible activity yesterday as vegetation continued to dry. While there was little growth outside the current perimeter, islands of unburned vegetation continue to ignite and smolder. Overnight, crews patrolled the fire adjacent to communities and infrastructure and continued to do some minor firing east of the north fork of Red Cap Creek to further strengthen containment in that area. 

Today, crews will continue with their previous work assignments, building and improving proposed indirect line along Orleans Mountain Ridge east toward Nordheimer and south from Nordheimer to Mullins Camp through Horn Creek Gap. From Mullins Camp they are working up the Salmon Summit Trail to the northwest corner of the fire. 

They also continue to look for contingency lines off the primary indirect line, and to look for opportunities for suppression closer to the Salmon River. They have begun structure assessments and preparation should it be necessary to protect the structures along the Salmon River Road. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: One more warm, dry day today is expected to be followed by increasing cooler and moisture conditions through next weekend. Another chance for wetting rain is expected to come into the fire area Tuesday into Wednesday, bringing with it a slight chance of thunderstorms. This will be followed by another stronger system later in the week. Temperatures are expected to increase considerably across the fire area by this time next week. 

Ruby Fire Quick Facts 

Size: 902 acres Location: North Cascades National Park, Ruby Mountain, Diablo, Washington 

Containment: 0%   Cause: Lightning/Natural 

Start Date: August 9, 2024 Total Personnel: 93 

Fire Information: 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wancp-ruby-fire Email: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Ruby-Fire/61563760546137/ Phone: 1-360-208-8096 

Current Status: Fire suppression efforts continue today as safety permits; access is difficult due to steep terrain and hazards. Yesterday, firefighters hiked into Panther Creek to conduct structure protection on a bridge and other infrastructure on the trail system. In other locations of the fire area, firefighters continued with suppression efforts and reported moderate fire activity such as smoldering, backing and single tree torching. Smoke from the Ruby Fire remains noticeable from public areas. The fire grew along the western and southern perimeters of the fire area over the weekend.  

Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue to protect critical infrastructure, park campgrounds, trails, backcountry camps, and other resources in preparation for fire growth. The Ruby Fire is a full suppression fire, and firefighters are utilizing strategies and tactics that provide the highest likelihood for success, while mitigating risks to firefighters and the public. The main objectives are protecting human life, minimizing damage to values at risk, and limiting wildfire spread to the north and west. 

Weather: Today, partially cloudy becoming cloudy in the afternoon, with a 50% chance for rain showers and thunderstorms. High near 67. Southwesterly winds 4 to 7 mph gusting to 10 mph. Evening and night partially cloudy, with a 45% chance for rain showers and thunderstorms. Lows near 57. There is a risk of thunderstorms in the fire area for the rest of the week. 

Closures: There are multiple closures in place for public safety. Colonial Creek South Campground and boat launch, Thunder Arm south of Diablo Lake, and State Route 20 east of the park from MP 148 and MP 157, are closed. For a full list of closures visit https://go.nps.gov/fireclosures. 

Burning Restrictions: Campfires, the ignition of wood, briquettes, or any fuel in fire pits, fire pans and barbeque grills, are banned in all portions of North Cascades National Park Service Complex: North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.  

Drone Restrictions: Drones can seriously impact the safety of firefighting efforts, and operating drones within North Cascades National Park is prohibited, except with prior written approval from the superintendent.   

Cooperating Agencies & Tribes: National Park Service, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Seattle City Light, Whatcom County, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Dept. of Transportation.  
Smoke: U.S. Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program - Overall air quality will be good today in upper Skagit Valley. https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/f79a6d6d https://www.airnow.gov/ 

If you would like to sign up for our daily updates, please send an email to: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov 

The West Mountain Complex includes five fires- Boulder, Snag, Wolf Creek, Dollar, and Goat Fires. Read our daily update for more information. Scroll to the bottom of the page for PDF versions of the daily update, the daily map, and the daily smoke report.

QUICK FACTS
Fire  |  Location  |  Size  |  Containment  |  Start Date
Boulder  |  9 miles SW of Cascade  |  2,301 acres  |  38%  |  7/24/2024
Wolf Creek  |  5 miles W of Donnelly  |  1,154 acres  |  95%  |  7/24/2024
Snag  |  11 miles E of Cascade  |  22,016 acres  |  1%  |  8/5/2024
Dollar  |  18 miles NE of Cascade  |  2,041 acres  |  0%   |  8/5/2024
Goat  |  11 miles SE of Cascade  |  1,405 acres  |  0%   |  8/5/2024
Gabe | 9 miles SW of Cascade | 5 acres | 100% | 8/15/2024

Cause: Lightning (All Fires)
Total Incident Personnel: 1,189

Soldiers of the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion, based at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington, were strategically embedded with firefighting crews on the Snag, Boulder, and Dollar Fires. Soldiers supported suppression operations by assisting wildland fire crews with mop-up, holding and maintaining control of fireline, and installing hose-lays and other equipment needed.

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior: 

Yesterday began with southwest winds and gusts up to 25 mph and poor humidity recoveries. Smoke from the nearby Middle Fork Complex impacted the West Mountain Complex area throughout the morning. However, skies cleared by midafternoon. Hot, dry, and windy conditions over the past several days have led to increased fire activity. Starting today, conditions will moderate slightly with cooler temperatures and precipitation predicted later in the week.

Boulder Fire: https://tinyurl.com/ycdfv3tv

Crews will continue to mop-up the south end and east flank of the fire. Fire crews are using a combination of indirect and direct suppression tactics on the most active portion of the fire which includes the northwest perimeter. Fire spread has slowed on the western perimeter due to previous burned areas and rock outcroppings. Fire crews are also monitoring interior pockets of heat. 

Dollar Fire: https://tinyurl.com/bef6r3tz

The Dollar Fire activity was moderate today. Fire managers are expecting to continue to see the most active fire behavior on the northern perimeter. Fire crews will continue direct and indirect suppression tactics. They are also finalizing plumbing along the southern perimeter of the fire. Plumbing includes setting up hoses, pumps, and water sources to control and contain the fire. 

Snag Fire: https://tinyurl.com/4k9dk3mu

Yesterday, fire crews successfully completed firing operations in the north and southwest of the Snag Fire. Firefighters have held control lines near Warm Lake Highway and have reported no new spots. They will continue to monitor the highway securing control lines. There may be opportunities for continued firing operations at the southwest area of the fire today, if weather conditions align. 

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with Great Basin Incident Management Team 2, have established one-way escorts for residents and contractors through the Snag Fire affected areas. This escort will be provided for reasons of necessity and not for recreation purposes. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/mtartvas

Wolf Creek Fire: https://tinyurl.com/mcksrfvh

Firefighters will continue repair work on control lines on the northeast corner of the fire. Repair work includes strategic procedures to minimize impact to the environment caused by firefighting and suppression activities. Firefighting crews will continue to monitor for any interior flare-ups, which is when there is a sudden rate in spread or intensification of the fire. 

Goat Fire: https://tinyurl.com/2h4a3dvr

Crews are improving and holding the southwest control lines and looking for potential firing operations on the southern perimeter of the fire. The western flank of the fire is burning near a previously burned area, which has helped slow fire spread. Firefighting crews will begin chipping operations to reduce fuel along contingency lines. Chipping is the method used to reduce vegetative material making it less flammable. 

Gabe Fire:

Firefighters will monitor the fire to ensure no further fire activity occurs and there are no lingering pockets of heat. 

Other fire information: 

Middle Fork Complex (Nellie, Anderson, and Bulldog Fire): https://tinyurl.com/3rhawr5y 

Wapiti Fire: https://tinyurl.com/yf7reydj Bulltrout Fire: https://tinyurl.com/tatwwk5t 

SNAG FIRE EVACUATION INFORMATION

The Valley County Sheriff’s Office issued a “ready” evacuation order for Warm Lake residents and the North Shore Lodge at Warm Lake on August 7. The map can be found on Inciweb: https://tinyurl.com/42auxnk8.  A second “ready” evacuation order was issued on August 8 for the Horsethief area, including the YMCA Camp, and areas of Scott Valley. This map can also be found on Inciweb, with the relevant areas outlined in purple:  https://tinyurl.com/4vfj657x

Review the READY, SET, GO evacuation procedure for Valley County: https://www.co.valley.id.us/ReadySetGo

For timely information on evacuations, check out your county’s emergency alert system. 

• Valley County: https://www.co.valley.id.us/CompleteEmergencyNotificationandAlerting
• Adams County: https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/PublicUser.aspx?regionid=1077

ROAD CLOSURES

Warm Lake Highway Closure: The Valley County Sheriff’s Office has closed Warm Lake Highway due to the Snag Fire. The Warm Lake Highway is closed at the Horsethief Road intersection east toward Warm Lake and from the Johnson Creek Road intersection west toward Warm Lake. Scott Valley residents will be allowed access. For updates on county closures visit: https://www.co.valley.id.us/departments/SheriffsOffice.

FOREST CLOSURES

Hunting Closures: Prior to entering the backcountry, Idaho Fish and Game advises hunters to check with their local Forest Service ranger district offices or county sheriffs’ offices for fire closures in their hunt areas. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/4td8hwzc

The Boise National Forest has modified or expanded their wildfire closures August 12, 2024 to address public and firefighter safety and respond to increased wildfire growth. This closure area begins at the south end of the Dollar/Oro (Snag) fire closure area and continues south to Crouch and the Banks-Lowman Hwy, and east to the 579, 563 and 582 roads.

Wolf Creek Fire Closures: On the Payette National Forest, a closure including popular National Forest System roads around the Wolf Creek fire such as: sections of NFS #1763 (West Mountain Jeep Trail), #835, #206, #326. On the Boise National Forest, Forest Road #435 (Anderson Lake Road) was closed on August 1. 

Boulder Fire Closures: The Boise National Forest has issued a closure order #0402-04-98 for National Forest System (NFS) roads, trails and lands encompassing the Boulder Fire. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities. The closure includes Blue Lake and Snowbank Mountain Road (#446) along with all #404 and #421 system roads. 

For maps and more detailed descriptions of the closures on the Payette National Forest, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/payette/alerts-notices

For maps and more detailed descriptions of the closures on the Boise National Forest, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices 

Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions have been issued for the Payette Fire Restrictions Area on the Payette National Forest and the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Area on the Boise National Forest. For more information on the restrictions and a very helpful interactive map, visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/

Important Links

• Payette National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/payette
• Payette National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PayetteNationalForest
• Boise National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/boise
• Boise National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoiseNationalForest
• Idaho Department of Lands: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/

Limepoint Fire 

Tuesday, August20, 2024 

Contacts for Fire Information: 208-992-3032 or   

 2024.limepoint@firenet.gov 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-limepoint-fire  

https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest/ 

The Adams County Sheriff removed evacuation levels for the communities adjacent to the southernmost point of the Limepoint Fire, Barber Flat and Wildhorse. 

Hot and dry conditions persisted yesterday and will do so today with more cloud cover anticipated. There is a chance of thunderstorms tomorrow and precipitation this weekend, which will accompany lower temperatures as the week progresses. The change in weather is welcome as firefighters continue to secure containment lines. 

Yesterday, crews used fire to create a buffer line from the Lockwood Saddle to Kinney Point, which consumed available fuels to keep the north part of the main fire from expanding. Crews will continue to widen and strengthen this line and expand it to Grassy Ridge today.  

In the Bear area, crews extracted fire hoses and repaired indirect line to restore the landscape to its natural state. Along the eastern edge of the fire and west of Bear, crews patrolled line to ensure containment was held and to extinguish any remaining heat. 

Even though fire activity has calmed down, firefighter safety remains a priority throughout the suppression and repair process. “We are in a good place and all safety zones are set in case things don’t go as planned,” said Wes Lathen, Great Basin Team 4 Safety Officer. 

Evacuations: Cuprum remains at a Level 2 (SET) evacuation level and Bear remains at a Level 1 (READY)evacuation level. For your safety and the safety of firefighters, please stay away from the fire area. Only residents and property owners are allowed in the area until further notice. 

Closures: The Forest Closure Order issued by the Payette National Forest to protect public safety near the fire area remains in effect. For more information about the closure, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-limepoint-fire. 

Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in effect for the Payette National Forest and all state, private and BLM lands in the fire area. Under these restrictions, campfires are allowed only in recreation sites within metal fire pits. Fires of any kind are not allowed in any dispersed camping areas. 

Jackson, Wyo., August 19, 2024– There are several fires being suppressed on the Bridger-Teton National Forest

Fish Creek Fire
The Fish Creek Fire was discovered on Friday, August 16, in a remote area of the North Fork Fish Creek drainage, approximately 7 miles southwest of Togwotee Pass. The lightning-caused fire is currently 2520-acres in size burning in heavy timber, litter, understory and standing dead Engelmann spruce. Smoke from the fire may be visible from Grand Teton National Park, the Continental Divide Trail (CDT), as well as Moran, Dubois, Jackson and Pinedale, WY.

The Forest will brief a Wyoming Type 3 Incident Management Team tonight to help fight the Fish Creek Fire and they will assume command of the incident tomorrow morning. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is brought in for fires that exceed the firefighting resources a Forest has available. The Team utilizes the Incident Command System and is staffed with supervisory positions that can order resources to fight the fire and provide oversight for several operational periods.

Additional resources have been ordered to help suppress the fire, including a helicopter, helitack crew, 6 fire engines, and medical personnel. Fire managers and crews continue to scout potential control line locations and protect resources.

During the evening, smoke from the Fish Creek Fire may impact US HWY 26/287. Please drive slowly and cautiously in the area with your headlights on. For more information, please visit the fire’s InciWeb page at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incide.../wybtf-fish-creek-fire.

Cottonwood Creek Fire
The Cottonwood Creek Fire was discovered on Saturday, August 17, 2024, in the Sohare Creek area, northeast of Gunsight Pass and west of the Cottonwood Creek drainage (the fire is located approximately 6 miles southwest of the Fish Creek Fire).

The lightning-caused Cottonwood Creek Fire is currently 7-acres in size burning in dead and down timber and younger mixed-conifer.

Air attack operations, including 2 air tankers dropped retardant lines around the fire. One common way fire retardant works is by reducing the receptiveness of fuels in the surrounding area to slow the rate of combustion and limit the spread of the flames. Smoke jumpers also responded to the fire to go direct and suppress the fire, and hotshot crews have also been ordered.

Leeds Creek Fire
The 780-acre Leeds Creek Fire is now 75% contained and has received a significant amount of moisture last week. Fire crews continue efforts to suppress the fire on the Pinedale Ranger District of the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Ten personnel are assigned to the fire.
The Leeds Creek Area, Roads, and Trails Closure Order (map) has been established for public and firefighter safety. See full details at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/btnf/alerts-notices. Union Pass Road and South Fork Fish Creek Trail remain open under this closure. A reroute for the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) has also been established. Visit the CDT Coalition’s Closures and Alerts webpage to learn more at https://cdtcoalition.org/closures-and-alerts/.

Merna Butte Fire
The 153-acre Merna Butte Fire is currently 50% contained and has received a significant amount of moisture over the last few days. Firefighters continue to work along the perimeter of the fire “mopping up,” which means they are finding hot spots in the burn and extinguishing them so that the fire remains contained in the existing footprint. Twenty-six resources are assigned to the fire including one fire engine.
The Bridger-Teton has rescinded the temporary area, road and trail closure that was placed around the Merna Butte Fire. While the fire is not out, visitors can now enter the Forest near the fire area. Anyone accessing the Merna Butte area is asked to use caution as firefighters and equipment are still working in the area.
The Forest Service uses all available strategies and tools to suppress wildfires, and public and firefighter safety are the top priorities for fire managers.

Fire danger rating for the Bridger-Teton National Forest remains at High. That means that all fine dead fuels ignite readily, and fires start easily from most causes. It also means unattended brush and campfires are likely to escape. Fires spread rapidly and short-distance spotting is common in High fire danger.

For other news, events and information you can call 307-739-5500 or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/btnf or follow the Bridger-Teton National Forest on Facebook @BridgerTetonNF or on X (formerly Twitter) @BridgerTetonNF.
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Park Fire Evening Update for August 19 is posted on the Park Fire Status Update Page