August 21, 2020
 

Evacuation Orders: 

All evacuations associated with the Loyalton Fire are now lifted.

Road Closures:

There are currently no road closures associated with the Loyalton Fire. 

Be advised to consider alternative travel routes. Please drive slowly with headlights on and yield to emergency personnel. 
 
                                   

Order Number 04-17-20-12
 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE
HUMBOLDT-TOIYABE NATIONAL FOREST
 
Carson Ranger District
 
Loyalton Fire Closure
 
PROHIBITIONS:
 
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on all National Forest System Lands described in this Order, within the exterior boundaries of the Humboldt- Toiyabe National Forest, Carson Ranger District beginning August 16, 2020 at 21:00 p.m. and continuing until September 30, 2020, or until rescinded, whichever comes first.
 
1. Going into or being within the Loyalton Fire Closure Area as shown on the attached map. 36 CFR § 261.52(e).
 
EXEMPTIONS:
 
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50 (e), the following acts, or persons, are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a written 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 firefighting force.
 
3. Owners or lessees of private land in the Loyalton Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to access their land.
 
PURPOSE:
 
The purpose of this order is for Public Health and Safety and the Protection of Resources responding to and operating in the Cottonwood Fire Area.
 
AREA DESCRIBED:
 
All National Forest System lands located within the exterior boundaries of the Carson Ranger District on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, Dog Valley and Long Valley areas. Forest lands west of the Peavine ridgeline from the intersection of Peavine Rd and North Virginia Street down to Verdi are closed to the public as shown on the attached map.
 
IMPLEMENTATION:
 
1. This Order will be in effect beginning August 16, 2020 at 21:00 p.m. and shall remain in effect until September 30, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. or until rescinded, whichever comes first.
 
2. Exhibit A, “Definitions,” is attached and incorporated into this order.
 
3. Any violation of the above prohibition(s) is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization and/or imprisonment for not more than six 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 Humbolt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisors Office, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks NV 89431.
 
5. This Order supersedes any previous Order(s) prohibiting the same, or similar acts prohibited by this Order in the areas covered by this Order. Done at the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Supervisors Office, 1200 Franklin Way, Sparks NV, this 16th day of August 2020.
 
___________________________
William Dunkelberger Forest Supervisor
 
 
Order Number 04-17-20-12
 
EXHIBIT A Loyalton Fire Closure
 
DEFINITIONS:
 
NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM: includes all national forest lands, and waters reserved or withdrawn from the public domain of the United States, national forest lands and waters acquired through purchase, exchange, donation, or other means, national grasslands and land utilization projects and waters administered under title III of the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant ACT (50 Stat. 525, 7 U.S.C. 1010-1012), and other lands, waters, or interests therein acquired under the Wild and Scenic River Act (16 U.S.C. 1272-1287) or National Trails Systems Act (16 U.S.C. 1241-1249).
 
For further definitions or clarification of definitions, refer to [36 CFR § 261.2].

 Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Closes National Forest System Land in Dog and Long Valleys due to the Loyalton Fire

Carson City, NV., Aug. 16, 2020 – Due to the Loyalton Fire burning into Dog and Long Valleys, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has closed all National Forest System lands in these areas to the public.

“With the extreme fire weather and dry vegetation, the fire behavior has been very erratic,” said Forest Supervisor Bill Dunkelberger. “We are asking the public to comply with this closure and stay out of the area, so we can focus on suppressing the fire.”

All areas, campgrounds, trails, and roads on the Carson Ranger District west of the Peavine ridgeline from the intersection of Peavine Road and North Virginia Street down to to Verdi, California are closed to public access.

This closure will remain in effect until the Forest Service determines the area is again safe for the public. People who are found guilty of violating this closure order could receive a maximum fine of $5,000 or six months in jail or both.

For additional information on the Loyalton, please visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6975/ or the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest social media sites at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe and https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/.

                                                                                                               -USDA-

The Humboldt-Toiyabe's spectacular 6.3 million acres make it the largest national forest in the lower 48 states. Located in Nevada and a small portion of eastern California, the Forest offers year-round recreation of all types.

Current Situation: No new evacuations were issued overnight. The fire burned actively overnight, showing considerable spread on the west and south sides. Crews made good progress, however, especially around the long finger that moved southeast yesterday west of Highway 395 and threatened the areas around Bordertown and Cold Springs. There is now fire line around that area, and forward progress has been stopped as of now. All evacuation orders remain in effect today.

Day shift crews will continue the work from overnight, tying the line constructed around the finger back into the main body of the fire. They will use indirect (away from the fire’s main edge) and direct (against the fire’s edge) tactics to continue suppression.

Ten helicopters are currently assigned to the fire, with most flying out of the Truckee Airport. Fixed-wing aircraft is available to the fire on an as-needed basis. Fire activity has picked up considerably in California (and the country) over the last few days, and with many new starts around the state, resources are being shared and use to their best effectiveness.

Weather: Temperatures today are expected to be similar to yesterday. Winds today are predicted to be lighter, with only a small chance of thunderstorms in the forecast. A fire weather watch does remain in effect over the area.  

Evacuations:

• Mandatory Evacuation Orders remains in effect for Balls Canyon Road, Long Valley Road, Bordertown and Copperfield.

• The Mandatory Evacuation has been changed to an Advisory Evacuation Order for the residents of Cold Springs.

• Mandatory evacuation from Red Rock Road south to Highway 70 has been changed to advisory. 

• The Mandatory Evacuation Order in effect for residents from the intersection of Hwy 49 and 70 east to Hwy 70 and Hwy 395 has been changed to advisory.

• An evacuation advisory has been issued for the area of Highway 70 and Highway 49 south to Loyalton, and to the east side of Highway 49.

• The Mandatory Evacuation Order on Scott Road has been changed to advisory.

Road Closures

• Highway 70 is now open and under homes along it are under an advisory evacuation.

Forest Closures

A Forest Closure for the Dog Valley area was issued on the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest due to the fire’s southern spread.

Closures: Highway 70 is now open but under advisory as fire activity could warrant another closure. Hwy 395 is reopened. Be advised to consider alternative travel routes. Please drive slowly with headlights on and yield to emergency personnel.

LOYALTON FIRE Evening Update: 8/16/2020   

LOYALTON FIRE Morning Update: 8/16/2020   

More areas of Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests to reopen Tuesday
Forest remains in fire ban with closures around wildfire areas

FORT COLLINS, Colo (Nov. 9, 2020) – More forest closures are being lifted across the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as all Stage 3 restrictions are rescinded beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10.Closures will remain in place around areas that experienced wildfire in Grand, Boulder and Larimer counties. These fire areas present a public safety threat as burned trees can fall unexpectedly, hot spots are still burning, and new hazards can be hidden under snow.“It will take us a little while to get everything open, adjust closure points around the fire areas, and remove closure signs, especially with the snow falling,” said Forest Supervisor Monte Williams. “We appreciate all the support we had during this unprecedented closure, and we ask everyone to be patient as our employees work to get everything ready for the public to return to our National Forests.”Snow has started falling across the Front Range this morning and predicted total accumulation estimates are on the rise. With an expected rainfall equivalency of half-an-inch, this event could be the season-ending event fire managers have been awaiting. The November weather outlook, however, remains warmer and drier than normal. The potential for new fire starts still exists, so a Stage 2 fire ban remains in place across the entire Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland.A Stage 2 fire ban means no open flames are allowed, including charcoal grills, wood stoves, and fire pits. Gas powered cooking stoves with an on off switch are permitted. In Boulder, Gilpin and Clear Creek counties, the Stage 2 fire ban includes a no recreational shooting restriction but hunting with a license is allowed.“We understand that it’s cold out there, and folks who are camping and hunting at this time of year really want to have a warming fire,” Williams said. “But the potential for a new fire start hasn’t gone away, and we really need folks to honor these strict fire restrictions.”In addition, with COVID-19 cases on the rise across Colorado, the public is reminded to recreate safely by following local and state health orders, including social distancing and wearing masks when social distancing is not possible.“Outdoor recreation has become even more important to us all this year,” Williams said. “We are asking the public to help us take care of our outdoor places by packing out their trash and dog waste; parking only in designated areas; and staying on designated trails.”Plan your adventure in advance by visiting the official Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests website to find maps, closure orders and restrictions for the area you intent to visit, and always have a backup plan in case the area you intended to go is too crowded or is closed. The Leave No Trace and Care for Colorado websites provide helpful information on ways to care for our public lands.See a complete map of closures and fire restrictions across both Forests and the Grassland.Learn more about our fire restrictions and fire closure areas.  K. “Reid” Armstrong
Public Affairs SpecialistForest ServiceArapaho and Roosevelt National ForestsPawnee National Grasslandp: 303-541-2532
c: 970-222-7607
katherine.armstrong@usda.gov2140 Yarmouth Ave
Boulder, CO 80301
www.fs.usda.gov/arp
Caring for the land and serving people

Individuals hunting in the Williams Fork fire area should monitor conditions and information regularly as closures may change with fire behavior. Hunters are encouraged to hunt other areas where licenses provide that option. If you have a license that is only valid in Game Management Unit 28 and your usual hunting area is unavailable, you can contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office in Hot Sulphur Springs (970-725-6200) for assistance in finding alternate access.
Deer and elk rifle licenses for GMU 28 are also valid in other units, which may have better public access this year. Please check your license and review the big game brochure to fully understand your options. Information can be found on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at https://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/BigGame.aspx 

At 14:50 on October 4, 2020, the Fire Managers in tandem with the Colorado Dept of Transportation decided to activate cautionary signs to alert motorists to possible increased smoke on Interstate 70 from mile markers 201 to 224 and on Hwy 9 near the junction with I-70. Because of the forecast for Red Flag Warning, it is anticipated that the fire may produce noticeable smoke that could affect road visibility.

Today’s events centered on the Upson Creek area where air attack worked to encircle a large spot fire with retardant. Aircraft dropped six SEAT loads, four Large Air Tanker loads, and 2 Very Large Air Tanker loads of retardant around the Upson Creek spot fire. Meanwhile a portion of the team’s crew diverted from the fire a new start near Monarch Lake in the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. That fire was quickly contained. Despite wind gusts up to 40 mph, the south “hook” of the Williams Fork Fire remained calm today due to some cloud cover.

Crews worked to improve Forest Service Road 880.1 up to the boundary with the YMCA in order to improve egress and provide a potential fire line for Pole Creek. At Bottle Pass, the shaded fuel break is nearly complete. Work continues to reduce fuels around structures in the Fraser Experimental Forest, and handline improvement work is underway near Young Life.

While conditions will be more moderate Saturday, the long term weather outlook calls for continued extreme drought conditions with weather conducive to active fire behavior, including low relative humidity, windy conditions and warmer-than-normal temperatures.

The Type 2 Northern Rockies IMT 6 was in-briefed this evening and will take command of the fire Sunday.