A community meeting is planned for tonight at the North Fork Grange on Dutch Creek Road in Junction City at 6:00PM. The Middle Fire showed low/moderate fire behavior yesterday with low rates of spread in timber litter and downed woody debris, adding 37 acres for a total size of 394 acres. Planned activities for today include the construction of indirect fireline and protection of the recreation infrastructure. A total of 67 personnel are currently assigned to the Middle Fire.

A Closure Order has been issued for areas potentially affected by the Middle Fire, including Ripstein Campground, Canyon Creek Trailhead, Trail 10W03, Trail 10W06, and Trail 10W08 south of Canyon Creek Falls. It was started by lightning on September 5, 2019, and is located northeast of the Canyon Creek Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness.

This fire is challenging because of the steep, rugged terrain. Two firefighters were injured on the Middle Fire during initial attack and keeping firefighters and the public safe is our number one priority.

A community meeting is planned for Friday September 13 at the North Fork Grange on Dutch Creek Road in Junction City at 6:00PM. The Middle Fire showed moderate fire behavior yesterday with low rates of spread in timber litter and downed woody debris. A Closure Order has been issued for areas potentially affected by the Middle Fire, including Ripstein Campground, Canyon Creek Trailhead, Trail 10W03, Trail 10W06, and Trail 10W08 south of Canyon Creek Falls. It was started by lightning on September 5, 2019, and is located northeast of the Canyon Creek Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The fire has burned 357 acres.

This fire is challenging because of the steep, rugged terrain, and firefighters are engaged in scouting line, assessing the best way to safely confine the fire, and protecting infrastructure. Two firefighters were injured on the Middle Fire during initial attack and keeping firefighters and the public safe is our number one priority. A total of 67 personnel are currently assigned to the Middle Fire. Nightly infrared flights are being used to map the fire.

A community meeting is planned for Friday September 13 at the North Fork Grange on Dutch Creek Road in Junction City at 6:00PM. The Middle Fire showed moderate fire behavior yesterday with minimal growth. A Closure Order has been issued for areas potentially affected by the Middle Fire, including Ripstein Campground, Canyon Creek Trailhead, Trail 10W03, Trail 10W06, and Trail 10W08 south of Canyon Creek Falls. It was started by lightning on September 5, 2019, and is located northeast of the Canyon Creek Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. The fire has burned down to Canyon Creek Trailhead, Canyon Creek Trail, Bear Creek Trail, and Canyon Creek Road.

This fire is challenging because of the steep, rugged terrain and firefighters are engaged scouting line and assessing the best way to safely confine the fire. Two firefighters were injured on the Middle Fire during initial attack and keeping firefighters and the public safe is our number one priority. A total of 55 personnel are currently assigned to the Middle Fire. Nightly infrared flights are being used to map the fire.

The Middle Fire showed moderate fire behavior on Monday, growing 64 acres for a total of 350. It was started by lightning on September 5, 2019, and is located northeast of the Canyon Creek Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. A Closure Order has been issued for areas potentially affected by the Middle Fire, including Ramstein Campground, Canyon Creek Trailhead, Trail 10W03, Trail 10W06, and Trail 10W08 south of Canyon Creek Falls.

The Middle Fire is located approximately mid-slope and is burning downhill into the Canyon Creek and Black Bear Creek drainages. This fire is challenging because of the steep, rugged terrain and firefighters are scouting line and making plans for the best way to safely confine the fire. Two firefighters were injured on the Middle Fire during initial attack and keeping firefighters and the public safe is our number one priority.

A total of 27 personnel are currently assigned to the Middle Fire. Nightly infrared flights are being used to map the fires. At least 20 fires had been started by the September 5 lighting outbreak and all of these fires, including the Middle and Ramshorn Fires, are being managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team (Jim Yacoub Incident Commander or IC).

Canyon Creek Area Closure Order 14-19-05 is in effect for public safety until Middle Fire is declared out. This includes the Canyon Creek Trailhead, Ripstein Campground, Canyon Creek Trail south of Canyon Creek Falls, Bear Creek Trail, and Trail 10W03. Click here or on the maps tab for a full size version of the closure order map. Full text of closure is below.



ORDER NO.14-19-05
MIDDLE FIRE CLOSURE
SHASTA-TRINITY NATIONAL FOREST

Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. This Order is effective from September 11, 2019, until the Middle Fire is declared out.

1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Middle Fire Closure Area. The Middle Fire Closure Area boundary begins at the intersection of Canyon Creek and Little East Fork Canyon Creek (Section 29 T 35N, R lOW, MDM), then continues east along the southern edge of Little East Fork Canyon Creek to its intersection with the western edge of the Trinity Alps Wilderness, then continues north and east along the western edge of the Trinity Alps Wilderness to its intersection with the southern edge of Sec. 20 T. 35N R. l0W, MDM, then continues east along the southern edge of the section line (Sec. 20 T. 35N R. lOW, MDM) to its intersection with the eastern edge of Sec. 22 T. 35N R. R lOW, MDM, then continues north along the eastern edge of Secs. 22, 16, 10, and 3 to its intersection with the northern edge of Sec. 3 T. 35N
R. l0W, MDM, then continues west along the northern edge of Secs. 3, 4, and 5, T. 35N R. I OW, MDM, to its intersection with Canyon Creek (Sec. 5 T. 35N R. I OW, MDM), then continues south back to the starting point (Sec. 29 T 35N, R lOW, MDM), as shown on the attached map (Exhibit A). 36 C.F.R. 261.52(e).

2. Being on any National Forest System road within the Middle Fire Closure Area, as shown on the attached map (Exhibit A). 36 CFR 261.54(e).

3. Being on any National Forest System trail within the Middle Fire Closure Area, as shown on the attached map (Exhibit A). 36 CFR 261.55(a).

Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50( e ), the following persons are exempt from this order:

1. Persons with a permit from the Forest Service 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.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $ I 0,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed at Redding, California this 10th day of September, 2019

Scott Russell
Forest Supervisor

Redding, CA – The Middle Fire was started by lightning on September 5, 2019, and is located northeast of the Canyon Creek Trailhead in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. It has grown to approximately 286 acres and is impacting the Canyon Creek and Bear Creek trails. Hikers and horse riders are encouraged to avoid the area.

The Middle Fire is located approximately mid-slope and is burning downhill into the Canyon Creek and Black Bear Creek drainages. This fire is challenging because of the steep, rugged terrain and firefighters are scouting line and making plans for the best way to confine the fire. Two firefighters were injured on the Middle Fire during initial attack. Keeping firefighters and the public safe is our number one priority.

At least 20 fires had been started by the September 5 lighting outbreak and all of these fires, including the Middle and Ramshorn Fires, are being managed by a Type 3 Incident Management Team (Jim Yacoub Incident Commander or IC). A total of 27 personnel are currently assigned to the Middle Fire. Nightly infrared flights are beings used to map the fires.

Aerial reconnaissance flights and ground patrol efforts will continue across the forest for the next few days to help locate these newly identified fires. To report a new fire, please call 911.

For the most up to date Shasta-Trinity National Forest Lightning Fire information please visit our InciWeb page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6370/.

For up to date information regarding the South Fire, please visit the South Fire Inciweb page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6577/.

To learn how you can be better prepared in case of a wildfire, visit www.preventwildfireca.org.

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This is the final update from Great Basin Incident Management Team 3 for the Meadow Creek Fire. A Type 4 team with local resources will assume command of the fire Monday, Sept. 15, at 6 a.m. We appreciate having met and served the people of Meadow and Fillmore during this stressful event.

The Meadow Creek Fire was fully contained on Thursday, Sept. 12. The fire is 4,231 acres and is not expected to grow. Some interior pockets of vegetation may continue to burn, producing smoke, but the perimeter of the fire is contained.

Firefighters have completed 75 percent of the suppression repair work that was identified by the resource advisors from federal and state land management agencies. This repair work includes smoothing out dozer lines, mending fences and installing water bars. Reseeding of fire lines is also underway.

A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team and a BLM Emergency Stabilization and Rehabilitation (ESR) Team are continuing their work in the fire area. They will prescribe an emergency stabilization plan for federal lands once their evaluations are complete. The Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands is also involved in this process, assessing needs on state and private land.

Resources Assigned: Six crews, four helicopters, three engines, two dozers, and five water tenders. A total of 254 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Closures: Fishlake National Forest Supervisor Mike T. Elson signed an Area Closure Order on Sept. 12 to prevent potential injury to the public and to keep firefighters safe as they work along the roads and trails.

This closure order includes the following: the entire length of Forest roads 501, 1657, 104, 512, 2676, and 852, as well as the entire length of Forest Trail 032. A copy of the closure order and map can be found on the Inciweb page for the Meadow Creek Fire (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6587/) under the “Closures” tab.

The Meadow Creek Fire is 90 percent contained following a day of on and off rain and hard work by firefighters. The fire is now 4,231 acres.

Wednesday’s rain made travel in the fire area difficult due to muddy, slick road conditions; however, firefighters were still able to build new containment lines and reinforce existing ones. Crews also began repairing fences, building water bars to prevent erosion and smoothing over dozer lines in an effort to mitigate the impacts of fire suppression activities.

U.S. Forest Service employees and members of Great Basin Team 3 worked together with permittees to help them reach their cattle in the Meadow Creek drainage on Wednesday. All the cattle are accounted for and are uninjured.

Fire activity is expected to be minimal today. The warmer, drier weather that is forecast is not expected to reverse the trend of diminished heat and burning inside the fire perimeter. Winds out of the Northwest today favor containment of the fire within its current footprint.

With the rise in containment, personnel and equipment are being released from the fire to head home or to new assignments. The fire is still staffed with the resources required to accomplish the remaining work.

Resources Assigned: 10 crews, five helicopters, nine engines, one dozer, and six water tenders. A total of 338 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Closures: Fishlake National Forest Supervisor Mike T. Elson has rescinded a previous area closure and has signed a new one. The new closure is necessary to prevent potential injury to the public and to keep firefighters safe as they work along the roads and trails. It will remain in effect until Oct. 1, 2019, unless rescinded earlier.

This closure order includes the following: the entire length of Forest roads 501, 1657, 104, 512, 2676, and 852, as well as the entire length of Forest Trail 032. A copy of the closure order and map can be found on the Inciweb page for the Meadow Creek Fire (https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6587/) under the “Closures” tab.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place to provide a safe environment for firefighting. Information about the TFR can be found here: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_7115.html.

The Meadow Creek Fire is 45 percent contained and is 4,321 acres in size based on more accurate infrared mapping.

The rise in containment is due, in part, to the excellent work done by firefighters in the first 48 hours of the fire before Great Basin Team 3 arrived. Some of these firefighters are local volunteers, who are being released to return to their regular jobs. Their efforts helped put their fellow firefighters in a strong position as they continue working to fully suppress the Meadow Creek Fire.

A cold front moved into the area overnight as expected, bringing rain showers. These showers are forecast to continue this morning, then taper off in the afternoon. Temperatures are only expected to rise into the 50s in the fire area today. Relative humidity should remain high throughout the day, further moderating fire behavior.

Firefighters plan to take advantage of today’s cooler, wetter weather to build containment lines around the fire. They will also secure existing containment lines, looking for and extinguishing hot spots to prevent the fire's spread. In some areas, suppression repair is already underway to mitigate the impact of firefighting efforts.

Resources Assigned: Eight crews, four helicopters, 15 engines, two dozers, and seven water tenders. A total of 296 personnel are assigned to the fire.

Closures: An area closure in effect as of Sept. 9, 2019, on the Meadow Creek Fire and will remain in effect until Oct. 1, 2019, unless rescinded earlier. This order was issued by the Fishlake National Forest Supervisor Mike T. Elson for the general protection and welfare of public health and safety.

This closure order is from Sand Rock Ridge road South to Meadow Creek. It includes the following: Forest Road 103 (Sand Rock Ridge Road); Forest Road 386 (Sand Rock Ridge Road); Forest Roads 383, 501 and 852; and Trails 032 and 322.

All those entering Forest areas of the Fillmore Ranger District should contact the USFS Fillmore office at 435-896-1010 to ensure areas of interest are not subject to changing fire conditions.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place to provide a safe environment for firefighting. Information about the TFR can be found here: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_9_7115.html.

Fire Information: 208-995-9532 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6587/

Start Date: Sept. 8, 2019
Cause: Lightning
Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs

Acres: 4,154
Percent Contained: 20%

Current Situation: At 6 a.m. this morning, Great Basin Incident Management Team #3 took over after the great work that the Central Utah Type 3 Team did and assumed command of the Meadow Creek Fire.

Weather predictions call for increasingly gusty winds in advance of an approaching storm system. Humidity will be on the rise into possibly the 20-percent range, which should aid firefighting operations. A 40 percent chance of wetting rains is possible Tuesday evening, along with significantly cooler temperatures into Wednesday.

The smoke and fires most visible on Monday were mainly due to interior islands of fuels torching. These islands are areas within the fire perimeter that are typically bypassed or missed by the fire initially, for whatever reason, but later ignite when conditions are conducive to do so. Last night there was minimal fire activity. What little rain fell in Fillmore overnight did not reach the ground within the fire area.

Resources:

Resources assigned to the fire are 6 crews, 5 helicopters, 15 engines, 2 dozers, and 6 water tenders. A total of 209 personnel are assigned to the fire, including local resources.

Closures:

An area closure in effect as of Sept. 9, 2019, on the Meadow Creek Fire and will remain in effect until Oct. 1, 2019, unless rescinded earlier. This order was issued by the Fishlake National Forest Supervisor Mike T. Elson for the general protection and welfare of public health and safety.

This closure order is from Sand Rock Ridge road South to Meadow Creek. It includes the following:

Forest Road 103 (Sand Rock Ridge Road)

Trail 032

Forest Road 386 (Sand Rock Ridge Road)

Trail 322

Forest Road 383

Forest Road 501

Forest Road 852

Note: Hunters have begun scouting game areas leading up to the 2019 hunting season. All those entering Forest areas of the Fillmore Ranger District should contact the USFS Fillmore office at 435-896-1010 to ensure areas of interest are not subject to changing fire conditions.