NEWS RELEASE

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

July 26, 2019

Contact: Greg Mackey, 509-653-2390; Rachel Blomker, 360-701-3101

Left Hand Fire closes 5,000 acres of Oak Creek Wildlife Area

YAKIMA – A wildfire that started July 23 in southwestern Kittitas County has prompted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) to temporary close about 5,000 acres of the Rock Creek Unit of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area near Naches to protect firefighters and help ensure public safety.

Wildlife Area Manager Greg Mackey said access to the southwestern portion of the Rock Creek Unit will be restricted until approximately Aug. 26, while firefighters work to contain the fire which is still actively spreading in the area.

Updates on the wildfire are available on the Left Hand Fire Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LeftHandFire and the National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s website at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6456/.

US Forest Service Road 1702 (Rock Creek Road) is closed, and other roads may close depending on fire behavior.

The estimated size of the Left Hand Fire was 500 acres as of July 26, and is burning in very steep and rugged terrain with poor access. A combination of high winds, low humidity, and high temperatures may increase fire spread and intensity. The wildfire was caused by lightning.

WDFW manages approximately 1 million acres of land and over 600 water access sites across the state that provide fish and wildlife habitat, as well as fishing, hunting, wildlife-viewing, and other outdoor activities for thousands of Washingtonians and visitors every year.

WDFW is the state agency tasked with preserving, protecting and perpetuating fish, wildlife and ecosystems, while providing sustainable fishing, hunting and other outdoor recreation opportunities.

Persons with disabilities who need to receive this information in an alternative format or who need reasonable accommodations to participate in WDFW-sponsored public meetings or other activities may contact Dolores Noyes by phone (360-902-2349), TTY (360-902-2207), or email (dolores.noyes@dfw.wa.gov). For more information, see https://wdfw.wa.gov/accessibility/reasonable_request.html.

Additional firefighting resources arrived on Wednesday. That afternoon the Yakima County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 evacuation notice (“Get ready”) for the area adjacent to the fire.

Late Wednesday afternoon fire activity increased with some “spotting”(airborne embers igniting fuels outside the perimeter of the main fire) observed. One load of fire retardant was dropped on the west flank of the fire to slow the upslope spread shortly before sunset. Fire managers estimated the fire perimeter had grown to 160 acres by that time. That growth prompted issuance of a Level 3 (“Go”) notice for six homes and other structures nearest the fire and a Level 2 (“Set”) for over 250 residences along SR 410 effective this morning. Maps of the affected areas are available on the Yakima County Office of Emergency Management Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM).

This morning, fire managers are simultaneously continuing operations and evaluating the strategies for safely addressing the challenges presented by the rugged terrain and difficult access. More helicopters and other resources should arrive today.

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Smoke from the Left Hand Fire is visible from SR 410 and may impair visibility. Motorists are advised to exercise additional caution in the fire area.

Bear Fire

The lightning-caused Bear Fire is approximately 700 acres, burning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM. This fire is demonstrating low to moderate fire behavior. Crews continued to work on the western edge holding firing operations. Fire activity on the east side was minimal. Today’s plan will be to continue prep on the 4052D. Crews will also be scouting a viable option to bring handline from the end of the 4052D road into Corduroy Canyon.

Skid Fire

The lightning-caused Skid Fire is approximately 100 acres, burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Fire was backing down canyon to the north towards Morgan Creek. Fire activity was moderate and produced a well-defined column around 6 p.m. on Friday. Some torching was observed. The initial test flight with the Silent Falcon UAS was a success. Data from the flight will be processed and the results will be processed throughout the day Saturday. This fire continues to be visible to the community of Winston, Truth or Consequences, and along the I-25 corridor north and south of Truth or Consequences. In the evening hours the fire will appear both larger and closer than it is due to the inability to reference its size to any physical landmarks. The fire is currently being monitored from the Hillsboro Peak Lookout and has demonstrated low to moderate fire behavior.

Summary: Reconnaissance has shown that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. These fires are monitored using lookouts and aerial reconnaissance. These fires are all exhibiting low to moderate effects, cleaning up dead and down trees, and debris from previous fires, and reducing ladder and surface fuels. These fires will continue to reduce hazardous fuels accumulation and improve resiliency to wildfires and insect outbreaks during drought years.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool down in canyons, drainages, and basins, and we expect there may be smoke visible in Kingston, Hillsboro, and Truth or Consequences. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Smoke monitors are set up in Mimbres, Winston and Gila Center. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036 Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and on Inciweb.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Truth or Consequences, NM, July 13, 2019 – The Black Range Ranger District, Gila National Forest Is managing the Skid Fire, which is in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness.

The lightning-caused Skid Fire is approximately 100 acres. This fire was discovered on July 10. This fire is ½ mile south of Morgan Creek and will be visible to the community of Winston, Truth or Consequences, and along the I-25 corridor north and south of Truth or Consequences. The fire is in steep, rocky terrain on the crest of Black Range on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. This is the same area, where on July 12, 1994 Pilot Robert Boomer of Briles Wing and Helicopter and Helitack Firefighters Sean Gutierrez and Sam Smith of the U.S.D. A. Forest Service were killed when their helicopter experienced a hard landing while transporting them for an initial attack on the Guide Fire burning at 9,520 feet in the Black Range of the Gila National Forest near Mimbres NM. Two other crew members were injured in the crash.

Managing risk on an incident is of highest priority to fire managers, and with that being reviewed and analyzed, fire managers on the Skid Fire have ordered a Type 2, fixed-wing drone the Silent Falcon to conduct air reconnaissance on the Skid Fire. The expectation for this reconnaissance is to evaluate the fire perimeter and potential for growth. A Temporary Flight Restriction will be put in place for the duration of the flight. This drone has a flight time of approximately 1.5 hours, can fly at 3000' AGL (above-ground-level), which meets the standards for flight above wilderness areas, and is extremely quiet. It has a fail-safe system in place, so that if It loses link-up it will return to its base. For more Information on the drone: https://sites.google.com/a/firenet.gov/interagency-fire-uas/.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Skid Fire

The lightning-caused Skid Fire is approximately 100 acres, burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. This fire was discovered on July 10. This fire is ½ mile south of Morgan Creek. This fire is demonstrating low fire behavior. This fire will be visible to the community of Winston, Truth or Consequences, and along the I-25 corridor north and south of Truth or Consequences. In the evening hours the fire will appear both larger and closer than it is due to the inability to reference its size to any physical landmarks. The fire is currently being monitored from the Hillsboro Peak Lookout and has demonstrated low to moderate fire behavior. There was more smoke production on Friday due to heavy fuels burning. Fire Management is trying to minimize exposure to firefighters by not placing them in a high-risk environment. They will allow the fire to transition to the east if it backs down slope towards an area along the FSR 157 corridor that is a much safer area to place firefighters.

Summary: Aerial and visual reconnaissance has shown that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. These fires are in a monitor status using lookouts and aerial reconnaissance. These fires are all exhibiting low to moderate effects, cleaning up dead and down trees, and debris from previous fires, and reducing ladder and surface fuels. These fires will continue to reduce hazardous fuels accumulation and improve resiliency to wildfires and insect outbreaks during drought years.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool down in canyons, drainages, and basins, and we expect there may be smoke visible in Kingston, Hillsboro, and Truth or Consequences. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Smoke monitors are set up in Mimbres, Winston and Mimbres. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036 Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and on Inciweb.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Bear Fire

The lightning-caused Bear Fire is approximately 700 acres, burning on National Forest System lands on the Black Range Ranger District, Sierra County, NM. This fire is demonstrating low to moderate fire behavior. Crews continued to work on the western edge holding firing operations. Fire activity on the east side was minimal. Today’s plan will be to continue prep on the 4052D. Crews will also be scouting a viable option to bring handline from the end of the 4052D road into Corduroy Canyon.

Skid Fire

The lightning-caused Skid Fire is approximately 100 acres, burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. Fire was backing down canyon to the north towards Morgan Creek. Fire activity was moderate and produced a well-defined column around 6 p.m. on Friday. Some torching was observed. The initial test flight with the Silent Falcon UAS was a success. Data from the flight will be processed and the results will be processed throughout the day Saturday. This fire continues to be visible to the community of Winston, Truth or Consequences, and along the I-25 corridor north and south of Truth or Consequences. In the evening hours the fire will appear both larger and closer than it is due to the inability to reference its size to any physical landmarks. The fire is currently being monitored from the Hillsboro Peak Lookout and has demonstrated low to moderate fire behavior.

Summary: Reconnaissance has shown that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. These fires are monitored using lookouts and aerial reconnaissance. These fires are all exhibiting low to moderate effects, cleaning up dead and down trees, and debris from previous fires, and reducing ladder and surface fuels. These fires will continue to reduce hazardous fuels accumulation and improve resiliency to wildfires and insect outbreaks during drought years.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool down in canyons, drainages, and basins, and we expect there may be smoke visible in Kingston, Hillsboro, and Truth or Consequences. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Smoke monitors are set up in Mimbres, Winston and Gila Center. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036 Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and on Inciweb.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Rocky Fire

The lightning-caused Rocky Fire remains at 640 acres, burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. This fire is demonstrating low fire behavior with some growth to the north and west and remains east of Forest Road 150.

South Fire

The lightning-caused South Fire remains at 3,060 acres, burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. It received some precipitation on Sunday and today, which decreased fire activity.

Woodrow Fire

The lightning-caused Woodrow Fire is 1,090 acres and 100% contained, on National Forest System lands in the Gila Wilderness.

Summary: Reconnaissance shows that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. They are exhibiting low fire behavior. These fires will enhance the land’s ability to support the natural role of fire. Continued monsoon moistures are decreased fire spread and fire activity.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool down in canyons, drainages, and basins. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Smoke monitors are set up at the Gila Center, in Winston and Mimbres. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036. Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and Inciweb.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Rocky Fire

The lightning-caused Rocky Fire is approximately 350 acres, burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. This fire is demonstrating low fire behavior with some growth to the north and west and remains east of Forest Road 150.

South Fire

The lightning-caused South Fire remains at 3,060 acres, burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. It received some precipitation on Sunday and today, which decreased fire activity.

Lilley Fire

This lightning-caused fire was reported today, is burning on National Forest System lands in the Aldo Leopold Wilderness. This fire will be monitored via visual reconnaissance.

Summary: Reconnaissance shows that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. They are exhibiting low fire behavior. These fires will enhance the land’s ability to support the natural role of fire. Monsoon moistures are expected by mid-week which will reduce fire growth.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool down in canyons, drainages, and basins. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Smoke monitors are set up at the Gila Center, in Winston and Mimbres. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036. Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and Inciweb.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Rocky Fire

Incident Start Date: July 8, 2019 Cause: Lightning

Acres: ~275 Containment: 0%

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, heavy dead/down on the ground

Strategy: Continue to scout and prepTrail #741, #74 and prep Forest Road 150.

Incident Commander: A. James, ICT3

South Fire

Incident Start Date: June 29, 2019 Cause: Lightning

Acres: ~2,800 Containment: 0%

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, heavy dead/down on the ground

Strategy: Monitor via lookouts and aerial reconnaissance

Incident Commander: A. James, ICT3

Summary: Helicopter reconnaissance shows that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. They are exhibiting low to moderate fire behavior. These fires will enhance the land’s ability to support the natural role of fire. The fire management officers will continue to look at management opportunities to direct the fire around values we want to protect.

District Ranger Rachelle Huddleston-Lorton requests that the public be keenly aware of the additional fire-related traffic on Forest Road 150 and decrease speed particularly around corners. Today, there will be firefighters directing traffic and wait times up to 30-45 minutes are possible. Please follow all traffic control directions to enhance firefighter and public safety.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool down in canyons, drainages, and basins. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Smoke monitors are set up at the Gila Center, in Winston and Mimbres. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036. Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and Inciweb.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Rocky Fire

Incident Start Date: July 8, 2019 Cause: Lightning

Acres: ~85 Containment: 0%

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, heavy dead/down on the ground

Strategy: Continue to scout Trail #741 and #74 to evaluate the necessity to prep and protect private property at Cooney and Terry Canyon.

Incident Commander: A. James, ICT3

South Fire

Incident Start Date: June 29, 2019 Cause: Lightning

Acres: ~2,330 Containment: 0%

Vegetation: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, heavy dead/down on the ground

Strategy: Monitor via lookouts and aerial reconnaissance

Incident Commander: A. James, ICT3

Summary: Helicopter reconnaissance shows that these naturally-ignited fires are doing good things for the land. They are exhibiting low to moderate fire behavior. These fires will enhance the land’s ability to support the natural role of fire. The fire management officers will continue to look at management opportunities to direct the fire around values we want to protect.

Smoke from fire rises during the daytime, but in the evening can pool down in canyons, drainages, and basins. For information on air quality and protecting your health, and to find guidance on distances and visibility, please visit https://nmtracking.org/fire. Smoke monitors are set up at the Gila Center, in Winston and Mimbres. Live tracking can be found at https://app.airsis.com/USFS/UnitMap for smoke monitor units USFS1054, USFS1035, and USFS1036. Fire information can be found at NM Fire Info and Inciweb.

For information on the Gila National Forest, check out our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.