Badland Complex Fire Update 
Aug. 1, 2024

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team Two
Jared Hohn, Incident Commander

Current Situation: 

The Badland Complex remains at 54,563 acres with 73% contained and 270 personnel assigned. 

The Coyote Fire is now 100% contained with the completion of containment line to the Snake River to the east along the southern perimeter. The fire will now move into patrol status, supported by an engine and personnel. Expect to see dust devils on this fire which can be mistaken for smoke.

Today, smoke from the Park Fire in California and the Telephone Fire near Burns, Oregon will move into the area. It will block some of the sun’s radiant heat on the Thompson fire, slowing the drying process for vegetation.

The Thompson Fire is now 31,556 acres and 51% contained. Yesterday, crews gained more containment on the northern perimeter near Durkee Creek. Today, a crew from Alaska join the Gila hotshots, hand crews and skidgines. These crews will focus their efforts on completing work to secure handline between Manning Creek Road and Lookout Mountain Road. Expect to see smoke from interior pockets of unburned fuel, which may be visible from I-84.

The Powder, Chalk, Sheep Mountain, Daly, and Crandall Fires are all 100% contained and are in patrol status.

Weather: Yesterday was the first in a series of warmer, drier conditions. Today will begin warmer and drier with more smoke drifting from fires burning in the southwest. The warming trend will continue throughout the day with temperatures in the 100s in the valleys and 90s in the lower elevations. Today will also bring very little wind and an occasional gust of up to 15 mph.

Smoke Information: Air quality is expected to be worse tomorrow as smoke from local and regional fires increase and as the wind patterns become favorable for impacts from the Park Fire in California.  For current Oregon air quality conditions, please visit https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map.

Evacuations: Multiple areas have been reuced to a Level 2 (BE SET) or are no longer under any evacuations. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064434892363. Sign up for Baker County emergency alerts at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1357

Closures: Check for highway closures at https://www.tripcheck.com/DynamicReports/Report/RoadConditions. All BLM Vale District Recreation Sites along the Snake River between Oxbow and Huntington and on Lookout Mountain are closed. This includes Spring Recreation Site, Swedes Landing, and Bassar Diggins Campground. 

Fire Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in effect. Get details at https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-val-071024.pdf.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. View a map of the TFR and details at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7614.html. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems or drones. If you fly, we can’t! Learn more about how to use drones safely and responsibly at Home - Know Before You Fly.

Fire Info Phone: 541-362-1507  Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Email: 2024.badlandcomplex@firenet.gov

Facebook: Facebook Badland Complex Fires 2024  Media Line: 541-249-5894

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orvad-badland-complex-2024 

Smoke Outlook 8/01- 8/02 Eastern Oregon

Special Statement

Heat advisories and excessive heat warnings have been issued for the forecast area for the next few days. Air Quality Alerts have been issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for Harney, Malheur, and Grant Counties until further notice.

Fire

There are multiple fires affecting the forecast area. For more information on these incidents, please visit each fire's Inciweb page.

Smoke

Air quality is expected to degrade, as high pressure continues to build over the area. More smoke production is expected with hot temperatures. Light and variable winds won’t clear smoke out of the area and conditions are expected to slowly worsen, especially in areas near active fires. Smoke higher up in the atmosphere from fires in California will contribute to haziness across Oregon. Some of this smoke will impact air quality in southeastern Oregon starting tomorrow. Overnight smoke is expected to flow down drainage from active fires impacting those communities located in those drainages below active fire. Monument and Mitchell should expect UNHEALTHY to USG conditions, while everywhere else should see the GOOD air quality the last couple days become more MODERATE today.

Additional Smoke Outlooks

Smoke outlooks for adjacent areas are posted on the Fire and Smoke Map, see below.

LONE ROCK FIRE UPDATE August 1, 2024

Location: Lonerock, Ore. to west of Highway 207 | Size: 137,221 acres | Containment: 89% 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Start Date: July 13, 2024 | Total Personnel: 370

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.   

Email: 2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov

Hot, Dry Weather Forecasted Leading into the Weekend 

Condon, Ore. — After a brief reprieve of lower temperatures and light rainfall, hot and dry weather has returned to the area and will remain through the weekend. Increased smoke is expected as interior fuels retaining heat continue to dry out over the next few days. The public is encouraged to not call 9-1-1 for smoke within the interior of the Lone Rock Fire as these fuel pockets within the burned area are not a threat to the fire’s containment. 

Yesterday's Activities:  Yesterday, firefighters were successful in finding and attacking areas holding heat near Flatiron Spring. The increase in temperature and smoke production allowed them to better locate smoldering fuels that had been dampened by the recent rains. There was no fire growth detected, and the total acreage remained the same. Containment also increased to 89% after a reassessment of the fireline on the west side of the fire.

Today’s Activities:  Firefighters will again focus on the band across the middle of the fire area that is still holding heat. Log and brush chipping work will also continue along FSR 21. 

Weather: A high-pressure system is currently moving over the area bringing a return to above average temperatures (predicted to exceed 100 degrees at the lower elevations), humidity values in the teens, and continued light winds. The hot and dry conditions will allow remaining heat sources to either burn out and self-extinguish or begin active creeping and potentially result in isolated torching within the mixed conifer.

Evacuations: There are no Level 3 evacuations in place for the Lone Rock Fire.  For up-to-date information, checkout the Real-Time Assessment and Planning Tool for Oregon (RAPTOR) public information map, see link below. Additional information is also available from:  

• For Gilliam County evacuation information, visit Gilliam County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
• For Wheeler County evacuation information, visit Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
• For Morrow County evacuation information, visit Morrow County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

Closures:
•  For updated road closure information, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/.

• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-02 includes prohibitions within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest.
• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District Office issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on BLM-managed lands along the main stem John Day River and along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. to Dale, Ore.

Smoke Information: Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for local air quality information.
 

Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Lone Rock Fire area.

###

HILL FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE

Date: August 1, 2024

Fire Information: 530-414-9056 

Hours: 08:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Email:2024.Hill@firenet.gov

Incident Website:

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casrf-hill-fire

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/16/hill-fire

Location: Humboldt County, CA

Size: 7224 acres

Cause: Under Investigation

Start Date: Monday July 15, 2023, at 5:40 PM

Percent contained: 77%

Personnel: 525

CURRENT SITUATION: 

Crews made significant progress on the Hill Fire yesterday, focusing on mopping up and repairing suppression efforts to restore the area. Infrared cameras identified hotspots in Mosquito Creek, prompting a swift response to address any potential threats. Despite the challenging and rugged terrain, the fire's footprint has remained stable for several days, thanks to the relentless efforts of the firefighters.

On Saturday, California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 will transition incident control to the North Coast Interagency IMT, ensuring the fire remains under expert management. Operations will continue until the fire is fully contained and extinguished. This will be the final written update on the fire’s status unless conditions change significantly. For ongoing updates, please visit the Hill Fire Facebook page, and check county-controlled websites for evacuation warnings.

WEATHER: 

Warming and drying will peak today with highs at low elevations above 90 and minimum RH just above 20 percent. A strengthening nighttime inversion will allow for poor RH recoveries and an extended burn period. Elevated mixing heights today combined with strong southeast winds aloft will create a complex wind environment. Southeast winds will start early in the morning, battling with the northwest sea breeze in the afternoon. Wind direction will be inconsistent with some enhanced gusts up to 20mp. Conditions will slightly ease Friday as moisture moves in aloft and high pressure weakens.

CLOSURES:

Forest Closure Order currently in effect for the area impacted by the Hill Fire. It is temporarily prohibited to be on any national forest system land, trail, or road within the closure area. To view the closure order and map of closure area visit the following link www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1191963.pdf.

Road closures are currently in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N01 and Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04. For updated road closure information, visit protect.genasys.com or humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 12th. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188610.pdf.

Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.

EVACUATIONS:

Humboldt County: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies. 

Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description. 

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications 

Trinity County: Evacuation warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064589806351 and https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES 

Evacuation Center:

For information on assistance available to those displaced by the Hill Fire, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS  (1-800-733-2767.)

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in coordination with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services and the American Red Cross-Gold Country Region established an Evacuation Center for those impacted by the Hill Fire to receive fire information. The Evacuation Center is located at Trinity Valley Elementary School, 730 CA-96 in Willow Creek. The center is not open to the public, however information on how to request assistance is posted at this location.

Speirs Fire Update
August 1, 2024

The Speirs Fire remains at 715 acres and is 97 percent contained. The Speirs Fire was caused by lightning. There are currently 81 people working on the fire. 

Updates

Despite warm temperatures and dry conditions, fire activity remains minimal. Suppression progress continues and containment lines are holding well. Firefighters continue to monitor the situation carefully, strengthening containment lines, extinguishing hot spots and completing mop up operations. Construction continues south of the fire to establish contingency line in the Greens Draw corridor.

Smoke may be visible as interior green pockets of fuel burn within the fire’s perimeter.

As conditions on the fire remain somewhat static, updates on the Speirs Fire may no longer be daily. Periodic updates will be provided and releases made as the fire situation changes.

Closures

The following roads and trails remain closed to public access.

• Forest Service Road (FSR) 610, FSR 689, FSR049 (Greens Draw Road), Lowline trail FST103 its junction with the Pipe Creek Trail, FST 003. Forest Service Trail 003 from the beginning at the junction with FST 103 to the junction of Forest Service Trail 004 and Forest Service Trail 004 to Greens Draw Road 049.
• For more information on existing closures, please visit the Ashley National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices

For more information about the Speirs Fire visit the QR-Code below. Fire information is also available at 435-709-8209 (8am to 8pm).

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires Update – Thursday, August 1, 2024
The Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires are a total of 12,109 acres and are considered 7% contained. Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters. There are currently 829 personnel assigned to the incident.
Firefighters are improving and mopping up existing firelines on the northeast side. They continue to scout and establish contingency lines north of the fire. On the west side of the fire, they continue to construct fireline, mop-up the control lines and establish contingency lines. Scooper Planes may be operating out of Dorena Lake to support fire operations.
Informational Meeting: Friday Night August 2, 2024 @ 6:00 pm, Cottage Grove Faith Center
33761 Row River Rd, Cottage Grove, OR
Closures: Due to the wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest has issued Forest Order No. 06-15-24-03 and Forest Order No. 06-15-02-24-01 that can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/aler/umpqua/alerts-notices.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued the following emergency closure for Lane County: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/bureau-land-management-expands-emergency-fire-closure-due-cottage-grove-lane-1-fire
The following County roads are closed except to owners of private lands accessed from these roads: Brice Creek Road east of Umpqua National Forest Boundary, all of Sharps Creek Road. Evacuations: A “Level 2” evacuation notice is in effect for the Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak. Additionally, a “Level 1” evacuation notice has been issued by the Lane County Sheriff’s Department for areas east of Disston, starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south. An evacuation map is available at: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 8500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_4814.html. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below:
Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1
Adam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-adam-mountain
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires Update – Thursday, August 1, 2024
The Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires are a total of 12,109 acres and are considered 7% contained. Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters. There are currently 829 personnel assigned to the incident.
Firefighters are improving and mopping up existing firelines on the northeast side. They continue to scout and establish contingency lines north of the fire. On the west side of the fire, they continue to construct fireline, mop-up the control lines and establish contingency lines. Scooper Planes may be operating out of Dorena Lake to support fire operations.
Informational Meeting: Friday Night August 2, 2024 @ 6:00 pm, Cottage Grove Faith Center
33761 Row River Rd, Cottage Grove, OR
Closures: Due to the wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest has issued Forest Order No. 06-15-24-03 and Forest Order No. 06-15-02-24-01 that can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/aler/umpqua/alerts-notices.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued the following emergency closure for Lane County: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/bureau-land-management-expands-emergency-fire-closure-due-cottage-grove-lane-1-fire
The following County roads are closed except to owners of private lands accessed from these roads: Brice Creek Road east of Umpqua National Forest Boundary, all of Sharps Creek Road. Evacuations: A “Level 2” evacuation notice is in effect for the Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak. Additionally, a “Level 1” evacuation notice has been issued by the Lane County Sheriff’s Department for areas east of Disston, starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south. An evacuation map is available at: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 8500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_4814.html. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below:
Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1
Adam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-adam-mountain
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024

Retreat Fire

Fire Information: 509-213-4890    Email: 2024.retreat@firenet.gov

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-retreat

August 1, 2024

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 31,514 acres

Containment: 37%

Resources: 561 Total Personnel; 8 Dozers; 11 Hand Crews; 40 Engines

Key Message:  

Firing operations are complete on the east side of the fire.  Crews will work to mop-up and secure control lines on the south and east side of the fire.

Firing operations are planned over the next several days to secure indirect control lines on the north and west sides of the fire.  There will be an increase in smoke associated with these firing operations that will be visible from communities adjacent to the fire. 

The Highway 12 corridor remains closed to public travel for both firefighter and public safety. Fire affected large trees have been falling across the highway at unexpected times and firefighting crews and equipment continue to work in several locations. The highway is expected to remain closed for several more days.

Current Status:

The Retreat Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy prioritizing public and firefighter safety.

Firing operations were completed from Hatton Road north to French Road connecting control lines on the east side of the fire. Containment increased along the southeast and east sides of the fire as crews continued to mop up and secure the line. Firefighters will continue to patrol and extinguish hot spots along the lines working towards additional containment closest to the communities of Tieton and Cowiche. Warmer and drier conditions allowed for firing operations to begin on the north side of the fire working along the Bethel Ridge Road (325) as an indirect line from both the east and west directions with hotshot crews. The firing operations generated smoke from the fire area but are intended to build a strong control line along the entire north side of the fire with the long-range goal of additional containment. 

Firefighters continued to patrol and extinguish hot spots along the south side of the fire mostly working directly along the fire’s edge. Crews and equipment continued to construct a control line from Highway 12 south to Jump Off Lookout on the southwest corner of the fire. Late afternoon easterly winds caused some small spot fires to start in the area just west of the fire. Crews and a helicopter were nearby and able to respond and keep the spot fires in check. The night shift patrolled and monitored these spot fires overnight. 

Structure protection crews and engines continued to patrol and extinguish hotspots near homes and infrastructure along the fire impacted Highway 12 corridor as well as clear fallen trees and rocks. Structure crews also continued to assess and prepare pumps and sprinklers around the structures at Camp Ghormley and along the Lost Lake Road west of the fire area.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Warmer temperatures and drier conditions were observed over the fire area yesterday with terrain driven winds. The warming and drying trend will continue today. Temperatures will be in the mid 80s to 90s and relative humidities will decrease to the 20 to 30 percent range. Winds will primarily be surface heating driven and from the southeast around 8 to 14 mph with gusts to 15 to 20 mph.

Yesterday was the start of a significant warming and drying trend. Lower elevations with sagebrush and grass had surface fire spread with single tree and group torching. In the mixed conifer trees fire activity increased with ground fire movement and single tree torching with short range spotting. Three main fuel types exist in the fire area: sage/grass, oak bottoms, and ponderosa forests. Grass in the appropriate fuel types is fully cured and readily available for ignition. While the oak trees are not burning fully, intense grass fires below these trees could produce large embers capable of short-range spotting.

Closures and Evacuations:

For the most up-to-date information on evacuations, please visit Yakima County Emergency Management located at this link: Yakima Emergency Management website.

-US Hwy 12 remains closed between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.

-Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Closure: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=89192.

-The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southeast Region has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest due to increased activity from the adjacent Retreat Fire burning near Rimrock Lake. The public can access the most up-to-date closure information at www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum.

-Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the majority of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area to public access due to the Retreat Fire. The Oak Creek Wildlife Area is scheduled to remain closed until Aug. 23 to ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting efforts. More information can be found at Wildlife Areas | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE

Air quality and smoke conditions and forecasts can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/.

Resident Resources Before, During, and After the Fire:

There are many online resources available for Washington residents who are affected by wildfire.

Support for residents being affected by wildfires: https://afterthefirewa.dreamhosters.com/ 

Washington DNR Homeowner programs:  https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/cost-share

Sand Stone firefighting efforts allow for reopening of Highway 87

Daily Update – Thursday, August 1, 2024

Highlights: Superscooper planes effectively cooled the western and northern portions of the Sand Stone Fire yesterday. Aircraft will continue dropping water wherever needed to support ground operations. Due to decreased fire activity, State Route 87 has been reopened in both directions. Depending on fire activity and weather conditions, highway restrictions may be necessary at a moment’s notice. For real-time highway conditions, check https://az511.gov/. 

Total personnel on all incidents: 530   

Sand Stone Fire:          Acres: 27,390     Containment: 27%     Start Date: 7/25/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush        

Operations: Superscooper planes capable of drawing water from Bartlett Lake dropped over 80,000 gallons of water along the perimeter of the fire wherever heat was detected, focusing on the western side near critical powerline infrastructure. Aerial support operations will continue today. Ground crews and heavy equipment including masticators are securing the fire perimeter in Sycamore Creek, Indian Springs, and Quartz Canyon. Chipping operations will begin today near the Old Highway 87 as crews cut vegetation to create a more defensible area for firefighters. Preparations around the Sunflower community continue today as firefighters patrol structures and identify possible secondary lines along Forest Road 201. The interior of the fire is producing very little smoke, and control lines are holding across the fire area. Firefighters are beginning to identify suppression repair needs, including fence line reconstruction. 

Deer Fire:                 Acres: 308     Containment: 18%      Start Date: 7/17/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush, timber    

Operations: The Deer Fire experienced slow growth on the north side of the fire perimeter yesterday. Helicopter reconnaissance flights continue to monitor for any changes. Containment on the Deer Fire remains at 18%. 

Davenport Fire:           Acres: 447         Containment: 93%      Start Date: 7/19/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush        

Operations: Fire activity remains minimal. No change has been reported in acreage or containment for the Davenport Fire, located within the Mazatzal Wilderness. 

Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible today with additional wind gusts and lightning in the stronger storm cells. On the Sand Stone Fire, temperatures could reach 100 degrees, while the Deer and Davenport Fires will reach the upper 80s. 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Fountain Hills, Sunflower, Rio Verde, Goldfield, and unincorporated communities in the Rio Verde Foothills. An interactive smoke map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

A daily smoke forecast for the Sand Stone Fire is available at www.azdeq.gov/wildfire/forecast/sandstonefire. 

Evacuations: The community of Sunflower remains in “set” status. “Set” means residents should identify the closest shelter or safe space, prepare an emergency kit, listen to public health officials, and be ready to leave the area. The Ready, Set, Go! program is a nationwide program to educate residents about steps to take during an emergency. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at ready.maricopa.gov.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure order for the Sand Stone Fire. More information can be found on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/. Trail users should avoid using the Arizona National Scenic Trail near the fire area.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-sand-stone /

480-409-9683 / https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest / 2024.sandstone@firenet.gov 

PYRAMID FIRE:

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,193 Acres, 13 Percent Contained, Total Personnel 414, Lightning Caused

Yesterday, hand crews and dozers were able to make good progress improving control lines, aided by water-dropping helicopters. Along the eastern flank, hand crews will continue to increase direct control line today, aiming to complete the entire eastern flank in the coming days. On the southern and western flanks of the fire, crews used heavy equipment in steep terrain and installed water handling equipment, such as pumps and hoses. Today, the focus will be on maintaining and widening control lines, installing pumps and hoses, and extinguishing hot spots. 

SLATE FIRE:

5 miles SW of Detroit, OR, 91 Acres, 77 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 50, Under Investigation

The hard work by fire crews on the Slate Fire yesterday resulted in an increase in control line mop-up depth up to 125 feet into the fire’s perimeter and a substantial increase in containment. Today, crews will continue to work aggressively on increasing mop-up depth, particularly along the southern flank of the fire perimeter. Extinguishing smoldering material to secure control lines and increasing containment continues to be a priority today through this weekend.

WEATHER: Building high pressure brought a noticeably hotter and drier fire environment yesterday. Today, conditions are sunny, hot, dry and unstable with a high temperature of 90 to 95 °F and a minimum relative humidity of 25 to 28 percent. Predicted weather today and over the next several days will lead to a shift in fire behavior, including increased potential for spotting and fire growth and an increased probability of fire ignition.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Smoke and air quality conditions are available on: AirNow.gov

EVACUATIONS: On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map https://tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). 

AREA CLOSURES: Due to active fires, road, recreation site, and trail (including the PCT) closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest. Specific information is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are in effect for Willamette National Forest, including the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487.