Closure Order Issued for Boulder Fire Area

BOISE, Idaho, July 30, 2024 – The Boise National Forest has issued a closure order for roads, trails and lands encompassing the Boulder Fire, located 10 miles southwest of Cascade. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities.

The closure includes Snowbank Mountain Road (Forest Road 446) along with all 404 and 421 system roads. Blue Lake is also within the closure area. 

The full legal description and map detailing the closure area boundaries are on the Boise National Forest Alerts and Notices webpage under the Cascade Ranger District. This closure will last through December unless rescinded. 

For the Boise National Forest Fire Info Hotline call 208-384-3266.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (July 30, 2024) – The Alexander Mountain Fire is currently estimated at 5,080 acres. The fire remains at 0% containment. Fire growth was primarily along the north, west and east perimeters.

As fire activity increased throughout the day multiple air resources dropped water and fire retardant to help secure the fire perimeter and protect values at risk. Over 270 firefighters were on the ground today, focusing on critical infrastructure and private property. Dry fuels, high temperatures and low humidity made for difficult firefighting conditions. Crews will staff the fire overnight. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority.

Tomorrow, firefighters plan to focus efforts on the northwest perimeter as well as the Highway 34 corridor. A Complex Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire Thursday, August 1. Hotshot Crews and multiple other resources will be arriving on scene tomorrow.

Weather forecast for the rest of the week remains hot, dry and windy over the area through Friday. A slight chance of scattered rain is expected over the weekend.

Larimer County Sheriff's Office will continue to operate the Joint Information Center and provide information about evacuation notices, animal evacuations and road closures. For evacuation information visit https://www.nocoalert.org/ or text LCEVAC to 888777. The Joint Information Center can be reached at (970) 980-2500. 

The cause of the Alexander Mountain Fire is under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the cause and origin of the Alexander Mountain fire is asked to call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at (303) 275-5266. Photographs and videos can be submitted via https://fs.us.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/amountainfire.

For more information visit InciWeb, and for the latest updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To receive email updates on this fire, join our email list and select Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 34 to Hwy 14 (Buckhorn Canyon, Glen Haven, Cedar Park).

After consultation with fire management personnel and the continued increasing stability of the incident; Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor has lifted the pre-evacuation status for all residents on Redlands Mesa and upper Leroux Creek effective 7:00 pm, July 30th with the exception of homes/cabins that are located north of or within the active fire perimeter on Currant Creek Road.

Homes/structures located within the fire perimeter remain under evacuation notice due to their proximity to the fire. Fire managers were able to confirm this evening that none of these structures have been damaged by the fire. Three homes and five residents have been evacuated since Saturday afternoon due to the fire being in close proximity to their homes on Currant Creek. The American Red Cross and Delta County Human Services have been working with these displaced residents to ensure they have temporary housing, food, and supplies including food and shelter for their displaced pets.  Fire crews have been actively engaged in structure protection the past two days to ensure these affected homes are protected against fire embers.

News Release – Lower Granite Fire

  July 30th, 2024

Pomeroy, WA: The Lower Granite Fire started about 12:15pm on July 29th, 2024.  The fire quickly spread east with strong, gusty winds, threatening croplands, cattle, rangeland and structures.  Garfield County Fire District 1 initially responded to the fire, working with local farmers and ranchers to stop the fire progression.  As the fire continued to grow, aerial support and additional resources were requested.  Washington State Patrol authorized the response of state firefighting resources, mobilizing four strike teams of district fire engines to respond to the fire.

Wildland crews worked with aerial resources local farmers and rancher to stop fire progression throughout the evening.  Garfield County Fire District 1 patrolled structures in the area, located and extinguishing discovered hot spots around structures. 

Strike teams have been arriving throughout today, relieving local initial attack crews and engaging in structure protection and mitigation.  Hand crews have been strengthening fire line and removing unburned fuels in steep, rugged terrain south of Wawawaii Grade, where two fingers of the fire burned down towards the Snake River.    

Northeast Washington Incident Management Team Type 3, Team 1 is assuming command of the fire on July 30th, working with Garfield County Fire District 1 in fire suppression efforts. 

Level 2 and Level 1 Evacuations remain in effect. Current evacuations are updated on the Garfield County Sheriff's Facebooks page at https:www.facebook.com/GarfieldCountySheriff

Size: 183 acres   Containment: 20%

Approximately 100 personnel from multiple agencies are now assigned to the Currant Creek Fire, and crews are making good progress toward containment. Fire managers announced this evening that they have achieved 20% containment and that there continues to be no new growth on the fire. 

After consultation with fire management personnel and the continued increasing stability of the incident; Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor has lifted the pre-evacuation status for all residents on Redlands Mesa and upper Leroux Creek effective 7:00 pm, July 30th with the exception of homes/cabins that are located north of or within the active fire perimeter on Currant Creek Road. 

Homes/structures located within the fire perimeter remain under evacuation notice due to their proximity to the fire. Fire managers were able to confirm this evening that none of these structures have been damaged by the fire. Three homes and five residents have been evacuated since Saturday afternoon due to the fire being in close proximity to their homes on Currant Creek. The American Red Cross and Delta County Human Services have been working with these displaced residents to ensure they have temporary housing, food, and supplies including food and shelter for their displaced pets.  Fire crews have been actively engaged in structure protection the past two days to ensure these affected homes are protected against fire embers.

To aid firefighters with the mop up process, a helicopter flew sling loads of blivets to the fire today. A blivet is a water bag that can be placed on rough terrain and allows water to be gravity-fed through a firehose. Blivets are sometimes the only water source available in dry areas like this.  A bulldozer was also brought in today to build a containment line across the ridge to connect the numerous fingers reaching up to the ridgeline. Fire managers are finalizing contingency plans in the event that fire crosses the ridge into the Dry Creek drainage.

The effort to contain this fire has been an exemplary example of interagency coordination and cooperation. Firefighters, fire managers, and other personnel from the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management; have come together to assist Delta County and local fire protection districts in managing this fire and preventing its spread. Some fire crews have traveled from as far away as California.

Due to high temperatures, low humidity levels, low fuel moisture levels, shortages of fire suppression resources, the active Currant Creek fire and potential for future fires which could severely impact resources and impact public safety; Delta County Sheriff Mark Taylor enacted Stage 1 Fire Restrictions, on July 30, 2024, at 12:01 AM. Please refer to the Delta County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page and the Delta County Website for details on what is and is not allowed under Stage 1 restrictions in Unincorporated Delta County, including State lands. If you live in City/Town limits, please check with your local police department or Town Hall to confirm if they have adopted County restrictions or have their own fire restrictions. For restrictions on the U.S. Forest Service-Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre & Gunnison National Forests and Bureau of Land Management lands, please refer to the West Slope Fire Info website.

Please note, Currant Creek Road remains closed to the public at the intersection with Cactus Park Road due to the Currant Creek Fire. Only residents on the lower portions of Currant Creek Road, south of the fire, will be permitted past the road closure.  We ask that non-residents or anyone wanting to look at the fire please avoid the area. We need to maintain a clear access road for firefighter safety. Drivers are urged to drive slowly on Rimrock Road and Cactus Park Road and watch for emergency vehicles.

Firefighters have a base camp at the Orchard City Town Park in Eckert. Please avoid the areas where the crews have set up so they can get the rest they need to continue working on this fire. Over the past few days, community members have inquired as to how they can help support the fire crews in their efforts on this fire. Please understand the fire crews are self-sufficient and have a dedicated logistics unit providing all the essential equipment and necessary food and refreshments for firefighters. There is no need for community-provided supplies, food, or drink.  If you would like to make a financial contribution to support firefighters, we encourage you to donate directly to your local volunteer fire protection district so funds can be used for training and equipment to help them on the next emergency response!

What a difference a day makes! Monday afternoon the Black Mountain Fire northwest of Lincoln, Mont., was actively burning and producing lots of angry black smoke.

Tuesday the fire experienced much cooler temperatures, lighter winds, and intermittent light rainfall which dampened the fire behavior.

A Type 1 helicopter was utilized again Tuesday to drop water on hot areas of the fire. Heavy equipment began widening an existing mountain bike trail starting at Reservoir Lake. The Bitterroot Hotshots did the same from where the trail connects with Beaver Creek Road. The goal is to both build fire line and to improve firefighter access. 

Meanwhile, the crew of Engine 641 was dispatched to a reported spot fire above Lincoln Ditch Road. They were cold trailing - using hand tools and water sprayed from a backpack pump to cool down the hot spots, then checking to see the hot spots were dead out with their bare hands.

Tuesday’s weather respite will be short lived. Things are expected to be hotter and drier again Wednesday.  More active fire behavior is anticipated.

The fire remains estimated at 65 acres. The Pine Grove Campground remains closed. A Forest Closure order is anticipated on Wednesday. 

The public can help the firefighting effort by staying out of the area and being aware of increased emergency vehicle traffic on area roads and highways.

Information will be updated on the Helena-Lewis and Clark Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HLCNF and on InciWeb at 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mthlf-black-mountain

From the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office

***BLACK MOUNTAIN FIRE EVACUATION UPDATE***

The Evacuation Order has transitioned to an Evacuation Warning. Residents in the evacuation area may return to their homes. The following area is open to RESIDENTS ONLY: North of Lone Point Dr and Tamarack. North of North Lincoln Gulch/Morris Dr. North of the intersection of Beaver Creek Rd and Stonewall Creek and all feeder roads north of that intersection.

Forest restrictions are still in place. Beaver Creek Road remains closed beginning at the intersection with Stonewall Creek Road.

What a difference a day makes! Monday afternoon the Black Mountain Fire northwest of Lincoln, Mont., was actively burning and producing lots of angry black smoke.

Tuesday the fire experienced much cooler temperatures, lighter winds, and intermittent light rainfall which dampened the fire behavior.

A Type 1 helicopter was utilized again Tuesday to drop water on hot areas of the fire. Heavy equipment began widening an existing mountain bike trail starting at Reservoir Lake. The Bitterroot Hotshots did the same from where the trail connects with Beaver Creek Road. The goal is to both build fire line and to improve firefighter access. 

Meanwhile, the crew of Engine 641 was dispatched to a reported spot fire above Lincoln Ditch Road. They were cold trailing - using hand tools and water sprayed from a backpack pump to cool down the hot spots, then checking to see the hot spots were dead out with their bare hands.

Tuesday’s weather respite will be short lived. Things are expected to be hotter and drier again Wednesday.  More active fire behavior is anticipated.

The fire remains estimated at 65 acres. The Pine Grove Campground remains closed. A Forest Closure order is anticipated on Wednesday. 

The public can help the firefighting effort by staying out of the area and being aware of increased emergency vehicle traffic on area roads and highways.

Information will be updated on the Helena-Lewis and Clark Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HLCNF and on InciWeb at 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mthlf-black-mountain

Big Horn Fire

1:30 PM, July 30, 2024 

Estimated size: 51,569 acres 

Containment: 92% 

Start Date/Time: 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM 

Area of Origin: 7 miles SE of Bickleton, WA 

Cause: Undetermined  

Structures Damaged: 4 

Update: 

Today the incident will begin to transition efforts back to the local agencies. Line crews and equipment will begin to be released. Many of the resources will be re-assigned to support other fires in the area, while others are returning to their home units.  Southeast Washington IMT will remain onsite for the rest of the day and anticipate closing out and demobilization mid-day tomorrow.  End of shift today crews will have completed securing and checking containment lines. 

Today’s increase in acreage is due to better mapping flown by Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) from Sunday’s flights and utilization of satellite imagery in the area of Whitmore Road.  The fire perimeter remains unchanged.   

Evacuation Levels: All evacuations have been removed. 

Road Closures: All roads have been re-opened. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: West winds of 10 to 15 mph continuing through Tuesday evening.  A drying and warming trend will begin today, leading to a potential of triple digit heat by Thursday.  Some areas experienced light moisture yesterday, but not enough moisture to make a difference in the dry fuel conditions. 

Smoke: There are currently no air quality alerts for Klickitat County.  While active wildfires continue to burn throughout Washington and surrounding states, communities may see air quality worsen as wind conditions change. Critical fire weather continues across Central and Eastern Washington; please continue to recreate responsibly as any fire starts could spread quickly. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com) 

Red Fire

July 30, 2024

Daily Fire Update

Online: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook – 2024 Red Fire Information 

Fire Information Line: 541-208-1766, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Email: 2024.red@firenet.gov

Red Fire Quick Facts

Size: 428 acres           Origin: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon   County: Klamath 

Start Date: July 17, 2024       Cause: Lightning        Containment: 0%      Total Personnel: 234

Today’s Highlight:

Operations:  Firefighters improved five miles of the planned access route along Forest Service Road 6010 that will provide safer conditions as work continues to establish an indirect control line along the south side of the fire. Crews also made progress in creating fuel breaks and tracking and assessing resources along the Union Pacific Railroad in the Odell Lake area. Hand crews continued to remove vegetation between Odell Lake and Crescent Lake and have completed one and a half miles of the shaded fuel break. Brush removal and fuel breaks continued between the road and the residences along Forest Service Road 60. Structure crews worked with the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s office on structure assessments around the Crescent Lake area to plan for protection needs.

Today crews continue to protect structures and infrastructure along the Union Pacific Railroad. A new chipper will join crews to begin work around Odell Lake Resort. Heavy equipment and firefighters continue to create shaded fuel breaks moving north from Crescent Lake to Odell Lake. Tree snagging and felling crews continue clearing hazards along Forest Service Road 6010 and west along Forest Service Road 60 to remove snags. Long-term plans and strategies continue to be developed in collaboration with the Homestead Complex and Diamond Complex wildfires. A resource advisor is working with all divisions to ensure protection of significant habitats, resources, and water quality.

Round Mountain & Wickiup Fires: 

The Round Mountain Fire remains at 108 acres and is 75% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop-up.

The Wickiup Fire remains at 168 acres. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop-up hotspots. The fire is 85% contained.

Closures – The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091 

Evacuation Notices – The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for the Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction area remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). For information, or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management 

Fire Restrictions – Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds, are in effect for the Deschutes National Forest.  Visit the Deschutes National Forest’s website fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level IV “General Shutdown”.

Weather: Cloud cover will create low visibility in the morning. Decreasing cloud cover into mid-day with light winds around 15 mph or less. Morning humidity will be high reaching 50% by the afternoon. No measurable rain is forecasted. 

Smoke: Smoke from the Red Fire and other area fires will continue to impact air quality.  Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.