Elk Fire Update, November 01, 2024

Special Notes:  This will be the Final Daily Update for the Elk Fire. The incident management team will continue to share future announcements related to the fire on the Bighorn National Forest Facebook Page and on the Elk Fire’s Inciweb page, at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wybhf-elk-fire-2024\

Red Grade Road from the eastern Forest boundary up to its intersection with Big Goose Road 296 will reopen Saturday, November 2 at 7am. Red Grade Road west of Big Goose Road will remain closed for the near future while heavy equipment operators continue working to create indirect fireline. For more details on the reduced Forest Closure Order, go to the Bighorn National Forest website at  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.

Current Situation: Logging trucks in the new Deck Haul Group will begin transporting log decks along Dayton Gulch Road 15 to a staging area south of Fool Creek Basin today. This operation will continue for several days Motorists should use extreme caution on the 15 road, or avoid using it, if possible. The trees were cleared earlier in the fire as part to create fire control line. The log decks are spread out over several miles on the 15 road, from its intersection with Forest Service Road 167 road on the east to the junction with Forest Service Road 144 road on the west.  The logs are being moved to a staging area south of Fool Creek Basin. The Forest plans to put the logs up for sale at a later date. 

The Equipment Group continues to work westward on Red Grade Road, using feller bunchers, processors, skidders and other logging equipment to create fire control lines to protect the Sheridan Municipal watershed and nearby structures. This fuel break along Red Grade Road is being established to stop future fire spread, whether it is this year or in decades to come.

The Repair Group has been completing suppression repair projects on properties along the face of the Bighorns, where conditions allow. Some of the dozer lines they plan to repair are still covered in snow, so firefighters have been taking advantage of other opportunities.  Yesterday, they completed repairs on a number of fences that had been cut to allow implementation of dozer line.  Today, the Repair Group plans to be working along the eastern edge of the fire on similar projects.

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior:  Mostly sunny Friday with high temperatures Friday will be in the mid-30’s over much of the fire area. Humidity levels stay above 40 percent and winds will be out of the southwest at 7-12 mph, with gusts to 15. Overnight low temperatures will drop into the mid-teens, with continued light southwest winds.

Closures and Advisories: The modified Bighorn National Forest Closure reduces the closure area to a smaller footprint. Forest Closure Order No. 02-02-06-24-08 and the related map can be viewed here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices. Wyoming State Game and Fish is also re-opening several locations, including Amsden Creek Wildlife Habitat Management Area and the Kerns Wildlife Habitat Management Area, which will be open to non-motorized use only. This link provides more information: https://wgfd.wyo.gov/news-events/wyoming-game-and-fish-department-reopens-most-properties-sheridan-county

Elk Fire Statistics: Size: 98,352 acres   |   Containment: 88%   |   Total Personnel: 165|   Location: West of Sheridan, WY

Reported: September 27, 2024   |   Cause: lightning

Rush Fire

Fire Information - 580-257-7839        2024.Rush@FireNet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/okwmr-rush-fire 
Facebook: @WichitaMountainsWildlifeRefuge

Friday November 1, 2024

Overview: The Rush Fire is primarily on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and lands administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Oklahoma Forestry Services. The Rush Fire is currently 12,488 acres and 76% contained. There are currently 24 engines, 2 dozers, 2 helicopters, 3 water tenders and 215 people assigned to the fire. 

Operations: Yesterday, firefighters used maps from an overnight infrared flight to pinpoint heat close to the fire perimeter to ensure complete mop up of all hot spots. Comanche county conducted roadwork along the western portion of Chosen Road. The utility company repaired utility poles along Hwy 115 that were damaged by the fire. Smoke was reported late in the afternoon yesterday and firefighters found the location was south of Black Bear Springs well interior of the containment line. Engines and firefighters continued to patrol and monitor all areas of the fire perimeter along Hwy 115 and Hwy 49 along the eastern and southern fire perimeter.

Today, all divisions will be using the latest infrared imagery to locate isolated heat sources along all control lines to meet mop up objectives. With the drier conditions today, there may still be pockets of vegetation burning, well interior from the fire perimeter. Along the northeastern fire perimeter, firefighters will be assisting the refuge with scouting and clearing the refuge perimeter fence in anticipation of fence repairs. Engines and helicopters are being released throughout the day due to the increased containment and the forecast weather. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: This morning starts off chilly with lows in the 40s under clear skies with light winds. Winds will return to a southerly direction by this afternoon with increasing clouds and temperatures warming into the 70s. By Saturday morning, showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage across the area. Heavy rainfall will be possible with 1-2 inches likely by Saturday night.

Air Quality: Communities around the Rush Fire will experience Good Air Quality today. Current Smoke Outlook

Evacuations: There are no evacuations in place for the Rush Fire. Residents close to the fire area should stay alert and informed on the current fire situation. Changes to evacuations will be made in consultation between fire managers and the Comanche County Emergency Management. Residents can sign up for the Comanche County Emergency Notifications and Alerts through their website at https://www.comanchecounty.us/emergency-notifications-systems

Closures and Restrictions: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is currently closed due to smoke impacts from the Rush Fire and to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. This closure is for all public use areas, including Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area, Dog Run Hollow Trail System, Boulder Cabin and Picnic Areas, Lost Lake, Doris Campground, the Environmental Education Center, the Visitor Center, Holy City, the Parallel Forest, and Mount Scott.  

All entrance points to the refuge are closed. There are road closures on Highway 115 at the Cache and Meers Gates, on Highway 49 at the West Gate located Northwest of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area and at the Medicine Park Refuge entrance. Indiahoma Road is also closed South of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area. Entering a closed National Wildlife Refuge is a violation of federal law and is cause for fine or arrest.

Comanche County has a countywide burn ban in effect.

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. The use of personal drones is always prohibited on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. If you fly, we cannot fly.

Fire Quick Facts

Size: 167 acres         Containment: 100%

Location: Pine City, MN                  

Cause: Under investigation

Start Date: 10/17/2024 

Final Update

Current Status: The Evergreen Forest Fire has reached 100 % containment. In additional to the incredible work firefighter accomplished to bring the Evergreen Forest Fire to full containment, beneficial rain and snow fell over the burn area on October 31. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Closures: The emergency closure order has been lifted and all of the Chengwatana State Forest is now open as of 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 - including the Chengwatana State Forest Road and all trails. Due to the fire suppression activities, access roads may be in rough conditions. The Minnesota DNR will be working to improve road conditions over the next couple of weeks. 

Thank you to everyone for respecting the closure. We appreciate your cooperation. 

Thank you to local community businesses, resources, and contractors that responded and supported firefighters, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Pine County Sheriff’s Department, Pine County Emergency Management, Pine City Fire Department, and Chengwatana Township.

This is the final update that will be issued for the Evergreen Forest Fire.

The emergency closure order has been lifted and all of the Chengwatana State Forest is now open as of 8 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 1 - including the Chengwatana State Forest Road and all trails. Due to the fire suppression activities, access roads may be in rough condition. The Minnesota DNR will be working to improve road conditions over the next couple of weeks. 

Missoula Ranger District: Firefighters will continue pile burning up to 40 acres, 3.5 miles northwest of Lolo Hot Springs off  Forest Road 33 at the junction of Wagon Mountain Road and Howard Creek Road. Smoke may be visible from Highway 12 and Lolo Hot Springs. 

Superior Ranger District: 

The Superior Ranger District will also continue pile burning 10 miles southwest of Superior near Lost Meadows. Fire managers will burn up to 10 acres of landing piles. The piles are a result from previous management operations on the Lost Creek Timber Sale.  Smoke may be visible from Superior.

The BLM has announced the rescission of the previous closure order affecting the Rail Ridge Fire, effective October 28, 2024. For the full rescission, please see the attached document.

The Malheur National Forest issued a revised Rail Ridge Fire Perimeter Closure Order, effective October 28, 2024. This order rescinds and replaces the previous closure order for the Malheur. For the full closure order and map, please see the attached documents.

The Ochoco National Forest issued a revised Paulina Complex Fire Area Closure Order, affecting the Rail Ridge Fire. This order is effective October 28, 2024 and rescinds and supersedes the previous closure order. For the full closure order and map, please see the attached documents.

                                                     Happy Fire 

Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument

Dunlap, CA – November 14, 2024 — The Happy Fire originated on July 16, 2024 from a lightning strike during a thunderstorm in the Sequoia National Forest, Hume Lake Ranger District. The Happy Fire has been actively burning in the Monarch Wilderness area north of the South Fork of the Kings River. 

The Happy Fire has provided the opportunity to reintroduce fire back into this landscape.  The local management team based on the Sequoia National Forest in coordination with the Sierra National Forest and Kings Canyon National Park has been monitoring and managing the benefits this fire is providing since it began on July 16, 2024. 

Forest Officials actively engaged to manage the fire on October 31, 2024 through November 10, 2024 with ignitions north of Hwy 180 along the South Fork of the Kings River, changing the status from a monitored fire to a managed fire. 

Aerial and hand crew ignitions over a recent two-day period contributed to over 4000 acres of treatment accomplished. Ideal fire effects are benefiting natural resources, with the treated acreage now reaching 12,543 acres. 

Fire activity on the Happy Fire is expected to decrease as snowfall is expected over the fire area. Smoke has cleared out with the weather change and the fire is now in monitoring status. The ongoing monitoring of the fire ensures that any potential risks are identified and managed effectively. As the vegetation dries out, smoldering may increase and produce more smoke. The fire will be monitored until rainfall and winter-like conditions put it out. Managed fire can help achieve resource objectives and restore and maintain fire as an essential ecological process.

This will be the final update for the Happy Fire. The Sequoia National Forest Hume Lake Ranger District would like to thank the cooperators and the public for their support during the fire. Without local resources and support from the community, our team would not have been as successful.

For more information on the Happy Fire visit  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-happy, email SM.FS.SequoiaNF@usda.gov and follow us on the Sequoia National Forest Facebook at SequoiaNF or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/Sequoia for current information.   

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Start Date: October 28, 2024

Cause: Unknown

Size: 323 acres

Location: 4 miles west of Alto, 9 miles northwest of Ruidoso, located in the Blue 2 wildfire footprint in the White Mountain Wilderness.

Resources: Smokey Bear IHC SMOD, Sacramento IHC SMOD, 1 Type Hand Crew, 2 helicopters, 3 engines

Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Grass, shrubs, dead/down fuels

  Containment: 0%

Strategy: Full Suppression with indirect tactics         Road Closures: None            Smoke: Light

Update: Overnight, the Blue Front Fire had minimal growth, it does remain active within grassy areas with dead/down fuels. There are multiple pockets of heat along the southern border.

Today’s plan is for all crews Togo to South Fork and open an egress of 3.8miles. They will be removing significant dead/down timber in order to gain access to the fire. Steep, unsafe terrain has remained a significant challenge for crews on the ground.

Today’s aviation support includes two helicopters. Water drops will be on the South side of the fire. Helicopters will provide an opportunity for operations staff to view the fire behavior and plan accordingly.

Weather: Very dry conditions are continuing with seasonal temperatures. Higher humidity is expected to start on Friday. There is a chance of precipitation in the forecast.

  Evacuations: None currently. The Bonito corridor remains in "Ready” status.