INCIDENT UPDATE

Date: 7-9-2024 Time: 8:00 pm

Size: 1,295 acres                                                                   Start Date & Time: 7-7-24 9:51 am

Containment: 0%                                                               Cause: Under Investigation

Total Personnel: 406                                                         Location: Southside of Lytle Creek

Structures Threatened: 149                                             Unified Command Agencies: California Incident Management Team 15, San Bernardino County Fire Dept. 

This morning, California Complex Incident Management Team 15 assumed command of the Vista Fire in unified command with the San Bernardino County Fire Department. Today, the fire behavior was very active on the northeast flank, the fire made two runs towards the southeast area encircling the 2023 Knob Fire. On the northwest flak of the fire produced heavy smoke as it continued to burn dead and down fuels during the hotter parts of the day. The weather consisted of light winds, and as a result, smoke lingered and moved slowly to the east. The fire made its way towards Devil's Backbone and bumped up to the trail and is holding, making for a good firebreak that should help to mitigate potential spread. Firefighters were able to stop the spread of a two spotfires controlling the perimeters. 

This evening helicopters will be working overnight, and ground resources plan to employ them to drop water in areas to that experience flare-ups, helicopters will also be used to drop water in the southeast flank to help cool the fire edge. Crews will also be working throughout the night constructing direct handlines around the spotfires. 

AIR QULITY: 

Visit AirNow.gov for information and actions you can take to protect yourself and loved ones.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Lytle Creek Road closure had been moved to Meyer Canyon Road.

EVACUATIONS:

Mt. Baldy Resort.

CLOSURES:

The portion of the Pacific Crest Trail from Lytle Creek to Mt. Baldy is closed. Those recreating in the Mt Baldy area are strongly advised to stay off impacted trails.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

The San Bernardino National Forest has implemented increased fire restrictions. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the Forest Order.

Evening Update

July 9, 2024

The #ShellyFire is 6,261 acres and 0% contained.

Total Resources: 1,869 personnel, 58 crews, 112 engines, 42 dozers, 7 helicopters, 51 heavy equipment

Fire crews continue to battle the Shelly Fire with additional resources arriving on the scene. Today, a smoke inversion aided in slowing the fire's advance, allowing personnel to focus on constructing, enhancing, and scouting dozer and hand lines across all fronts. The primary focus remains on safeguarding communities at risk to the north and east, although challenging weather conditions persist.

Pius Fire Update

Tuesday, July 09, 2024

Location of Origin: 20 miles NE of Payson AZ                                                                          

Size: 1,300 acres 

Start Date: July 8, 2024                                                                                             

Percent Contained: 0

Cause: Undetermined                                                                                                 

Fuels: Ponderosa Pine/Mixed Conifer

Personnel: 76                                                

Resources Assigned: 1 Initial Attack Crew, 4 Helicopters, 4 Engines, 5 Dozers, 1 Water Tender               

The Pius fire is located on the Black Mesa Ranger District, and is located southeast of the CC Cragin Reservoir, southwest of Wiggins Crossing, and north of Bear Canyon Lake. The fire is currently managed under a Type 3 Incident Command structure with a full suppression strategy. The Complex Incident Management Team, Team 1, led by Incident Commander Carl Schwope will assume command of the Pius fire at 6 a.m. on July 10, 2024. 

Operations: Firefighters continue to construct fire line and conduct back firing operations where necessary. Aerial resources are being utilized today over the fire with helicopter support of ground operations. 

Evacuations: The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued a ‘SET’ notice for the immediate area around Knoll Lake and campground. A ‘GO’ notice has been issued to evacuate immediately for people in and around Bear Canyon Lake including the areas north of Forest Road (FR)300, east of FR115, south of FR225, and west of FR34. To find out more about current evacuations visit the Coconino County Emergency Management  website. 

Smoke: Smoke is expected to impact the communities of Christopher Creek, Payson, Young, Forest Lakes, Heber-Overgaard, and Highway 260. All areas within proximity of the fire can be impacted by smoke, depending on wind directions and ventilation. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. 

Values at Risk: KV Powerlines are located roughly 3.5 miles southeast of the fire and supplies power to the Phoenix Metropolitan area. There are private inholdings in proximity to the fire location. Recreation areas along the Rim Lakes are located roughly 5 miles south of the fire location. 

Weather: Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue tomorrow with an expected high of 90 degrees and northwest at 10-15mph. 

Due to successful firefighting efforts, the Royal Fire has reached 15% containment and 215 acres. Progress has been made with handline construction along both flanks of the fire. Dozers continue to work the head of the fire, reinforcing their dozer line. Air resources continue to work the fire day and night.

Today, fire activity has been active with flanking, single tree torching and backing. The fire continues to hold within its footprint.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Evacuation warnings remain for the community of The Cedar’s. No additional evacuation warnings or orders have been issued today.

The Tahoe National Forest is in unified command with Placer County Sheriff’s Office, CALFIRE/Placer County Fire and Placer County Office of Emergency Services on the Royal Fire incident.

QUEMADO, NM, July 9, 2024 – The Lolo Fire transitioned to a type 3 incident management team on Monday and is estimated at 378 acres in the Quemado Ranger District. The fire is located between Escondido Mountain and the Continental Divide Trail, roughly 6 miles northeast of Quemado Lake. 

“Currently, there are no area closures in place for the fire,” said Quemado District Ranger Randall Chavez. “But for the safety of the public and crews, we would appreciate it if they would avoid the immediate area for firefighting efforts.”

The fire started in a remote location on a knob at the top of Lolo Canyon and crews were supported with helicopter operations in areas that were inaccessible. Since the fire’s start date, it has moved north/northeast and crested over the rim and is backing down into accessible terrain to the east where fire crews are able to engage it. Crews have stopped forward progress along the southern perimeter and will continue to secure that edge. More favorable weather and fuels conditions are needed before fire crews can engage the northern perimeter The confine and contain strategy is still being applied using area roads and natural features to limit the fire’s spread.

A variety of tactics will be used to contain the fire. This may include using hand line to eliminate fuels along planned perimeters, protection of range infrastructure, hand ignitions, and other suppression tactics as changing conditions require to protect values at risk and bring low- to moderate-intensity fire out to control features and establish containment.

Smoke will be visible from Quemado, Quemado Lake Estates, and Pie Town, and is likely to settle into low lying areas during overnight and early morning hours. When smoke impacts are present, New Mexico Department of Health recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate respirator mask can help. Additional air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at NM-Tracking - Fires, Smoke and Health. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.

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USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

MIMBRES, NM, July 9, 2024 – The Ridge Fire is approximately 1,100 acres burning in the Gila National Forest, Wilderness Ranger District. One to two-foot flames lengths were observed yesterday as the fire burns in an old fire scar, moving through grass, needle cast, and dead and downed logs. Crews began assessing private residences as they plan for potential structure protection yesterday. Gusty winds and lightning in today’s weather forecast may hinder crews who have been conducting prep work on trails and roads that will be used as holding features in future operations.

“Currently, there are no area closures, but we anticipate some areas being impacted when the Complex Incident Management Team assumes command in the coming days,” said Silver City District Ranger Elizabeth Toney. “As always, firefighter and public safety is our top priority, and we advise the public to avoid the fire area both on the ground and in the air.”

Catron County Sheriff's Office is responsible for ordering evacuations, if they should become necessary. Catron County utilizes CodeRed for Reverse-911 alerts and notifications. Citizens may sign up to receive alerts on their landlines or you can add your cell phone to receive notifications as well. Visit the website and follow the on-screen instructions to sign up at https://www.catroncounty.us/government/county_sheriff_s_office/emergency_alerts.php

A variety of confine and contain tactics will be used to keep the fire south of Gilita Creek, west of the Middle Fork Gila River, north of Middle Fork Trail #151, and east of an unnamed ridge above (east of) Willow Creek Campground. This may include using hand tools to eliminate fuels along planned perimeters, hand ignitions, and other suppression tactics as changing conditions require to protect values at risk and bring low- to moderate-intensity fire out to control features and establish containment.

Smoke will be visible from Mogollon, Willow Creek, and Snow Lake, and is likely to settle into low lying areas during overnight and early morning hours. When smoke impacts are present, New Mexico Department of Health recommends that smoke sensitive individuals should reduce physical activity and stay indoors with windows and doors closed. For those who are unable to avoid smoke exposure, use of a particulate respirator mask can help. Additional air quality information and health protection measures are posted online at NM-Tracking - Fires, Smoke and Health. Real-time mapping of smoke and other air quality impacts is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.

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USDA Forest Service is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Location: Siskiyou County, CA

Size: 6,261 acres

Cause: Under Investigation

Start Date: Wednesday July 3, 2023, at 1:27 p.m.

Percent Contained: 0%

Personnel: 1,457

CURRENT SITUATION:

Yesterday, the Shelly Fire continued to rapidly expand in extremely hot and dry conditions. The most significant growth was observed along the Kidder Creek drainage area, moving north and east. Yesterday, extending into the evening, crews effectively constructed a dozer line stretching from Shackelford to the Quartz Valley area. A smoke inversion from sunrise to early afternoon moderated the fire activity on the east side. Minimal growth was reported on the south side of the fire.

Today, both air and ground resources will be prioritizing the containment lines on the north and east sides of the fire. Concurrently, they will intensify efforts to implement structure defense plans, focusing particularly around Etna, Fort Jones, Greenview, Kidder Creek, and Quartz Valley areas.

Crews have been tirelessly working around the clock, utilizing both aerial and ground resources to contain the fire. Additional personnel and equipment have been deployed to enhance efforts aimed at safeguarding at-risk communities.

As of now, evacuation orders or warnings have been issued for over 1,200 residential and commercial properties, affecting nearly 3,000 people in the area.

WEATHER:

Hot, dry, and unstable conditions persist, with an excessive heat warning in effect through Wednesday evening. Temperatures will cool slightly through the week but remain well above normal with minimum relative humidity in the mid to upper teens and overnight recoveries slowly increasing to 30-40%. Enhanced terrain-driven up-canyon winds will continue each afternoon, with westerly down-canyon late afternoon to evening winds strengthening substantially Wednesday and continuing through the end of the week.

EVACUATIONS:

Multiple evacuation orders and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff and www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountyOES Additional evacuation information including a map can be found on the Genasys site at https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=14&latlon=41.550694%2C-122.905589

𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗚𝗢 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗔𝗛𝗧𝗜𝗦𝗛𝗥𝗔𝗔𝗠 𝗪𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗖𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗜𝗙 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗖𝗘𝗗. Kahtishraam Wellness Center

1403 Kahtishraam, Yreka, CA 96097

Tel: 530-340-3539

Showers and cots are available.
 

RV Dry Camping/Parking

West Webb St. and Hoag St. in Montague

Please note, at this time there are no extra services (sewage/water/power hookups). This is currently set up for DRY camping.

𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗠𝗔𝗟 𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦

Animal shelters are available at the following locations for those who have pets and animals that have been displaced due to the Shelly Fire:

Dog Evacuation Shelter:

Rescue Ranch Yreka

2216 East Oberlin Road, Yreka CA 96097 Contact: John Golay 541-698-7526

Livestock Animal Evacuation Shelter (horses, pigs, sheep, goats, birds):

Siskiyou Golden Fair

1712 Fairlane Road, Yreka, CA 96097 Contact: Tom Taylor 530-340-1038

Cat Evacuation Shelter:

Siskiyou Golden Fair - Armory Building 1712 Fairlane Road, Yreka, CA 96097

Contact: Becca 530-340-0656

CLOSURES:

An official closure area around the Shelly Fire went into effect on July 4. Hikers are not permitted in the area and will be asked to leave the area. For details and a map of the closure area, please

visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1187463.pdf.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 4. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/?aid=88596.

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

Pacific Crest Trail Information: https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures

Grapefruit Complex

Daily Update: Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Alaska Incident Management Team 3

Incident Commander: Peter Butteri  

Location: 40 Miles north of Fairbanks 

Complex Acres:  90,699

Personnel: 183 

Containment: 0%

Completed Structure Preparation: 85%

With clearer skies, satellite imagery and infrared flights were able to map the fire perimeter more accurately, resulting in an acreage increase. Firefighters continue to account for and remove hoses, sprinklers, and pumps to return equipment to the BLM Alaska Fire Service Cache at Fort Wainwright. The fires will be observed by air to continually assess Elliott Highway, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Native allotments, and public and private structures as the organization continues to scale down due to moderated fire activity. 

Rain is expected to return Tuesday, with heavy rainfall over the Iver and Slate fires. The Globe Fire is expected to receive enough moisture to soak the soil and vegetation, while areas to the east will likely experience light rain. Fog, low clouds, and low visibility are expected in the morning, with a slight improvement in the afternoon. Winds will be lighter from the south-southeast, with gusts up to 15 mph and sustained winds between 4-9 mph.

The Grapefruit Complex includes the Globe Fire (#253), Iver Fire (#249), Eagle Fire (#306), Wilber Fire (#308), Noodor Fire (#192), and Fossil Fire (#115) - The Fossil Fire has been declared out by fire managers as of July 8.

Evacuations: The current levels are represented as: Ready (Green): Elliot Hwy MM 18-65 / Set (Yellow): None currently.  Go (Red): None currently.

Smoke: The fire perimeter is unlikely to change. However, as daytime temperatures rise in the upcoming weeks if the fuels dry out, some of the held heat through the rain event may produce smoke. Please turn on your headlights to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area.

Road access: The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities will implement a 12-hour closure from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for permanent repairs at milepost 57 the week of July 15. These repairs are not associated with fire activity or suppression efforts. Check https://511.alaska.gov/ for additional road updates. Please turn on your headlights is advised to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area.

Closures:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office closed the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area surrounding the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at mile 28 Elliott Highway. The closure is in effect until Sept. 1, unless the BLM determines the area is safe for public use at an earlier time.

Fire crews will begin conducting tactical firing operations along the eastern portion of the planning area for the Lockett Fire, allowing fire to move in a slow and natural manner upslope and upwind across the landscape. Eighty personnel from the USDA Forest Service and National Park Service are currently assigned to the Lockett Fire. The fire is currently at 70 acres and the upcoming burnout operations will result in a larger footprint. The public can expect to see an increase in fire size over the coming days. It’s important to remember that an increase in acres is not an indicator of fire behavior. 

Firing operations along the planning area perimeter creates a buffer of fire-treated terrain around the main body of the fire, guiding the fire’s spread and reducing opportunity for the fire to escape containment. 

Ignitions are planned to begin this afternoon. Decreasing temperatures, increasing relative humidity, and increasing overnight humidity recovery have made conditions conducive to applying fire to the landscape. Ignitions today will be conducted by firing crews, with holding crews following behind to ensure fire stays within control lines. Drive slowly and with caution along Forest Roads 307 and 310 as crews will be present and smoke may limit visibility. 

Once ignitions begin, smoke will be highly visible from forest roads in the vicinity of the fire, along State Route 64/East Rim Drive within Grand Canyon National Park, and the Town of Tusayan. Winds are expected to carry smoke to the south during the day, settling into low-lying areas overnight.

Aerial ignitions are planned for tomorrow utilizing a helicopter, and a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will be emplaced in the Lockett Fire vicinity for the safety of ground and air crews. Drones are not permitted in the vicinity of a wildfire as unauthorized drones pose serious risks to firefighter safety. Remember, if you fly, we can’t.

Managing naturally caused wildfires across the landscape is a very effective tool in restoring the forest to a healthier condition, and these efforts align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

Additional information can be found on the Kaibab NF website, X, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling the local ranger stations.