Bear Fire
Thursday, June 13, 2024

Location of Origin: 5 miles SW of Cibecue, AZ         

Date: June 8, 2024    
Size: 447 acres                                                            

Percent Contained: 13%
Cause: Undetermined, Under Investigation                 

Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Grassland    
Resources Assigned: 10 Crews, 2 Dozers, 4 Engines, 1 Helicopter, 4 Water Tenders
         
Operations: Firefighters were able to achieve containment on the southeast portion of the Bear Fire yesterday. The Black Fire has been completely lined and is showing no remaining heat sources. Crews will continue to monitor perimeters around the fire and extinguish any hot spots that may threaten control lines. The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) module was able to identify areas that were holding heat yesterday and relayed that information to firefighting resources on the ground for suppression actions. The UAS module will continue to be a vital resource to ground crews for successful firefighting activities today.  

Closures: To provide for the safety of the public and firefighters, the G-3 and G-4 roads are closed to the public.

Values at Risk: Emory Oak groves in the area, cultural sites and heritage resources, tribal sensitive species, cattle and grazing, watersheds and riparian areas, woodland areas, the Highway 60 and BIA Route 12 transportation corridors, natural springs, and Cibecue Falls.

Weather: Today’s forecast is calling for thunderstorms in the afternoon with the possibility of dry lightning, gusty winds, and temperatures reaching 93 degrees with winds 10-20 mph.

Smoke: Wildfire smoke may impact Cibecue, Carrizo, and the White Mountain communities. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities.

Evacuations: There are no evacuations currently. Residents of Cibecue are in “READY” status. The public is encouraged to prepare and follow the Ready, Set, Go! program to prepare for any threats to their community. Go to https://311info.net/ for accurate and timely status updates.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azfta-bear-fire 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt
 

Video Update

Acres: 11,500                                                                         

Start Date: May 19, 2024

Location: 7 miles north of the village of Coyote, NM                 

Personnel: 116

Completion: 86%                                                                   

Fuels: Timber

Highlights: A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is assessing the burn severity of the fire. BAER teams are staffed by specially trained professionals: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, biologists, vegetation specialists, archeologists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe stabilization treatments. In areas of higher fire severity, the priority is stabilization to prevent further damage to natural resources. While a large percentage of this fire had desirable effects due to low to moderate intensity, some portions may need stabilization to prevent erosion, increased flood risk, and stream, river, and reservoir sedimentation.

Operations: On Tuesday, Forest personnel walked the portion of the Continental Divide Trail within the Indios Fire area. Firefighters and Forest staff are working to cut down hazard trees (snags) along the trail and mitigate other risks so the trail can be opened as soon as possible. 

Yesterday, some smoke was visible on the interior of the fire. Pockets of vegetation continue to burn out, and stumps and logs may still be smoldering. Crews addressed some of these near roads, but nothing was threatening firelines.

Fire personnel, including firefighters, heavy equipment operators and Forest staff continue with suppression repair work. This includes repairing roads and firelines, installing water bars, chipping, and cutting down trees that pose a hazard (snags) along roads and trails. 

The percentage of completion (objectives for confinement, point protection, and monitoring) and containment (where the fire can be reasonably expected to stop spreading) remains at 86%, and no further fire growth is expected. The remaining 14% is not officially reported as contained because no control measures are in place on the northern end of the fire due to steep, inaccessible terrain in the Chama River Canyon Wilderness. Fire managers expect little to no fire spread in this area due to the limited vegetation and rocky terrain. Large logs and stumps continue to smolder in some areas, but most lighter fuels have been consumed in the interior. 

Weather: A weak shower is possible near the Indios Fire on Thursday afternoon. High temperatures will be in the upper eighties to low nineties with a minimum humidity of 7-11 percent. Winds will be west to northwest at 4-7 mph. Breezes will increase on Friday.

Smoke: Minimal smoke impacts are expected for the foreseeable future. Smoke sensors have been installed and will remain in the communities of Coyote, Gallina, Cañones, and at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. View an interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Learn more about smoke impacts at https://www.env.nm.gov/air-quality/fire-smoke-links/.

Closures: A Santa Fe National Forest emergency area closure is in place for the Indios Fire. The full closure order (No. 03-10-01-24-04) and map are available on Inciweb. Camping and water are available at the Coyote Ranger Station for Continental Divide Trail hikers impacted by this closure.

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmsnf-indios-wildfire | nmfireinfo.com 575-323-2290 | x.com/SantafeNF | facebook.com/santafeNF | 2024.indios@firenet.gov

Fire start date:   June 11, 2024

Fire size today:  3 acres

Location:  11 miles west of Pagosa Springs       

Personnel:  100

Cause:  Lightning

Latest Smoke Outlook:

https://fire.airnow.gov/?aqi_v=2&m_ids=&pa_ids=%23

INCIDENT OBJECTIVES:

• Manage hazards to responders and the public using a risk-based approach to decision-making on a continual basis
• Protect critical values at risk
• Reduce the long-term risk to communities from future wildfire events

Expect to see increased smoke tomorrow from the Snow Ranch Fire west of Pagosa Springs as fire crews initiate burnout operations. Today, fire crews prepared indirect containment line around roughly 400 acres of forest. Tomorrow, with favorable conditions, fire personnel will begin “black lining” and interior firing operations using drip torches and a drone. Black lining is the term used to describe the application of fire to widen containment lines. Wider containment lines increase firefighter safety and reduce the likelihood of a wildfire jumping the line. This strategy is expected to reduce the risk to important values such as private residences, serving local communities now and into the future by providing firefighters an advantage when conditions are less favorable. The smoke will be visible from US Highway 160 as the fire is burning on the southern boundary of the forest, just a few miles north of the highway. 

Please do not call 9-1-1 to report this fire. 

Approximately 100 personnel will be on hand to conduct the operations tomorrow and ensure the fire stays within the pre-determined boundaries.

Fire activities will be taking place on both sides of NFSR 681 (Chris Mountain Trail) and fire traffic will be heavy so please avoid this area. Crews expect to reopen access to the road within a few days. 

More Information about smoke

• Smoke is visible in the area and it may settle into valleys and other low-lying areas, especially at night and in the early morning hours. Wildfire smoke may affect your health. For more information, please go to:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

Pioneer Fire Update

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Chelan, Washington. – 

Under the leadership of Incident Commander Brian Gales, Northwest Incident Management Team 13 (NWIMT13) assumed command of the Pioneer Fire at 6:00 A.M. today. NWIMT 13 is working closely with stakeholders to protect identified values at risk (private structures and National Forest assets) from negative impacts from the Pioneer Fire.  

As was forecasted yesterday, a cold front moved through the fire area and contributed to fire growth, approximately 500 acres.  Firefighters are utilizing the Lakeshore Trail and constructed handlines to continue successful point protection for structures along the lake shore between Pioneer Creek and Rex Creek.  Aircraft continue to provide water drops in support of firefighters on the ground. On the Pioneer Fire, aerial resources (helicopter - and scooper plane - delivered water) have been utilized since the fire started.  Even with the aviation support, the fire continues to burn through dry, dead, downed logs in areas inaccessible to firefighters.  Given the complex terrain and current fuel conditions, the fire may persist on the landscape for an extended duration.

A support camp to meet the needs of firefighters working in remote and rugged locations uplake is being established at Lucerne.  All personnel and supplies must be transported by boat or barge to the fire area. 

Firefighters are also conducting assessments for possible future indirect fire lines. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Individuals with information or photos pertinent to the fire's early stages on June 8 are encouraged to contact Wildland Fire Investigator Bruce Long at bruce.long@dnr.wa.gov.  

Evacuations: 

Chelan County Emergency Management maintains Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders for the area around Rex Creek and Level 1 (Be Ready) orders extending from Prince Creek north to Cascade Creek. Please visit https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/emergency-management/pages/active-emergencies for the most current information on evacuations. 

Closures:

A closure order is in process for the Lakeshore Trail from Prince Creek to Moore Point and portions of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness. The closure will include Prince Creek, Cascade Creek, and Moore Point boat-in campgrounds. Stehekin-bound hikers can still be dropped at Moore Point to begin their trip. The final closure order, including a map, will be posted on the Forest’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd521011. 

SAFETY: Recreational boaters are asked to provide space from aircraft utilizing Lake Chelan for water collection. Recreationists are asked to follow the forest closure orders for their safety and the safety of firefighters. Closure details can be found on the link provided below.

Public information:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pioneer-Fire-Information/61560760893080/

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-pioneer 

E-mail: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov

Phone: 509-210-2926 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (7 days a week)

Washington Smoke Blog https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Bear Fire
Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Location of Origin: 5 miles SW of Cibecue, AZ         

Start Date: June 8, 2024    
Size: 446 acres                                                            

Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Undetermined, Under Investigation                 

Fuels: Pinyon-Juniper, Grassland    
Resources Assigned: 9 Crews, 1 Dozer, 4 Engines, 1 Helicopter, 4 Water Tenders
              
Operations: With the help of aerial resources, firefighters were able to engage both divisions of the Bear Fire yesterday and extinguish hot spots along the edges. Crews completed fire lines around the Black Fire and cold trailed to identify any areas where heat remained. Firefighters plan to directly engage today and will continue to look for hot spots that may threaten control lines. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) module has been deployed to gather intelligence, conduct infrared mapping to identify areas that may be holding heat, and inform fire managers of current fire conditions on the ground.  

Closures: To provide for the safety of the public and firefighters, the G-3 and G-4 roads are closed to the public.

Values at Risk: Emory Oak groves in the area, cultural sites and heritage resources, tribal sensitive species, cattle and grazing, watersheds and riparian areas, woodland areas, the Highway 60 and BIA Route 12 transportation corridors, natural springs, and Cibecue Falls.

Weather: Hot, dry weather will continue with temperatures reaching 98 degrees and winds 10-15 mph.

Smoke: Wildfire smoke may impact Cibecue, Carrizo, and the White Mountain communities. Go to fire.airnow.gov/ to see the latest smoke conditions in your community. Smoke may be visible from the surrounding communities.

Events: A public meeting will be held to update the local communities on the progress of the Bear Fire and to review the Ready-Set-Go! program on June 12, 2024 at 7 p.m. at the Dishchiibikoh Community School, 315 S Elm Dr, Cibecue, AZ 85911.

Official fire information can be found on these sites:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/azfta-bear-fire 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt
 

The Blue 2 Fire Achieves 91% Containment while Repair Work Nears Completion

Daily Update: June 12, 2024

Acres: 7,532                                                                                                     

Start Date: May 16, 2024 

Location: 8 miles North of Ruidoso, White Mountain Wilderness Area               

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 118                                                                                                                

Fuels: Timber/Grass/Brush

Containment: 91%                                                                                               

Resources: 1 Crew | 2 Engines | 3 Water Tenders | 3 Masticators

Operations: Yesterday, fire managers were able to fly over the fire. The flight focused on assessing the status of the uncontained perimeter, which has been difficult to access. It was determined that the area of the western perimeter was not holding heat, and the percentage was increased to 91% containment. Smoldering within the fire's interior, where downed trees can keep heat for longer, may cause limited smoke to be seen throughout the summer, depending on dry weather and wind. The repair work on Soldier Mountain has been completed, and firefighters are working to complete the rest of the planned repair work. 

According to their scientific modeling, the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team released their Burn Severity Map, which showed 8% moderate burn severity and no high burn severity across the entire fire area. The team will work on proposed plans for the forest to assist in erosion control and promote native plant regrowth.

Weather: Sunshine and afternoon clouds are forecasted over the mountains. Overall, warming to above normal, fair overnight recovery, and lower afternoon relative humidity are to be expected. Winds will be light and favor a westerly component over high terrain and terrain influences over lower terrain.

Smoke: Interior fuel pockets inside the fire area can produce limited smoke throughout the day that may impact the surrounding areas, dependent on wind. The interactive smoke map can still be found at fire.airnow.gov/

Closures: The 532 road heading west toward Ski Apache is accessible until Indian Service Route 21. Fire traffic and construction crews are still in the area. In the interest of public safety, camping and other recreation activities in the Bonito Lake Area are still restricted due to ongoing firefighter activities. The Forest closure order will remain in effect for the White Mountain Wilderness Area. Law enforcement will have a presence to enforce the forest closure so firefighters can safely complete their work.

Evacuations: All evacuation statuses have been lifted. For an interactive evacuation map, go to tinyurl.com/Blue2Evacs

Firefighters and aircraft continue their efforts on the Pioneer Fire, now estimated at 600 acres. The fire started on Saturday June 8 and is situated in steep and remote terrain approximately 31 miles northwest of Chelan, Washington, near the north shore of Lake Chelan. 

The fire's remote location and steep terrain pose unique challenges to containment efforts and logistics. Crews and supplies are accessing this remote part of Lake Chelan by boat.

Five crews, comprising approximately 100 firefighters, are engaged on the fire. 

Crews have made progress in establishing hose lines and are working to dig containment lines. Multiple aircraft remain in operation, providing consistent water drops to support ground efforts.

Given the complex terrain and current fuel conditions, the fire may persist on the landscape for an extended duration. Additionally, a forecasted wind event on Tuesday afternoon may present significant challenge to firefighting efforts. Crews are working to reinforce existing fire lines in anticipation of this weather event.

Today's forecast for the fire area includes sunny conditions with a high near 66. Windy conditions are expected, with a north wind of 9 to 14 mph becoming northwest at 18 to 23 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.

Recreational boaters are asked to provide ample space to aircraft utilizing Lake Chelan for water collection.

The cause of the fire, which is suspected to originate from a structural fire, remains under investigation. Individuals with information or photos pertinent to the fire's early stages on June 8 are encouraged to contact Wildland Fire Investigator Bruce Long at bruce.long@dnr.wa.gov.

The Northwest Team 13 Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) is on scene and will assume command of the fire on the morning of Wednesday June 12.

Evacuations:

Chelan County Emergency Management maintains Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation orders for the area around Rex Creek and Level 1 (Be Ready) orders extending from Prince Creek north to Cascade Creek. Please visit https://www.co.chelan.wa.us/emergency-management/pages/active-emergencies for the most current information on evacuations.

Closures: 

A closure order is in process for the Lakeshore Trail from Prince Creek to Moore Point and portions of the Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness. The closure will include Prince Creek, Cascade Creek, and Moore Point boat in campgrounds. 

Stehekin-bound hikers can still be dropped at Moore Point to begin their trip. The final closure order, including a map, will be posted on the Forest’s website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd521011. 

The following trails will be impacted by the closure order:

Lower Fish Creek Trail # 1248

Spur Trail #1248.01 

Spur Trail #1248.02 

Spur Trail #1248.03

Spur Trail #1248.11 

North Fork Fish Creek Trail #1248.1

Lakeshore Trail #1247 (From Prince Creek to Moore Point)

N. Fork Prince Creek Trail # 1254

Prince Creek Trail #1255

Round Lake / Horton Butte Trail #1250

Spur Trail #1250.1

Summit Trail #1259

Surprise Lake Trail #1249