Closure reduction and Closure termination

Red Rock Fire

Operations: Yesterday, dozers built line from the cobalt mine west toward Blackbird Mountain. South of Blackbird Road, crews built handline along the fire’s edge and checked for remaining heat. Along FR 020 Ridge Road, aerial ignitions continued towards the south and helicopters dropped water on hot spots to hold the fire on the ridge. On the south side of the fire, firefighters continued to mop up, remove hazard trees, and check for any remaining heat. A small area of hand ignitions were conducted to hold the fire on FR 112 near Yellowjacket. Crews and heavy equipment constructed direct line around the head of the Napias spot fire.

Garden Fire

Operations: Crews continued to secure and mop up the fire in Panther Creek and the Salmon River Corridor. While little growth was observed, firefighters do have contingency lines and ignition plans in place should the fire move to the west.

Additional Information

Weather: Sunday will be a little warmer with similar humidity values with light and variable winds. Temperatures forecasted to be in the 60s and the relative humidity will fall to around 15-25%. The warm and dry conditions will continue on Monday and Tuesday with a southwest wind gusting to around 15 mph along the ridgetops and along Panther Creek.

Smoke: Helpful tips for protecting yourself from smoke are available. A smoke outlook is also available.  

Closures: Salmon‐Challis National Forest has implemented a reduced Red Rock and Garden Fires Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐24‐024. View the new reduced closure order. 

Special Notes: The Salmon River Road and the Salmon River to float boating is open. All restriction along the Salmon River have been terminated.

Safety: Please stay out of the fire area. There is still active fire behavior in the fire area, including group torching and crown runs. There are multiple roads and bridges that have been destroyed or are impassable. Entry into evacuation zones that are in “Go” status is prohibited. The updated forest closure notice that encompasses both the Red Rock Fire and Garden Fire areas includes multiple road and area closures. Barricade closures will be posted at road intersections and forest boundaries. 

Evacuations: Evacuation information in Lemhi County regarding both the Red Rock and Garden. 

Type 3 Incident Command Team, Incident Commander Matt Young   

Location: Bitterroot NF: Railroad Creek/ Skalkaho Creek confluence, 26 miles southeast of Hamilton 

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF: 20 Miles northwest of Georgetown Lake Dam off  Skalkaho Hwy 38 

Start Date: 7/25/2024  

Cause: Undetermined     

Daly Fire Acres: 9,529  Railroad Fire Acres: 1,450  Completion: 56% 

Total Personnel: 238 

Current Status : Fire progressed to the southwest towards Skalkaho Hwy 38. Dozer and handline continued on the Gird/Skalkaho ridge. Firefighters continued firing off the dozer line creating a wide blackline in efforts to slow fires progression. Multiple helicopters aided firefighters during firing operations.  

In the Stoney creek area, crews continued a shaded fuel break along Coal Creek Road and utilized a Chipper to minimize ground fuels. Structure protection will remain in place at this time. 

 Weather and Fire Behavior : Continued high pressure is expected to bring warm and dry conditions with daily winds increasing through Wednesday. Temps are predicted to be 15-20 degrees above normal through early next week. Poor relative humidity recoveries can be expected with an increased potential of active fire growth. There is a 50% Probability for at least 2” of snow over mountain passes by Friday morning. 

EVACUATIONS: On October 9, 2024 the Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office issued an Evacuation Warning for residents off of Skalkaho Highway (1700-2500 block) due to the Railroad-Daly Fire. For more information on evacuations visit the Ravalli County Sheriff Facebook page.  To register your phone number for emergency notifications in Ravalli County visit, http://hyper-reach.com/mtravallisignup.html. 

CLOSURES : For additional information on the Skalkaho Hwy 38 road closure visit Montana Department of Transportation. 

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure effective October 4, 2024.  

The Bitterroot National Forest has also issued a road closure effective October 10, 2024. 

These order’s are for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts on the Fire.  

Closure information and maps are posted on the Bitterroot and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forests’ website www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bdnf/alerts-notices and www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bitterroot/alerts-notices. 

Location: San Bernardino County, CA                                                         Start Date: September 5, 2024

Size: 43,978 acres                                                                                         Percent Contained: 96%

Cause: Human                                                                                               Personnel: 577

CURRENT SITUATION:

Despite stronger winds this week, containment lines around the Line Fire remain uncompromised. Line improvement and backhaul activities continue to consume a great deal of firefighters’ time, along with suppression repair on roads, drainages, corridors, and dozer lines. Resource advisors are lending expertise and monitoring rehabilitation efforts around and within the perimeter of the fire.

Visible smoke may still be seen well within the fire perimeter where terrain has made access difficult. Yesterday, a helitack crew was inserted along the fire’s uncontained perimeter near Bear Creek. The operation was successful, and containment was increased in this area. Helicopter operations in the Cold Creek area confirmed lines are holding, where unburned vegetation continues to be consumed within the fire perimeter. Overall, fire behavior has decreased, yet firefighters are staying engaged and prepared for initial attack if needed.

Temperature is slowly dropping and humidity is increasing, but fire danger remains high. The public is asked to be extremely diligent and fire wise. Yesterday marked the start of modern gun hunting season, and the public is reminded that the San Bernardino National Forest has issued closures for areas surrounding the fire.

WEATHER:

Increasing humidity and lower temperatures will further aid containment progression. No growth is expected, thanks to light winds and higher relative humidity recoveries. 

CLOSURES:

San Bernardino National Forest has issued closures for areas surrounding the Line Fire. For more information and to see the map use this link -  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/?cid=FSEPRD1181411. 

Highway 330 remains closed from Highland Avenue to Highway 18 as CalTrans performs repairs to the road and guardrails. 

EVACUATIONS: 

There are currently no evacuation warnings or orders for communities in or around the Line Fire. 

October 12, 2024:  The Inversion did not lift over the Birch Fire area.  Between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm, there was some clearing of the skies but not over the fire area.  At 5:00 pm, the inversion settled back in over the area.  Minimal fire activity in the East Fork of Indian Creek, fire is burning the upper third of the west side of the drainage.  There was an infrared flight from last night, updated acres is 21,729 acres.  Growth was in Indian Creek with the rest of the fire showing little activity. 

On Saturday, firefighters continued to work hot spots mainly in the interior of the fire area. The work that the firefighters completed over the past week was tested by the higher winds. Their efforts proved to be successful as the fire lines held. 

Today, there in an increase in containment to 75%. 

In the coming days, Suppression Repair work will begin in some areas. Suppression repair is the work done to repair or minimize the fire impacts to resources and lands that resulted from firefighting activities. 

It’s been a long week, and it’s one of the few remaining warm weekends before winter blows across the land. If you’re thinking about getting out for some well-deserved recreational activities this weekend, we’re with you! Great! 

However, due to current severe fire dangers and ongoing fire operations, such as the Elkhorn Fire blazing throughout the western North Dakota region, recreational activities are restricted. 

For instance, travel by all-wheeled motor vehicles on non-surfaced (Prairie Two-track) National Forest System Roads is currently prohibited as per the DPG’s Emergency Fire Order and Restrictions. 

Additionally, activity restrictions and exemptions exist for building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 

However, there are conditional provisions for liquid petroleum stoves and grills and set conditions for smoking in designated spaces. 

To read the official Order, view the accompanying map, or find more helpful DPG information, please visit our website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/dpg/alerts-notices/?aid=91474

Please be careful out there and if you detect any fire, please call 911 immediately so the amazing first responders can do what they do best! 

Thank you for your support and patience, and have a safe, awesome, and fun-filled weekend!

For the most recent up-to-date evacuation information, visit Sheridan County Emergency Management's news listing webpage.

RED ROCK AND GARDEN FIRE CLOSURES REDUCED

OCTOBER 12, 2024

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger

Fire behavior has moderated on the Red Rock and Garden Fires. With the changed weather and fire behavior, the Salmon-Challis National Forest has implemented a reduced Red Rock and Garden Fires Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐24‐026 as of 8:00 pm, today, Saturday, October 12, 2024. 

Description of #04-13-24-026 (effective as of 8:00pm, Saturday, October 12, 2024): 

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS

Beginning at Ebenezer Bar on the Salmon River Road 030 south from Ebenezer Bar to Dome Mountain and continuing south to Big Deer Creek Trail 029 on Big Deer Creek, then west and south to Big Horn Crags Campground and Yellowjacket Lake Campground.  Then following south on Hoodoo Creek Trail 107 to where it meets the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Boundary.  Then following south from the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Boundary to where it meets Yellow Jacket Road 112.  The following Yellow Jacket Road 112 and Little Yellow Jacket to where it meets Duck Point Road 201.  Then following Duck Point Road 201 to where it meets Birdseye Creek.  The following Birdseye Creek west to where it intersects Silver Creek Road 108.  The following Silver Creek Road 108 to where it meets Morgan-Panther Creek Road 055.  The following Morgan-Panther Creek Road 055 to where it meets Opal Creek Road 252.  Then following Opal Creek Road 252, Moyer Creek Road 103, and the South Fork of Moyer Creek to Taylor Mountain.  Then following the ridge north and east to Iron Lake Campground and along Iron Creek to where it meets the West Fork Iron Creek Road 046.  Then following West Fork Iron Creek Road 046 and Iron Creek Road 045 to the boundary of the Salmon Challis National Forest.  Then following the Forest Boundary north to its intersection with the Leesburg Stage Road 002, along this road to the Ridge Road 020, then on Sharkey Creek Road 272 to Leesburg, then due west from Leesburg to its intersection with Jureano Mountain Road 300, then along this road to its intersection with the Moose Creek Road 061, then on Jureano Lookout Road 325 following this road to its end on Trapper Ridge.  Then following Trapper Gulch to its junction with Morgan-Panther Creek Road 055.  Then following Morgan-Panther Creek Road 055 to its junction with Salmon River Road 030.  Then following Salmon River Road 030 to its junction with Ebenezer Bar.

The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety from the effects of the Red Rock and Garden Fires. 

This Order shall be in effect from October 12, 2024, at 8:00 pm until October 31, 2024, or until rescinded.

Location: Shasta County, CA                        

Start Date:  Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 6:57 p.m.       

Cause: Under Investigation                           

Size: 2,304                                                      

Percent Contained:  0%                                

Vegetation: Timber, Chapparal

Number of Personnel Assigned: 418

As of October 12, 2024, the Shoe Fire has burned 2,304 acres and remains at 0% containment. Last night, during the evening shift on October 11, fire behavior was moderated due to increased precipitation.

Complex California Interagency Incident Management Team 13 has taken command of the fire as of 7:00 a.m., October 12, 2024. 

Firefighters are combating the fire, which is currently advancing northeast along the Sulanharas drainage. Due to the steep and rugged terrain, aerial resources are the primary focus, with water-dropping operations set to continue throughout the day. Ground crews are diligently working to establish containment lines to support full suppression efforts. Structure protection measures are in place, with firefighters prepared to respond swiftly if the fire threatens any residences.

Fire is predominantly moving northward, fueled by timber in the challenging landscape. While extreme wind patterns are not anticipated in the area, any moisture recovery from the previous operational period may diminish due to rising temperatures and low relative humidity expected throughout the day.

There is currently a mandatory evacuation in the Lakehead area in zone LKH-1448-B. Residents are urged to evacuate immediately as there is imminent fire danger. Evacuation information and alerts can be found by visiting protect.genasys.com

The information staff of the Shoe Fire are working diligently to provide timely and accurate information to the public. Fire updates can routinely be found on the dedicated Shoe Fire 2024 Facebook page: www.facebook.com/2024ShoeFire/

WEATHER: The forecast for the area indicates a cooling trend over the next few days, along with a possibility of rain.

EVACUATIONS:  Zone LKH-1448-B 

ROAD CLOSURES:

• Fenders Ferry Road at Pit River 7 Bridge: West-Bound Fenders Ferry Road (Also known as 34N17 - Forest Service Road 27) at the Pit River Bridge/Pit 7
• Ferry Road is closed at McCloud Bridge: East-Bound Fenders Ferry Road at the McCloud River Bridge

GARDEN FIRE CLOSURE #04-13-24-025 TERMINATED

Release Date: Oct 12, 2024

Fire behavior has moderated on the Garden Fire and the risk of the fire spotting across the Salmon River has been reduced.  With the changed weather and fire behavior, the Salmon‐Challis National Forest has terminated the Garden Fire Closure, Order Number: 04‐13‐24‐025.

The following description of #04-13-24-025 is now open:

DESCRIBED AREA, ROADS AND TRAILS (now open):

Beginning at the junction of Salmon River Road 030 and Spring Creek Road 038 and following Spring Creek Road 038 to its junction with Colson Creek-State Line Road 123, then following Colson Creek-State Line Road 123 to its junction with Long Tom Road 166, the following Long Tom Road 166 to Long Tom Lookout, then following the ridgeline south to Long Tom Picnic Area, then following the Salmon River Road 030 back to its junction with Spring Creek Road 038.

Corn Lake Road 064, East Fork of Spring Creek Road 042, and Cadagan area are also closed.

The forest is asking visitors to be aware of the HIGH fire danger for the Salmon-Challis National Forest.  Ensure your campfire is dead out. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave! One Less Spark Means One Less Wildfire.

Visit the Salmon Challis NF: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/ for more information