East Fork Fire

Kootenai National Forest/Flathead National Forest

Fire Information  406-285-8634  Eastforkfireinfo@gmail.com

August 25, 2023

Location: 12 miles south of Trego, MT

Start Date: 7/30/2023

Cause: Lightning

Size: 4,993 acres*

Containment: 10%

Total Personnel: 614

Engines: 17

Hand Crews: 12

Helicopters: 2

Yesterday’s Events: Additional resources joined the East Fork Fire on Thursday, including hot shot crews and heavy equipment. Much of their efforts focused on constructing control lines directly next to the fire.

Burning operations designed to remove fuels and strengthen containment lines were attempted, but fuel moisture and humidity levels hampered firefighters’ efforts to burn out fuels next to the existing fireline. Night operations continued to move logs and brush that had been cut during the day shift.

Plans for Today: An infrared flight occurred on Thursday, fire managers will utilize this data to better plan tactics. Crews will be taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to directly attack any active fire that may occur as fuels dry. Aviation resources will complement the work of the ground forces if conditions permit, including reconnaissance missions and helicopter bucket work.

Weather Update: High temperatures on the East Fork Fire will continue to rise over the next several days and relative humidity will decrease. This will cause fuels to dry and fire behavior to increase. Incident Meteorologist Jason Straub, alerted fire crews this morning that winds may gust up to 25 mph this afternoon associated with an incoming cold front. These winds could increase fire activity and may also increase the risk of falling trees.

Evacuations: Some communities remain in a Pre-Evacuation Warning. Residents may return to their homes under a Pre-Evacuation Warning, but may need to leave again on short notice. For more information, go to the Lincoln County and Flathead County Sheriff’s Department Facebook pages.

Public Meetings: No public meetings are scheduled at this time, though fire personnel will be available to answer questions at the Lincoln County Fair on Friday and Saturday.

*Acreage change is due to the availability of more accurate data (from infrared (IR) flight).

Shane Robson, Incident Commander

Crater Creek Fire Information

Julianne Nikirk (928) 270-8335

Follow us on Facebook @NEWIMT3

Crater Creek Fire

Quick Facts
 

Approximate Size

5,055 acres

Containment

0%

Total Personnel

221

Fire Danger

Very High

Structures Lost

Primary – 0

    Secondary - 0

Cause

Lightning/Natural

For Immediate Release - August 25, 2023

Tonasket, WA: Missions are underway to dig direct line near the border that will be anchored between the Snowy Mountain Fire and Newby Lake Fire scars. Crews are working to improve pre-existing fireline that connects Hurley Peak west to the Fourteen Mile Road. Fire behavior continues to be mild. An IR flight was conducted yesterday, which helped validate the fire perimeter, and provided fire managers a better idea of where hotspots are located. Work from previous operational periods continue, including the assessment of recreation values and the opening of shoulders on the Crazy Cow Creek Rd to improve access to the eastern containment lines.

Please check up to date road closure information on the websites below, be considerate of these areas for not only public safety but also the safety of the firefighters and machinery. Daily communication with British Columbia fire officials is ongoing.

Weather: Forecast is based on an elevation range of 6000 to 7500 feet. The high today is 56 degrees with a minimum humidity of 53 percent. Winds will be dominated by the terrain and have the potential to gust up to 15 mph on ridgetops. Wind direction will dominantly be to the south, becoming southwest in the evening.

Closures: Closure Orders have been issued by the US Forest Service, BLM, and DNR.
USFS: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and the Colville National Forest for the following campgrounds, roads, and trails:
Developed Campgrounds Closed

Long Swamp Campground, 14 Mile Campground

Roads Closed

FSR 3900100, 110, 105, FSR 3900395, FSR 3900415, FSR 3900500 (Iron Gate), 502, 505, 510, 515

Trails Closed

Trail No. 340 Long Draw, Trail No. 341 Deer Park, Trail No. 342 Windy Peak, Trail No. 343 Clutch Peak, Trail No. 360 Basin Creek, Trail No. 362 Windy Peak, Trail No. 375 Albert Camp, Trail No. 387 Middle Fork, Trail No. 505 Coleman Ridge from junction with Trail No. 561 north to junction with Trail No. 510, Trail No. 510 Chewuch from junction with 510A Cathedral Driveway north to junction with Trail No. 565 Lesamiz, Trail No. 533 Boundary Trail (Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail) from the junction of the lower Cathedral Lake Trail No. 545 junction east to the Forest Service boundary with the Loomis State Forest, Trail No. 533.2 Smith Lake, Trail No. 534 Tungsten Creek, Trail No. 561 Fire Creek

https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices or https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices

WA DNR: The WA Department of Natural Resources has closed the northern block of the Loomis NRCA. This closure includes the Disappointment Trailhead, as well as Cold Springs Campground, Cold Springs Overlook, and Chopaka Lake Campground. The Cold Springs Road is closed 6 miles past the intersection with Toats Coulee Road, and the Fourteen Mile Road is closed 1 mile past the intersection with Toats Coulee Road. https://www.dnr.wa.gov/LoomisLoupLoup

InciWeb

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BLM: The Chopaka Lake Campground is closed until further notice.

More information can be found on InciWeb:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/wanes-crater-creek-fire

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Extensión: 34,242 acres                                          

Fecha de Inicio: 15-julio-2023

Origen: 2 millas Sureste de Agness, OR

Contencion: 58%

Personal: 477 

Recursos: 11 escuadrillas de bomberos l 3 helicópteros l 17 camiones de bomberos l 3 buldóceres l 16 cisternas l 4 máquinas masticadoras

Resumen: En la parte interna del incendio en donde aún no se ha quemado todo el material de combustión, las temperaturas más bajas y la humedad relativa más altas lograran reducir la propagación del fuego. Se espera observar ciertos arboles aislados quemándose y generando humo. Sin embargo, esta situación no afectara las líneas de contención ya construidas. Posiblemente el día de hoy, el humo proveniente de los incendios en el área Sur podría influenciar en el trabajo a realizar por los bomberos e impactar las comunidades de Agness y Oak Flat. Los bomberos continúan vigilantes y valorando las líneas de contención, así como cualquier fuente de emanación de calor. Es de suma importancia el mejorar las líneas de contención y de contingencia al acercarse el mes de septiembre en la región. Típicamente, durante esta época del año, los vientos se comportan de una manera problemática para la contención del fuego.

Actividades para el día de hoy:  Los bomberos y la totalidad de los recursos continúan enfocándose en el objetivo de extinguir el Incendio Flat en un 100%. Los recursos aéreos y sobre el terreno tienen el compromiso de localizar espacios de emanación de calor para determinar el impacto sobre las líneas de fuego y una propagación potencial del mismo. Esta detección se hace a través de la utilización de helicópteros y camiones de bomberos trabajando de una manera conjunta hasta lograr la extinción de los mismos.  En el área Sur al final de la zona de incendio, se logró completar el reforzamiento de la estrategia defensiva para incendios futuros a través del mejoramiento de las líneas de contingencia. 

Condiciones climáticas:  El día de hoy, se experimentarán temperaturas más frescas con un incremento en el porcentaje de humedad relativa. Se ha iniciado una tendencia de enfriamiento y humedad relativa más elevada, que continuara a través del fin de semana, significando un alivio para los esfuerzos de los bomberos en el incendio.

Condiciones de humo: Dependiendo del comportamiento del viento, la presencia del humo proveniente de las áreas aledañas/incendios se presentará de una manera visible e impactando la comunidad. La información acerca las perspectivas de Humo se encuentran en: Current Smoke Outlook for SW Oregon/NW California (wildlandfiresmoke.net)

Ordenes de Cierres:  El U.S. Highway 199 ha sido cerrado al Norte de Gasquet debido a incendios en el Bosque Nacional de Six Rivers, por favor use la ruta U.S. Route 101 hacia SR 42s para viajar hacia y desde Rogue Valley. Las carreteras del Servicio Forestal y BLM no deberán ser utilizadas como rutas alternativas debido a la actividad de surgimiento de incendios en la zona. El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou ha declarado una orden de cierre incluyendo senderos, caminos y una porción del área de Illinois River. Información acerca los cierres en el área del Incendio pueden encontrarse en: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov) 

Evacuaciones:  Todos los niveles de evacuación han sido reducidos a un Nivel 1 “Prepárese” para todas las áreas en las proximidades del Incendio Flat. Para más información:  Welcome to Curry County, OR

Orden de restricción: Actualmente, el Nivel de Peligro de Incendio es “Extremo”. El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou implemento un Nivel 3 en las Restricciones para el Uso Público (PURs). Asimismo, se encuentra en pie un Nivel 3 (PURs) para la Sección Nacional Virgen de Rogue que fue implementada por el Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou, BLM en Medford y ODF. Para mayor información visite:
Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - News & Events (usda.gov)
 

Size: 34,242 acres

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 58%

Total personnel: 477 

Resources: 11 crews l 3 helicopters l 17 engines l 3 bulldozers l 16 water tenders l 4 masticators 

Highlights: Lower temps and higher humidity will reduce fire spread in the unburned fuels of the interior islands. Isolated single tree torching and smoldering is expected to continue, however, this is not expected to impact containment lines. Smoke from fires to the south may influence firefighting efforts and impact the local communities of Agness and Oak Flat today. Firefighters will continue to be diligent in making assessments of the containment lines, and remaining heat sources. Improving containment and contingency lines is paramount as the region prepares to enter September when winds are typically problematic for fire containment. 

Today’s Activities:  The Team continues to emphasize the full suppression objective of the Flat Fire and all firefighting resources are maintaining a focused on completion of this goal.  Ground and aviation resources are engaged in locating heat sources to ascertain their impact on fire lines and potential spread while utilizing helicopters and engines in tandem to extinguish those hot spots. Work to bolster the fire defense strategy for the future is being accomplished by enhancing contingency lines in the south end of the fire.  

Weather:  Temperatures will be cooler with higher humidity today. This is the start of a cooling trend and higher relative humidity that will continue through the weekend and is expected to assist firefighting efforts.

Smoke:  Smoke from the surrounding areas/fires may be visible and impact local communities as winds dictate. The Smoke Outlook is available at:  Current Smoke Outlook for SW Oregon/NW California (wildlandfiresmoke.net)

Closures:  U.S. Highway 199 has been closed north of Gasquet due to fires on the Six River National Forest, please use U.S. Route 101 to SR 42s for all travel to and from the Rogue Valley. Forest Service and BLM roads should not be used as alternate routes due to emerging fire activity. The Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF) has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads, and a portion of the Illinois River. Visit Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov) for more information.

Evacuations:  Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation status in place for areas in the vicinity of the Flat Fire. Link to more information:  Welcome to Curry County, OR

Restrictions: Fire danger is currently extreme; the RRSNF is implementing Level 3 Public Use Restrictions. Level 3 PURs on the Wild Section of the Rogue River have been implemented by the RRSF, Medford BLM and ODF.  More information: Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest - News & Events (usda.gov)

Fire
The fire area received spotty rain overnight Thursday as lightning and thundershowers moved through the area. Today, fire crews will take advantage of this moisture to assist them as they continue to protect structures in the Illinois Valley. Fire behavior consists of short runs through shrubs and timber and litter of one to two-foot flame lengths at 260 to 400 feet per hour. The crews are using hand tools and engines to protect hundreds of structures. Many have been evacuated. Aircraft are not able to fly due to limited visibility because of thick smoke. The fire is over 57,000 acres  and is burning in California and Oregon.

Smoke
Heavy smoke is continuing to pool in the Illinois Valley overnight and within the communities along the I-5 corridor in Southwest Oregon. This afternoon, west winds will move smoke from the fire burning south of Cave Junction into the entire forecast area, raising air quality values through the afternoon, evening, and overnight. Most of these values today and through the weekend will read UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY.

Shelby 3540 Fire Daily Update

August 25, 2023

12:00 pm

Size: 70 acres

Containment: 75%

Start Date: August 24, 2023

Cause: Electrical

Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance from Center Police Department for a fire at CR 1024 and HWY 96 south of Center, Texas on August 24, at 4:25 pm. 

In coordination with local fire departments, crews from Texas A&M Forest Service and USDA Forest Service Forest as well as several aviation resources were engaged in suppression efforts last night. Overnight, crews were able to construct a bulldozer line around the fire, but due to extreme fire behavior, there were multiple spots over the lines. Texas A&M Forest Service crews were able to put line around all existing spots before returning home for the night. Local responders patrolled the area over night.

State crews plan to return by 9 am today with multiple pieces of heavy equipment and engines to improve existing containment lines, patrol the area for spot fires, and mitigate any hazardous snags threatening containment lines.  

Evacuations:

There are no evacuations at this time.

Closures:

There are no road closures at this time.

Damages and Injuries:

Currently, there have been no reports of injuries from the public or first responders. No structure or critical infrastructure have been lost.

Yesterday on the Happy Camp Complex, fire activity increased significantly as the inversion over the area lifted in late morning. The increase in fire behavior challenged the firefighters and tested the fire lines around the complex. Fire behavior transitioned from smoldering surface fire to multiple trees torching and some short-range spotting. The change was a good indicator that the dead and downed fuels, the primary carriers of fire, have now dried out.

Later in the day, dry thunderstorms brought wind and dry lightning as they moved across the area. The thunderstorms moved over the complex’s center and west of the Elliot Fire. Even with the increased wind, primary fire lines held, except the dozer line off the 24 Road north of the Swillup Fire. Fire fighters were forced to pull out of that area due to a reduction in visibility and falling trees.

Overnight humidity increased to 90-100% over the area and fire behavior decreased. A new lightning fire was discovered north of the Gold Fire. Resources from the Happy Camp Complex made an initial attack on the new fire and held it to just over an acre.

WEST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Elliot (4,289 acres, 3%), Swillup (1,714 acres, 0%), Malone (276 acres, 7%), Ufish (1,161 acres, 0%)

Today, fire crews will focus on holding Dillon Creek and the Highway 96 corridor. The Elliot Fire continues to back slowly toward the highway. On the Swillup Fire, crews will be working to extinguish several spot fires that ignited across the line. They will address the area near Highway 96 corridor where the fire crossed the 24 Road. Indirect line construction will continue on the Ufish and Malone fires. Though the Elliot fire did not increase in size yesterday, the majority of the new acreage is due to it merging with Three Creeks and Canyon fires.

EAST SIDE OVERVIEW (ACRES/CONTAINMENT): Head (6,648 acres, 19%), Block (0.1 acres, 100%), Townsend (81 acres, 100%), Den (294 acres, 95%), Gold (968 acres, 65%), Scott (367 acres, 50%), Lake (174 acres, 5%)

Today, direct line construction will continue around the perimeter of the Head Fire. An infrared survey of the fire overnight revealed that efforts are paying off. Much less heat was detected on the east flank of the fire. The fire was visible on the mountain above Hamburg. The greatest amount of work remaining on the Head Fire is across the north edge of the fire.

Crews will be mopping up the new lightning fire discovered last night, north of the Gold Fire, as well as securing fire lines around the Gold Fire. They Gold and Scott fires are slowly backing down slope on the west flank toward the Scott River.

The Townsend and Den fires are in patrol status. Fire crews have approximately 2,000 feet of fire line left to establish the primary line around the Lake Fire.

EVACUATIONS: View current Siskiyou County evacuation orders, warnings by visiting: community.zonehaven.com. Siskiyou County residents are encouraged to sign up for rapid emergency notifications using the CodeRED emergency alert system. https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/emergencyservices/page/codered-emergency-alert

An evacuation center has been established at the Kahtishraam Wellness Center, 1403 Kahtishraam, Yreka, CA 95097. Call (530) 340-3539 if you have questions regarding the shelter.

ROAD CONDITIONS: State Route 96 is now OPEN after closure due to the Happy Camp Complex. One-way traffic control remains in place in several areas while crews work to repair damaged infrastructure, remove debris, and stabilize slopes. Delays at the locations with one-way traffic control will be up to 15 minutes. For the exact locations of where this work is taking place, please use quickmap.dot.ca.gov.  County Road closures will be listed on the Siskiyou County Public Works website: https://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/publicworks/page/closures-and-delays.

FOREST CLOSURE: Two closure orders have been implemented: Happy Camp Complex Emergency Fire Closure, No.05-05-23-06; Happy Camp Complex Emergency Fire Closure, No. 05-05-23-07. Please refer to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices to view the orders and maps.

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION (TFR): A TFR has been established over the fire area. Flight restrictions include the use of drones. The operation of drones under the TFR is prohibited.

PACIFIC CREST TRAIL: The Pacific Crest Trail has been impacted by the Happy Camp Complex and a portion of the trail is within an Emergency Closure Order on the Klamath National Forest. The trail is closed between Etna Summit and the Oregon border.

AIR QUALITY: For information regarding smoke impacts and what you can do to protect yourself, visit: https://www.airnow.gov/

• Fire Information:
• Public Phone: (530) 330-5441
• Media Phone: (530) 330-5452
• Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily
• Email: 2023.happycampcomplex@firenet.gov
• Incident Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov

Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4 assumes command of Valentine Fire

August 25, 2023 – Daily Update

Acres: 13 acres

Start Date:  August 16, 2023

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 0%

Total personnel: 160

Location: 8 miles northeast of Young, AZ, on the Pleasant Valley Ranger District

Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, pinyon juniper

Highlights: The Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 4, led by Incident Commander Aaron Hulburd, assumed command of the lightning-caused Valentine Fire at 7:00 AM this morning, Friday, August 25, 2023. The Type 2 Incident Management Team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage the Valentine Fire. The intended results of managing naturally caused fires are to reduce hazardous fuels, encourage the growth of native forage, improve range conditions, increase species diversity, protect and improve wildlife habitat, improve watershed conditions, and restore ecological balance. The objectives of the Valentine Fire are designed to meet the intent of the Forest Service Wildfire Crisis Strategy, a national strategy to address the wildfire crisis in places where it poses the most immediate threats to communities. To learn more about the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/wildfire-crisis.

Operations: Taking the opportunity to use natural fire to restore ecosystems helps creates conditions where fire crews can more safely and effectively manage future wildfires, and also reduce the risk to communities from future fires. Firefighters are working to improve access into the fire area, remove hazardous trees along roadways, and remove vegetation surrounding values that require protection from fire, including powerlines, fences, and range infrastructure. Fire managers are developing a strategy that protects valuable resources in the area, including State Routes 260 and 512, the communities of Ponderosa and Colcord Estates, wildlife habitat, cultural resources, timber, recreation, and other environmental and social values.

Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected each day and evening through Saturday. Some storms will produce heavy rainfall, frequent lightning, and gusty, erratic outflow winds of 30 to 40 miles per hour (MPH). Winds will generally be variable less than 15 MPH away from thunderstorms.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued an emergency area closure for the Valentine Fire. The purpose of the closure order is to protect public health and safety during the Valentine Fire, and to protect assigned firefighting personnel engaging in wildland firefighting operations. The full closure order (No. 03-12-05-23-22) and map are available on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=82769.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public should stay away from Valentine Fire operations. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes unmanned aircraft, or drones. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/.

Smoke: Smoke from the Valentine Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas. Smoke will be heavier in the mornings as it settles into the lower elevations and will lift as temperatures increase. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website at https://azdeq.gov/wildfire-faqs. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions.

Fire updates are posted on InciWeb and the Tonto National Forest Facebook, and Twitter pages

Email: 2023.valentine@firenet.gov •  Phone: (928) 588-4033  • Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Lowline Fire Update

Friday, Aug. 25, 2023

Size: 1899 acres

Cause: Lightning

Jurisdiction: USFS

Containment: 55%

Personnel: 34

The Lowline Fire has increased in size by 28 acres in the past week, with the growth occurring away from identified values toward the West Elk Wilderness. The containment lines and natural features are holding and restricting fire growth, as intended. The fire area has received intermittent rain showers but is expected to continue holding heat until snowfall. Fire suppression resources remain in place, assessing fire activity and protecting values at risk. Firefighters are prepared for quick response should fire conditions change and their presence will continue until the fire is declared out.

Gasquet, Calif., August 25, 2023. Firefighters were on high alert yesterday afternoon as the National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for the fire area for a fast-moving thunderstorm system, predicted to produce dry lighting and erratic winds. Preparation efforts continued in and around the town of Gasquet throughout the day, as well as indirect line construction from the 305 road to the North Fork of the Smith River. Additionally, the indirect hand line was completed from the French Hill Road south to highway 199.

The thunderstorms arrived as predicted, bringing approximately 0.15” of rain to the weather station at the Camp Six communication site. Although wind gusts up to 35 mph arrived with the storm, they were for a short duration and the measurable rain helped keep fire activity less than what was predicted. During the gusty winds a spot fire was detected around the North Fork neighborhood but was quickly extinguished by firefighters who were patrolling the area.

Firing operations were conducted along the Highway 199 corridor in the Kelly Fire utilizing Hot Shot crews and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This low intensity firefighting tactic will allow Pacific Power and Caltans access to affected areas to repair valuable infrastructure.

Low pressure lingering off the coast of Central California will help lift and push marine air inland over the complex. This will bring cooler, moister conditions with calm afternoon winds which will reduce fire behavior and spread. These favorable conditions will persist for several days into early next week to provide an extended window of beneficial weather so that firefighters will be able to work more safely and efficiently to fight the Smith River Complex fires.