Kern Valley Hotshot Crew superintendent Kyle Clendenen gives an operational briefing to his crew of hotshots, plus two very special guests. Felipe Ramirez Torres and Homero Sosa Serrate, both from Mexico, work with the Incendios Foestales Mexico, which roughly translates to Forest Fires Mexico, the equivalent to our wildfire incident management teams. The Kern Valley Hotshots, and their guests, are involved in a special international program to exchange wildland firefighting knowledge and skills across borders.

“The goal of the program is to teach international firefighters other tactics about firefighting. We teach about fire behavior, leadership, everything that we do here in the U.S. We talk about the ICS system and just get them more experience so they can take that back to Mexico. They can teach their students the same and teach them different ways to fight fires with hand tools, chainsaws and using fire to fight fire.” Said Clendenen.

Torres and Serrate will experience everything there is to experience during their time with the Kern Valley Hotshots. From living weeks to what must feel like months in a crew buggy, with all 18 of your coworkers, to the day-to-day grueling work it takes to fight a wildfire.

They have become an integral part of the crew. At the end of the season, they will return home and take what they have learned here and help train other firefighters. And of course, put their newly acquired skills and abilities to use helping to fight wildfires in their home units and provide support for their communities.  

With archery season for deer and elk starting this Saturday, August 19, please pay attention to closures and hazards from wildfires. Be cautious in and around old and recently burned areas. Use caution and pay attention to the following:

Closures – check for closures before you go. A closure order is still in place for the Thompson Ridge Fire. SR-153, Kent’s Lake Road (137), Upper and Lower Kent’s Lake, Little Res. Campground, Anderson Meadow, and LeBaron remain open at this time. Use caution in and around these areas, as you will see an influx of both ground and aviation equipment working to suppress the fire.

Unstable terrain – burned root systems and soil erosion can cause the ground to shift and collapse. Watch out for uneven ground and holes to avoid ankle breaking situations.

Falling trees – a trees structural integrity becomes compromised after a fire. Even a healthy tree’s roots may have become damaged. Stay out of burned areas when wind is present and always look up, down, and around when travelling through burned areas.

Flooding – burned areas have less vegetation to stabilize the ground causing soils to become saturated much more quickly during rains. Monsoonal moisture continues to be in the forecast and can cause flash floods and debris flows near fire areas.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Effective August 16, 2023 at 2 PM AK

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Alert Change: From Level 2 (SET) to Level 1 (READY) for the following Evacuation Zones: Haystack, Poker Flat Watershed, and Upper Haystack Drive.

**This includes ALL AREAS within the Haystack Subdivision**

Level 1 means "BE READY" for potential evacuation. All residents should continue to monitor fire danger in their area. This includes FNSB.gov, other official emergency services websites, official social media channels, and local media outlets for current information.

To obtain your neighborhood and evacuation status, visit: https://bit.ly/3BCKi62

Read Fire News from multiple agencies: https://akfireinfo.com/

Alaska Wildland Fire Information Map Series: https://arcg.is/OSaTe

FNSB Air Quality, Current Smoke and Smoke Prediction: https://fnsb.gov/aq/

OPT-IN for text messages by texting FNSB2023Wildfires to 2 2 6 7 8 7

Eureka, Calif., August 16, 2023— The Six Rivers National Forest has received approximately 150 lightning strikes across the forest since Tuesday evening, resulting in 23 confirmed fires. Firefighters continue to assess current fires and
patrol the area to identify other potential starts. All incidents remain under a full suppression strategy with rapid and
aggressive initial attack operations. Air attack is being used to perform reconnaissance throughout the forest and additional resources have been ordered to support these incidents.

The Lower Trinity District has a total of 7 reported fires. The Pilot Fire, near Little Pilot Rock, is comprised of 6 separate
incidents and is a total of 15 acres. Several air tankers and helicopters are currently working on these fires. Farther north,
the Lone Pine Fire, near Horse Linto Creek and Trinity River, is now approximately 352 acres with fire personnel on site.
The fire has burned onto the Hoopa Reservation and the forest is working in close coordination with the Tribe. The North
Coast Interagency Type 3 Team has assumed command of the Lone Pine Fire as of 7 a.m. this morning, August 16.

On the Mad River District, 9 fires were reported; however, only 2 fires fall within the district boundaries. The Salt Fire and
the Betts Fire are both in the Zenia area with fire personnel on the scene and responding to the incidents. The local fire
department was able to fully contain one fire and is now in the stages of “mopping up.’

On the Orleans District in the Bluff Creek area north of Mosquito Lake, several fires have been grouped into the Blue Creek
Fire. Smoke jumpers have arrived on the scene and are making progress on the 16-acre incident.

The northernmost District, Gasquet, has reported 11 active fires. The Holiday Fire, north of Patrick’s Creek near the Oregon
border is currently the largest on the district at approximately 100 acres. The remaining 10 fires are currently under 10 acres each. The Kelly Fire is approximately 1 mile south of Patrick Creek on the south side of Hwy 199 and is visible from the
road. Please exercise caution when driving in the area.

There is a red flag warning in effect for the Gasquet, Willow Creek, Orleans, and Mad River areas. Forecasted weather includes low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and wind gusts across the forest.

At this time there are no closures or evacuations in place. For evacuation information please contact your county sheriff’s
office.

Information will be available on the forest website and Facebook page.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST
SPRINGFIELD, OREGON
ORDER # 06-18-01-23-20 FOREST ORDER
LOOKOUT FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the 
following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (“NFS”) areas, roads, and trails 
described below within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. This Order 
is effective on August 14, 2023, through October 24, 2023, unless otherwise rescinded sooner. This 
order supersedes and rescinds ORDER # 06-18-01-23-19, which was signed August 11, 2023 by Forest 
Supervisor David Warnack.

PROHIBITIONS:

1. Being on the road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e)
2. Being on a trail 36 CFR § 261.55(a)
3. Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public 
health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e)

CLOSURE AREA:
The closure area is located within the State of Oregon, Lane County, and within the Administrative 
Boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The closure applies to the NFS areas, roads, and 
trails and trailheads described below. The closure area is depicted on the attached map, which is 
incorporated into this order as “Exhibit A”. All areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, and rec sites 
in this closure area are closed. Roads closed by this order are depicted in “Exhibit B” and 
recreation sites, trails and campgrounds closed by this order are depicted in “Exhibit C”.

Area Closure Description
The closure boundary starts at the junction of Hwy 126 and Forest Road (FR) 125, Township 16S, 
Range 4E, Section 21. The closure boundary proceeds north along FR 125 to Quartz Creek and then 
proceeds north along Quartz Creek to the McKenzie River Ranger District and Sweet Home Ranger 
District border. It then continues northeast approximately 8 miles to the intersection with Gold 
Hill Trailhead FR 1509 (northern intersection). FS Road 15 will be closed to through traffic. The 
closure boundary then follows FR 1509 to FR 1513 south to the intersection of FR 1513 and FR 15. It 
continues northeast along FR 15 to FR 2656 and then to FR 2654 then follows to where it intersects 
with Highway 126. Then south along FS 2654 until it reaches the Frissell Trailhead North 
intersection. FR 15 and1506 will be closed to travel within the closure boundary. The closure 
boundary then follows the Forest Service boundary due south along Highway 126 west to the beginning 
point.

ORDER #06-18-01-23-20

EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1) and (4), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
(1) Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas 
Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically exempting them for this Order.
(2) Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of organized rescue or fire fighting force in 
the performance of an official duty.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an 
individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. 16 
U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3551, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Springfield, Oregon on this 14 day of August 2023.
DAVID WARNACK
David Warnack

Digitally signed by DAVID WARNACK
Date: 2023.08.16 09:58:35
-07'00'

Forest Supervisor Willamette National Forest

ORDER #06-18-01-23-20

Buckskin 2 Fire

Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Sandpoint Ranger District

Fire Information: 208-557-8813

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/idipf-buckskin-2-fire

Type 3 Incident Commander, Brian Hicks

August 16, 2023

Location: Located approximately 8 miles due south of Clark Fork, ID on the upper end of Twin Creek and Buckskin Saddle, south of Highway 200

Start Date: 8/4/2023         

Cause: Undetermined        

Size: 264 acres           

Containment: 20%

Total Personnel: 170      

Engines: 8                  

Hand Crews: 6        

Modules: 3

Heavy Equipment: 3 Dozers, 2 Skidgens, 1 Water Tender

Despite the continued unseasonably hot and dry weather, fire managers are reporting that good progress has been made on the Buckskin 2 Fire allowing them to increase containment to 20%. Firefighters have been working to strengthen the firelines by increasing the depth of the lines over the last few days. The existing lines around the perimeter are expected to be tested by the winds that are forecasted later this week and weekend. Considering all the hard work that has taken place and with the increase in resources assigned to the fire, officials expect to see little to no growth during the wind event.

Fire officials sent ground resources to assist with the fire near Athol yesterday; those resources are back and engaged on the Buckskin 2 Fire this morning. The aircraft being utilized on the fire are based out of Coeur d’Alene and are being shared with other fires in the region.

Pockets of unburned fuels within the perimeter of the fire will continue to be active, including some single tree torching therefore, smoke may be visible at times. Crews and heavy equipment continue to reinforce the direct fireline along the western edge. Firefighters are working to improve, hold, and mop up the existing firelines along the southern, eastern, and northern perimeters. Hazardous tree removal continues around the fire.

EVACUATION STATUS

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office issued a READY notification for the Twin Creek Rd and Rearden Rd residents in Clark Fork. To receive local status updates, sign up for Bonner County Sheriff’s Office emergency messaging through NIXLE at www.nixle.com.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Forest Closure Order is in effect for roads associated with the Buckskin Fire; the intersection of Forest Service Roads 203 and 332, the intersection of FSR 1021 and 332, and 1533 and 306 in Clark Fork. UTV trail 77 is closed as well. An extension of the FSR 203 closure, extending to the edge of private land, took effect 8/15 at 0700. The public is prohibited from the general area for firefighter safety and asked to practice caution while driving near firefighters and apparatuses.

Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect. To view the Idaho Fire Restrictions Plan and a statewide map with current information regarding fire restrictions, please visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder.

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the safety of our aerial resources and firefighters on the ground. This includes drones; please do not fly drones in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can't.

WEATHER

Today, sunny and hot weather is predicted with a high near 100 degrees and west winds 5 to 7 mph.

Pacific Crest Trail is closed from Etna Summit to the Oregon Border. Hikers and all backpackers are asked to stay off the trail in that area.

Dillon Creek Campground is closed due to proximity to the Elliot Creek Fire.

Highway 96 and the Scott River Road have hard closures.