CENTRAL UTAH INTERAGENCY FIRE - Thompson Ridge Fire

RELEASE DATE: August 12, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Sierra Hellstrom, 435-352-6435            2023.thompsonridge@firenet

FIRE SITUATION

Due to the scouting work that was completed the last few days, firefighters were able to identify areas to safely engage in suppression tactics around the fire perimeter.

Near the northwest edge of the fire, firefighters will begin building indirect line in the South Creek drainage today. Crews continue improving line where the fire burned into the footprint of the old Pole Creek Fire. Firefighters along the southeast edge of the fire will continue building and maintaining line westward from Birch Creek Campground. Two hot shot crews have been inserted along the southern perimeter of the fire and will begin implementing suppression tactics along that edge. Throughout the fire area, helicopters will support firefighters on the ground with bucket drops.

Monsoonal moisture continued to assist firefighting operations yesterday, with about 0.1” to as much as 0.25” rain in parts of the fire area. Today there will be a new weather system moving in from the southeast, bringing winds from the east. Cooler, damper conditions will remain, but winds may increase fire activity when wind direction and terrain align.

Great Basin Team 5 will be hosting community meetings in Junction and Beaver this week. The Junction meeting will be at the fire house at 6 p.m. on Monday, 8/14. The meeting in Beaver will be at the City Center at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, 8/15. Both meetings will be streamed on the Fishlake National Forest Facebook page for those who are unable to attend in-person.

EVACUATIONS: None

CLOSURES: Please refer to closure order. Please note that 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.

STATUS

Start Date: August 4, 2023

Incident Type: Wildfire

Size: 7,289 acres

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 0%

Location: 10 miles southeast of Beaver, Utah

Terrain: Steep, rugged terrain in remote areas transitioning to rolling pinyon juniper hills

Structures Threatened: None

RESOURCES

Engines: 11

Water Tenders: 2

Crews: 9

Helicopters: 6

Dozers: 3

Total Personnel: 344

Ridge Fire Daily Update for August 13, 2023

Fire Information: 406-998-6074

Hours: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Email: 2023.ridge@firenet.gov

Incident Website:  http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-ridge-fire

Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse

Size: 3,132 acres

Percent Contained: 5 %

Cause: Lightning

Start Date: July 30, 2023, 3:45 PM

Vegetation: Timber (Litter and Understory), Tall Grass, and Brush

Number of Personnel Assigned:   385

CURRENT SITUATION:  Yesterday at the southern edge of the fire, the handline with containment held with no spread toward Emery Bay Campground or Boat Launch. Engine companies installed hose lays there and are extinguishing heat found near the line. Crews continued to construct direct handline along the western edge. They have progressed into a designated area called Research Natural Area (RNA). The RNA is an area with long term research-based studies. It is managed by the Flathead National Forest and the Rocky Mountain Research Station. On the northern edge of the fire, bulldozers have constructed direct and indirect fire line. Steep terrain soon will become too dangerous to proceed with bulldozers. As hand crews complete fire lines along the western edge, they will pick up where the dozers left off and continue line construction to the east. Along the Emery Creek Road, engines were extinguishing hot spots on both sides of the road. Heli-rappelers constructed a heli-spot near Hungry Horse Mountain. This heli-spot was constructed to gain access to the less accessible fire area on the eastern edge when resource finish the priority of community protection on the western flank..

Today, crews will continue direct line on the southern edge of the fire from the area shown on the map with 5% of containment. They will progress west and north extending further into the RNA in their progress to connect with the dozer lines on the northern edge. The bulldozers on the northern edge of the fire will be scouting ridges access and secondary fire lines.  Air resources will continue to drop water on the eastern edge of the fire to slow its progression and assist ground crews to cool the fires edge. Structure protection assessments continue. The efforts are not only increasing awareness of the community for the Ridge Fire but will provide guidance to local agencies in case of future evacuations needs.    

WEATHER:  Today’s weather is forecast to be mostly sunny with a maximum temperature of 85 degrees, minimum relative humidity of 20% at lower elevations, with winds being light and terrain driven.

CLOSURES:  The Hungry Horse Reservoir is closed to all public access, including both the east and west side roads. As firefighting efforts continue on the Ridge Fire, the Tin Soldier Complex, and other fires in the area, the closure is in place to provide for public and firefighter safety. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/flathead/alerts-notices/?aid=82283

PRE-EVACUATION NOTICE:  The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office has issued a pre-evacuation notice from the east side of Spotted Bear Road to West Glacier. https://www.facebook.com/flatheadsheriff

EMERGENCY SHELTER:  The American Red Cross has identified the following location as an emergency shelter for residents affected by the Ridge Fire. Those who plan to use the emergency shelter are asked to call 1-800-733-2767 prior to your arrival.

Columbia Falls Junior High School
1805 Talbot Road
Columbia Falls, MT

https://www.facebook.com/FlatheadOES

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Residents should stay alert for changing conditions and visit ready.gov/wildfires for preparing for wildfires. Please refer to http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-tin-soldier-complex for the Tin Soldier Complex incident information.

“Pleased with the progress”, stated Chuck Mark, the Salmon-Challis Forest Supervisor at the planning meeting to Great Basin Incident Management Team 4. These were his sentiments after hearing the current status of fire suppression repair progress and the plan presented for the coming days.

Suppression repair work has continued with hand crews and heavy equipment making good progress repairing the landscape and previous firelines. Steep slopes, long distances to cover, and hazardous dead and down trees, are a variety of challenges that firefighters face. While simultaneously working firefighting operations and suppression repair efforts with heavy equipment, extra coordination and communication is needed to ensure safe operations.  

With the movement of numerous pieces of heavy equipment, one unique tactic that is being used protect the integrity of cattle guards and culverts, is to utilize used tires to drive over for added protection. Extra care and concern goes into causing the least amount of disturbance as possible. Crews are also completing fence repair where it was damaged from operations and cleaning up downed trees and scattering them to disperse fuels.

The majority of the remaining areas showing heat and smoke are in the same places and not causing concern. The upper Mores Creek drainage is still producing pockets of heat which remain in the confinement area. Firefighters continue to patrol for heat and fire growth.

The weather today will be slightly cooler in the 70s with relatively humid conditions ranging from 20% to 30%, and northerly winds with gusts up to 22 mph. Without any rain for several days, fuels are continuing to dry out and there is potential for more fire activity.

Evacuations:  All evacuation zones are currently in the ready status. The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the local agencies and Incident Management Team, has identified evacuation zones. Please visit Lemhi County at www.lemhicountyidaho.org for a map and explanation of the zones.

Closures:  For the safety of firefighters and the public, the Salmon-Challis National Forest has enacted an area closure around the Hayden Fire.  A map and description of the closure area can be found at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idscf-hayden-fire. 

Fire Restrictions:  Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction. For more information, please visit the Salmon-Challis National Forest’s Alerts and Notices at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices.

Big Knife, Niarada, & Mill Pocket Fires

Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Fire Information: 406-426-9595 | 2023.BigKnife@firenet.gov

https://tinyurl.com/BigKnifeFire      https://tinyurl.com/NiaradaMillPocketFires

August 13, 2023

Location: Big Knife - 5 miles east of Arlee, MT | Niarada - 12 miles west of Elmo, MT | Mill Pocket: 3 miles West of Hwy. 28

Start Date: Big Knife - 7/24/2023 | Niarada - 7/30/2023 | Mill Pocket – 7/30/2023    Cause: Lightning       Structures Lost: 4

Big Knife-4,952 acres, 7% contained | Niarada–20,365 acres, 70% contained | Mill Pocket– 2,135 acres, 89% contained

Total Personnel: 657 total    Engines: 46       Aircraft: 1 + others available as needed     Hand Crews: 10

Big Knife Fire

As the weather gets hotter and drier, fire activity will increase again, especially at the lower to mid-elevations. Fire managers with the Incident Management Team, BIA, and CSKT are having extensive conversations about long-term planning for the Big Knife Fire. These discussions include balancing protecting homes, infrastructure, and cultural resources, with the risk to firefighters and the likelihood of success. Because of this, different tactics are being used on the fire's north, west, east and south sides.

Helicopters have been doing water drops to minimize the fire's spread into Gold Creek on the northern perimeter. Crews have completed a fuel break along the Jocko Canyon Road and line preparation and vegetation reduction along the Jocko S Canal Road. Equipment operators and crews finished control lines along the fire's southwestern edge to Agency Creek. Firefighters are monitoring the fire in these areas and are prepared to act if the fire moves down toward the lines.

On the south side, firefighters are working to keep the fire north of Agency Creek. Helicopters have dropped water to cool the edge, and sawyers have been cutting down hazard trees to allow safe access. Additional crews will be inserted in this area to finish hazard tree mitigation and evaluate opportunities for digging handline and going direct on the fire’s edge.

To the east of the fire, crews finished installing sprinkler systems and pumps around several pieces of infrastructure and the Jocko Lookout. The lookout has been covered with a fire-resistant wrap. Fire managers are discussing the next steps for this area, balancing the benefits of fire on the landscape, the risk to firefighters and pilots, and the values threatened.

Niarada & Mill Pocket Fires

Firefighters have worked hard to reach containment around a large portion of the fire perimeter the past two weeks. Near Highway 28, skilled sawyers have been cutting fire-killed snags (dead-standing trees), enabling safe access for hand crews to previously hazardous, inaccessible areas.

Along the southeastern and southwestern sides, crews continue to work directly along the fire’s edge to eliminate heat and build firelines. Several Type 1 Interagency Hotshot Crews have been improving firelines and preparing for a strategic firing operation on the southwest side. This operation will be done during favorable conditions to secure portions of the indirect line where it’s unsafe for firefighters to go direct. Fire managers planned to implement other firing operations, but those operations have been deemed unnecessary because the weather moderated fire behavior which allowed crews to go direct.

Structure protection crews continue to work outside Elmo toward Big Arm, testing sprinkler systems and pumps while working with landowners on additional vegetation management around structures.

Containment of the Mill Pocket Fire continues to increase. Much of the remaining perimeter is in mop-up and patrol status. However, heat remains in steep scree slopes on the northwestern side. Helicopters continue to drop water as needed, and crews are mopping up hot spots where they can access them.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Today, temperatures will begin increasing as humidity levels drop. A very hot and dry pattern is expected to form starting Monday and extending through Wednesday. As vegetation dries out, the potential for more active fire behavior will increase.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Several areas near the base of the mountains west of the Big Knife Fire remain in PRE-EVACUATION status by order of the Lake County Sheriff. See the map for those locations in yellow (Jocko, Canal, Francis). In the Tribal Primitive Area, Belmore Slough and Burnt Cabin Roads are closed.

Near the Niarada Fire, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office has a PRE-EVACUATION WARNING in place for the area that includes Alexander Road, Early Dawn Road, Spring Lane Road, Walking Horse Lane, Windward Heights Road, Wildhorse View, Buffalo Bridge Road, Saddle Drive, Island Butte Lane, Bridle Path, Ten Deuce Way, Cliffview Drive, and Ricketts Road. The remainder of the town of Elmo is in READY status.

A PRE-EVACUATION WARNING means you may be in your home. However, as there still is a risk from both fires, those in this status should not bring back evacuated livestock until the area is downgraded to READY status.

A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect around both fire areas. Do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) near the fire areas, as that is hazardous for pilots, and the firefighters on the ground who rely on aircraft support. Remember, if you fly, we can’t!

FIRE RESTRICTIONS

Stage 2 fire restrictions are in place across the Flathead Indian Reservation. No campfires are allowed, no smoking outside of vehicles, no operating combustible engines from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m., no operating vehicles off designated roads and trails. Residents and visitors are encouraged to visit www.MTFireInfo.org for more fire information across Montana.

McCall, Idaho – The Elkhorn Fire is currently at 25,966 acres with 40% complete. Crews are continuing with mechanical line towards the Magruder Corridor, they are making good progress. Crews were placed back into Lantz Bar yesterday and are implementing structure protection by installing water systems and wrapping Forest Service infrastructure and facilities in Arctic Lodge and The River of No Return area. This area will be unstaffed beginning today, although Fire Managers will continue to monitor the fire behavior and will be restaffed back as needed to protect structures.

Hot and dry conditions will continue for the next several days as a ridge of high pressure passes over the Pacific Northwest. Triple digits are expected by Tuesday along with afternoon humidity values of 10 to 20 percent. Northeast winds throughout the fire area will filter into the Salmon River drainage while bringing down drainage flow to the lower elevations. By Monday, winds will shift back to the West and Southwest. The daily air quality reports will be available through the Elkhorn Fire information page at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/idpaf-elkhorn-fire.

Communication continues with the boaters entering the river at Corn Creek and again at Hancock Rapids before entering the fire footprint along the river corridor.

The U.S. Forest Service Nez Perce-Clearwater, and Payette National Forests issued the Elkhorn fire area, roads and trails closure order #01-17-05-23-003, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices/?aid=82169. The closure area spans both sides of the Salmon River but excludes the Salmon River Wild and Scenic Corridor below the high-water line. 

Boaters are required to stop at Hancock Campsite at river mile 26.1 to receive further instruction from either a Forest Service representative or the posted information board regarding passing through and camping in the area of the Elkhorn fire. Camping, recreating (i.e., picnic, bathroom breaks and beach walking) and stopping through the area of fire activity is allowed. Upon leaving Hancock Camp there will be no stopping until boaters pass Magpie Creek Camp. After passing Magpie Creek Camp, boaters will be allowed to camp and recreate on a First Come, First Served basis everywhere except: Upper Allison, Allison, Lower Allison, Whitewater Camp and Campbell’s Ferry. Upon leaving Campbell's Ferry, there are no camping restrictions connected to the Elkhorn Fire. For additional information on rafting, contact the river desk at 208-756-5587 or 208-481-2625.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place. All aircraft (including drones) not assigned to the fire are required to remain out of the TFR area.

Visit InciWeb for information on wildfires at https://inciweb.ncwg.gov and follow the Payette National Forest on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest

Today’s Date: 08/12/2023

Start Date: 08/06/2023           Location: 7 mi. E of Pine     Cause: Unknown, under investigation

Acres – 264                               Containment – 19%

Evacuations – None

Structures Damaged – 0                                                      Destroyed – 0

Summary: Today crews successfully secured black line on the south side of the fire. The fire is now 19% contained at 264 acres. The decrease in acreage is due to more accurate mapping. Crews also finished chipping operations along the north side of the fire. Fire operations reassigned those resources to the southeast side to help finish fuel reduction work around neighborhoods along that flank of the fire. An engine crew has now been assigned to the north side to patrol and monitor that line for any remaining heat or smokes. While thunderstorm activity built up around the fire today, there was no measurable rainfall to report. The fire however, did receive a fair amount of moisture Friday into Saturday morning. An Incident Meteorologist forecasts more precipitation tomorrow along with increased humidity levels. Rain, along with higher relative humidity contribute to a decrease in fire activity which ultimately help with suppression efforts. On Friday night, aircraft conducted a third infrared (IR) flight. The IR captured a substantial decrease in heat within the interior of the fire with only a few scattered hotspots remaining. If necessary, helicopters assigned to the incident can support with bucket work to suppress any remaining heat. Brady Fire resources are prepared to assist the Tonto National Forest as part of initial attack efforts for any new starts within the forest. The Coconino and Tonto National Forests’ Emergency Closure Order for the Brady Fire remains in effect through September 7, 2023, at 6:00 pm, unless rescinded. Stage 1 fire restrictions are also still in place on Arizona State Trust lands and within the Coconino and Tonto National Forests.

Personnel Assigned: 289:

Hotshot Crews – 3, Type 2-IA hand crews – 3, Type 2 hand crews – 5, engines – 5, dozers – 2, water tenders – 2, helicopters – 3.

Weather: Hot and windy conditions. Outflow winds and lightning associated with possible thunderstorms.  

Additional Fire Information:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/azstateforestry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arizonaforestry

Fire Restrictions: wildlandfire.az.gov

Forest Closure Order Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

Media/Public Phone: 602-540-1036

TAOS, N.M., Aug. 12, 2023 – Fire crews have been able to walk the entire perimeter confirming that the fire footprint is smaller than previously estimated. The updated acreage for the American Mesa Fire is 386 acres and it is 71% contained. An infrared (IR) flight to detect residual heat is expected Saturday evening. Abundant monsoon moisture is expected to bring numerous showers this evening. Potential gusty, unpredictable wind could threaten containment lines.

“We have safety measures in place to address any concerns regarding the roads and crews working in the thunderstorms,” explained Incident Commander Brian Kitchen. “Fire managers continue to monitor the weather patterns within the fire region to ensure firefighter safety and have set trigger points for any potential egress from the fire line.”

Tomorrow’s forecast calls for partly cloudy skies with a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon.  Temperatures may be cooler with breezy conditions and gusty erratic winds expected near thunderstorms in the afternoon.

The public can get updates for the American Mesa Fire on InciWeb, New Mexico Fire Information and Carson National Forest social media channels on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

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Today, crews met some of their ignition objectives using UAS and hand ignitions on the east side of the fire area. More aerial ignitions are planned to further strengthen the fire line to the south and southeast when conditions allow. The Little Mesa Fire area is currently receiving light rain.

This is the Spanish-language update. Some operational words may not translate well.

12 de agosto, 2023

Noticias al día para el Incendio Flat

Extensión: 33,861 acres

Inicio: 15-Julio-2023

Origen: 2 millas Sureste de Agness, OR

Contención: 52%

Personal: 726

Recursos: 17 camiones de bomberos l, 13 escuadrillas de bomberos l 3 buldócer l, 24 cisternas l 8 máquinas masticadoras l 6 helicópteros

Resumen: Para algunas porciones en el área del incendio, se dictó un Aviso de Calor Excesivo a partir del Domingo hasta el jueves. Este pronostico caliente, seco y con brisa sobre la zona de fuego, afectara el comportamiento del incendio creando condiciones mas secas en el material de combustión a incrementando la producción del humo. Se está anticipando que estas condiciones causen brotes en el perímetro del incendio. Con el objetivo de evaluar cualquier cambio potencial en el incendio, se aumentará la cantidad de recursos aéreos, incluyendo Sistemas aéreos automatizados (UAS/drones).  La totalidad de los recursos aéreos y sobre el terreno continúan vigilantes, llevando a cabo evaluaciones visuales y se encuentran listos para implementar tácticas planeadas en caso de que se de un incremento en el comportamiento del incendio y se logre establecer dentro de las líneas de control o se encuentre en peligro el sistema de control más avanzado.

Actividades para el día de hoy: Debido a las condiciones climáticas pronosticadas, se dará un incremento en la actividad del incendio. El día de hoy, el comportamiento del incendio incluirá una propagación potencial del mismo, especialmente en las cumbres en donde la quema se está produciendo. Se espera observar un arrastre del fuego, humaredas, una propagación de las llamas en la superficie y brotes ocasionales del fuego. Las escuadrillas de bomberos permanecerán en el área de Agness. Estos continuaran con los trabajos arduos de introducirse mas en el interior del incendio, extinguiendo zonas de emanación de calor y completando las operaciones de limpieza. Se continua con las operaciones de astillado sobre el perímetro Noreste cerca de Indigo Creek. Los bomberos prosiguen detectando y extinguiendo espacios de emanación de calor especialmente en donde el material de combustión se observa humeando en el área Suroeste del fuego. Los recursos aéreos continúan monitoreando el flanco Este del Incendio. El trabajo de preparación continuara para las operaciones de contingencia. Se implementarán acciones de supresión directas si es necesario. Los bomberos terminaron las líneas a mano a lo largo de la frontera de tierras vírgenes extendiéndose sobre el perímetro Sureste del incendio y cercano a Game Lake.

Condiciones climáticas: Existe un Aviso de clima Critico de Incendio alrededor del área del incendio y mejorándose durante la semana. Se dará una tendencia en la temperatura en unos 15 grados mas calientes que el promedio en las condiciones climáticas de agosto. Asimismo, existe una probabilidad de un 60 a 90 porciento de que las temperaturas alcancen los 105 grados en Agness incrementándose más por la tarde a partir del lunes hasta el miércoles. Podrán presentarse ligeras ráfagas de viento sobre las partes más elevadas del terreno.

Impacto del humo: Se podrá observar la presencia del humo desde las áreas aledañas al incendio. Pronósticos al día acerca del humo para el Suroeste de Oregon (airfire.org) , puede encontrarse en el web site:

https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/b74901f7?.

Cierres de áreas: El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou, emitió una orden de cierre incluyendo senderos, carreteras y parte del rio Illinois. Esta orden de cierre abarca Oak Flat Campground, Game Lake Campground, Wildhorse Campground y el Lookout Recreacional de Snow Camp.  La carretera forestal de Chetco River Road (FR 1376) y la de Chetco/Pistol River Road (FR 1407) actualmente se encuentran cerradas. Esta nueva orden de cierre permitirá al público el acceso a el área para nadar de Big Rock en el Rio Illinois.

Evacuaciones:  Todos los niveles de evacuación han sido reducidos a un Nivel 1 “Prepárese” para todas las áreas en las proximidades del Incendio Flat.  https://tinyurl.com/currycountyem

Orden de restricción: Actualmente, el Nivel de Peligro de Incendio es “Extremo”. El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou ha dictado un Nivel 2 de restricción para el público en general. Para más información:  https://tinyurl.com/ueuznr6e

Por favor siga todas las restricciones en el área para prevenir incendios forestales. Conozca el área de recreación antes de visitarla. Revise el pronóstico del tiempo y las restricciones en el uso de fogatas que existen en su destino de recreación.