(MOCLIPS, Wash.) – The Margarita Fire started August 2nd at approximately 12:30am on the Quinault reservation, approximately 1.5 miles NE of Moclips. It is mostly burning in a timber sale unit that is a mix of cedar slash and standing trees, surrounded by heavy timber. Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team assumed command of the fire on August 4th.

The fire is currently 61 acres and 30% contained. The fire continues to burn through heavy slash fuels and standing timber. Yesterday, crews burned out fuels along the north edge of the fire to secure the fire line where it crossed the M-800 road. They also cleaned up the dozer line at the east edge of the fire and cooled hot spots along the south side. Firefighters “tied in” the fire line at the southeast part of the fire perimeter. Meaning, they connected the hand line at the south to the dozer line at the east side. Two additional engines and two tree falling groups came in last night to support firefighting efforts. As of yesterday evening, 102 people, eight engines, and two helicopters are working to suppress the fire.

The objective today is to continue mopping up and improving fire lines. Specifically, the focus is on mopping up at the northeast corner of the fire and cooling or removing tree stumps at the northwest corner. Crews on the east side of the fire will continue to improve dozer line to make it more secure. Up to four engines and a water tender will continue cooling hot spots along the south side of the fire.

The only evacuation warning is a Level 2 – Get Set – for the community of Quinault Village, also known as Moclips Estates. Residents should have essentials packed and be ready to go if conditions change.

Weather today is expected to be cloudy in the morning, becoming partly sunny in the late afternoon. The high temperature is forecast to be 69 degrees. Winds will be out of the northwest, increasing to 7-12 mph in the afternoon. There is a chance of very light rain overnight.

You can support firefighting efforts by ensuring there is one less spark. Nearly 85% of wildland fires in the United States are caused by humans. Aside from intentional arson, human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, debris burning, equipment use and malfunctions, and negligently discarded cigarettes. The weather forecast calls for increasingly warmer and drier conditions starting mid-week. Please take care to ensure our firefighters can get the rest and recovery time they need once the Margarita Fire is put to bed.

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, John Ramsey

August 7, 2023

Location:  Located approximately 8 miles due south of Clark Fork, ID on Delyle Ridge, between Twin Creek and Dry Creek, south of Highway 200            

Start Date: 8/4/2023      

Cause: Under Investigation     

Size: 180 acres (estimated)          

Containment: 0%     

Total Personnel: 80     

Engines: 5      

Hand Crews: 2    

Modules: 2     

Heavy Equipment: Dozer

The primary objectives for fire officials managing the Buckskin 2 Fire are firefighter and public safety while working to keep it as small as possible. The fire is estimated at 180 acres but due to the increase in fires around the nation an infrared flight to accurately map the fire has not yet occurred. Two Interagency Hotshot Crews will continue to scout the northwest and eastern perimeters for areas to go direct with the assistance of heavy equipment. The two modules of firefighters have begun to build direct uphill line along the southwest edge. The fire remains roughly two miles from the nearest residence. Fire crews will finish structure protection work in Twin Creek today and begin on Dry Creek next.

Yesterday, the fire was active with some single and group tree torching. Two Type 1 helicopters and four small, agile air tankers assisted with suppression efforts. Aircraft is being shared with fires around the area but will be available as needed today.

EVACUATION STATUS

The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office issued a READY evacuation notice for the residents of Twin Creek Rd and Rearden Rd in Clark Fork. Sign up for Bonner County Sheriff’s Office emergency messaging through NIXLE at www.nixle.com. 

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

A Forest Closure Order is pending for areas affected by the fire. Road closures associated with the Buckskin Fire; the intersection of USFS road 203 and 332, the intersection of 1021 and 332 as well as roads 1533 and 306 in Clark Fork. UTV trail 77 is closed as it goes right into the drainage where the fire is burning. The public is encouraged to avoid the general area for firefighter safety and practice caution while driving near firefighters and apparatuses.

Stage II Fire Restrictions will be going into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, 8/9. 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.

For the safety of our aerial resources and firefighters on the ground, please do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can't. 

WEATHER

The fire received light to moderate precipitation last night. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are predicted again this afternoon with potential for heavy rains. Partly sunny with a high of 83 degrees and south winds around 6 mph are forecasted. The flood watch warning continues through tonight.

Ridge Creek Fire

Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District                                         

Fire Information 208-557-8813

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/idipf-ridge-creek

August 6, 2023

Location:  Approximately 3.5 miles east of the north tip of Hayden Lake, along the Hayden Creek Road (FSR 437) from the Ridge Creek drainage to near South Chilco Mountain

Start Date: 8/3/2023      Cause: Human/Under Investigation     Size: 1,062 acres       Containment: 0%    

Total Personnel: 62     Engines: 5       Heavy Equipment: 5     Crews: 3 modules

A Type 2 Incident Management Team will be inbriefed this evening at 6 pm and assume command tomorrow morning at 6 am. There is no official change to acreage, but an infrared flight is scheduled for tonight. Since the fire started, the types of fire behavior observed (group tree torching, crowning, and spotting) created impossible conditions for boots on the ground to directly engage the fire. Although very little rain has fallen over the fire area, more is forecasted, and cooler temperatures and increased humidity has moderated fire behavior. This is allowing firefighters to employ direct suppression efforts, constructing fireline directly on the fire’s edge, creating an “anchor” on the southwest flank from which they can continue fireline construction.  

Additional lines are being scouted for the feasibility of heavy equipment line. A heavy equipment taskforce, consisting of excavators, dozers, and a feller buncher arrives today to assist in these efforts.

EVACUATION STATUS

There have been no changes to this notification since the last update. A message from the Kootenai County Emergency Management: Out of an abundance of caution, residents within the boundary (see attached map) are being provided with a GET READY notification. The Ridge Creek Fire is in your area and it would be wise to consider planning and or packing in the event an evacuation becomes necessary. Residents are urged to create and maintain a defensible space and harden their homes against the potential for wildfire. More information will be forthcoming as it becomes available. Please continue to monitor official sources and call 208-446-2292 for any questions regarding evacuations. Follow Kootenai County Emergency Management Facebook Page for updates and sign up for automated Kootenai Alert for emergency alerts.  https://www.kcsheriff.com/186/Emergency-Management

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
Honeysuckle boat launch reopened today. Firefighting aircraft are still actively engaged on multiple fires in the area and will continue to use area waterways for fire suppression efforts. All lake users should be on the lookout for approaching aircraft. If emergency firefighting aircraft is in the area, boaters should clear the center of the lake and move toward the shoreline.

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests issued an emergency closure (Closure Order #01-04-03-23-002) effective August 4, 2023. This Order is for public and firefighter safety due to heavy fire traffic on the area impacted on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, and prohibits all methods of travel (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on Forest Service Roads 392, 428A, 437, 1511, 1530, 1552, 1587 and Forest Service Roads 206 and 406 north of their junction, Forest Service Trails 69, 78, 234, and 802 as well as within the described area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Wetter and cooler weather will continue over the fire districts through Sunday and Monday. Showers will initially start off with dry and gusty winds but will gradually get wetter. Shower and thunderstorm chances increase to 40 to 60 percent by Sunday into Monday. Chance of wetting rains reaches 70 percent on Monday for the northern Washington and Panhandle districts, where a flood Watch remains in effect for heavy rain on steep terrain and burn scars due to slow-moving storms. Shower chances continue in the mountains through midweek before gradually decreasing. Drier and warmer weather is trending for Friday into next weekend.

Chance of thunderstorms, lightning forecast for Anderson Complex

WEATHER: High temperatures today are expected to be in the mid-70s with slightly higher humidity. Chinook winds with sustained speeds of 20 to 35 mph out of the south are expected to hang around until midday. The afternoon will bring a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms with rain and possible lightning. Specific crews assigned to the Anderson Complex are designated for initial attack if a new fire starts.

COMMUNITY MEETING: Great Basin Team 3 will hold a community meeting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 9, at the Anderson Fire Station, 911 D Street. Representatives from the team and cooperating agencies will provide an update on the fire and answer questions from community members. The meeting will be streamed live on the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection Facebook page for those who cannot attend in person.

FIRE UPDATE: Another day of Red Flag conditions yesterday resulted in extreme fire behavior for the three active fires in the Anderson Complex. The Teklanika River Fire (#257) grew by an estimated 330 acres to 10,142 acres. The Birch River Fire (#285) grew by an estimated 3,115 acres to 9,422 acres. The Shores Landing Fire (#325) grew by an estimated 1,896 acres to 4,006 acres.

The Midnight Sun Hotshots kept pumps and sprinklers running yesterday in their ongoing effort to protect structures and allotments along the Teklanika River. When conditions are favorable, crews plan to establish control lines to further protect the cabins and allotments by tying together the Teklanika River Fire and Shores Landing Fire.

Work on the fuel breaks around the City of Anderson should be finished in the next day or two. Dozers and masticators are being used to even up the lines and clean up plant debris.

Fire crews have tested pumps, hoses and sprinklers that are set up in the breaks to ensure they work. Wildland firefighters from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER) and Kenai will remain in Anderson to implement defensive actions if fire moves toward the city.

Engine crews from Nenana and the Alaska National Guard continue to work with the Nulato Hills Wildland hand crew and a dozer in and around Nenana. They are continuing to identify control lines and contingency lines that can be put in place to protect the city and residents living to the south of Nenana along the Parks Highway.

The Shasta Lake Hotshots kept pumps and sprinklers running yesterday as the Birch Fire moved north toward structures. They will remain in the area of Rose Hip Creek and Clear Sky homestead today to maintain or improve structure protection measures wherever possible. 

Firefighters from Kobe, Anderson, Northstar, the Alaska Division of Forestry & Fire and the K River 1 hand crew continue to work on structure protection in the North Forties and Kobe Ag subdivisions. A dozer line north of the North Forties from the 2022 Clear Fire has been re-opened. Another contingency line is being constructed in the northeast corner of the North Forties subdivision to improve protection for the community.

The Parks Highway Group continues to develop structure protection plans for structures from Nenana to Tri-Valley. They have been tasked with expanding their work to include the June Creek and Bear Creek areas. 

The Anderson Complex includes the Teklanika River Fire (#257), Birch Creek Fire (#285), Shores Landing Fire (#325), Kobe Road Fire (#297), Nenana River Fire (#288), and Nenana River Fire 2 (#289). The Kobe Road Fire is contained and controlled. The Nenana River and Nenana River 2 fires continue to show minimal activity. 

EVACUATION STATUS: 

Areas in GO status include:

• The Teklanika River and all residents along the Teklanika River
• All residents in Clear Sky homestead (not the Clear Sky Lodge) and residents adjacent to Rose Hip Creek

Individuals in this area should evacuate now. Do not delay. The Tri-Valley School is available for evacuation parking and will be available as an evacuation center, if needed. 

Areas in SET status include:

• The City of Anderson
• All residents who use any road west of the George Parks Highway between milepost 270 and the Rex Bridge

Individuals in this area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. 

Areas in READY status include:

• The City of Nenana
• Residents who access their property off the George Parks Highway corridor between milepost 288 and milepost 306
• Residents who access their property from the west side of the George Parks Highway between milepost 266 and milepost 270, including June Creek and Bear Creek
• Residents who access their property off the Parks Highway corridor from the Rex Bridge to milepost 280

Individuals in this area should be ready for possible evacuation. 

Visit the Denali Borough website for additional information.

Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team takes over the Black Feather Fire

SANTA FE, NM, Aug. 7, 2023 – The Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the Black Feather Fire at 6:00 am Monday, August 7, 2023. The team will be working closely with New Mexico State Police, Rio Arriba Sherriff’s Office, New Mexico Livestock Board and US Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers to coordinate the NM Ready, Set, Go evacuation notification system for the communities immediately effected by the Black Feather Fire. A Type 1 Incident Management Team is currently enroute to the fire and will take command in the next few days.

Currently the community of Wetherill has been placed in ‘Ready’ status, and the communities of Mesa Pinebetal, and Mesa Poleo have been placed in ‘Set’ status. The incident management team and law enforcement have established coordinated trigger points to evacuate communities in a timely manner. The Coyote Senior Center will be set up as an evacuation center and livestock can be taken to the Rio Arriba Rural Event Center near Abiquiu. The Rio Arriba County Sheriff’s Office is coordinating evacuations. More info is available on the Sheriff’s Office Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079688263048

The Santa Fe National Forest is working on an area closure for the area surrounding the fire. People are strongly discouraged from unnecessary travel on the entire Forest Road 103, which connects NM 96 to NM 126, and people are strongly discouraged from using the continental divide trail along the San Pedro Parks Wilderness section.

The 2000+ acre Black Feather Fire is located about 44 miles northwest of Santa Fe, and approximately 9 miles south of Gallina New Mexico in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness on the Coyote Ranger District. The fire is being driven to the northeast by winds toward Mesa Poleo and Mesa Pinebetal. The lightning-caused fire started Saturday, Aug. 5, near the Peñas Negras trail and is being managed with a full suppression response.

Numerous aircraft are assigned to the incident including five large air tankers (LATs), one very large air tanker (VLAT), helicopters, air attack, and a lead plane.  In addition, several hotshot crews have been ordered.

With hot, dry, windy weather in the forecast, fire managers are expecting very active fire behavior over the next several days. Air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov/

This is an emerging incident, and more information will be provided as it becomes available. Please check the Santa Fe National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/santafe, Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santafeNF/ and NMfireinfo: NM Fire Info | New Mexico Fire Information.

Northwest Incident Management Team 12 took command of the Bedrock Fire at 7 PM on Sunday, August 6

Weather: Some cloud cover today is expected to limit warming and drying this afternoon. These clouds will increase later today and will help to moderate fire behavior. Winds are expected to be terrain driven, breezier through the drainages and along ridgetops. Temperatures over the fire area today are forecasted to be 78-82 degrees at lower elevations, and 69-74 degrees on ridges. 

Operations: Yesterday and overnight, the fire was most active on the north and northeast flanks. Small firing operations were used to clear pockets of fuels along control lines, extending and connecting sections of the lines previously completed. Helicopters were dropping water buckets in this area to dampen the fire, providing time for ground resources to complete their work. 

Work on the southern flank of the fire will continue with mopping up and deepening of established control lines. On the southwest side of the fire, several tall green trees fell near established control lines. Crews quickly removed the trees and are patrolling for additional fallen trees. Crews are scouting for opportunities to develop new control lines in the rugged country along the southeastern flank of the fire. 

Northwest Team 12 has been assisting the Willamette National Forest with a new fire start and has taken command of the Salmon Fire, providing air and ground resources for fire suppression. The Salmon Fire was discovered yesterday approximately 3 miles east of Oakridge. This fire is currently burning in heavy timber and is estimated to around 50 to 75 acres in size. 

Smoke:  Smoke has settled over most of the fire area, with air quality remaining in the moderate range or better. Smoke conditions are expected to improve around midday. The new Salmon Fire will bring additional smoke into the Oakridge and Highway 58 corridor, with periods of smoke possibly reaching the “unhealthy for sensitive groups” category. 

Safety and Closures: The Willamette National Forest implemented the Bedrock Fire Emergency Area Closure on July 24, 2023 to ensure the safety of the public and personnel working on the fire. Copies of the order and accompanying closure map are available on InciWeb. There is a Temporary Flight  Restriction over the Bedrock Fire area. Wildland fires are a “no fly zone” for drones. If you fly, WE CAN’T.  

“Percent completion” of objectives more accurately captures and reports the specific amount of work accomplished on the ground to manage fire spread and reduce the negative impacts to communities, infrastructure, and other identified values. By using percent completion of objectives, fire managers can illustrate how they are progressing with the accomplishment of objectives that have been identified and prioritized. As a comparison, “containment” implies firelines around the entire perimeter, directly next to the fire's active edge.

Oak Grove Fire Update

Monday August 7, 2023

9:30 pm

Size: 400 acres

Containment: 90%

Start Date: August 5, 2023

Cause: Under Investigation

At 3:20 p.m. on Aug. 5, Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance on a fire burning north of San Marcos, Hays County, Texas. The fire is burning in grass and brush fuels, and was initially exhibiting moderate to extreme fire behavior, making runs and spotting in several areas. As of 6:24 p.m. on Aug. 5, the fire jumped the Blanco River and was actively burning on the north side. By 8:47 p.m., fire activity had diminished and forward progression was stopped.

Texas A&M Forest Service has mobilized the following to assist with response efforts: fire managers and miscellaneous overhead, dozers, the Cherokee Interagency Hotshot Crew, engine crews from Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) personnel and aircraft, including single engine air tankers and Super Scoopers.

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place for the area over the fire [NOTAM: FDC 3/8882, https://bit.ly/44Uhymh]. Please avoid the area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft. 

Yesterday:

The Oak Grove Fire command was transferred to Incident Commander Dustin Dill yesterday morning. The dozer crews, engine crews and hand crews arrived on scene by 9:30 am and continued containment line construction, patrolling and heat suppression activities on both flanks of the fire. Air resources, including a Texas A&M Forest Service air attack plane and Blackhawk helicopters, assisted with fire overview from the sky and water drops during the day.

Containment line construction was limited in the afternoon due to vegetation and location, however there was good progress on containment and no fire growth. By end of shift around 8:30 pm, containment reached 50% and all resources were released for the night.

Today:

Texas A&M Forest Service crews and helicopters began work this morning around 9:30 am. The Blackhawk helicopter will continue dropping fire retardant over intense heat areas (specific flank/location?) as preparation for ground crew suppression activities. By mid-day, the containment on the south side of the Blanco River was completed, but work continued on the north side of the river. All line construction was completed by 5:00pm and containment was estimated at 75%. Crews continued to patrol and suppress hot or smoldering areas within the containment area until 7:00pm when all resources were released for the night. Containment is now 90%.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Mostly clear, hot, and dry conditions will continue through the day, with minimum relative humidity falling to 20-25 percent in the afternoon. Winds will be from the south blowing at 10-15 mph with occasional gusts to 20-25 mph during the afternoon and evening hours. These winds combined with low humidity and critically dry fuels will produce critical fire weather conditions and a Red Flag Warning is in effect for this afternoon and evening.

Evacuations: None

Damages/Injuries:  One residence and an unknown number of outbuildings were destroyed. Officials will continue to assess any further reports of damages and provide updates if any new information arises.

Closures: None

Red Barn 7 Fire Update

Monday August 7, 2023

10:00 pm

Size: 490 acres

Containment: 100%

Start Date: August 5, 2023

Cause: Under Investigation

After 5 p.m. on Aug. 5, Texas A&M Forest Service received a request for assistance on a fire burning 1.5 miles south of Fort Davis along Highway 17 in Jeff Davis County, Texas. The fire is burning in grass and brush fuels.

Texas A&M Forest Service has mobilized the following to assist with response efforts: fire managers and miscellaneous overhead, dozers, engine crews and a suppression crew module from Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS), Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) personnel.

Yesterday:

There were no issues holding the containment lines of the 490 acre Red Barn 7 Fire during the night of August 5th. Texas A&M resources not working during the night, TIFMAS crews and the EMTF returned to the fire at 8:45 am and by noon the Red Barn 7 Fire was 80% contained. Resources patrolled containment lines suppressing heat until end of shift.

Today:

Texas A&M Forest Service resources patrolled the entire fire containment perimeter today by noon. No smoldering trees, smoke or heat was visible. Crews continued monitoring until 2:00 pm when they were released after determining the fire was 100% contained .

Weather and Fire Behavior:

It will be very hot and dry today with minimum afternoon humidity dropping into the low teens. Winds will be light, preventing erratic fire behavior. However, there is a low possibility of thunderstorms this afternoon which could cause a light wind direction change the next couple of hours. Activity will diminish later this morning then increase again with afternoon heating. Expect good relative humidity recovery overnight.

Minimum humidity this afternoon was near 21% with a southerly wind around 10 mph. Wind speeds increased in the evening with
gusts up to 20 mph at times. Wind speeds will increase Tuesday and remain elevated for the next few days. This could lead to critical
fire weather conditions Tuesday, Wednesday, and possibly Thursday.

Evacuations: None

Damages/Injuries:  None

Closures: None

NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 9    INCIDENT COMMANDER: SHANE MARTIN

Ridge Fire

Flathead National Forest, Hungry Horse Ranger District

Fire Information 406-998-6074  2023.ridge@firenet.gov

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/mtfnf-ridge-fire

August 7, 2023

Location: 6 miles southeast of Hungry Horse, MT

Start Date: 7/30/23      Cause: Lightning       Size: 2,773 acres       Containment: 0%.

Total Personnel: 177    Engines: 6    Dozers: 3    Hand Crews: 4    Water Tenders: 4

KEY MESSAGE  

There will be a Public Meeting today, August 7th, at 7:00 PM at the Glacier Bible Camp (400 5th St W) in Hungry Horse, MT. To provide for public and firefighter safety, FS Road #38 (East Side Road #38) is closed to all public traffic east of the junction of FS Road #497 (Desert Mountain Road) and East Side Road #38. Currently, FS Road #895 (West Side South Fork Road #895) is closed to all public traffic starting at mile 15, near the Lid Creek Campground. West Side South Fork Road #895 will be closed starting tomorrow, August 8th, from the Hungry Horse Dam Visitor Center to the existing closure at mile 15, near the Lid Creek Campground. Pre-evacuation notice in effect for private property along SF Abbot Creek on the west side of the fire.

CURRENT SITUATION

Current acreage is at 2,773 acres, an increase of 189 acres. Indirect (away from the fire) suppression efforts are prioritized on the west side of the fire to protect critical infrastructure and private property. This is a full suppression fire and firefighter and public safety is the top priority.

Yesterday, heavy equipment continued constructing the fuel break on the west side of the fire along the Hard Money Road between private property and Forest Service land. Hand crews and a masticator continued work on the fuel break along the East Side Road #38, near the southern edge of the fire. Structure protection assessments and coordination was being conducted for private property in Coram and Martin City.

Today, heavy equipment, including masticators, dozers, and skidders, will continue implementing the fuel break near the Hard Money Road to decrease potential fire intensity should the fire reach private property to the west. Hand crews and a masticator will continue work on the fuel break on East Side Road #38 to prevent potential impacts to East Side Road #38. Structure protection assessments and coordination will continue for private property in Martin City, Coram and Hungry Horse.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Showers and thunderstorms possible this afternoon with increased humidities. Winds are expected to shift from the east to the west, with the potential to increase fire activity on the east side of the fire. Fire behavior was low to moderate yesterday due to cooler weather and higher humidities.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

 An area closure is in effect due to the Ridge Fire. This closure area will expand tomorrow, August 8th. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in effect over the fire area. Residents should stay alert for changing conditions and visit ready.gov/wildfires for preparing for wildfires. For up-to-date information on the Ridge Fire, please visit Inciweb and follow the Flathead National Forest Facebook page.