Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1
Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Phone: 970-648-4470 (public), 970-765-7123 (media)
Email: 2023.lowline@firenet.gov
Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Special Note: Due to increasing containment and decreasing fire activity, tonight will be the final evening update unless fire conditions change. The daily 9:00 a.m. morning updates will continue, and brief updates will be posted throughout the day on Facebook and InciWeb as new information becomes available.   

Current Situation: Firefighters were successful in increasing containment to 55% today. Firefighters’ activities remained largely unchanged from the past several days. On the northwestern and northern perimeters, crews worked to build contingency lines and strengthen existing firelines. On the southwestern and southern perimeters, firelines were patrolled and mopped up. Firing operations did not occur and are not planned for tomorrow. Firefighters observed the fire consuming fuels near the line at low intensities, equivalent to the desired effect of a burning operation. Patrolling will continue with additional actions taken if necessary.

Tomorrow, firefighters will have heightened awareness of weather conditions as gusty winds close to 30 mph are expected in the afternoon. On Sunday, strong winds, possibly above 30 mph, low humidities, and warm temperatures are forecasted. These conditions meet the requirements for a Fire Weather Watch to be issued. 

Division A/Z: Divisions A and Z are both contained and were combined into one Division at the end of today. Fireline patrols and mop up continued. Patrols will continue tomorrow, although many of the resources that have been working in this area will support work in other divisions, be released to travel to their home unit, or be assigned to a different fire.    

Division Y: Crews built on to previous days’ progress, further securing and patrolling firelines.      

Division X: This remote division was unstaffed again today. Fire managers met to evaluate suppression strategies and will implement a plan of work in coming days.

Division W: Snags and other fuels posing a hazard to firelines were reduced. Contingency lines were strengthened and monitoring and patrolling occurred across the division.   

Structure Protection: Structure protection crews are working on structures east and north of the fire and will continue assessments tomorrow. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

Fire activity may pick up and be more visible due to drier fuels being more susceptible to ignition and spread.  Tomorrow, similar conditions are predicted with temperatures in the mid-70s, humidity close to 30%, and winds at 5-10 mph with increased winds gusts up to 30 mph.  

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions:

A pre-evacuation order is in effect for CR 727, Mill Creek. No other evacuations or pre-evacuations are in place near the fire.  For specific evacuation information, see Gunnison County Emergency Management at www.gunnisoncounty.org. You may sign up to receive emergency alerts on your phones or other devices at: https://bit.ly/3QhZVZg .

An area, road, and trail closure has been implemented on National Forest System lands near the fire area. For specifics see this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1126172.pdf . BLM has implemented a temporary closure  in the fire vicinity. For details see this link: www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district . Some County Roads in the fire vicinity are barricaded. In the interest of public safety, fire officials ask visitors to be aware of fire traffic and avoid the area.

There are currently no fire restrictions in Gunnison County. Should restrictions be implemented, they will be posted at this site: https://westslopefireinfo.com/gunnison-county/ .

Daily Smoke Outlook reports can be found at this link: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/ed63b240 .

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t.  For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Lowline Fire Statistics:
Size: 1776 acres
Containment: 55%
Total Personnel: 361
Location: 14 mi. NNW of Gunnison, CO
Reported: 8:00 am July 26, 2023
Cause: lightning

For More Information:
Information Phone: 970-648-4470 (public), 970-765-7123 (media)
Email: 2023.lowline@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cogmf-lowline-fire
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GMUGFireInfo

(MOCLIPS, Wash.) – The Margarita Fire started August 2nd at approximately 12:30am. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene in response to a 911 call. The Quinault Indian Nation requested support yesterday and the Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team responded, in-briefing yesterday afternoon.

The fire is currently 61 acres and 0% contained. It is burning in a timber sale unit that is a mix of cedar slash and standing trees, surrounded by heavy timber. Crews worked yesterday to keep the fire in check with the support of two helicopters and two scooper aircraft. Aerial support is dropping water to cool hot spots, assisting firefighters on the ground.

The objective today is to continue developing primary, alternate, and contingency fire lines to work toward containment. Air support will continue, especially along the south and west edges of the fire. The Incident Management Team has ordered heavy equipment to support ground crews in developing fire lines and improving roads in the fire area.

The only evacuation warning is a Level 2 – Get Set – for the community of Quinault Village, also known as Moclips Estates. The initial evacuation notice to Quinault Village was a Level 1 – Get Ready. Emergency management officials upgraded the evacuation level yesterday not due to any major change in the fire, but rather to be consistent with their existing message: residents should have essentials packed and be ready to go if conditions change.

Weather today is expected to be sunny with areas of smoke, becoming cloudy in the evening. The high temperature is forecast to be 70 degrees. Winds will be out of the northwest at 7-9 mph.

You can support firefighting efforts by watching out for vehicles on Highway 109 and taking care with any potential spark. While this area has not historically seen much fire, we have had a hot and dry spring and summer. The forest has a greater potential to burn than in most years.

Bayfield, Colo., 4 de agosto de 2023: más de 120 bomberos forestales están asignados al incendio de Dry Lake, que está quemando en el área de First Notch en el distrito de Columbine. El incendio causado por un rayo se encendió dentro de una red de senderos para vehículos todoterreno (OHV) y caminos del sistema del Forest Service que se utilizarán como líneas de contención del fuego. Hoy, el personal está usando la técnica de ‘blacklining’ o ‘línea negra’ en estos caminos y senderos para extinguir el fuego. Blacklining elimina el combustible en un lado de las líneas de contención para hacerlas más anchas. Esta actividad significa que los residentes y visitantes verán más humo saliendo de este incendio. Esta noche, es posible que el humo se asiente entre Yellowjacket Pass y Chimney Rock en el corredor de la carretera 160, y en el área del río Piedra hacia Arboles.

El incendio de Dry Lake está quemando en un área que fue tratada por una quema prescrita en 2019 y donde estaba planeada para una segunda quema prescrita este otoño. Los equipos han estado preparando líneas de control utilizando las carreteras y los senderos próximos en aproximadamente 1400 acres durante las últimas semanas que ahora se usarán para contener el incendio forestal. “Este escenario de incendio forestal es precisamente la razón por la que hacemos quemas prescritas”, dice el comandante de incidente Brad Pietruszka. “Reducir el combustible peligroso en el bosque hace que los incendios forestales sean más fáciles de contener y reduce el riesgo a largo plazo de incendios forestales catastróficos en estas áreas”, agregó Pietruszka. La gestión espera un comportamiento del fuego de bajo a moderado durante los próximos días.

El Equipo de Manejo del Incidente del Bosque Nacional de San Juan (IMT) está gestionando los esfuerzos de combate al incendio forestal. Los beneficios de reintroducir el fuego en este paisaje incluyen la reducción de combustibles peligrosos, el fomento del crecimiento de plantas nativas, el aumento de la diversidad de especies en el sotobosque, la restauración del equilibrio ecológico y la reducción del potencial de futuros incendios forestales de alta gravedad. Estos esfuerzos se alinean con la Estrategia de Crisis de Incendios Forestales de 10 años del Servicio Forestal, que tiene como objetivo aumentar el uso del fuego en el paisaje, así como otros tratamientos para mejorar la capacidad de recuperación de los bosques para las generaciones venideras.

El humo será visible para los viajeros a lo largo de la autopista US 160 entre Bayfield y Pagosa Springs, y para algunos residentes en Ignacio y Archuleta County. Tenga cuidado con el tráfico adicional de incendios en el área y a lo largo de First Notch Road (FR 620) esta semana y hasta este fin de semana.

El humo de los incendios forestales puede afectar su salud. Para obtener más información, visite: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health

Para obtener información sobre el Bosque Nacional San Juan, llame al (970) 247-4874, visite el sitio web del bosque o síganos en las redes sociales ( Twitter y Facebook ) .

-USDA-

USDA es un proveedor, empleador y prestamista que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

4 de Agosto, 2023 - Informe del Incendio Flat

Extension: 31,921 acres                                          

Inicio: 15 de Julio, 2023

Origen: 2 millas Sureste de Agness, OR

Contencion: 28%

Causa: Error Humano

Personal: 1,092

Recursos: 38 camiones de bomberos l 16 escuadrillas de bomberos l 1 buldócer l 31 cisternas l 4 maquinas masticadoras l 9 helicopteros
 

Situacion actual:  En la esquina Suroeste del Incendio, sobre el drenaje de Lawson Creek y en el área de Game Lake, el trabajo realizado con los helicópteros ha sido de gran éxito en las continuas igniciones aéreas logrando introducirse más desde las líneas de contención más allá del interior de la zona que aún no ha sido afectada por el fuego. También se utilizaron técnicas con helitorch (helicóptero cortafuegos) cerca de la cabecera de Lawson Creek con el fin de mejorar el consumo del material de combustión en la maleza y arbustos sobre el terreno. Un grupo de 10 bomberos helitack (son profesionales que transportados por helicópteros al centro del incendio) regresaron al área de Fantz Ranch a lo largo del eje Este del incendio para enfriar zonas con emanación de calor identificadas a través del uso de fotografías/imágenes infrarrojas y a la vez dedicándose a eliminar arboles debilitados por el fuego y que representan un peligro. Con este trabajo increíble y profesional, estos bomberos logran detener el movimiento del fuego dirigiéndose hacia el Este.

Los bomberos están irrigando la zona desde los helicópteros sobre las áreas en el empalme Norte de Indigo Creek, para asegurar las líneas de contención. Otra escuadrilla de bomberos se dio a la limpieza de zonas de emanación de calor cercanas a la línea de contención en la esquina Noreste del incendio (localizada al final de la carretera Forestal 150). Una escuadrilla diferente de bomberos se dedicó a mejorar las líneas de contención (se trata de desviar una parte de la línea de fuego al construir una línea a mano) y a preparar un plan de incendio sobre la esquina noreste del mismo. Este plan es vital en caso de que sea necesario una quema organizada en la zona debido a los cambios abruptos en las condiciones climáticas o en la actividad del Incendio Flat.

En la Estación de Guardia en Agness (Agness Guard Station) se encuentran los encargados en la protección de la infraestructura, enfocándose en la creación de Inventarios de la misma y otro relacionado a la reducción del material de combustión en el área afectada por el incendio. En general, está por concluirse la creación de un plan de protección de la infraestructura que ayudaría a los bomberos en la zona, en el caso de presentarse la necesidad. Continúan mejorando las líneas de control que se extienden sobre el Sistema de Carreteras Forestales (FSR) 1376 (hacia el Sur) y 1503, 3313 y también 3680 (hacia el Oeste). Mientras tanto, los bomberos del turno nocturno dedican a mantener y patrullar las líneas de fuego.

Actividades para el día de hoy:  En los últimos días, se han estado llevando a cabo igniciones aéreas con el objetivo de profundizarse más en la línea de fuego entre las porciones Oeste y Este de FSR 3680 en el drenaje de Lawson Creek (esquina Suroeste del incendio). Se puede decir que, en gran parte, dicha labor ya está casi concluida por los bomberos. El material de combustión continúa secándose y se presenta de manera discontinua en algunas zonas. En los próximos días, el fuego continuara moviéndose a través de la vegetación. Se utilizarán algunas quemas aéreas adicionales para llenar áreas discontinuas de material de combustión que aun no se ha quemado y así poder introducirse un poco más en la zona. El día de hoy, los bomberos estarán trabajando arduamente para mantener, asegurar, mejorar y limpiar la línea de contención a lo largo de FSR 3680. Al mismo tiempo, se continuarán las quemas aéreas sobre el interior de la zona de Game Lake. Se están realizando trabajos activos de limpieza y patrullaje en las líneas de contención Oeste y Noreste, desde el empalme de FSR 3680 y 3318 hacia Wildhorse Lookout y al Este de FSR 3577.  

Se les hace un llamado a los motoristas cruzando la carretera Bear Camp Road, que manejen con cautela, a baja velocidad y con las luces delanteras del vehículo encendidas.

Están por completar 14 días de liderazgo que fue proporcionado por el Grupo 3 para el Manejo de Incidente del Equipo (Tipo 1) Pacific Northwest los cuales serán reemplazados por el Grupo 2 para manejo de Incidente Northern Rockies (Tipo 1) a las 6:00 de la mañana del día Sábado, 5 de Agosto. El día de hoy, el grupo entrante, estará enfocándose en observar las operaciones que se están realizando y en la transferencia de inteligencia. El personal y los recursos permanecerán en el área durante la transferencia de comandos.

Evacuaciones:  Todos los niveles de evacuación restantes han sido reducidos a un Nivel 1 “Prepárese” para todas las áreas en las proximidades del Incendio Flat. La Oficina del Alguacil para la ciudad de Curry continuara coordinándose con el Grupo para el Manejo de Incidente de Incendio y serán los responsables de notificar a los residentes afectados por el incendio acerca de las razones para cambiar los niveles de evacuación.

La ciudad de Curry está enviando noticias de evacuación utilizando el sistema Everbridge. Usted puede registrarse en: https://www.co.curry.or.us/departments/emergency_management/index.php

Condiciones climáticas: Debido a un masivo aire seco moviéndose sobre el área, las temperaturas continuaran incrementándose y se producirá una baja en la humedad relativa durante el fin de semana.  Con dichas predicciones del clima, en donde los periodos de humedades bajas se incrementan, resultara en un aumento de material de combustión aún más seco sobre el terreno y en un aumento en el comportamiento activo del incendio.

Impacto del humo: Pronósticos en la presencia del humo, puede encontrarse en la página web:  https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/en/b74901f7

Cierres de áreas: El Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou, emitió una nueva 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.

Orden de restricción: Actualmente, el Nivel de Peligro de Incendio es “Extremo”; el día de hoy, 4 de Agosto, el Bosque Nacional de Rogue River-Siskiyou dicto 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 las condiciones climáticas y las restricciones existentes para tener fogatas en el bosque.

“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.

Greening Fire Sustainable Operations AKA Incident Recycling Program

Fire camp is a busy place with hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people.  Just like a city, these fire camps generate huge amounts of waste.  Paper and cardboard, water and Gatorade bottles, stacks of wooden pallets, food and cooking waste and non-recyclable trash. 

One technique that fire managers utilize to reduce this waste challenge is by ordering recycling specialist contractors to provide on-site recycling and trash service in fire camps.  Data collected during the 2020 fire season indicated that on-site recycling reduced landfill waste by 30 – 40%.  This equates to thousands of pounds of recycling. 

In only three days of the Washburn Fire in Yosemite National Park, 3,489 individual water bottles, 2,650 lbs of cardboard, 600 lbs of food donated and 415 lbs of cooking oil was donated to the community or recycled through this program.

Interested in seeing how efficient and thorough a recycling program can be?  Reducing Landfill Waste at Fire Camp - A Pilot Program Tested at the Whitewater Fire- YouTube highlights one of the recycling contractors at work, and everyone seems pleased with the success of this program.

Beyond the intangible benefits of doing the right thing for the environment, there are other benefits:

• Reduced waste hauling costs: Effective recycling services reduce the need for dumpsters and servicing by 50% to 80%, further reducing costs to the incident (For example, reducing daily service for four dumpsters on a single incident could save up to $18,000 per week).
• Reduced burden on Logistics, Facilities, Supply & Camp Crews.
• More organized and clean fire camp: professional recycling services make the camp feel more organized, clean, and well managed.
• Increased public perception that land management agencies are reducing the long-term negative impact of incident waste in local community landfills.
•  

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.   Recycling in fire camp is an essential part of our mission.

Bedrock Fire update for Friday, August 4, 2023

Lowell, Ore. – Current and predicted weather conditions may allow for rapid growth on the Bedrock Fire. High temperatures heat the ground and vegetation, and low relative humidity dries out the fuels. This makes forest fuels burn more readily and quickly.

Wind can push flames through the vegetation or across the landscape, especially when it aligns with drainages, slopes and hills.  Within the Bedrock Fire perimeter there are multiple drainages, including Jones, Alder, Zog, Hehe, and Tiller creeks, with alignments that allow for wind-driven fire spread.

Two significant concerns are spotting and crowning. Spotting is when embers are carried by wind, in some cases up to a mile ahead of the main fire, creating spot fires. Crowning occurs when the upper canopy is ignited and flames burn through treetops. Fire managers are strategically planning for these potential hazards to ensure firefighter safety and operational success.

Weather conditions are also conducive to new fires starting. Most wildfires since June this year were caused by humans, not lightning. Within the Temporary Flight Restriction, multiple resources assigned to the Bedrock Fire are designated as available for initial attack. These resources will respond to new fire starts to reduce the chances of new large fires.

There was no infrared flight last night. Updated acreage will be provided when it is available.

WEATHER:  Friday will bring the biggest change in the forecast as monsoonal moisture will support thunderstorms in central Oregon. There is a 15 percent chance of thunderstorms moving far enough west to reach the fire. Minimal rain is expected from any thunderstorms that develop near the fire, but the added moisture will increase humidity readings. Temperatures will continue to climb through the weekend ahead of a cold front that will arrive late Monday. A slight cool down can be expected after the front passes.

SAFETY: Be extra-careful with any source of open flames and equipment that may create sparks during hot, dry, and windy weather. Most wildfires are caused by humans, not lightning.

SMOKE:  Smoke from the Bedrock Fire will continue to spread into central Oregon, causing some areas to experience “unhealthy” conditions. Smoke patterns may shift more to the south and east in the coming days.

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 4, 2023
Location: Approximately 3.5 miles east of the north tip of Hayden Lake, along the Hayden Creek Road (FSR 437) in the Ridge Creek drainage
Start Date: 8/3/2023
Cause: Under Investigation
Size: 300-400 acres
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel: 50 Engines: 3 Hand Crews: 1

A Type 3 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will be inbriefed today at 6pm. During initial size-up, the fire was 5-10 acres, burning in heavy timber. However, by 6:00 PM, air resources already estimated the fire to be 100-150 acres, spreading primarily up-drainage to the northeast, pushed by southwest winds aligning with the drainage. The fire is burning on both sides of FSR437 (Hayden Creek Road), necessitating an emergency closure of that road. The current estimation is 300-400 acres, air resources will provide undated estimates once the weather inversion and smoke lift. Ten interagency aircraft were engaged on the fire yesterday, from 4pm until dark, including 4 firebosses, air attack, Type 1 and Type 2 helicopters, two large air tankers and a lead plane. A hotshot crew, three engines and crewmembers are on scene, and numerous equipment and other resources are being ordered. Fire managers and Kootenai County Emergency Management continue to assess the situation and will update the status as warranted. 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

EVACTUATION STATUS
A message from the Kootenai County Emergency Management: Out of an abundance of caution, residents within the above 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 home 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.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES An emergency closure was implemented yesterday afternoon, prohibiting foot, mechanized, motorized and stock travel on Hayden Creek Road (FSR437). The public is encouraged to avoid the surrounding areas and give space to the fire personnel and engines. Kootenai County Sheriff Office is advising Hayden Lake residents that Hayden Lake is shut down to boaters indefinitely to accommodate USFS fire crews to access by aircraft. Public access boat launches are closed. Please keep all boats off Hayden Lake until further notice. Thank you for your cooperation.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR Partly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 6 to 9 mph today, becoming southwest and 7 mph tonight. Minimum RH of 23 percent. A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 AM. Widespread haze throughout the day. Tonight, will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 65.

Fire personnel will continue to focus on structure protection efforts in Diablo and at the Environmental Learning Center, as well as scout and identify possible fire containment lines. Crews will assess structures and park infrastructure in the Ross Lake area for structure protection.  Helicopter water drops will continue in an effort to slow fire spread and downhill fire due to terrain-influenced roll-out. Terrain is extremely steep, rugged, and inaccessible. Increased fire behavior is possible today with continued hot, dry, and windy conditions. Motorists are urged not to pull over along State Route 20 near the Diablo Dam. While the road remains open, keep in mind your safety and those of first responders. Do not pull over to take photos or deploy drone aircraft.