Location: San Bernardino County, CA & Clark County, NV         

Start Date:  Friday July 28, 2023, at 12:09pm         

Cause: Under Investigation          

Size: 94,009 acres including 9,127 acres in Clark County, NV                                             

Percent Contained:  63%          

Vegetation: Timber (litter and Understory), and Brush           

Number of Personnel Assigned: 423         

As of 8/3/23, the York Fire is currently at 94,009 acres with 63% containment, 9,127 acres are in Clark County, NV.

Firefighters yesterday evening, 8/2/23, continued to reinforce existing containment line. Fire behavior was observed on the southeast portion of the fire, firefighters are currently monitoring the area and will continue to perform Minimal Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) in their full suppression efforts. Firefighters, use MIST to suppress the fire while carefully protecting resources such as cultural histories, threatened wildlife, and rare plants commonly found in the Mojave National Preserve, Castle Mountains National Monument, and Avi Kwa Ame National Monument. Federal land managers and fire personnel collaborate with natural and cultural resource specialists, known as “resource advisors” or “READs,” to implement MIST. READs have many specialties such as, wildlife biologists, plant ecologists, archaeologists, and geologists. They work closely with fire crews to minimize the impacts of wildfire and of suppression activities by working with fire crews in the field.

The joint efforts to suppress the York Fire by bringing together resources from various agencies is a testament to the response during wildfire emergencies. The involvement of the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, USDA Forest Service, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, and Clark County Fire highlight the scale and severity of the fire and the need for extensive resources to tackle it effectively.

The staff of the York Fire are working closely with Clark County Communications to provide timely and accurate information to the public. If you have any questions regarding what is occurring specifically with the residential areas of Nipton and Searchlight, please reference Clark County Public Communications or their twitter at Clark County Nevada

WEATHER: The monsoonal influence is slowly leaving the area; we are anticipating warmer and dryer weather in the coming days.   

EVACUATIONS:  No current evacuations.

PARK & ROAD CLOSURES: Ivanpah Rd. between Morning Star Mine Rd and Cedar Canyon Rd., as well as all of Hart Mine Rd. are closed due to hazardous wildfire conditions and fire suppression operations. Mojave National Preserve is also under Extreme Fire Restrictions, please visit their website for more information on restrictions and closures: Alerts & Conditions - Mojave National Preserve . Please visit Road Conditions - Mojave National Preserve to view a detailed map of current park closures.

Prescott National Forests BAER Information: Chad Yocum, BAER Team Leader 928-458-4879

BAER Team Assessment of Grapevine Fire Impacts

PRESCOTT, AZ – August 3, 2023 – A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is being established to begin a burned area assessment of the Grapevine wildfire on the Verde Ranger District. Preliminary evaluation has found no immediate or downstream values at risk, including the community of Whitehorse. Preliminary evaluation also found no immediate or downstream values at risk associated with the 405-acre Racetrack wildfire. Both wildfires burned within natural fire behavior for vegetation types and timing.

BAER assessments are rapid evaluations of the burned area to identify unacceptable risks on National Forest Service (NFS) lands from post-fire threats. The team’s focus is on the emergency actions necessary to protect life and safety, property, and critical natural and cultural resources on NFS lands. The team is working in conjunction with the Yavapai County Flood Control District and shares burned area information from the assessment with other federal, state, and local agencies with post-fire responsibilities on state and private lands both within and downstream of burned areas, including USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Weather Service (NWS), and US Geological Survey (USGS).

BAER teams consist of scientists and specialists including hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, engineers, botanists, biologists, archaeologists, and geographic information specialists. The teams collect data during ground surveys and complete GIS and modeling to evaluate the post-fire risks.

The first step in the BAER assessment process is taking satellite imagery and data collected during ground surveys to produce a soil burn severity map. The soil burn severity provides the baseline information to determine changed watershed conditions for assessing potential watershed impacts from wildfires, such as flooding and unstable soils. This information is then compiled to determine if post fire emergency conditions are present. The order of emergency response strategies includes natural recovery, administrative closure, then land treatments if unacceptable risks are identified.

Everyone near and downstream from the Grapevine Fire burned area should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains over the area. Flash flooding could occur quickly during heavy rain events.

REMINDER: The Grapevine Fire Area Closure has just been lifted and there is still heavy equipment working throughout the area. 

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.

Current Situation: Overnight, fire behavior was once again diminished due to a wave of moisture that passed through the fire area. This morning’s humidity, near 100%, will keep fire activity dampened for a while, but it will drop throughout the day with fire behavior picking up later this afternoon. Firefighters will continue with the previous day’s tactics of improving firelines, patrolling existing firelines and securing any heat found in proximity to the line. If conditions are dry enough for fire to ignite and carry, burnout operations may also be conducted to increase firebreak depth and reduce fuel loads in the interior.   

Division A: Fire managers may use a helicopter or unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to light pockets of fuel in the interior. This action is dependent on weather conditions and consists of fire managers dropping ping pong sized balls containing fire-starting chemicals that ignite fire in desired locations.  This intentionally and precisely lit fire has less intensity and lower flame heights serving to remove fuels from the main fire. Crews will continue to mop up and patrol contained fireline in addition to strengthening actions on uncontained fireline.    

Division Z: Firefighters will continue work on the last uncontained fireline segment on the west side with full containment across this division likely. Security of contained sections will also be maintained through patrol and mop-up.     

Division Y: No burnout operations are planned for today, although firefighters remain prepared to burn along the ridge should it be necessary. Crews will patrol, mop-up, and secure contained firelines. It is anticipated, that line construction will reach the wilderness boundary at the Division X break today.

Division X: Fire managers are evaluating options for this area. On the ground work will not occur today as resources are completing higher priority work in other divisions. Future suppression efforts within the Division will take advantage of natural features and weather while weighing risk to firefighters.  

Division W: Crews will sustain progress across this division and continue fireline construction while strengthening lines through patrol, mop up, and addressing hot spots as needed.   

Structure Protection: Firefighters will carry on with structure protection work from previous days; assessments, sprinkler installations, and other measures as needed. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

Sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-70s, winds ranging from 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph and humidity in the low 30% range is predicted today. Today is the last chance of thunderstorm activity at 35%. These drying conditions will allow for more active fire behavior. Areas with mixed conifer vegetation and heavy dead and down trees will experience the most fire activity.   

Evacuations, Closures, and Fire Restrictions:

Mandatory evacuations are in place in the Squirrel Creek and Mill Creek drainages. 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 . 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/ .

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: 1770 acres
Containment: 47%
Total Personnel: 394
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

Location: Forest Service Road (FSR) #284 (Elk City Wagon Road) 1 mile east of China Point, 3 miles Northwest of Pilot Knob near Mountain House Site

Start Date: 7/10/23       Cause: Lightning        Size: 179 acres                Completion/Containment: 38%

Total Personnel: 160    Engines: 2        Dozers: 2          Forest Masticators: 4      Helicopters: 1  

Water Tender: 6         Crews: 3  

*Some forest resources are not counted in total personnel.

CURRENT SITUATION

Firefighters continue identifying smoke and working on the handline.  The handline continues to be used as a valuable method for containing the fire.  As crews work, they remove available fuel for the fire by clearing the area down to mineral soil to stop the fire’s spread.  As brush cures, there is potential for reburn. Equipment work on the contingency line remains slow due to terrain and vegetation.

PLANNED ACTIONS

Full suppression strategy to keep the fire in the smallest footprint possible.  Crews will work to protect nationally significant culture resources.  Work will continue suppression strategies to protect Highway 14 corridor, the adjacent vegetation treatment project areas, fish habitat, sensitive watershed, and Newsome townsite. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Thursday weather includes light northwest winds developing in the afternoon.  There is a very low chance of showers and thunderstorms Thursday night.  Humidity recovery near 50 percent Thursday night.   Showers and thunderstorms will return Friday afternoon.   Fire behavior remains the same with creeping and smoldering.

Air quality information: AirNow Interactive Map (epa.gov)

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

Heavy equipment will continue traveling on roads throughout the Midnight Fire area.  When driving dirt roads with low visibility, the rule of thumb is pull over and allow the downhill driver to pass.     There are currently no closures in place, but firefighting traffic is expected to be heavy along FSR #244 (Lightning Creek Road) and FSR #284 (Elk City Wagon Road) between China Point and Lytle Cow Camp. Plan to take extra time to reach your destination, drive slowly to stay safe.  

Mesquite Field Fire Update

Thursday August 3, 2023

8:00 pm

Size: 38

Containment: 100%

Start Date: August 2, 2023

Cause: Under Investigation

On Wednesday August 2nd, Texas A&M Forest Service (TAMFS) received a request for assistance on a fire approximately 10.5 miles southwest of Smithville, Texas. Texas A&M Forest Service responded around 3:30pm, providing personnel, dozers and air operation assistance to the local fire department. The fire was burning in mesquite brush, grass and timber within an estimated 30 acre area.

Yesterday:

The local fire department provided structure protection on three structures while a Texas A&M Forest Service dozer constructed fireline on the right flank of the fire. One helicopter arrived at approximately 4:15 pm, dropping water over the fire to reduce the fire’s intensity and enable ground crews to safely suppress the fire within the containment lines. By 5:30 pm, the fire activity was moderate and the helicopter was released back to the air base.

Dozer containment lines were completed by 7:00pm and forward progression of the fire was stopped. Texas A&M Forest Service resources were released for the night at 8:00pm and local fire department will monitor overnight. By end of shift, acreage was 37 with 80% containment.

Today:

The Mesquite Field Fire held within its perimeter overnight. Texas A&M Forest Service and local fire department crews will continue to patrol and suppress hot areas as needed. Currently, there is no change in acreage or 80% containment.

This afternoon the acreage was accurately mapped at 38 acres. Crews continued patrolling for visible smoke and conducting heat suppression. Containment quickly increased from 80% this morning to 95% this afternoon. At approximately 6:30pm, the Mesquite Field Fire was 100% contained and all Texas A&M Forest Service Resources were released from fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Dry and hot conditions are forecast today through the remainder of the week across the region. A Red Flag Warning is in effect today, and fires may exhibit a high resistance to control during the afternoon and early evening when relative humidity values are at their minimum and temperature and wind speeds are at the maximum.

Evacuations: None

Damages/Injuries:  None

Closures: None

With the change in weather and the successful completion of burnout operations, substantial effort can now shift to increasing the area between interior heat and the constructed line.  

Weather:  Yesterday the fire experienced slightly cooler temperatures but did not receive any precipitation. Today the cooler temperatures will continue, and the wind shifts to North Northeast for the first time since the fire started.  Monsoonal moisture will continue to move into the area with a 25-30 percent chance of rain on the fire and adding some potential for thunderstorms.  

Actions: Burnout operations are complete on the north and east sides of the fire.  Mop-up operations to find and remove hot spots that could be a threat to the fireline are now underway in the along the constructed line. The handline is being tied into rock scree and being fortified by pumps and hose lays. Trees with burned roots combined with the shifting wind will increase the risk to mop up operations, but this risk is being mitigated by tree falling crews. Chipping operations for material left over from line construction will start soon in the north and east areas of the fireline and material will be dispersed on site. The wind shift could produce activity in the interior areas of the fire that have been sheltered from the prevailing winds. Aviation will continue to support crews on the ground and the mobile retardant base continues to be in operation. 

Important Information: The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office in coordination with the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Great Basin Team 7 have pre-identified evacuation zones. As of today, Zone 1 is now split into Zone 1A and Zone 1B. Please visit the Lemhi County website at lemhicountyidaho.org for an explanation of these new zones and a revised map. 

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest (SCNF), Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction. The SCNF also has an area closure order. For more information, please visit the Salmon-Challis National Forest’s Alerts and Notices webpage.  

Location: Southwest of Sunflower Start Date: 07/22/2023 Cause: Under investigation
Size: 5,060 acres Containment: 50% Total Personnel: 332

Diamond Fire Transitions to Tonto National Forest Type 3 Organization Friday Morning

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

With a significant decrease in heat sources and increasing containment, Southwest Incident Management Team 3 will transition the Diamond Fire to the Tonto National Forest Type 3 organization on Friday morning. Ground resources have been patrolling and monitoring all areas of the fire and UAS infrared flights have yielded minimal heat detection. Additionally, crews have conducted grids in unburned fuels around Sunflower to ensure there is no heat outside of the line.

Today a Tonto National Forest Type 3 organization will shadow Southwest Incident Management Team 3 in anticipation of transition Friday morning. Resources on the fire line will continue with containment efforts, backhaul, and rehabilitation. The masticator will continue removing fuels along the Old Beeline Highway and an excavator will also be working in that area to clear brush piles from fuels removal. Temperatures are expected to climb into triple digits again today with decreasing humidities and chances for thunderstorms.

The Type 2 team fire information line listed above will be deactivated at 8:00 p.m. Thursday. However, information regarding the Diamond Fire moving forward will be through the Tonto National Forest Fire Information Line at 602-525-1042.

CLOSURES AND EVACUATIONS

The National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area to provide public health and safety due to firefighting operations. The Old Beeline Hwy is closed to non-residents.

Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has lifted the SET notification status for residents of Sunflower, Cross F Ranch, and Diamond Ranch and returned them to READY. Please visit https://tinyurl.com/nhv6uyyt for further information. An interactive evacuation map link is available on both Inciweb and Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/54tbdhm2

RESTRICTIONS

There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area, which includes the use of drones (UAS). Flying a drone over a fire area is dangerous to pilots and will cause air operations to shut down. Flying a drone within the restricted area is also illegal. 

The National Forest is currently under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/?aid=81280 for more information.

Heavy equipment and masticators continue improving and constructing indirect fuel break (by clearing dead and down vegetation) along Forest Road 711A towards Railroad Creek, and on Forest Road 5071 towards Forest Road 5070. Fire personnel will continue scouting for containment opportunities to the North and South, including the use of previous firelines from the 2022 Hog Trough Fire. On the west side of the fire, hose lay and sprinklers are still being used by hand crews to support suppression efforts. Fire personnel are addressing various spot fires towards the south. Fire personnel are utilizing helicopters to support operations on both ends of the fire area.

Con temperaturas más frías y precipitación en la zona, veremos humo MODERADO el jueves por la mañana temprano en Gunnison. El humo de la zona...