TONASKET, Wash. August 1, 2023 – First reported on Saturday, July 29, the Eagle Bluff Fire has grown to 16,110 acres. The fire is burning just west of Oroville, Wash. on lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Spokane District – Bureau of Land Management and has crossed into Canada. The cause remains under investigation by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Yesterday, there was no fire growth along the eastern perimeter and minimal growth to the west. Crews continued to monitor and secure the perimeter along the eastern flank of the fire. While crews are still assessing a small portion of indirect line built just south of the Similkameen River along the western flank, line has been established from Ellemham Mountain Road north to the Similkameen River.

Firefighters successfully burned along the Canadian border to prevent the fire from spreading south towards the Loomis Oroville Road. Dozer line was constructed and tied into the Similkameen Road with additional mop up around that line. Water tenders worked through the night using side sprayers to mop up in the pockets that firefighters successfully burned earlier in the day.  

Today, firefighters will continue to patrol, secure, and mop up around structures and monitor the entire eastern  and southwestern perimeter. Crews will work to secure the western flank and monitor the anchor point we are trying to establish along the Similkameen River. Firefighters along the northwestern flank will patrol the line from DP 49 to the fire’s edge to prevent any further fire spread into the border. Resources will scout west for opportunities so our Canadian counterparts can tie into Highway 3.

Very dry air and lower humidity will persist in the region through the day. North winds developing in the afternoon with a shift later this evening to the south with stronger gusts through the valley along the eastern flank are forecast. Once the shallow inversions lift, temperatures will rise and relative humidity will drop rapidly. All fuels, live and dead, are sufficiently dry to contribute to fire behavior and perimeter growth today. 

Today remains a high fire danger day.  With the forecast and current fuel conditions, if slope and wind align, today has the potential to be an active fire day especially on the western flank of the fire. Smoke in the valley is likely to impact any aviation use early in the day but should clear out by noon.

Evacuation levels have decreased in Okanogan County, but some road closures remain in place. For up-to-date information on wildfire closures and evacuations, follow Okanogan County Emergency Management at https://okanogancounty.org/government/emergency_management/

Colt Fire Fact Sheet

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Fire Protection

Lolo National Forest and Flathead National Forest Land Management                                     

NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 1 

INCIDENT COMMANDER: BRENT OLSON

Fire Information: 406-247-0922      

2023.Colt@firenet.gov    

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

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtmts-colt-fire

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 10:00 am

Location:  15 miles northwest of Seeley Lake, Montana

Start Date: 7/17/2023            Cause: Lightning       Size: 6,860 acres        Containment: 19%    

Total Personnel: 630             Engines: 15                Helicopters: 5            Hand Crews: 17   

KEY MESSAGE

A high-pressure ridge weather system is keeping smoke from nearby and far away wildfires in the area. An Air Resource Advisor is on site and working with the Incident Management Team to provide daily Smoke Outlooks. These outlooks can help everyone prepare and plan for mitigating smoke impacts in the community. Smoke information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov .

CURRENT STATUS

The fire remained active in the southeast and southwest corners on Tuesday as hot temperatures and low humidity levels continued to encompass the fire area. Containment increased to 19% and the overnight infrared flight mapped the fire at approximately 6,860 acres in size, an increase of 156 acres.  Firefighters monitored two main areas of active heat and fire near the fire’s edge in Uhler Creek on the southeast corner and between Beaver and Sunset Ridges on the southwest corner. In response, crews continued to hold and secure the southeast corner and aerial retardant drops were used to slow fire spread on the southwest corner. Helicopters were used to cool hot spots. Along the south side crews continued to work on handline construction north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River continuing to move to the west. On the east side, along Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road) engine crews continued to patrol, mop up, and increase containment. On the north side, crews and equipment took holding actions along the established fire control lines, monitored for spot fires, and continued to construct control lines. This includes working near Colt Lake and Beaver Lake. The Structure Protection Group patrolled the Highway 83 corridor and worked on assessments in the Lindbergh Lake area.

PLANNED ACTIONS

On the southeast corner and east side along Forest Road 646 (Colt/Uhler Road) firefighters will continue to hold and mop up along the line. Patrol and mop up will also continue in areas on the north side of the fire. In the northwest corner crews will continue to construct indirect line working to connect between Colt and Beaver Lakes. Along the west side crews and equipment will access the area and start working to prepare Forest Road 9570 as an indirect control line. Access routes have been found and an attempt will be made to bring equipment into the southwest corner if fire activity safely allows. Helicopters will continue to be used to keep the fire checked up on the west side and southwest corner. On the south side, and north of the West Fork of the Clearwater River, crews will move from east to west working on fire control line construction. These crews will start to spike camp closer to the line to decrease travel time. The night shift of engines will patrol and monitor fire conditions.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

On Wednesday, high temperatures in the fire area will range from 84-92 degrees and relative humidity levels as low as 10-15%.  A slight chance for thunderstorms exists today.  Winds will be from the southeast shifting to the west at 10 mph with higher gusts possible. It will be another warm and dry day which could lead to active fire behavior. Moderate growth is expected with the fire moving through the heavy dead and down surface fuels. Torching and spotting are possible in the subalpine fir and lodgepole pine.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES

The Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Evacuation Warning and Order summary:

-Residents on Beaver Creek Road (near the summit) are under an Evacuation Warning.

-Mile marker 31 (Beaver Creek Road at the intersection of Hwy 83) south towards Seeley Lake to mile marker 27, and including residences in Rovero Flats, are under an Evacuation Order.

-Residences beginning at mile marker 27, south end of Rovero Flats, to mile marker 25.5 (the intersection of the West Fork of the Clearwater Road and Hwy 83) are under an Evacuation Warning.

-Residences on the north and south ends of Lake Inez are under an Evacuation Warning. The east side of Lake Inez, along Hwy 83, is not under any Warning or Order.

If conditions rapidly change an Evacuation Order may be issued with no prior notice or warning. Home and property owners in the surrounding area should remain vigilant and prepared. Have an evacuation plan for family, pets, and livestock; sign up for emergency alerts at Smart911.com; and be familiar with the Missoula County evacuation process and what an order and warning means by clicking on the following link:   https://www.missoulacounty.us/government/public-safety/office-of-emergency-management/evacuation-information.  For evolving Evacuations and Warnings please visit the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MissoulaCountySheriffsOffice .

The Lolo and Flathead National Forests have closed several forest roads, areas, and campgrounds near the fire area for public safety. The list of current closures includes:

-Forest Road 906 (closed at Highway 83)

-Rainy Lake Campground access road 4357 (closed at Highway 83)

-Rainy Lake Campground

-Alva Lake Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83)

-Alva Lake Campground

-Lakeside Campground access road (closed by gate at Highway 83)

-Lakeside Campground

-Lake Inez Campground

-Forest Road 646 (closed at the junction of FSR 552; FSR 4354; Forest Road 552 (beyond the turn off to west side Lake Inez access

-Forest Road 5407 and 463 closed beyond the West Side snowmobile trailhead (these roads access the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks Marshall Wildlife Management Area and Lake Marshall)

-Temporarily closing the Forest System Road loops of the Clearwater (FSR 4370 and 4353) and Richmond (FSR 667 and 720)

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONS

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for air space over the Colt Fire (FDC 03/0291) to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operating in the area. An airport closure is in place for the Condon Airstrip (FDC 07/110) for firefighting helicopter operations. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!                   

A public meeting will be held at 7 pm on Thursday, August 3 at the Swan Valley Community Hall, 6811 Highway 83, Condon, MT. Incident Management Team members and local officials will provide an update on the Colt Fire. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Colt Fire Facebook page. Please join us. Thank you.

Last evening’s infrared flight showed the fire increased by 337 acres, with a new size of 3,213 acres. On the west side of the fire, hose lay and sprinklers are being utilized by hand crews to support suppression efforts. Heavy equipment and masticators continue improving and constructing indirect fuel break along Forest Road 711A towards Railroad Creek. Fire personnel are monitoring various spot fires towards the south and improving handline.  

On the east side of the fire, hand crews and heavy equipment continued indirect fireline along Forest Road 5071 towards Forest Road 5070, creating shaded fuel breaks by clearing dead and down vegetation. Yesterday’s high winds and lower relative humidity increased active surface fire towards the east and south edge of the fire. Fire is established northeast across Bowles Creek and has crossed Forest Trail 313 to the southeast. Heavy equipment on the east flank was pulled back due to increased fire activity, and will resume today. 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. 

Fire personnel are utilizing helicopters to support operations on both ends of the fire area, pending availability. 

 Grapevine Fire

August 2, 2023 – Daily Update

Fire Closure Terminated

Heavy Equipment Remains Working

Location:  Mingus Mountain, Verde Ranger District (T14N, R2E, SEC 4), Approximately 10 miles east of Prescott Valley; 2 miles south of Mingus Spring Ranch

Start Date:  July 21, 2023

Size:  Approximately 1049 acres

Percent Contained:  19%

Cause:  Lightning    

Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass

Resources: 1 Type 1 Crew, 3 Type 2 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Helicopters and additional support personnel

Number of Personnel Assigned: 221

Update:  Monsoon storms yesterday required fire crews to take protective actions to stay safe by disengaging from suppression activities. Priority is being placed to complete needed action to turn the fire over to the Prescott National Forest. Fire Crews are continuing the process of constructing control lines and suppression repair around the fire area.

These actions include mitigation of infrastructure, roads, bar ditches and any damage to the surrounding areas effected by fire suppression activities.

Fire Closure Terminated:  At 5:00 pm today, Wednesday August 2, 2023, the closure along FR104 and FR413 will be terminated.  The roads will be open to the public while heavy equipment remains working through the weekend. The public is reminded to use extreme caution while driving in the area.  Safety personnel will be on site to protect the fire crews as well as the public.

Fire Restrictions: The entire Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions which prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within designated areas for portions of the forest. Under these restrictions, discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except for persons engaged in legal hunting activities, is prohibited on the Prescott National Forest. Fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited year-round on national forests.

For current evacuation information contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or follow them at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff. 

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111.

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, firefighters monitored fire activity to assess movement across established perimeters and observe burning conditions. Today, weather conditions will largely dictate firefighter actions as roads remain wet with slick conditions, and a 50% chance of thunderstorm activity is predicted.  Moist conditions are likely to preclude any burning opportunities resulting in firefighter efforts focusing on patrols, mopping up hot spots, and securing fuels capable of rolling and igniting fire outside the perimeter.  Despite predicted thunderstorms, minimal moisture is expected. Today begins a warming and drying trend that will increase fire activity each day with possible Red Flag conditions on Saturday. Fortunately, implemented work activities during the last several days’ weather reprieve has boosted fire managers’ confidence in primary and secondary lines, allowing for a possible containment increase again today.

Division A: Road access and possible lightning activity will continue to be a challenge to firefighters. Where access can be obtained, firefighters will mop up and patrol firelines.   

Division Z: Securing and expansion of fireline will continue as firefighters strive to connect with Division Y. On the east side of the division, patchy burning occurred within a string of timber creating potential for reburn when conditions change. Firefighters will mitigate the potential for an unplanned reburn and conduct burning operations today if conditions allow. 

Division Y: Additional firefighting resources remain assigned to this division and will work to strengthen firelines and connect them to the division Z break. The risks to firefighters on the northwestern edge near the wilderness boundary continue to be a challenge to navigate due to the remoteness and ridgetop exposure. As a result, fire managers are still working through planning scenarios that also provide for firefighter safety.   

Division W: Fire managers continue to evaluate opportunities for contingency lines and will scout as conditions make cross-country travel possible. On sections of fireline where access is possible, patrol, mop up, and line securing will occur. 

Division X: This is a new division along the wilderness edge of the fire. Due to the rugged and remote nature and absence of infrastructure values at risk, this division will be unstaffed today. Fire managers will work on developing plans for future actions in the area.

Structure protection preparation work as a contingency will be ongoing; firefighters will install sprinklers and assess defensibility where it isn’t completed. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions:

A 50% chance of precipitation is forecast with minimal to no moisture anticipated across much of the fire. Humidity will be in the low 40% range and temperatures in the low 70s with light winds up to 10mph. Gusts up to 25mph are possible in conjunction with thunderstorm activity. Today and tomorrow will see some lingering moisture although by Friday precipitation chance will be close to zero with afternoon winds increasing. While weather is moderated, so is potential for fire activity and spread. However, as fuels dry out in conjunction with warmer temperatures and lower humidity, active fire behavior is expected, especially in mixed conifer vegetation where dead and down trees are prevalent on steep slopes with strong winds.

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: 1693 acres
Containment: 38%
Total Personnel: 419
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:  Southwest of Sunflower Start Date: 07/22/2023 Cause: Under investigation
Size: 5,101 acres Containment: 39% Total Personnel: 337

Brief Wetting Rains Support Containment Efforts on the Diamond Fire

OPERATIONAL UPDATE

Firefighters continued to take advantage of increased humidities from recent wetting rains and expanded containment around the north side of the fire into Alder Springs yesterday. There has been a significant decrease in heat and smoke on the fire and crews are utilizing favorable conditions to monitor the fire, patrol containment lines, and extinguish any remaining heat sources found. Dozers completed the access improvement operation north of Sunflower and the masticator continued removing fuels along the Old Beeline Highway and around the Sunflower Education Center.

Ground resources will continue to monitor and patrol the fire today. Firefighters will improve containment lines around the fire and mop-up any remaining heat along the line. Containment efforts will be concentrated to the western and southern areas of the fire, which were previously the most active locations. Engines will continue patrolling the State Route 87 corridor and the community of Sunflower. With increased containment and diminishing heat sources around the perimeter, fire managers will begin demobilizing resources over the next few days, as well as continue backhaul and equipment rehab.

A warming and drying trend is expected to begin today and continue through the week. A similar trend of building afternoon clouds and potential thunderstorms will increase the potential for gusty outflow winds. Any remaining heat may smoke or move when driven by wind. 
 

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.

A public meeting will be held at 7 pm on Wednesday, August 2 at Seeley Lake Elementary School, 200 School Lane, Seeley Lake. Incident Management Team members and local officials will provide an update on the Colt Fire. The meeting will also be streamed live on the Colt Fire Facebook page. Please join us. Thank you.