***ALERT***
Due to current fire behavior, Union Pass Road is CLOSED from Union Pass to Buffalo Meadow until further notice. Please avoid the area and use alternate routes for your safety.

Fire Name: Garden Fire 

Fire Size: 7,793 acres 

Cause: lightning 

Location: approximately two (2) miles southwest of the confluence of Panther Creek and the Main Salmon River on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. 

Fuels: grass, brush, dead and down fuels, and timber

Resources: 135 people  

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idscf-garden-fire  

Fire situation:  Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority for the Garden Fire.  Fire managers are using a combination of full suppression and a point protection strategy (a wildfire response strategy, which protects specific assets or highly valued resources from the wildfire without directly halting the continued spread of the wildfire) to minimize exposure to fire personnel while protecting identified values, including private property and Forest Service infrastructure. 

Yesterday, the inversion layer did not lift and continues to limit the use of aircraft.  The fire continues to grow in the Garden Creek drainage and to the ridge to the north, towards the Salmon River.  Fire is currently holding in the upper reaches of Clear Creek, however between lower Clear Creek and Dry to Bear Gulch, the fire is backing down towards Panther Creek.  Due to limited visibility, fire managers are using an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) technology for infrared flights and small scale firing operations to help secure the fire’s edges. 

With additional resources arriving, the fire has added a night shift.  Presence of firefighters, primarily in the Panther Creek and Salmon River areas continues today as crews continue to work to evaluate and assess various point protection strategies to minimize impacts to values in the area.  Fire managers are scouting for opportunities to use the UAS for small scale firing operations to hold the fire above the Salmon River. Aircraft, both fixed wing and helicopters, will be used if weather and smoke conditions allow.  Fire managers are continuing to look for opportunities to engage the fire direct as fuels and weather conditions change and it is safe to do so.

Evacuations:  Lemhi County Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, and the Salmon-Challis National Forest have established 2 evacuation zones for the Garden Fire. 

Zone 1: From Cove Creek to Ebeneezer Bar, downriver along the Salmon River Road #030.

Zone 2: On Panther Creek Rd #055, a half mile south of Beaver Creek Rd #057 to the Salmon River Rd #030 confluence.

ZONE 1 is in “GO” status

ZONE 2 is in “GO” status

Information on evacuation status can be found on Lemhi County’s website, https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/, under ‘News and Notices.’

Weather: ...RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TO 9 PM MDT WEDNESDAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…Dry and warm conditions will persist under high pressure with southwest upper flow warming temperatures through Wednesday.  A dry cold front on Wednesday will bring increased clouds and winds with 20 to 30 mph gusts and isolated gusts in the highest terrain reaching 30 to 40 mph. A late weekend system will help to cool temperatures and gradually increase relative humidity, however measurable precipitation remains unlikely.

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow Us’ on X @salmonchallisnf. 

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Incident Activity: Nevada Team 2, a Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team, took command of the Valley Fire at 7:30 p.m. Mountain Time on October 7, 2024. The team brings additional resources to continue successful firefighting efforts. The fire is under the jurisdiction of the Idaho Department of Lands and is a full fire suppression effort. Crews remain focused on the most active area of the fire in the north and northeast portion where it is burning in timber near Robie Creek residential areas. Fire containment has been successful on the west portion of the fire visible from Boise. The area is being carefully monitored, with crews ready to address any concerns as they arise.

Evacuations and Closures: No primary residences have been lost. The Robie Creek area is still in a "Ready" or Stage 1 evacuation status. Visit https://www.facebook.com/boisecountysheriff for updates. There is a Boise National Forest Valley Fire Area, Road and Trail Closure. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices or contact the Mountain Home Ranger District at 208-587-7961. Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation has an interactive map that shows trails impacted by the Valley Fire. Visit https://arcg.is/10maj91

Weather: Light winds with highs in the mid-70s to low 80s. Mostly clear skies. Fire fuels are dry with no meaningful rainfall expected this week.

Valley Fire Overview: The fire was reported Friday, October 4, 2024, about 1 mile east of Boise on the north side of Idaho State Highway 21. The fire was very visible from East Boise as it burned in mostly grassy fuels in the Boise Foothills. Quick work on initial attack stopped the fire from reaching nearby homes. The Bureau of Land Management, Boise District, along with the Boise Fire Department and other local agencies led initial firefighting efforts. Resources include hotshot crews, engines, dozers, and aerial resources.

Prevention Message:

•    Never leave campfires unattended. Ensure they are completely extinguished by drowning, stirring, and feeling for heat.
•    Avoid burning during windy conditions. Wind can cause embers to spread quickly, igniting dry vegetation.
•    Use spark arresters on equipment. Chainsaws, ATVs, and other machinery can produce sparks that ignite dry grass and brush.
•    Obey all local fire restrictions. Check before starting any outdoor activities that involve fire.

A Closure order has been updated for roads and trail by the Forest Service in the Logan fire area.  

The Described Roads are: (1) NFS Road #371 (Big Creek-Smith Creek Road), from the North End of the Big Creek Airstrip at the junction with the Storage Shed access road North to its junction with NFS Road #373; and (2) NFS Road #373 (Pueblo Summit Road) in its entirety. The Described Roads are located in Sections 4 and 26, Township 21 North, Range 9 East, P.M.

The Described Trail is NFS Trail #194 (Smith Creek ATV), in its entirety. The Described Trail is located in Section 20 North, Township 21 North, Range 9 East, P.M.
The Described Roads and Trail are located within Valley County, Idaho, and Idaho County, Idaho and Boise Meridian.

Elkhorn Fire Update – October 8, 2024

Acres: 22,430

Containment: 50%

Key Message: 

• The fire is currently 50% contained. Firefighters are actively working with aircraft, engines, and hand crews to establish additional containment lines. Progress has been slow due to the rugged terrain. Local, State, and Federal officials are working together to contain the fire. We appreciate the local support and coordination.
• Over the next few days, you may see increased smoke from within the fire area. Increased smoke and smoke columns will be most noticeable in the afternoon and evening hours. If smoke is coming from within the fire area, it does not need to be reported. 
• The cold front passage is expected on Thursday. This will bring strong winds, lower relative humidity, and unseasonably warm temperatures. Firefighters are doing everything they can to strengthen excising fire lines and be ready for the change in weather. 

Today’s Update (10/8/2024) 

• Crews will continue working to increase the containment of the fire. This work may include burning out interior pockets of unburned fuels, which is meant to reduce the risk of fire spreading across containment lines or causing spot fires in the future.
• The North Dakota National Guard will continue their efforts to drop water as needed.
• If needed, a swing shift may be added to accomplish more work while weather conditions are conducive.
• Yesterday, firefighters reinforced fire lines on the north and south flanks, continued mop-up along structures, and completed small burnouts to establish the fireline in the rugged areas of the fire. The McKenzie County Road Department utilized a road grader to strengthen existing containment lines. The North Dakota National Guard operated a Blackhawk to drop water in the areas of the Rough Creek drainage.

Railroad-Daly Fires 

Bitterroot National Forest

Fire Information: 406-360-4587

2024.dalyrailroad@firenet.gov

https://linktr.ee/sharrottjohnsondalyrailroad 

October 8, 2024

Type 3 Incident Command Team, Incident Commander Matt Young  

Location: Railroad Creek/ Skalkaho Creek confluence, 26 miles southeast of Hamilton

Start Date: 7/25/2024  

Cause: Undetermined                

Daly Fire Acres: 8,377  Railroad Fire Acres: 1,300  Completion: 56%

Total Personnel: 133

Current Status 

Yesterday’s fire progression was minimal but demonstrated active creeping and backing. Helicopters were utilized to preform bucket work and suppress growth on the fire.

Crews will continue to establish a shaded fuel break along Coal Creek Road, extending their efforts to the Stony Creek area. Structural protection will be enhanced in Stony Creek and crews will closely monitor fire activity in the upper Stony Creek area. Additionally, teams will be constructing hand and dozer lines from Gird Creek Road to Highway 38. Aerial resources will remain actively engaged to oversee and manage the fire's spread.

Weather and Fire Behavior 

Expect warmer than usual temperatures and dry weather to last thru Wednesday as high pressure sits over the area. In the afternoons and early evenings, you can expect a typical breeze to pick up. However, on Wednesday afternoon and evening, the winds are predicted to get stronger.

Fire activity and potential will remain high for at least two weeks due to current and forecasted weather. In the West, burn periods will be longer than usual, especially during wind events. Other areas are likely to see increased fire potential as leaf fall rises, with little precipitation expected. Anomalously dry conditions in the West will heighten fire activity in October, with significant fire behavior during wind events potentially resembling August's intensity, including long burn periods. 

Closures

All areas along State Highway 38 (Skalkaho Highway) beginning at the top of Skalkaho Pass near mile marker 26.5 along State Hwy 38 to the East and turning to the north at the junction of State Hwy 38 and Rock Creek Road. From State Highway 38 and Rock Creek Road (County Road 102) turning north to the junction of State Highway 348 and Rock Creek Road and proceeding northwesterly on Rock Creek Road (County Road 102) to the junction of USFS Road 241. Following USFS Road 241 (Stony Creek Road) moving southwesterly to the junction of Little Stony Creek and Stony Creek. Following Little Stony Creek west to the ridge where Trail 313 (Bitterroot Rock Creek Divide Trail) begins and continuing south along Trail 313 to the intersection and ending at mile marker 14 on western side of State Highway 38.

Rail Ridge Fire Update

October 08, 2024
Central Oregon Wildfire Information: centraloregonfire.org Email: 2024.railridge@firenet.gov – Phone: 541-208-7111

Social Media, Evacuation and Closure Information: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire 

Acres: 169,631– Containment: 89% – Detection: 09/02/24 – Cause: Lightning – Personnel: 575

Fire restrictions are still in place for both the Ochoco and Malheur National Forests. Visitors should check the Ochoco or Malheur National Forest websites to familiarize themselves with restrictions before they recreate.

There are still active forest closures around the Rail Ridge and Crazy Creek Fires. A map with the ODFW hunting management unit areas overlayed with the closure area and fire footprint can be found at: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

Operational Update - Yesterday, there was an increase in smoke from active fire on the interior of the Black Canyon Wilderness. Air operations and crews in the area located multiple very small spot fires north of the Wilderness which were successfully suppressed. Helicopters supported ground resources with bucket drops with the increase in fire activity. Air Attack was utilized to help coordinate and ensure the safety of all aircraft being used within the temporary flight restriction zone. Crews did not conduct burn operations yesterday due to the low relative humidity and dry fuels.

Today, an increase in smoke volume is expected on the Rail Ridge Fire as active fire behavior is expected again on the Northwest section of the fire. Air support from helicopters and Air Attack remain available to help ground resources as needed. Firefighters will assess weather and fire behavior conditions to determine whether they will perform planned tactical firing operations. The plan would connect the remaining three and a half miles of open line around the Wilderness and would contain the fire spread that has been observed in the past days. It would also reduce the duration of active fire and smoke in the area. Crews will continue road grading, removal of woody debris from suppression efforts, hazard tree removal along the South Fork Road and dozer line repair today across the fire area. The fire’s Resource Advisors (READs) are working closely with crews to ensure that the area is left in good condition for years to come through suppression repair. An additional helicopter will be in the area today as Prineville BLM conducts a wild horse census to monitor and make management decisions about the horse population within the fire area.

Weather - High pressure and dry conditions will continue today. Temperature will remain above average and minimum relative humidity this afternoon is expected to be near 20%. Winds are expected to be terrain driven with upslope/upvalley winds developing after the inversion breaks in the morning. Temperatures and humidity will moderate through the remainder of the week and no significant winds are forecast, however some gusts up to 20- mph out of the southwest will be possible on Friday.

For Current Evacuation Levels all affected counties, please visit: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire
Closures - The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have implemented closures for the Rail Ridge Fire. For more details and closure maps, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire

Elk Fire Update – October 8, 2024

Rocky Mountain Area Complex Incident Management Team 3

Casey Cheesbrough, Incident Commander 

Date Reported: Friday, September 27, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Size: 74,685

Containment: 10%

Total Personnel: 829

Location: Approximately 6 miles northwest of Dayton extending 6 miles southeast of Dayton, Wyoming

Key Messages: There will be a community meeting—particularly for residents of the Bighorn and Story areas—on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 7:00 pm at Bighorn High School, 333 WY-335, Sheridan. Attendees will get an update on the fire and evacuations, and will have an opportunity to ask questions and have one-on-one conversations with agency representatives and fire managers. The meeting will be recorded and posted to YouTube (youtube.com/@2024ElkFire) and the Bighorn National Forest’s Facebook Page (Facebook.com/bighornnf).

The southern part of the fire is a top priority for firefighting efforts today, as crews take actions to protect surrounding communities, the Big Goose municipal watershed, and structures in the Big Goose drainage that are potentially threatened by the fire. Heavy-equipment traffic on and near the Red Grade Road will increase and no civilian traffic will be allowed on the Red Grade Road today. 

Current Situation: On the fire’s northeast side, a hotshot crew conducted a firing operation yesterday off the 144 Road, and crews working the night shift secured and held the fireline by extinguishing hotspots. Crews will continue fuels removal work in that area today. They will also be patrolling and mopping up any heat sources around structures. Structure protection is accomplished through a variety of methods such as removal of vegetation near structures, construction of fireline, and placement of hose and sprinklers where possible. Day- and night-shift crews are continuing to brush and improve Pass Creek Road. 

On the eastern side, construction of containment lines has been completed and the lines are holding. firefighters are patrolling and eliminating lingering areas of heat. On the south end of the fire, Red Grade Road and Poverty Flats will be busy with heavy equipment today. Crews will be constructing additional fireline in the area with a dozer and hand tools and potentially conducting firing operations using drones and helicopters if favorable weather conditions exist. Crews last night work on clearing brush away from the Sheridan Water Treatment intake to avoid damage to the structures and avoid disrupting service to the communities. 

Firefighter and public safety remain the top priority. The tactics used to suppress the fire will be determined by the terrain, fire and weather conditions, and medical response time with a focus on implementing plans and tactics that have a high probability of success.

Closures and Evacuations: US Highway 14 remains closed between Dayton and Antelope Butte, and US Highway 14A is closed 22 miles east of Lovell to Burgess Junction. For specific county-road closures and the current status of evacuation zones, including a map, refer to Sheridan County’s news listings web pagetinyurl.com/2s38bcc5. You can also call either the Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office (307-672-3455) or Sheridan County Emergency Management (307-752-2174). Bighorn National Forest lands around the Elk Fire are also closed under Order 02-02-06-24-08. The order and map can be viewed on the forest’s alerts web page: fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices.

Weather & Smoke Information: Hot, dry conditions will persist Tuesday, increasing fire activity. Winds are expected to remain light. The Elk Fire will continue to produce smoke that is visible from nearby communities. Refer to the AirNow website (airnow.gov) for smoke and air-quality information.

CURRENT STATUS – Nevada Team One will transition command of the Lava Fire to local fire management officials from the Boise National Forest and the Payette National Forest on Sunday at 8 pm. 

Suppression repair operations utilizing heavy equipment have been completed. Under the direction of resource advisors, repair to handlines, culverts and fences as well as seeding of bulldozer lines is ongoing. Firefighters are patrolling the fire perimeter, extinguishing hot spots within containment lines where it is safe to do so. Crews are retrieving and backhauling pumps, hose and equipment where work has been completed.          

Recent precipitation has made several roads in the fire area difficult to travel. Fire and flood-damaged roads and bridges will be repaired as the weather permits. Closed areas of the forests will re-open as soon as it is safe for motorists and visitors in the fire area. Burned areas present many hazards and the public is asked to exercise caution when closed areas are re-opened.

Isolated smoke within the fire perimeter may be visible in the coming months until there is significant snowfall.   

The Cascade Ranger District is issuing free wood-cutting permits to the public. Please contact the Cascade Ranger District for more information at (208) 382-7400.

WEATHER – Mostly clear skies and slightly warmer temperatures are forecast through the operational period today. Cloud cover will move in over the fire area tonight ahead of a cold front bringing light rain on Monday. 

CLOSURES – The Boise and Payette National Forests adjusted the Lava Fire area closures on September 30, increasing access for the public to areas north and south of the fire perimeter. Fire managers are working closely with local residents to help them access their properties and cattle within closed areas. The public is asked to respect these closure orders for their safety and the safety of firefighters and equipment working in these areas. For updated map and closure information please visit Closure areas | Boise National Forest | Facebook.

Road Closures - Updated Gem County closure information is available at Gem County Sheriff's Office.

Evacuations- In Gem County, a Level 1 “READY” notice remains for residents south of South Grays Creek, along Little Weiser River Road in Indian Valley, north of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and the Mesa Area.    Learn more at Gem County Sheriff's Office. In Valley County, Zones 4 – 6 remain in a LEVEL 1 “READY” status. Learn more at Valley County Sheriff's Office.