Flat Fire Community Meeting 

Monday, July 31 – 6:00 pm 

Brookings-Harbor High School – Cafeteria   

 625 Pioneer Rd, Brookings, OR 97415 

Also, Live on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023/ 

Community Meeting Tonight, Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 7pm 

Spoon Fire Quick Facts 

Acres: 4,531 acres 

Cause: Lightning 

Containment: 0% 

Start Date: July 24, 2023 

Location: 2.5 miles east of Highway 60 between Globe and Show Low, AZ, 11 miles southwest of Cedar Creek 

Fuels: Piñyon- Juniper, Manzanita, Grass, Cedar 

Total personnel for all incidents: 342 (Includes Cottonwood Ridge, Snake Ridge, Mustang Ridge and Spoon Fires)

Overview

The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 will host a Community Meeting tonight, Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 7 p.m. MST. It will be held at the Show Low Public Library Council Chamber at 181 N. 9th St, Show Low, AZ 85901. The meeting will also be Live streamed to the BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management- Fort Apache Agency Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt. You do not need a Facebook account to view the video. There will be a question-and-answer portion at the end of the meeting. 

Spoon Fire Update: Saturday, the fire behavior was minimal due to light cloud cover and light winds. Activity picked up in the afternoon on the southeast corner. Fire growth occurred on the east and south sides of the fire. Crews continue working to construct fireline along the western edge of the fire to protect Highway 60.  Air resources and crews worked until around 3 p.m. when they were pulled from the line for safety reasons due to weather. Today, crews will continue building fireline if weather conditions allow. 

Weather: Sunday, thunderstorms and light precipitation are expected to develop in the afternoon. Conditions may force air resources and crews off the line. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s for Cottonwood Ridge and Snake Ridge fires and may reach mid 90s for Spoon Fire. Cloud cover and higher humidity in the afternoon may help keep fire activity minimal, but outflow winds could push the fires and cause increased fire and smoke activity. 

Evacuations: None. Residents and visitors should take time to become familiar with the Ready, Set, Go evacuation model. These steps help you to be READY in the event of an emergency by preparing now. Additionally, sign up for the Navajo County Alert System at https://tinyurl.com/y4vwrasw. 

Smoke: The Spoon and Snake Ridge fires may continue to put up smoke as interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn. Please use caution when traveling along smokey roadways. For information on smoke and air quality visit https://www.airnow.gov. 

Closures: Highway 60 remains open. The southwest portion of Fort Apache is closed, including all Salt River sites within the closure area. 

Fire Restrictions: There are several fire restrictions in place depending on location. 

• Fort Apache Agency: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions - No campfire, fireworks, outdoor smoking, debris burning or discharging of firearms. Power saws cannot be used between 10 am and 8 pm. All motorized travel is restricted to developed roads.     

• Show Low, Navajo County and Apache Sitgreaves National Forests: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions - No campfires (except in developed recreation sites), no smoking outdoors, no welding, no fir

The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 will host a Community Meeting tonight, Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 7 p.m. MST. It will be held at the Show Low Public Library Council Chamber at 181 N. 9th St, Show Low, AZ 85901. The meeting will also be Live streamed to the BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management- Fort Apache Agency Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt. You do not need a Facebook account to view the video. There will be a question-and-answer portion at the end of the meeting. 

Firefighters push containment to 48% and look to demobilize Tuesday morning.

Bonanza, Ore – Mop up operations continue as firefighters push to 48% containment. Crews continue to build containment and focus on hotspots within the interior.

“Yesterday’s Red Flag warning conditions tested our lines and gave us the confidence that we’re in position to hand this fire back to the district,” said Incident Commander Matt Howard. “Our Incident Management Team will demobilize at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, and we’re freeing up resources to fight active fires and increase readiness across the state.”

Tonight marks the final nightshift operation for the fire. Nightshift crews will focus on patrolling the fireline. Elsewhere, firefighters are starting to remove fire hose around portions of the fire and beginning to repair dozer lines to prepare for winter rain and seasonal drainage.

With wind speeds reducing, the area is no longer in Red Flag warning, but the area is still dry and hot.

“There’s still a lot of fire potential out there, and fuels are very receptive to fire,” said Operations Section Chief Marc DesJardin. “As hot weather conditions persist, we’re urging residents to be mindful of their mid-day activities and follow fire precautions. We need everyone’s help to keep fires off the landscape to protect lives and our natural resources.”

Community Meeting Tonight, Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 7pm 

Cottonwood Ridge Fire Quick Facts 

Acres: 345 

Cause: Lightning 

Containment: 45% 

Start Date: July 23, 2023 

Location: 4 miles south of Show Low, AZ 

Fuels: Timber, grass, brush 

Snake Ridge Fire Quick Facts 

Acres: 42 acres 

Cause: Lightning 

Containment: 0% 

Start Date: July 28, 2023 

Location: 11 miles southwest of Show Low, AZ. 

Fuels:  Grass, Brush 

Total personnel for all incidents: 342 (Includes Cottonwood Ridge, Snake Ridge, Mustang Ridge and Spoon Fires)

Overview

The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 will host a Community Meeting tonight, Sunday, July 30, 2023, at 7 p.m. MST. It will be held at the Show Low Public Library Council Chamber at 181 N. 9th St, Show Low, AZ 85901. The meeting will also be Live streamed to the BIA Forestry & Wildland Fire Management- Fort Apache Agency Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/BIAFAAFireMgt. You do not need a Facebook account to view the video. There will be a question-and-answer portion at the end of the meeting. 

Cottonwood Ridge Fire Update: Crews continued to construct line on the north and eastern edges of the fire Saturday bringing containment up to 45%. Crews were forced off the fireline around 1 p.m. due to thunderstorms and lightning in the area. Some interior pockets of vegetation, mostly in drainages, will continue to put up smoke for the next few days. Sunday, crews will continue to improve fireline and mop up hotspots working their way around the northern edge of the fire to prevent any chance of the Cottonwood Ridge Fire moving toward the communities of Linden and Show Low. 

Snake Ridge Fire Update: Crews were successful in preventing the Snake Ridge Fire from increasing in size on Saturday. On Sunday crews will continue to secure and improve firelines around the fire perimeter. Crews will continue to secure fireline and mop up hotspots. 

Mustang Ridge Fire Update: The Mustang Fire has minimal to no heat and will continue to be monitored by air resources. 

Weather: Sunday, thunderstorms and light precipitation are expected to develop in the afternoon. Conditions may force air resources and crews off the line. Temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s for Cottonwood Ridge and Snake Ridge fires and may reach mid 90s for Spoon Fire. Cloud cover and higher humidity in the afternoon may help keep fire activity minimal, but outflow winds could push the fires and cause increased fire and smoke activity. 

Evacuations: None. Residents and visitors should take time to become familiar with the Ready, Set, Go evacuation model. These steps help you to be READY in the event of an emergency by preparing now. Additionally, sign up for the Navajo County Alert System at https://tinyurl.com/y4vwrasw. 

Smoke: The Spoon and Snake Ridge fires may continue to put up smoke as interior pockets of vegetation continue to burn. Please use caution when traveling along smokey roadways. For information on smoke and air quality visit https://www.airnow.gov. 

Closures: Highway 60 remains open. The southwest portion of Fort Apache is closed, including all Salt River sites within the closure area. 

Fire Restrictions: There are several fire restrictions in place depending on location. 

• Fort Apache Agency: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions - No campfire, fireworks, outdoor smoking, debris burning or discharging of firearms. Power saws cannot be used between 10 am and 8 pm. All motorized travel is restricted to developed roads.     

• Show Low, Navajo County and Apache Sitgreaves National Forests: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions - No campfires (except in developed recreation sites), no smoking outdoors, no welding, no fireworks. 

NORTHERN ROCKIES TYPE 3 TEAM                                                        

INCIDENT COMMANDER: DAN BROWN

Consalus Fire

Priest Lake Ranger District, Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Fire Information 208-996-0980    |    2023.consalus@firenet.gov

https://tinyurl.com/consalusfire

July 30, 2023

Location: 10 miles west of Coolin, ID, in Pend Oreille County, WA    

Start Date: 6/30/2023   

Cause: Lightning

Size: 476 acres  

Containment: 50%  

Total Personnel: 152  

Equipment: 2 Feller Bunchers, Skidgen, Dozer, Masticator, Excavator  

Hand Crews: 3 + a district module  

Engines: 1   

Other: 2 Faller Modules, 5 Water Tenders, Ambo, 2 REMs

This will be the last daily update unless significant activity occurs. The next update will be 8/1/23.

After over a week of the fire staying within its footprint and all the great work accomplished on the line, fire officials have determined that the complexity of the fire has dropped from a Type 3 incident to a Type 4. Therefore, management of the Consalus fire will be handed back to Priest Lake Ranger District officials Tuesday, 8/1. In addition, the last infrared flight occurred last night so the maps will only be updated if significant activity occurs, or containment increases substantially. The Forest closure order will remain in effect until further notice as the suppression repair work will be ongoing well into the fall. Please review the closure order outlined below.

Crews will continue patrolling and monitoring the fires edge while pulling hose and backhauling all unneeded equipment. Firefighters are mopping up remaining hotspots on the eastern perimeter. Smoke may be seen at times from pockets of unburned fuels well within the perimeter. Heavy equipment is clearing and improve roads that were impacted by fire activity.

We ask the public to please recreate responsibly. If you had a campfire this weekend, ensure it is completely out before leaving! Drown the campfire with water. Mix the ashes and embers with soil, cover again with water stirring to make sure that everything is wet. Feel the coals, embers and partially burned wood to ensure everything is cold to the touch. Remember… if it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave! One Less Spark – One Less Wildfire

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

Isolated dry lightning is possible today with warm and dry weather expected over the region. High temperature of 78 degrees and minimum humidity of 23 percent. Winds are forecasted out of the southwest 5 to 10 mph with afternoon gusts near 15. Gusty and erratic winds are expected near thunderstorms.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests issued an emergency closure (Closure Order # 01-04-08-23-003) effective July 18, 2023. This replaced Closure Order #01-04-08-23-002. The emergency closure has been issued for public safety and prohibits all forms of travel on: Forest Service Road (FSR) #1108 from the junction with FSR #333 to the junction with FSR #659; FSR #1094 will remain open for the first 4.5 miles from the junction with FSR #312, but the remainder of FSR #1094 will be closed to the junction with FSR #1108. Additional road closures now include FSR #659 from the junction with FSR #312 to the junction with FSR #659B; FSR #333 from the junction with FSR #2730 to its terminus.

For firefighter and public safety, please avoid the following roads if possible: The remaining portion of FSR #1094 not part of the closure order; FSR #312 from the junction with FSR #333 to the junction with FSR #659; and FSR #333 from Highway 57 to the junction with FSR #1108. Please refer to the incident PIO map for a visual explanation.

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. 

July 30, 2023

Flat Fire Morning Update

Size: 25,572                                            

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 14%

Cause: Human caused, Under Investigation

Total personnel: 1,941

Resources: 53 engines l 50 crews l 8 bulldozers l 35 water tenders l 8 masticators l12 helicopters
 

Current Situation:  Firefighting efforts on the Flat Fire are focused on firefighter and public safety and keeping the fire as small as possible.  Firing operations are a piece of the overall strategy and are dependent on weather, vegetation, and topography.  Firing operations south of Game Lake on Forest Road (FR) 3680 have been completed along the edge of the road.  A high resolution infrared aerial assessment of the northeast flank of the fire revealed very little heat; as a result, firing operations have paused.  Structure assessment has finished up in the Lobster Creek area.  On the west side, FR 3313, 1503, and 3680 are being prepared for use as alternate lines.  Work on Burnt Ridge as an alternate containment line is ongoing.

Today’s activities:  Burnout operations on the southwestern side of the fire, along the edge of FR 3680, were completed late last night and today’s efforts will be focused on adding depth to that area to strengthen the line.  The northern containment line is being actively patrolled and mopped up.  Aerial resources will be used to locate and suppress any heat on the northeast, east, and south flanks of the fire.  Structure protection efforts have been successful so far, and today resources will be working north of Agness.  Westside alternate line preparation will continue, using FR 3313, 3680, and 1503.  East alternate line preparation, using Burnt Ridge, will also continue.

With fire traffic on Bear Camp Road, all motorists on Bear Camp Road are asked to slow down, use headlights and proceed with caution.

Community Meeting:  A community meeting will take place on Monday, July 31st, at 6:00 p.m. at the Brookings-Harbor High School in the cafeteria.  The address for the school is: 625 Pioneer Rd, Brookings, OR 97415.

Evacuations:  A Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation notice is in effect for areas on the north side of the Rogue River in Agness up to Illahe Lodge and along the Rogue River Corridor from Quosatana Creek Campground to the Agness area.  This includes the areas of Spud Road, Old House Creek Road and Oak Flat. The area immediately east of Agness remains in a level 2, out of an abundance of caution.  Some areas outside the burn area to the southwest will remain in Level 2 while fire crews continue to further secure control lines.  The Curry County Sheriff’s Office will continue to coordinate with the Fire Incident Management Team and will notify all residents affected by the fire of any reasons to change evacuation levels. Curry County is using Everbridge to send evacuation notices.  You can sign up for notifications here: https://www.co.curry.or.us/departments/emergency_management/index.php.

Weather: The forecast calls for continued warm and dry weather conditions into Sunday, with an increase in temperatures and winds Monday.

Smoke:  The Smoke Outlook is available at: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/en/b74901f7

Closures:  The Rogue-River Siskiyou National Forest has issued an updated closure order for the fire area including trails, roads and a portion of the Illinois River. Oak Flat Campground, Game Lake Campground, Wild Horse Campground and Snow Camp Lookout Recreation Rentals are all closed as part of the area closure.  The Chetco River Road (FR 1376) and Chetco/Pistol River Road (FR 1407) are now closed.  The updated closure also allows for public access to the Big Rock swimming hole on the Illinois River.  More information can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/bdzbae69

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place, to learn more visit: fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou

Abnormally dry conditions and hot temperatures are forecast to persist across Oregon and Washington with vegetation already much drier than normal.  Please follow all fire restrictions, especially as we are seeing a significant increase in human-caused fire starts across the region. Use properly functioning spark arresters and stay on designated trails and roads. Do not park, idle or drive on dry, flammable vegetation. Your vehicle could start a wildfire.

Fire Information:(541)216-4579       Media inquiries: (541)237-6369      Email: 2023.flat.or@firenet.gov

Blum Fire Update

Sunday, July 30, 2023 

Size: est. 300 acres

Containment: 80%

Start Date: July 26, 2023

Cause: Under Investigation 

The Blum Fire started on July 26, 2023, and was initially responded to by multiple local and county entities. Texas A&M Forest Service was requested to assist at 3:15 p.m. and responded with aviation resources, heavy equipment and engines from Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System (TIFMAS). Multiple departments from Hill, Johnson and Bosque counties are working in unified command with Texas A&M Forest Service and Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM).

Yesterday: Containment lines were finished around the fire’s perimeter. Crews continued to engage in mop up operations across the fire area, checking for hotspots or heat that may pose a threat to containment.

Today: Engine crews will patrol the perimeter of the fire and interior roadways, checking for hotspots and working to suppress any active flames and smoking areas. Personnel and equipment will watch for increased fire activity as the afternoon temperatures rise. Aerial resources will be available to response as needed for suppression.

Weather and Fire Behavior: A heat advisory is in effect for the fire area. Hot and dry conditions are expected to continue with high temperatures near 105°F and minimum humidity levels around 20%. Winds will initially be light from the southwest before shifting from the southwest later today.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations in place.

Damages/Injuries: One outbuilding was confirmed to be destroyed by the fire. No homes have been destroyed by the fire. No injuries have been reported at this time.

Closures: FM Road 933 is now open. Please use caution when traveling along this roadway as fire crews are still working along this road to suppress the Blum Fire.

Fire Information

Information Officer

Texas A&M Forest Service

Email: information@tfs.tamu.edu

Phone: 979-255-0591

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/txtxs-blum-fire

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllHazardsTFS