GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TEXAS – Effective Wednesday, June 28th and until further notice, Guadalupe Mountains National Park will implement closures to park areas due to increased fire risk. The Southwest area of New Mexico and far west Texas are experiencing high to extreme fire danger.  In accordance with 36 CFR, Chapter 1, Parts 1-7 authorized by Title 54 USC, § 100751(a), the following fire restrictions will be implemented at Guadalupe Mountains National Park: 

• Overnight camping at all 10 wilderness campgrounds within the park is prohibited and permitting of overnight trips in the wilderness is suspended until further notice (36 CFR §2.10 and §2.13). 

• All trails in the Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness are closed to public use. This includes all the following trails: Bear Canyon, Bowl, Blue Ridge, Bush Mountain, El Capitan, Foothills, Frijole, Juniper, Marcus, McKittrick Canyon, Permian Reef, Smith Spring, and Tejas. 

• The McKittrick Canyon Road, including the McKittrick Canyon Visitor Center are closed. 

• The Dog Canyon developed area, including the Indian Meadow Nature Trail and the Dog Canyon Campground, are closed. 

• The Frijole Ranch Road, the Frijole Horse Corral Campground, and the Frijole Ranch Museum are closed. 

The Pine Springs area, including the Pine Springs Visitor Center, Campground, and Trailhead will remain open. Trails in the Pine Springs area open for day use only are Guadalupe Peak, Devil’s Hall, and Pinery. The Salt Basin Dunes trailhead and trail remain open; caution is advised due to heat risk.

The Cobb Creek Fire is estimated to be 500 acres with 25% containment. Five structures have been directly threatened and saved and no structures have been reported lost at this time. No evacuations are in place.

Dozer crews are continuing to build fire line around the perimeter. A type 1 helicopter is being used to cool down areas of heat along the fire perimeter. The Marble Falls IA group remains on scene with two dozers, as well as additional two TAMFS dozers from the McGregor Task Force as well as an Emergency Medical Task Force (EMTF) are on scene.

Resources: 299 Total Personnel | 5 Hand Crews | 7 Engines | 0 Heavy Equipment | 7 Water Tenders | 1 Fixed-Wing Aircraft | 1 Helicopter

(Dufur, OR) The Boulder Fire started on July 8 near Boulder Lake Trailhead 26 miles southwest of Dufur in the Mt. Hood National Forest Barlow Ranger District. An estimated 233 acres have burned, and the fire is now 100% contained. Completion of the objectives on the Boulder Fire include suppression repair, backhauling equipment and patrolling the fire area. Fire managers continue to right-size by releasing resources as objectives are met.

While active firefighting has concluded at the Boulder Fire, there are tasks that must be completed before management of the incident is returned to the Mt. Hood National Forest. Suppression repair is one of these important activities and fire managers have assigned some of the remaining crews to do this work, returning disturbed areas to as natural a state as practical. Resource advisors with expertise in environmental and/or cultural resource preservation guide this work. Berms of dirt and vegetation debris, created as crews constructed fire lines, have been dismantled. Where possible, hazards like fire-weakened trees are removed. Roads that were heavily used during firefighting operations are being restored to their previous condition. To limit run-off and prevent erosion, water bars or cup trenches are installed across handlines. Firefighters are also removing equipment including porta-tanks (mobile water reservoirs), pumps, miles of hose line, radio repeaters and weather stations.

Weather: Today’s forecast includes slightly lower temperature and higher humidity with light east winds shifting to 4 – 9 mph west winds in the afternoon.

Closures and Restrictions: Many of the roadways, campgrounds and trails north and east of Forest Road 48 in the Barlow Ranger District are closed during the Boulder Fire. Due to the high fire danger, open fire and target shooting restrictions have been implemented. For more information or to view the full closure order, visit the Forest webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mthood/alerts-notices.   

Evacuations: Boulder Lake Campground, Little Boulder Lake, Bonney Meadows Campground, Badger Lake Campground, Camp Windy and Port Camp Campground are under a Level 3 – Go Now evacuation. Evacuations levels are Level 1 – Be Ready to Evacuate, Level 2 – Be Set to Evacuate, and Level 3 – Go Now. More information is available from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff

Public Safety: Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to work on and around the area roadways, including Forest Road 48. Drivers can help keep everyone safe by avoiding these areas.

Investigation: The cause of the fire remains under investigation. If you have information that could assist fire investigators of the Boulder Fire, please contact: SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov

Smoke: Currently, there are no significant smoke impacts from the Boulder Fire. For air quality updates, visit www.oregonsmoke.org or www.airnow.gov 

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger

Date of Detection: July 19, 2023

Current Size (estimated):  1,500 acres

Containment: 0%

Location: 33 miles south of Salmon, 20 miles northwest of Leadore; Leadore Ranger District

Cause: undetermined

Fuels: Spruce/Subalpine Fir (heavy dead/down fuels)

Resources on Fire (on-scene and arriving today):

Engines:4

Type I Helicopters: 3

Type III Helicopters: 2

Type I Crew: 2

Type II Crew: 3

Dozers: 2

A Type III Incident Commander is managing the fire.  The fire is burning in the Carol, Wade, and Paradise Creek drainages as well as the upper reaches of Hayden Creek.

A Type II Incident Management Team will in-brief with Forest Officials on today.  Yesterday, firefighters experienced extreme fire behavior with crowning, long-range spotting, and group torching.  The fuel type of spruce and subalpine fir with a heavy dead and down timber component combined with the weather conditions and terrain contributed to yesterday’s fire behavior.  Air attack and Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) supported the fire.  Ground resources were unable to directly engage the fire later in the day due to the extreme fire activity.  Crews worked to scout areas to devise and implement suppression strategies for the rest of the operational period and the next day and began to identify values at risk.  Today, dozers will begin constructing dozer line while crews will scout the fire for areas to engage the fire directly.  In addition, crews will identify values at risk in the fire’s vicinity working down the Hayden Creek drainage towards Highway 28.  Aircraft, including helicopters and retardant drops, will be used as weather permits.

WEATHER:  A ridge of high pressure will begin to build across the region today and continue through Saturday. Isolated thunderstorms are possible in the corridor from Trail Creek Pass through Gilmore this afternoon and evening and then less likely Friday and Saturday as the ridge expands across the region. Unseasonably hot conditions are anticipated over the weekend.

Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Hayden Fire.  Fire managers appreciate your cooperation.  If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.

Nationally, there are 19 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and 10 large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.

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

The Central Idaho Dispatch Zone is at HIGH Fire Danger

Date of Detection: July 19, 2023

Current Size (estimated):  400 acres

Containment: 0%

Location: 33 miles south of Salmon, 20 miles northwest of Leadore; Leadore Ranger District

Cause: undetermined

Fuels: Spruce/Subalpine Fir (heavy dead/down fuels)

A Type III Incident Commander is managing the fire.  Two (2) engines, two (2) helicopters, and various overhead are on scene.  Two (2) Type I crews and one (1) Type II crews are enroute with additional resources on order.  Air attack and Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) are supporting the fire this afternoon.  The fire is burning in the upper reaches of Hayden Creek.  Firefighters are experiencing active fire behavior with high rates of spread.

A Type II Incident Management Team has been ordered and will in-brief with Forest Officials on Thursday, July 20, 2023.

WEATHER:  Light rain and isolated thunderstorms are possible Thursday afternoon and evening across the central mountains.  The best chance of storms will occur across from Mackay to Gilmore Summit.  Most storms will produce little to no rain, although wetting rains are possible around the Mackay area.  Otherwise, high pressure builds through the weekend, with a 10% chance or less of dry thunderstorms.  Expect very warm conditions along with afternoon gusty winds with this pattern.

Risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Hayden Fire.  Fire managers appreciate your cooperation.  If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.

Nationally, there are 15 uncontained large fires being managed under a full suppression strategy and nine (9) large fires managed under a strategy other than full suppression.

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

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

Start Date: 6/30/2023       Cause: Lightning       Size: 478 acres       Containment: 10%               Total Personnel: 293   

Equipment: Heavy Equipment Task Force, 2 Dozers, Excavator, Water Tender, Feller Buncher, Masticator, Grader             

Hand Crews: 6 + a district module             Engines: 5          Aircraft: 2 helicopters, 1 Unmanned Aerial System

Other: 4 Faller Modules, 6 Water Tenders, Ambulance, REMs

As the weather becomes hotter and drier, increased smoke and fire activity is likely. The Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flew another infrared flight Wednesday morning, showing the lines still holding. Other aircraft, including the helicopters, were not used on Wednesday.

Strategic firing operations on Wednesday were successful, and by the end of the day, crews were holding and securing the lines. These operations are intended to reduce fuels and add depth between the firelines and fire. The need for additional firing operations will be assessed and implemented as needed.

Around the perimeter, crews continue securing the direct line on the fire's edge. Fire managers are scouting for additional places to add contingency lines in case the primary lines don't hold. Firefighters continue to prepare and strengthen contingency lines already in place. Sawyers are still cutting down dead trees (snagging) around the fire perimeter to make it safer for firefighters to get in and run sprinkler systems and mop-up. Several crews continue to work the night shift, patrolling and keeping sprinkler systems running.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

The weather will be mostly clear, with a light haze from the Canadian wildfires. Thursday and Friday will be hot, with high temperatures in the mid-90s. The wind through Thursday evening will be terrain driven at 4-7 mph. The minimum humidity will be 18 percent. Fire has been active with single tree torching, backing, and isolated torching.

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES

The Idaho Panhandle National Forests issued an emergency closure (Closure Order # 01-04-08-23-003) that went into effect July 18, 2023, at midnight, replacing Closure Order #01-04-08-23-002 issued on July 13.This 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.

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. For the safety of aerial resources and firefighters on the ground, please do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can't. 

Flat Fire - July 19, 2023 - Evening Update  

Flat Fire Quick Facts

Size: 12,756                                               

Start Date:  July 15, 2023 

Point of origin: 2 miles south east Agness, OR 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Total personnel: 516 

Resources: 10 engines, 17 crews, 4 bulldozers, 2 water tenders, 6 masticators, 7 helicopters 

Current Situation: Crews are about halfway through completing small, targeted burnout operations in the northern section of the fire, protecting the community of Agness. 

“We’re fortunate to have the amount of resources available to make good progress while the weather and wind direction is in our favor. We have enough resources to fortify our efforts as needed,” said Acting Forest Supervisor Jake Winn. 

Firefighters and South Coast Lumber are working cooperatively together to improve an existing shaded fuel break utilizing Forest Service Road 3318. Crews are preparing to further strengthen lines along the western flank.  

In the southwest, crews have been able to secure handline from Forest Road 3318 to an already burned area of the fire.  

Tonight’s activities: The night shift crews will be securing the work done during the day and looking for opportunities to burnout. 

Evacuations: Please monitor the Curry and Josephine County Sheriff’s Offices for official evacuation notices. https://www.co.curry.or.us/government/county_sheriff/index.php https://www.josephinecounty.gov/government/sheriff/index.php 

Weather: Clear skies and gusty winds above the inversion. 

Smoke: Smoke Forecast Outlooks are available at https://www.oregonsmoke.org/?m=1  

Closures: The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads, and a portion of the Illinois River. Please be careful when driving in the area due to increased fire traffic.  

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place https://www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou 

Information Line: 541-216-4579 8am-8pm                   Media inquiries: 541-237-6369 8am-8pm 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flatfireoregon2023  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlatFireOR2023 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/xx1002-flat-fire   

Email: 2023.flat.or@firenet.gov  

Bonds Fire Evening Update

Wednesday, July 18, 2023

Size: 184 acres

Containment: 60%

Start Date: July 18, 2023

Cause: Human Caused, Welding

The Bonds Fire, burning east of Eagle Mountain Lake started on July 18, 2023. The fire is suspected to be human caused and was caused by cutting rebar for construction work. The fire is burning in grass and mesquite mix.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations in place for the Bonds Fire.

There were no buildings damaged by this fire, and no injuries have been reported.

The Bonds fire began sometime between 3:00 and 3:30 pm by a construction project along bonds road. The fire grew rapidly to the north and threatened multiple homes and businesses along Peden road. These buildings were evacuated and Texas A&M Forest Service was requested for assistance from aviation and heavy equipment resources. With the help of three single engine air tankers (SEATs), heavy equipment from Texas A&M Forest Service, and fire engines from across Tarrant, Denton, and Wise counties the fire was held on Peden road and no structures were damaged. Containment lines have been constructed at this time and engines will continue to patrol and monitor the fire area for the next couple of hours. Fire danger will remain high through the course of the day and the rest of the week due to high temperatures and high winds. 

Members of the public can assist your local fire departments by reducing the overall number of starts in North Texas. Around 90% of wildfires in Texas are caused by humans, each of these starts takes up more resources and makes it harder to keep fires small and contained. Fires are often started by unsafe debris burning, dragging chains down the road, blown tires, welding, or fireworks. One of the best things residents can do is be careful with any activity that can start fires to avoid any new starts. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Continued high temperatures and high winds are expected through this weekend, leading to concerns of increased fire behavior. There is a cooling trend expected this weekend which should reduce risk for a couple days. 

Fire Information

Adam Turner

Public Information Officer, Texas A&M Forest Service

Email: adam.turner@tfs.tamu.edu

Phone: 940-328-9158

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AllHazardsTFS

RESERVE, NM, July 19, 2023 – The Dark, Divide, and Davis fires are burning with low to moderate fire intensity on the Gila National Forest, Reserve Ranger District. All of these fires were started by lightning strikes last week. Incident Commander Pete Valenzuela assumed command of the cluster of fires Monday evening.

The Davis Fire, located north of Collins Park and east of the Continental Divide Trail, has grown to 177 acres (an estimate of 233 acres yesterday was adjusted down due to more accurate infrared mapping). Crews conducted burnout operations today southward along the eastern and western flanks from northern control lines. Ignitions assist with securing identified containment features by removing available fuels, creating a more effective barrier to fire growth. Crews will monitor Continental Divide Trail for users who could be exposed to fire as it moves across the landscape. The affected section of Continental Divide Trail is located east of Eagle Peak from Cox Canyon trailhead south to Bursum Road. Signs are posted north and south of the Davis Fire. Two Hotshot crews, one Type 6 engine, one dozer, one Fire Use Module and various overhead are currently assigned to the Davis Fire.

The Dark Fire is located on Corner Mountain about 18 miles southeast of Reserve, New Mexico. Fire behavior was minimal today, flanking, backing, and creeping in grass, brush, and timber understory with increased relative humidity. It has grown to 485 acres, based on infrared mapping. There is a large amount of down woody material throughout the fire area available for fire consumption. Crews are focused on keeping the fire north and east of Forest Road 180 and south of Forest Road 141. One Type 6 engine is currently assigned to the Dark Fire.

The Divide and Hay fires will be discussed together as Divide Fire. Together they cover approximately 1,792 acres on the south side of Elk Mountain and in T Bar Canyon. Divide Fire is exhibiting minimal fire behavior, backing, flanking, and creeping. It is burning in grass, brush, and timber understory. Crews conducted hand ignitions along Forest Road 141 and continued preparing along the boundary of Elk Springs subdivision to reduce fuels and protect values at risk. One Hotshot crew, one Type 3 helicopter, 2 Type 6 engines and various overhead are currently assigned to the Divide Fire.

Values at risk across the three wildfire incidents include private property, cultural resources, range infrastructure, threatened or endangered species habitat including Mexican spotted owl and Mexican gray wolf, recreation trails, and timber sale units.

“Higher relative humidity, which bottomed out around 18% today, helped keep fire behavior minimal, allowing crews to prepare ahead of the fires, improving containment features and conducting burnout operations,” said Incident Commander Pete Valenzuela. “Despite higher-than-normal temperatures, there is enough moisture in the area to allow for daily scattered storms over the burn area, though rainfall isn’t expected to amount to much.”

Temperatures are expected to be warmer than normal, with highs in the upper 80s. Scattered rain showers and thunderstorms are expected to pass through the area today, with about 40% chance of precipitation on any of the fires. Gusty, erratic winds are expected associated with passing storms. For more information contact Maribeth Pecotte at 575-388-8211 or Maribeth.Pecotte@usda.gov.

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