6/20/23 -- Clarification update:  Segments of roads will be temporarily closed over several weeks while heavy equipment is being used to remove fire killed trees along North-South Road, Leoni Road, and Capps-Crossing Road. The first closed segment will only affect North-South Rd. between the Leoni Rd. and Capps-Crossing Rd. intersections. Detour signs will be posted at these intersections. This first segment may be closed for up to 3 weeks.  

Notification of other temporary closures on other road segments will be made as operations progress.  

Note: This update modifies this earlier post: 

PRE ROAD CLOSURE INFORMATION

Be advised that later this week the following road closure will be in effect. Specific dates and details for the road closure will be posted in an additional post. 

In order to move heavy equipment, the North-South Road at Omo Ranch Road to Leoni Road is closed. Travelers will see signs at both intersections there will be signboards at the Omo Ranch Road and at Leoni Road at the North-South Road.

If traveling to this area, please be prepared and know before you go by visiting our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado

June 19, 2023 - The San Bernardino National Forest (BDF) San Jacinto District will be continuing the prescribed burn today on Thomas Mountain; west of the community of Garner Valley and southeast of the communities of Idyllwild and Mountain Center. Residents and visitors will see flames and smoke visible throughout the day and evening.

If you are traveling on California Highway 74 you may experience brief closures due to aerial operations. These closures are to protect both the firefighters involved in the operations and the public using the highway.

During these operations certain areas will be temporarily closed to the public: Forest Road 6S13, Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Sites, Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Sites, and the Ramona Trail. These closures are implemented for the safety of both the public and firefighters involved in the operations.

Prescribed fire plays an important role in forest health and in reducing extreme wildfires and their negative impact. These fires also help reduce heavy fuel loads while simultaneously opening the conifer forest structure and maintaining the health of meadow habitats. Fire is also used to enhance native plant communities and cultural landscapes and improve wildlife habitats. Another goal is to provide defensible space for communities and developed areas within and surrounding the BDF. With all fire comes smoke, and the U.S. Forest Service works to mitigate smoke impacts from prescribed fires on the communities in the area.

#PrescribedBurn #PrescribedFire #ForestHealth #thomasmountainprescribedburn

Spice Lake Fire Fact Sheet

June 19, 2023                   8:00 a.m.

MNICS Team B- Incident Commander Aaron Mielke

Fire Information: 218-248-7240 (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Email: 2023.spicelake@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-news/mnsuf-spice-lake-fire

Superior National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/superior

Date Detected: June 13, 2023, Current Size: 22 acres, Containment: 80 percent

Summary: Late in the afternoon on June 13th, a wildfire was detected between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Gunflint Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. Spice Lake is located east of Knife and Kekekabic Lakes and southwest of Seagull Lake, approximately 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail.

Current Status: Fire activity has been minimal with creeping and smoldering in mixed timber and brush. Fire crews are mopping up and making sure fire perimeter lines hold with the potential for increased winds this week. Mopping up involves putting water on the fire, and using tools to mix it into the soil and duff to extinguish the heat until the area is cooled. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority. The fire has been initially determined to be human caused and is still under investigation.

Planned Activity: Firefighters are making good progress patrolling and mopping up the fire. In addition, they are working with on-site resource advisors to ensure wilderness values, long-term ecosystem health, and impacts to wilderness are minimized.  The nineteen-person hotshot crew that has been working on the fire has reached their 14-day fire assignment limit and will be paddling out today to demobilize from the fire. Thirteen firefighters remain on site at the fire area. No precipitation was received on the fire.

Closure Area: The Superior National Forest has implemented Forest Order (09-09-23-03) for a closure area of lakes, portages, and trails around the fire for public safety. Public safety crews have redirected visitors and posted portages closed. Details can be found at Superior National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov).

Fire Restrictions: The Superior National Forest has implemented a Forest Order (09-09-23-02) for campfire restrictions due to continued dry conditions and very high wildfire danger. This Order will remain in effect until further notice. See the Superior National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior for more information on fire restrictions.

Business Update: No businesses along the Gunflint Trail have closed due to the fire and are ready to help with trips and services. If you have an upcoming reservation, please contact your guide or cooperator or the Superior National Forest with questions.

Cooperating Agencies: Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, National Park Service, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

June 18, 2023 - Evening Update - Burn operations for today have concluded successfully and to date, approximately 1,122 acres have been accomplished. Due to a wind advisory, there were no ignitions today. Instead, the strategy involved utilizing the fire’s natural behavior to consume fuels and build depth to predetermined holding lines.

Did you know there are several plants and animals that depend on fire to survive and move along their life cycles? The relationship between fire and certain species is known as pyrodiversity. For example, some plants have seeds that require the heat from a fire to germinate. The heat from the fire can trigger the release of seeds allowing them to establish new growth in the post-fire environment. Some examples of such plants are species of pines, eucalyptus, and wildflowers.

Additionally, fire can help to maintain open habitats and promote biodiversity. It can reduce the growth of shrubs and trees, creating open spaces that benefit certain grasses, forbs, and flowering plants. These plant species, in turn, provide food and habitat for a variety of animals, including insects, birds, and mammals.

The fire is still burning within the unit and sending up smoke; at times visible from Highway 74. Crews will be monitoring and working throughout the evening. Operations will begin again tomorrow at 9am.

For more information regarding this prescribed burn and the wildfire crisis response please go to: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cabdf-2023-san-bernardino-national-forest-wildfire-crisis-response-

#PrescribedBurn #PrescribedFire #ForestHealth #thomasmountainprescribedburn

Ignitions on the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire have been completed. 3,000 acres were treated in the project with low intensity burning across the forest floor that consumed dead and down surface fuels, like grasses and shrubs. Fire crews will be patrolling the area to watch for any heat near the perimeter. 

There will be residual smoldering, as well as interior pockets of unburned fuel, that will continue to be consumed, producing smoke in the fire area for the next several days. Residents of surrounding communities and travelers along U.S. Route 285 may see smoke at times. 

Meanwhile, there may also be visible smoke columns or drifting smoke from the Comanche Fire near El Rito. For information about that incident, visit InciWeb at https://tinyurl.com/ComancheFire. 

This will be the final operational update for the Dorado/Cañada del Agua Prescribed Fire unless there are significant changes. For questions or further information, contact fire information at 505-418-1038 or go to InciWeb at https://tinyurl.com/DoradoCanadaRx and the Forest’s social media channels (Facebook, Twitter) at @CarsonNF. 

Northern New Mexico Type 3 Incident Management Team
Luke McLarty, Incident Commander 

Fire Information: 505-418-1038 
2023.comanche@firenet.gov 
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ 

Upcoming Actions: Fire crews will hold off firing operations to strengthen containment lines until Tuesday due to forecasted winds Monday. Fire managers and specialists, including a meteorologist, are closely monitoring weather and fuels for optimal conditions to commence ignitions on the naturally caused fire. The fire is staffed with over 150 people from federal, state and local government from across New Mexico. Our cooperators play a critical role in a collaborative “all hands, all lands” approach to wildland fire management.

Smoke: Once firing conditions improve, ignitions will begin. Smoke may be visible from Canjilon, Abiquiu, and El Rito. Smoke may impact the communities of Abiquiu, El Rito, Medenales, Hernandez and the Espanola Valley. Temporary smoke monitors have been placed at the El Rito Ranger Station, and at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu. Air quality data from these smoke monitors is available from the Fire and Smoke Map at fire.airnow.gov, where you can track smoke from the Comanche Fire.
Closure: Temporary partial road closures are in effect on Forest Roads 137 and 20. These closures are in effect during firing operations for safety of the public and fire crews. 

Fast Facts 
Size: 32 acres
Cause: Lightning 
Fuels: Ponderosa pine and mixed conifer

Values at risk: Cultural/historical sites.
Percent Completed: 1%
Resources: 2 hand crews, 2 wildland fire modules, 6 engines, 1 dozer, 2 water tender, 2 REMS teams, total personnel 162

June 18, 2023 - The San Bernardino National Forest (BDF) San Jacinto District will be continuing the prescribed burn today on Thomas Mountain; west of the community of Garner Valley and southeast of the communities of Idyllwild and Mountain Center. Residents and visitors will see flames and smoke visible throughout the day and evening.

If you are traveling on California Highway 74 you may experience brief closures due to aerial operations. These closures are to protect both the firefighters involved in the operations and the public using the highway.

During these operations certain areas will be temporarily closed to the public: Forest Road 6S13, Tool Box Springs Yellow Post Sites, Thomas Mountain Yellow Post Sites, and the Ramona Trail. These closures are implemented for the safety of both the public and firefighters involved in the operations.

Prescribed fire plays an important role in forest health and in reducing extreme wildfires and their negative impact. These fires also help reduce heavy fuel loads while simultaneously opening the conifer forest structure and maintaining the health of meadow habitats. Fire is also used to enhance native plant communities and cultural landscapes and improve wildlife habitats. Another goal is to provide defensible space for communities and developed areas within and surrounding the BDF. With all fire comes smoke, and the U.S. Forest Service works to mitigate smoke impacts from prescribed fires on the communities in the area.

For more information regarding this prescribed burn and the wildfire crisis response please go to: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.../cabdf-2023-san-bernardino...

#PrescribedBurn #PrescribedFire #ForestHealth #thomasmountainprescribedburn

Spice Lake Fire Fact Sheet

June 18, 2023                   8:00am

MNICS Team B- Incident Commander Aaron Mielke

Fire Information: 218-248-7240 (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.)

Email: 2023.spicelake@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-news/mnsuf-spice-lake-fire

Superior National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/superior

Date Detected: 6/13/2023, Current Size: 22 acres, Containment: 65%

Summary: Late in the afternoon on June 13th, a wildfire was detected between Spice Lake and Ogishkemuncie Lake in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) on the Gunflint Ranger District of the Superior National Forest. Spice Lake is located east of Knife and Kekekabic Lakes and southwest of Seagull Lake, approximately 10 miles west of the Gunflint Trail.

Current Status: Fire activity was observed as creeping and smoldering in mixed timber and brush. Fire crews used indirect and direct tactics to get good fire line around the fire perimeter. They continued to strengthen the fire line perimeter working to keep the fire within the current footprint. Crews installed hose lines on several segments of the fire’s edge and are mopping up the fire’s edge. Mopping up involves putting water on the fire, and using tools to mix it into the soil and duff to extinguish the heat until the area is cooled.

In addition, firefighters successfully completed 3–4 acres of burning in the middle of the fire area to bring the fire line out to a natural barrier versus cutting fire line. Objectives continue to be mopping up along the fire perimeter. Firefighter and public safety are the number one priority.

Yesterday, fire investigators visited the fire area and made the initial determination that this fire was human caused and remains under investigation.

Planned Activity: Crews will continue to mop up the fire and work to extinguish hot spots and heavy fuel areas. A light helicopter has been assigned to the fire to support supply missions and for medivac purposes. A 30% chance of light rain and thunderstorms may pass over the fire area tomorrow, but precipitation amounts are expected to be very low. In addition, gusts and erratic winds may accompany the thunderstorms.

Closure Area: The Superior National Forest has implemented Forest Order (09-09-23-03) for a closure area of lakes, portages, and trails around the fire for public safety. Public safety crews have redirected visitors and posted portages closed. Details can be found at Superior National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov).

Fire Restrictions: The Superior National Forest has implemented a Forest Order (09-09-23-02) for campfire restrictions due to continued dry conditions and very high wildfire danger. This Order will remain in effect until further notice. See the Superior National Forest website https://www.fs.usda.gov/superior for more information on fire restrictions.

Cooperating Agencies: Gunflint Trail Volunteer Fire Department, National Park Service, and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

June 17, 2023 - Evening Update - Burn operations for today have concluded successfully and to date, approximately 1,000 acres have been accomplished. It is important to note that the burn does not necessarily result in a completely blackened landscape. The prescription for this burn is a hope to accomplish 70% consumption of the ground litter, including needle cast, leaves, and dead and down chaparral.

In conducting a prescribed burn with this level of consumption, the aim is to create an environment conducive to the growth of new vegetation. This burn helps to remove accumulated debris and promote the regeneration of new plant life. The areas that have been treated will likely exhibit a mix of burned and unburned vegetation, with new growth emerging in the burned areas in the future.

Prescribed burns are a tool to maintain healthy ecosystems, reduce fuel loads, and mitigate the risk of severe wildfires. They also assist in promoting habitat and enhancing the overall health of the landscape.

Our helicopter was able to capture the following photos and video to provide a visual of what the prescribed burn is doing. Additional photos show the prescribed burn being contained within the designated area.

The fire is still burning within the unit and sending up smoke; at times visible from Highway 74. Crews will be monitoring and working throughout the evening. Operations will begin again tomorrow at 9am.

#prescribedfire #foresthealth #thomasmountainprescribedburn

https://www.facebook.com/reel/212503338373208

6/17/23 - update - The overall goal of the Thomas Mountain prescribed burn is to consume excess fuel in a particular area to reduce the risk of a larger, uncontrolled fire in the future.

Smoke is more present this afternoon due to the success of both aerial and ground-based methods being used together to ignite and consume these fuels.

Video of aerial helitorch device being used on the Thomas Mountain Prescribed Burn.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0266oPe3M8Lwr64GyZgnZyQj6fr9iou1LF5USuG7Bj6wqKz7oKjk5ME2ZrrayXkBzDl&id=100064239626961&mibextid=Nif5oz