Unfavorable wind conditions prevented understory burning in the Howard Mill unit today, May 11, 2023. Instead, fire crews spent the day prepping another unit to be ready for a future prescribed fire opportunity.

May 11, 2023 - Around the Caldor Fire Footprint, there are ongoing timber operations such as cutting, skidding, and decking. The active sites for these operations are around the Grizzly Flat Community Fuel Break area, and Iron Trail Decks. If driving in these areas, it is important to exercise caution and be aware of potential hazards. Look out for warning signs indicating logging trucks, hauling operations, tree falling, and other timber-related operations.  There are signs placed to alert drivers to the potential risks.  

There will be intermittent closures or delays on North South Road between 10N59 to 10N61 due to activities such as clearing boulders or trees that have the potential to fall on the road, making it necessary to temporarily close or delay traffic for safety reasons.  

Around the Grizzly Flat Community Fuel Break area, timber hauling and activities can be observed along: Leoni Road, in both directions from North South Road; Capps Crossing Road, towards North South Road; and North South Road one mile north of Capps Crossing towards the MET.  

Around Iron Trails Decks, timber hauling and activities can be observed along: lower MET, hauling along the Silver Fork Road.  

These operations will continue from 5/12/23 thru 5/19/23, please note the mentioned routes and activities are based on information provided and may be subject to change. If driving in these areas, it is essential to be alert and follow any posted signs for your safety and the safety of the workers.  

For additional information on what is occurring around the Eldorado National Forest (ENF) and to aid in trip planning, please go to the ENF at: Eldorado - Home (usda.gov)

Additionally, Motor Vehicle Use Maps and Forest maps are available at any Eldorado National Forest Ranger Station and on the ENF Website.

Sandy Wildfire Evacuation Plan- Phase Two Initiated

• Phase One: Residents within evacuation zone are notified of potential fire impacts and advised to create defensible space around home if possible.
• Phase Two: Residents within evacuation zone should be packed and ready to evacuate.  Residents with preexisting health conditions will be encouraged to leave at this time.
• Phase Three: Residents will be advised to leave as fire threat is imminent.

Phase Two of the Sandy Wildfire Evacuation Plan has been initiated.

Big Cypress National Preserve News Release

Release Date: Immediate

Contact: Sandy Wildfire Information Officer: Riki Hoopes, erika_hoopes@nps.gov, 786-886-9342 

Phase Two of Sandy Wildfire Evacuation Plan Initiated

OCHOPEE, FL – Phase Two of the Sandy Wildfire Evacuation Plan has been initiated and residents within the areas of concern have been notified to prepare for potential evacuations.  Residents with preexisting medical conditions have been encouraged to leave.

Fire managers will continue to monitor fire behavior, initiating the final stage of the evacuation plan if fire continues to move towards homes. The final phase of evacuation could occur when fire threat is imminent at which point all residents will be advised to leave.

Crews continued hold and improve control lines during the day, and conduct suppression burn out operations along the control lines at night.  Burn out operations allow firefighters to determine when and how fire impacts the control lines.  Conducting these operations in the evening and into early morning hours helps reduce the risk of spot fires across the line due to the higher relative humidity.

As the Sandy Fire continues to move south towards US41, smoke impacts along the roadways are expected. Travelers are advised to use caution and be aware of their surrounding environment.

The Sandy Fire is currently 11,031 acres and 20% contained.

Closures remain in effect west of 11 Mile Road, north of US41, east of Monument Trail, and south of Mud Lake, Little Deer, Oasis Trail and Lost Dog, including the Florida Trail from Oasis Visitor Center to I75 (MM63). This both ensures the safety of the public and allows firefighters to work without impediment.

Phase Two of the Sandy Wildfire Evacuation Plan has been initiated.

• Phase One: Residents within evacuation zone are notified of potential fire impacts and advised to create defensible space around home if possible.
• Phase Two: Residents within evacuation zone should be packed and ready to evacuate.  Residents with preexisting health conditions will be encouraged to leave at this time.
• Phase Three: Residents will be advised to leave as fire threat is imminent.

PLEASE BE AWARE: Wildland fire engines and large equipment will continue to be on roads in the fire area and traveling to and from assignments on US Hwy 70 between Havelock and New Bern.  

Please slow down and use caution when driving near them.  

Weather: High pressure is moving through this area over the next two days keeping things dry through the end of the week.  Light southwesterly winds are expected at 6 to 12 mph, shifting to a southerly trend on Friday. Winds may become gusty at times Thursday and Friday. High humidity and light winds may support favorable conditions for development of reduced visibility and fog Thursday night into Friday morning. The next chance for wetting rainfall comes this weekend and early next week. 

Acreage: 32,400 acres; Containment: 85%; Personnel and Equipment: 203 total personnel; 1 helicopter, 10 engines, 2 water tenders, 2 Type-2 and 5 Type-3 tractor plow units, 2 drones, 2 track-mounted engines and 1 ambulance.  

Yesterday: Crews continued to set up pumps and equipment to prepare for additional flooding operations in the coming days to raise the water table in the southwestern portion of the fire.  The drones equipped with infrared cameras detected heat sources that the crews were able to respond to and extinguish.  Isolated areas of ground fire will still require long term monitoring and flooding operations to raise surface water levels to extinguish ground fire and alleviate fire and smoke concerns for the local communities and infrastructure.  

Today: Aviation and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity to identify hot spots and areas of concern. Mop up operations with engines, crews, and heavy equipment continues in the northern, southwestern and southeastern portions of the fire. Work on contingency lines in the northwestern portion of the fire will start tomorrow. Flooding operations for areas of ground fire in the southeastern portion of the fire will continue. Preparations for additional piping and pumping of water continue in the southwestern portion of the fire. 

• Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place effective May 9, 2023 from 6 AM to 2 PM local time, and altitude from the surface up to and including 1000 feet, daily until further notice, to allow for safe operations of the drone equipped with infrared to detect heat sources. The lower ceiling than the TFR last week is in consideration of Military flights out of Cherry Point. Complete information is at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_3_2893.html 

• Closures: The road closures on Forest Service Road 203 (Holston Creek Road) and Black Swamp Road remain in effect. Updates to road closures surrounding the fire are at https://drivenc.gov/.    

• Air quality: Information on current air quality data for North Carolina is at https://www.airnow.gov/.   

• Firewise: Information on preparing your home and property to reduce the risk from fire can be found at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Wildfire/Firewise-USA  

• Donations: Those interested in donating to firefighters, please consider assisting your local fire departments and /or the Wildland Firefighter Foundation https://wffoundation.org  

Today fuels specialists on the Upper Lake Ranger District have prepped a unit at Howard Mill to conduct understory burn operations on Thursday, May 11, pending favorable weather conditions.

Fire managers have the potential to treat from 40 to 136 acres, depending on which unit is ideal to burn. The Howard Mill unit is located near Penny Pines Campground on the Upper Lake Ranger District. The M1 Road and the 16N01 Road (Upper Deer Valley Road) may be impacted by smoke. Trails in that area may also have smoke, although those trails remain closed.

If weather conditions allow planned ignitions Thursday morning, then firefighters will mop up Friday, May 12, extinguishing any remaining burning materials. Patrols are scheduled through the weekend to monitor the burn unit.

Fire managers conduct prescribed fire activities during the safest possible “burn windows.” Numerous factors including wind, humidity, air quality, fuel moisture and availability of fire crew personnel must be met before crews are authorized to move forward with burning.

Residents and visitors are asked to avoid the area where the prescribed burn is being conducted. Some smoke may be visible from communities around the lake, but significant smoke impacts are not anticipated.

People should not be alarmed as the fires are carefully monitored. Local fire and government authorities are notified and kept informed throughout prescribed fire operations.

Prescribed burning is planned to resume on the Salmon-Scott River Ranger District at Scott Bar Mountain on Thursday, May 11. The project area is about 12 miles west of Fort Jones in the vicinity of Jones Beach and Indian Scotty Campground. Burn operations could continue through the weekend as conditions allow. Fire crews will target up to 178 acres for burning.

Low-intensity prescribed fire will be used to reduce surface and ladder fuels to achieve the goals of the Scott Bar Mountain Underburn and Habitat Improvement Project. These goals include improving defensibility of communities during wildfires, increasing fire resiliency of timber stands, and improving habitat for wildlife.

The project area is strategically connected to a series of ridgetop fuel reduction treatments from several other projects, many of which had been planned and implemented through collaborative efforts with partners. The connectivity of these projects creates a landscape-scale fuel break that can be utilized during wildfire events to protect communities, infrastructure, and natural resources.

May 10, 2023 - Evening Update – Burn operations have concluded successfully on the Grass Valley prescribed burn. Firefighters were able to accomplish 30 acres today. Smoke may still be visible through the night.

#PrescribedBurn #PrescribedFire #ForestHealth #GrassValleyPrescribedBurn

Boise, Idaho, March 23, 2023— As part of the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy the Boise National Forest is planning a more active and robust prescribed fire burning season this spring. This investment is made possible through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Fire managers anticipate favorable spring weather conditions for planned low-intensity prescribed fires. These low-intensity prescribed fires reduce the risk of large wildfire potential to communities and other critical resources such as municipal watersheds and powerlines while promoting the growth of fire resilient trees and improving wildlife habitat.

Weather and conditions permitting, prescribed burns are scheduled to start in March and continue through June. Approximately 4,670 acres are planned for ignition in 11 project areas throughout the Boise National Forest.

Public and firefighter safety is the top priority in all public land fire operations. Fire managers develop burn plans accounting for safety, specific fuel and weather prescriptions and smoke management. All prescribed burns are closely evaluated and are only approved when favorable conditions are present.

Prescribed burns may affect people sensitive to smoke and may impact access to burn areas and travel routes. Fire officials strongly advise forest visitors and homeowners to prepare and plan activities around the proposed dates and locations of burns and to use extreme caution near prescribed fire areas.

Please be aware of firefighters and equipment in the area and on roadways, comply with posted notices and drive slowly in areas with decreased visibility. Information and signs will be posted on roads that access burn areas in advance of ignitions and remain in place through burn completion.

Visit the interactive map with the latest planned areas of prescribed fire treatments. http://bit.ly/SWIdahoRXFire. Zoom into your areas of interest to get the latest information. The Idaho Department of Lands and Boise, Payette, and Sawtooth National Forests’ planned prescribed fire treatments are featured and updated annually.

Planned Boise National Forest spring prescribed burns include:

Idaho City Ranger District: 

• Alder (250 acres): located 3 miles north of Placerville, Idaho. This a landscape burn (ground fire) using hand ignition to reduce fuel in the wildland urban interface.
• Boise Basin Experimental Forest (300 acres): located 2 miles east of Idaho City, Idaho. This is a landscape burn (ground fire) using hand ignition to reduce fuel in the wildland urban interface.
• Little Ophir (300 acres): located 4 miles west of Pioneerville, Idaho. This is a landscape burn (ground fire) using hand ignition to reduce fuel in the wildland urban interface area.
• Mores South-Boulder Creek (250 acres): located 3 miles east of Idaho City, Idaho. This is a landscape burn (ground fire) using hand ignition to reduce fuel in the wildland urban interface.

Emmett Ranger District: 

• Williams Creek (174 acres): located approximately 8 miles north of Banks, Idaho. This is a landscape burn using hand ignition and aerial ignition to reduce activity fuel created by timber harvesting operations and to improve forest resiliency.
• Pinney Slope (960 acres): located approximately 6 miles north of Crouch, Idaho, in the Pinney Creek drainage. This is a landscape burn (surface fire) using hand and aerial ignition to promote restoration of the forest landscape.

Mountain Home Ranger District: 

• Lower Feather (752 acres): located approximately 3 miles north of Featherville, Idaho, in the Feather River and Lincoln Creek drainages north of National Forest System (NFS) road 156. This is a landscape burn (ground fire) using hand ignition to reduce fuel in the wildland urban interface and may require multiple days of ignition.

Cascade Ranger District: 

• Willow South (228 acres): located approximately 8 miles west of Cascade, Idaho, This is a landscape burn using hand ignition intended to reduce activity fuel created from harvest operations and reduce fuel in the wildland urban interface.
• French Campbell (68 acres): located approximately 10 miles west of Cascade, Idaho, This is a landscape burn using hand ignition to reduce threat of wildland fire in the wildland urban interface.
• Lost Horse (381 acres): located approximately 22 miles southeast of Cascade, Idaho, This is a landscape burn using hand ignition to improve forest health.

Lowman Ranger District: 

• West Lowman (1,007 acres): located northeast of and immediately adjacent to Lowman, Idaho, This is a landscape burn using hand ignition over multiple days to improve wildlife habitat and forest health conditions.