Single Publication

Expect Smoke to Peak Midday

The Middle Fork Complex is 57,836 acres with 28% completion. There are currently 743 personnel assigned to the fire, including 15 hand crews, 40 engines, and 4 helicopters. High pressure will continue to build over the region with conditions slightly warmer and drier than yesterday. Smoky conditions will continue through the morning, and the inversion won’t likely lift until mid-afternoon in the valleys. This will reduce visibility for air resources but should also moderate the fire behavior through much of the day. Visit https://www.airnow.gov/wildfires/ for smoke information.

Crews on the northwest side of the Bulldog Fire continue to construct indirect fireline from Rattlesnake Trail to Lodgepole Campground. Crews are holding and patrolling the fireline along the 698 Road corridor. They continue to do fuels mitigation and install water pumps and hoses in and around structures in the Silver Creek Lodge area. Crews continue to improve the indirect fireline from the Nellie Fire to the southwest corner of the Bulldog Fire as a potential fireline for the fire if the two footprints burn together.

On the southwest portion of the Nellie Fire crews are backhauling hose and pumps that are no longer needed and mopping up the dozer and handline from Anderson Creek to Highway 17. Crews continue to patrol the Highway 17 corridor and wildfire suppression repair is beginning in that area. Much of the east side of Nellie is on the edge of the old Pioneer Fire burn scar. Aviation resources are patrolling that edge, and the fire is making little progress on that side.

Crews and equipment are improving access along the 510 Road to address the spots on the northeast edge of the fire perimeter. They are also assessing the Whitehawk Mountain Lookout for structure protection needs. Hand crews are constructing direct fireline to the north end of the Nellie Fire using the 591 Road to tie into the 2016 Pioneer burn scar.

In the Deadwood Reservoir dam area, crews are continuing mop-up. Dozers are constructing dozer line on the western side of the fire, south of Deadwood Reservoir, to help secure fire edge into the Rattlesnake burn scar. 

There will be a community meeting today at 6 p.m. at the White Barn Building, near 85 Severance Road, Garden Valley, Idaho. The Incident Commander, key team members, and Boise National Forest representatives will be there to provide updates on the fire and answer any questions.  A link to the recording will be posted on Inciweb.

Boise National Forest Closure Order Number 0402-06-60 remains in effect. An interactive forest closure map is available on the Boise National Forest Alerts & Closures website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices

Highway 21 is closed from the Sourdough Lodge in Lowman to Stanley (MP 84 to 130) due to wildfire activity. Only local traffic is allowed between the Sourdough Lodge and Warm Springs Airstrip. For more information, visit the Idaho Department of Transportation website, https://511.idaho.gov/

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area.  Visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect in the fire area.

Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8am – 8pm)                                  

Email: 2024.middleforkcomplex@ firenet.gov

InciWeb:https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-middle-fork-complex-fire-bulldog-nellie-anderson

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/people/Middle-Fork-Complex-Fire-Boise-National-Forest/61565022204468

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2024.middleforkcomplex