Single Publication

Firefighters Taking Advantage of Wetting Rain to Strengthen Containment Lines 

The Middle Fork Complex is 61,159 acres, with 32% completion. There are 621 personnel assigned.  A warming and drying trend will begin today with mostly sunny skies and higher temperatures climbing into the 60 and 70s. Relative humidity will drop to 30-40% by the afternoon. Little fire activity is expected today as recent stormy weather has provided a wetting rain, giving firefighters the opportunity to strengthen containment lines throughout the Nellie and Bulldog Fires.  

Falling trees are a major concern after the recent storm. Many trees within this region have shallow root systems and disturbances such as high winds, thunderstorms, and fire can result in the weakening and tipping over of these trees. Firefighters are working to remove hazard trees along roadways, for safety. 

Heavy equipment are grading roads throughout the Bulldog and Nellie Fire areas, improving road conditions due to heavy firefighter traffic. Additionally, equipment operators continue chipping and masticating along roadsides, widening contingency lines on the 698 and 671 Roads to Silver Creek and the 555 Road north of the fire perimeter to Deadwood Outfitters. Masticators grind, chip, or break apart fuels such as brush, small trees and slash. Firefighters are using this technique to widen contingency lines by removing vegetation along roads. Crews also continue removing vegetation around the Silver Creek Plunge and Boiling Springs areas.  

On the southern end of the Nellie Fire a debris slide occurred on the 555 Road near Highway 17. Firefighters are exploring options to mitigate this hazard as the area remains unstable. The southern section of the Nellie Fire, parallel to Highway 17 (Banks Lowman Road), continues to show limited fire activity. On the north end of the Nellie Fire, firefighters continue to mop up hot spots around the Deadwood Reservoir area.  

There will be a community meeting today, September 13, at 6 p.m. at the White Barn Building, near 85 Severance Road, Garden Valley, Idaho. The recording will be posted on Inciweb, YouTube, and Facebook. 

Boise National Forest Closure Order Number 0402-06-64 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. 

Hunters are not allowed access to these closed areas.  

Highway 21 is closed from the Sourdough Lodge in Lowman to Stanley Lake Road (MP 84 to 126) due to nearby wildfire activity. Only local traffic is allowed between the Sourdough Lodge and Warm Springs Airstrip. There is no public access from the highway to surrounding areas including Grandjean, Bull Trout, Boundary Creek, Cape Horn, or Seafoam. For more information, visit the Idaho Department of Transportation website, https://511.idaho.gov/  

Learn how to prepare your home for wildfire. Visit the Firewise website for wildfire risk reduction steps that you can take to make your home safer during a wildfire: Firewise Website: https://www.nfpa.org/en/Education-and-Research/Wildfire/Preparing-homes-for-wildfire 

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-and-nellie 

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

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