Single Publication

       Middle Fork Complex Fire Update  

Sunday September 15, 2024 

Crews Take Advantage of Favorable Conditions 

The Middle Fork Complex is 61,245 acres, with 40% completion. There are 591 personnel assigned.  Fire behavior has been greatly reduced to creeping and smoldering, as well as pockets of heavy dead and down vegetation that continue to burn with the fire’s perimeter.  Firefighters remain on heightened lookout for any new starts from the recent lightning that may not show smoke until the area warms and dries.  

On the southern edge of the Nellie Fire, firefighters completed mop up along Highway 17. Yesterday, an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) module with infrared capabilities flew the area and detected no smokes or heat in the areas where crews were mopping up. Patrolling aircraft have also not detected any recent heat on the east side of the Nellie Fire. 

Crews continue to prep hose and water handling equipment on the north end of the Bulldog Fire. On the Nellie Fire, crews are taking advantage of favorable conditions to make progress on mop up in the Deadwood Reservoir area. Heavy machinery continues to improve the 555 Road to the north.  This is a contingency line to protect values at risk in the area if needed.  

Today will be warmer and drier. An approaching storm system will bring mostly cloudy skies and slight chances for showers and thunderstorms to the area in the late afternoon. Chances of precipitation will increase in the evening.  

There will be a community meeting tomorrow, September 16, 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 the 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