Incident Publication

Rail Ridge and Wiley Fire Daily Update

9-29-24

Rail Ridge Fire 

Acres: 165,586 – Containment: 80% – Detection Date: 09/02/24 – Cause: Lightning – Total resources: 1,136

Operational Update: Yesterday, hot and dry conditions contributed to an increase in acreage on the Rail Ridge Fire. In the Black Canyon Wilderness, the fire crossed Black Canyon Creek onto the ridge east of Honeymoon Basin and poses new challenges to firefighters. Today’s weather will be much cooler, though winds will be stronger and out of the northwest, and relative humidity will be lower. Weather continues to challenge efforts. In the northern divisions, firefighters continue to mop up and extinguish isolated heat sources and are working toward suppression repair. More fireline has been added to containment. In the southern portion of the fire, patrols continue, and suppression repair is ongoing. Much of the repairs are being made to roads which received heavy impacts during suppression efforts.

Wiley Flat Fire 

Acres: 30,186 – Containment: 94% – Detection Date: 09/02/24 – Cause: Lightning – Total resources: 47  

Operational Update: Heavy equipment made progress on road repairs and falling teams are taking out hazard trees along road corridors.

Weather 

Today’s wind direction will change and come from the northwest. It will be a dry day as relative humidity is expected in the teens. Temperatures will be much cooler, with highs only reaching into the sixties.

Evacuations 

Rail Ridge Evacuations: Level 1 and 2 evacuation zones for the Rail Ridge Fire remain in Grant County.  

Wiley Flat Evacuations:  Level 2 and 3 evacuation zones are in place for the Wiley Flat Fire in Crook County.  

For Current Evacuation Levels in Wheeler, Crook and Grant counties, please visit: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire  

Closures 

The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have implemented closures for the Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat Fires. For more details and closure maps, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire  

#RailRidgeFire2024 #WileyFlatFire2024 #FireYear2024

Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat PIO Map 09-29-24.jpg

Sun, 09/29/2024 - 11:50

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Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat PIO Map 09-29-24.jpg

Homestead/Diamond Complexes and Lane 1 Fires

Sept. 29, 2024

Fire Information: 541-208-7100, 8 AM - 8 PM

InciWeb-Homestead: https://t.ly/syeHa and InciWeb-Diamond: https://bit.ly/4gCfLsp

Seven fires within the Homestead Complex, Lane 1, and Diamond Complex remain under active management by Northwest Team 12. Firefighting resources from the Homestead Complex remain available for initial attack response to new fire starts in the area as needed.

Homestead Complex: 10,024 acres, 35% contained │ Lane 1: 25,951 acres, 99% contained │ Diamond Complex: 11,141 acres, 90% contained │ Total personnel: 503

Warm and dry conditions contributed to backing fire and visible smoke yesterday. Infrared heat signatures still show scattered heat with smoldering and creeping in available fuels, but this predominantly interior activity poses no threat to the containment of the fires. 

Fire managers observed minimal surface spread on the northwest portion of the Horse Heaven Fire, and fire crews are continuing to patrol and mop up as needed. Chipping and mastication were completed along Forest Service Roads (FSR) 3180 and the 100 spur. Tomorrow chipping will begin along FSR 3829 and engine crews will continue to patrol and backhaul hose from areas where it’s no longer needed.

The Fuller Lake Fire continues to produce visible smoke as it backs and creeps into the Boulder Creek Wilderness. Fire managers estimate a few more days to complete chipping of slash along FSR 3810 as well as multiple days of hazardous tree removal work for sawyers. On the Bullpup Fire, numerous roads are still being graded and crews continue to chip piles of woody debris along roads.

The No Man Fire remains in patrol and monitor status presenting no signs of smoke or fire activity. On the Lane 1 Fire, excavators are completing fire suppression repair work in the Fairview area. 

Two fires remain uncontained on the Diamond Complex. Chipping continues on the Potter Fire along FSR 100, with chips being hauled away and utilized for ground cover in the Diamond Lake area. Tomorrow, radio technicians will fly in via helicopter to remove radio transmission equipment that is no longer needed from a remote site on Potter Peak. The Pine Bench Fire is wrapping up and showed no visible smoke.  

Closures: The Umpqua National Forest and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have revised closure orders. Two closure orders impact the Umpqua National Forest https://t.ly/Mvn6G. A BLM Roseburg District closure order remain also remains in place https://t.ly/uWX6l. A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect https://bit.ly/3XJL0cD. 

Weather: Winds will shift to westerly, which will result in a little more cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and gusty northwest winds. Very warm and dry conditions will return to the region Monday and Tuesday, with Tuesday being the warmest day. Temperatures in the valleys are forecasted to be 65-70 today.

The Line Fire burned actively in the Santa Ana river drainage and produced most of the smoke yesterday.  Firefighters are directing the fire down to the Santa Ana river.  Burning material is rolling downhill to the drainage and burning back upslope to the black area.  Crews and aircraft are focused on this area.

The second area with active fire is the Bear and Siberia creek drainages.  Crews have been able to put in line in a critical portion of this area.  This area has been a challenge due to the extremely steep terrain.  A heli-spot is being built which will allow firefighters to be inserted to build line and access the fire when possible.

The above-average temperatures in the fire area will drop 1 to 3 degrees compared to yesterday but still remain above average.  Humidity continues to decrease.  The weather in the fire area will continue to become warmer and drier, however no significant wind events are expected into the middle of next week.

To monitor smoke impacts on air quality, please check https://fire.airnow.gov/

Yesterday, crews were able to completely line the fire with direct or indirect lines.  Additional burnout operations were successful in several areas, helping to secure areas by burning vegetation between the line and fire front.  Falling operations along Highway 21 were successful in removing fire weakened trees that directly threatened the highway and utilities. Structure protection units evaluated residential and outbuildings surrounding the north end of the fire, mitigating hazards where available.  A contingency dozer line was established along the north end of the fire, between 4th of July Creek Road and the US-Canadian Border.

Today, winds and lower relative humidities are expected to increase throughout the day, which could increase fire behavior.  Conditions will carefully monitor throughout the day and crews are positioned around the fire to respond to increased fire behavior. Additional crews have been arriving the last couple of days, nearly doubling the number of crews (6 - 20 person hand crews, 25 engines, 8 water tenders, 5 heavy equipment (3 dozers, 2 skidgens)).

Middle Fork Complex: 61,484 acres, 90% completion, 414 Personnel 

Snag Fire: 33,436 acres, 90% completion, 54 Personnel 

Goat Fire: 26,659 acres, 46% completion, 61 personnel

A cold front is going to push thru the area Sunday night into Monday morning, relative humidity values are going to be in the low to mid-teens, and we could see some lows in the mid 30’s Monday morning.  As this drying trend continues, we can expect a slight increase in smoke interior as more fuels become receptive in the fire area.

Middle Fork Complex – Heavy equipment continues suppression repair in the Deadwood Reservoir area. Crews will continue to strengthen and check containment lines while continuing repair missions in the north end of the Nellie.

Goat – Crews have completed lines on the ridgeline down around the private lands back to Clear Creek Road securing the fires edge. The fire is creeping in the Northeast Corner and Southwest Corner and crews are in position. In the Northeast Corner, trees from the 2007 Cascade Complex fire have been observed falling and present a risk to fire fighters.  The fire is moving slowly in this area, cleaning up the debris from the previous fire and leaving a clean forest floor.  In the Southwest Corner it is moving slowly in the steep county and down in the Middle Fork Payette drainage.  More smoke will be visible because of higher temperatures and the drying trend making more fuels available. 

Snag – Suppression repair work continues on the north end of the fire focusing on repairing the direct and indirect hand and dozer lines in the area. Crews and engines will continue to check containment lines as suppression repair on the western edge of the fire continues.

Middle Fork Complex - Suppression Repair= 28 miles of handline completed. 11 miles of dozer line completed. 

Goat and Snag Fires - Suppression Repair = 15.5 miles of handline completed. 6.3 miles of dozer line completed.

Firefighters continue work both fire suppression and suppression repair as needed so heavy firefighting equipment is moving from site to site. Please use extreme caution while traveling, especially when approaching vehicles, and at intersections.

Closure Orders: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices 

Hunters are not allowed access to closed areas.  We ask the public to adhere to the closures as they currently exist; in particular, Trail Creek Hot Springs is currently within the closure area for the West Mountain Complex and is closed.

 Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions have been rescinded for the Boise National Forest. For more information on the restrictions visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.  

Frog Fire Statistics

• Size: 3,112 acres
• Containment: 66%
• Total Personnel: 109
• Location: east of Clayton, ID
• Reported: September 7, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idstf-frog 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest

Current Situation:  Crews added about ½ mile of containment line on the northern corner of the Frog Fire increasing containment to 66 percent. There are pockets of heat remaining on the southeast side of the fire and crews will focus on this area today. Fire activity is on a downhill trend, but crews will remain vigilant and ready for Sunday’s weather as it could test containment lines.
The Yankee Fork camp will shut down today with remaining crews working from a remote camp in Little Boulder Creek to be closer to the Frog Fire. 

Evacuations:  There are currently no evacuations related to the Frog Fire.

Closures:  The area closure in place around the Frog Fire includes FS 667 (Big Boulder Creek Road) and Trail 047 where adjacent to the closure boundary.  The closure excludes FS Roads 669 and 670 and Trail 682. Hunters and recreationalists should familiarize themselves with this closure information prior to entering the vicinity.  Please reference the map and read the full closure description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idstf-frog.
 

Wapiti Fire Statistics

• Size: 125,540 acres
• Completion: 75%
• Total Personnel: 335
• Location: near Grandjean, ID
• Reported: July 24, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-wapiti-fire
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024
• Interactive Map:  https://tinyurl.com/WapitiFireInfoMap

Special Emphasis: Near critical fire conditions continue today with windy, dry, and unseasonably warm weather. Helicopters will likely be grounded this afternoon due to predicted wind gusts of 40 – 45 mph.

Collection of firewood within closure areas is also prohibited; any firewood collection in open areas must be done with a valid firewood permit. For questions on firewood collection on the Sawtooth National Forest, please contact the Stanley Ranger Station at 208.774.3000.

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team has arrived on the Wapiti Fire to begin assessments of the fire area and develop a plan for emergency stabilization to limit threats and damage from the effects of fire, such as erosion control.

Weather:  The Stanley basin tied the record for the date for hottest day on Saturday reaching 83 degrees. On Sunday, stronger winds to the west of the Wapiti Fire will bring very cold weather on Monday morning with lows about 20 degrees. 

Current Situation:  New isolated areas of heat popped up all around the Wapiti Fire on Saturday. Helicopters dropped approximately 116,000 gallons of water on hot spots until they were grounded in the late afternoon due to winds. Crews were able to engage with all hot spots that were a concern and will continue the good work today. In addition to a busy day with suppression, repair work continued on Saturday with crews working on roads, cutting down hazard trees, and assessing areas for needed repair work.

Smoke from multiple hot spots were visible from Highway 21 including near the Park Creek Overlook where surface fire was pushed by the gusty winds through spotty grasses and vegetation until it burned into the old Elk Fire scar which minimized spread. Helicopters worked to slow the spread as pockets of unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter burned near Iron Creek. Speaking to the weather forecast for Sunday, Incident Commander Steve Shaw recognized the near critical fire weather and said that we will “plan accordingly, respond accordingly, and will engage responsibly.”

Evacuations: Evacuation status for Stanley Zone 1 is currently at READY. Stanley Zones 2 – 5 and Kasino are no longer in an evacuation status. Sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications:  text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF.

All Boise County evacuation levels have been lifted; residents should remain alert for any change in conditions which could reinitiate an evacuation status. Sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notifications at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163.

For evacuation information on the Wapiti Fire, please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/p/Custer-County-Sheriff-Idaho-61558947312289/, and the Boise County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/boisecountysheriff/.

Closures:  The Wapiti Fire area closure covers portions of the Sawtooth, Boise, and Salmon-Challis National Forests. Please reference the map and description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idbof-wapiti-fire.  Recreationalists and hunters should reference this map and obey all posted signage regarding the closure area and any related road, trail, and campground closures.

An interactive map for all closures on the Boise National Forest is found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/642380b0eb124c8cab6bd9ad3d7146ad/page/Overview/#data_s=id%3AdataSource_5-1888bd00a2c-layer-13-1888bd00b53-layer-16%3A82.

Fremont County Emergency Management has just issued the "SET" Level 2 evacuation status for the following communities: Brooks Lake Lodge, Brooks Lake Road, East & West Pinnacle Drive, Breccia Drive, US HWY 26, entrance to Brooks Lake Road, Falls Campground, Lava Mountain Lodge, Roaming River Subdivision, Buckboard Subdivision, Double Bar J Ranch, Lava Creek Ranch, Triangle C Ranch, Long Creek Ranch, Paintbrush & Carriage Drive, Long Creek Subdivision, the old KOA.

READY evacuation status (Level 1) issued for: The Bourbon Subdivision

Smoke Expected from Fish Creek and Pack Trail Fires through the Weekend

Jackson Wyo., September 28, 2024 –Firefighters remain focused on confining and containing the Fish Creek fire which is 25,069 acres and burning 22-miles southeast of Moran, Wyoming. The fire began on August 16, 2024 and is burning in heavy timber. Despite challenges from strong winds in the past couple of days, the fire stayed within containment lines, although smoke columns have been visible. 

Without cooler temperatures, wetting precipitation, or increased humidity, firefighters are not able to count on the weather to aid them in containment efforts. “Even with the rain and snow we saw last week, the fire is established in timber, and although fire activity is diminished, it continues to burn in heavy down and dead fuels,” said Jackson District Ranger Todd Stiles. 

Firefighter and public safety is the highest priority for those suppressing the fire. Hazards include exposure to numerous dead and fire-weakened trees (“snags”), which are dangerous to firefighters, particularly during periods with strong, gusty winds. 

Road and area closures remain in effect for public and firefighter safety.

The lightning caused Pack Trail fire was identified September 15, 2024, and is 3- miles south of the southern edge of the Fish Creek Fire and is burning in heavy timber and brush just north of the south fork of Purdy Creek.  Current fire behavior is active with single and group tree torching with 100% of the fire perimeter active. Hazards include snags, rough terrain, and difficult access. “The fire is surrounded by terrain that is not conducive to expansive spread,” Stiles said. “Should it threaten values in the area management trigger points and action plans have been in place from the onset and will be acted upon”. 

Crews will continue to work on suppression repair activities from fireline construction, and work directly along the fire’s edge in the Cottonwood drainage.  Currently, are 4 skid steers, 2 excavators, 2 helicopters, 4 fire engines, and 210 personnel to assist with suppression efforts. For information on these fires visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wybtf-fish-creek-fire

For other news, events and information you can call 307-739-5500 or visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/btnf or follow the Bridger-Teton National Forest on Facebook @BridgerTetonNF or on X (formerly Twitter) @BridgerTetonNF.

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Location: Trabuco Canyon, CA

Personnel: 268

Start date: 09/09/24 1:00 p.m.

Cause: Human

Size: 23,519

Percent contained: 95%

Currently the fire remains within its’ containment lines.  Crews continue making progress, to achieve our one hundred percent containment goal, and it is progressing daily. Infrared drones have detected some isolated smoldering heat areas.  They are well inside the fire’s perimeter.  Crews will be monitoring these areas and cooling them down.  Topography and steep terrain have made access of these areas a challenge. Crews are committed to patrolling and monitoring all divisions of the fire, making sure no additional threats remain. 

Air resources remain available to provide aerial reconnaissance to crews on the ground.  The drones are outfitted with infrared sensors and will continue to be active today, detecting any points of heat that could threaten the containment lines. Dry weather is expected to this week, combined with low humidity.

Fire suppression repair continues along the fire’s perimeter. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is assessing the potential for Watershed emergencies that could develop from any change in weather conditions, such as flooding or mudslides. Crew members are working hard to minimize the impacts on the land from the recent activity.

Over the next several days, additional crews will be working in Trabuco Canyon, removing hazardous trees that have been identified by tree experts.  These trees have been too severely damaged from the fire and pose a threat if allowed to remain.

Again, we would like to remind everyone that a closure order is in effect for the Trabuco Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. Please do not enter the closure area or recreate on any of the firelines constructed for the incident. Please visit this web page for further information. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cleveland/alerts-notices/?aid=90727 

Southern California Edison continues to replace damaged power poles and lines in the Lake 

Elsinore area and will be using heavy equipment and helicopters to transport and place these poles. Operations will be scheduled during times of minimal highway use. All motorists should be aware that fire equipment is still working on the roads and traffic delays occur for extended periods. Please plan accordingly.

AIR QUALITY:

Visit AirNow.gov for information and actions you can take to protect yourself and loved ones.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Hard road closures are as follows:

• Trabuco Creek Road
• Maple Springs Road
• North Main Divide Road at Ortega Highway
• Long Canyon Road at Ortega Highway

EVACUATIONS:

All Evacuation orders have been lifted.

CLOSURES:

The Cleveland National Forest has a temporary closure of the Trabuco Ranger District. This closure prohibits going into or, being upon any National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the boundaries of the Trabuco Ranger District. The closure will be in effect from September 18, 2024 until September 17, 2025, to provide for public health and safety concerns related to the Airport Fire. To view the Forest Orders and Maps, visit our website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/cleveland/alerts-notices/?aid=90727 .

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction in effect.  Updates on the locations and status of this TFR can be accessed at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html.