Incident Publication

If conditions are favorable, BLM Southwest District Fire plans to conduct prescribed burns on West Dolores Rim in the Tres Rios Field Office to reduce hazardous fuels and improve public land health. The treatments will be implemented as follows:

• Thurs. Sept. 26: Crews will conduct hand and aerial (helicopter) ignitions of about 634 acres of mixed mountain shrub and pinon-juniper in Unit 42A, located approx. 3 miles east of Egnar, CO.

• Fri. Sept. 27 or Sat. Sept. 28: If resources are available, crews will conduct ground ignitions of about 124 acres of ponderosa pine in Unit 20A, located approx. 7.4 miles northeast of Dove Creek, CO. 

View the map and full announcement on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/.../sept-26-28-blm-conduct-prescribed.... 

More information on Southwest District prescribed fuel treatments at InciWeb_Southwest District BLM Prescribed Fire and follow our Facebook-BLM Southwest District or Twitter-@SWD_Fire pages. 

Carpenter Ridge prescribed burning on BLM land is going well. Firefighters are over halfway done. Smoke can be seen in the surrounding areas. Project area is located at the west end of Paradox Valley about 5 miles north of Paradox in Montrose County, Colorado.

More information on Southwest District prescribed fuel treatments at InciWeb_Southwest District BLM Prescribed Fire and follow our Facebook-BLM Southwest District or Twitter-@SWD_Fire pages. 

Taking advantage of fall weather, Carson National Forest fire managers are planning to begin prescribed fire ignitions to improve forest health and resilience as early as Oct. 1. Crews plan to start with the American Creek Prescribed Fire to the west of Tres Piedras, N.M.

The exact timing of ignitions will depend on wind, weather and fuel moisture conditions.

Crews will apply fire to the understory of forested areas, targeting fuels on the forest floor, such as leaf litter, downed branches and brush. The fire may fully burn occasional single trees or stands, which will help create an open canopy.

The 1,009-acre prescribed fire is part of the Rio Tusas-Lower San Antonio Landscape Restoration Project, which aims to restore forest health throughout half of the Tres Piedras Ranger District.

The project fits into a larger initiative called the Rio Chama Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project, which seeks to protect forest communities and increase the health of the watershed, which serves millions of people downstream. It covers 3.8 million acres across in New Mexico and Colorado in and around four national forests.

Over the last century, forested areas have departed from conditions suitable for a healthy and vibrant ecosystem. This is especially true in frequent fire forest types, such as ponderosa and dry mixed conifer, where stands are unnaturally dense and lacking recent fire history. Upland forest health is inextricably connected to riparian areas that, in this case, ultimately feed the Rio Chama and Rio Grande.

The public can keep updated with the prescribed fire on InciWeb, where a map can be viewed. General notifications are also available by email, social media and the web.

A new Carson National Forest website section includes more information about prescribed fires, including smoke readiness, fire ecology and new approaches for safer operations.

A limited number of portable air filters, donated by the Forest Stewards Guild, are available for loan. Call the Tres Piedras Ranger Station at (575) 758-8678 for availability.

Tulare County Fire Department lifts Coffee Pot Fire evacuation warnings for the following area effective Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024.

Zone TLC-E095. The area includes Mineral King Road, East of the National Park Boundary, to include all communities east of that point, Cabin Cove, Silver City and Mineral King. 

Please refer to the Genesys website for a more detailed area description: protect.genasys.com. 

Actualización de Información sobre Incendios
 del Servicio Forestal

Contacto: Heather McLean

928-291-7354 (7am- 7pm)

2024.west@firenet.gov

ACTUALIZACIÓN: West Fire, Distrito de Payson 
Septiembre 25, 2024

Tamaño: 15,053 acres                         Fecha de inicio: Agosto 28, 2024
Causa: Lightning                   Ubicación: Distrito de Payson, Arizona
Contención: 51%                  Combustibles:Pino ponderosa, coníferas mixtas, chaparral

Personal total: 165

Operaciones: Un equipo local de Tipo 3 asumió el mando del incendio ayer por la tarde y continuará asegurando la línea de fuego y reparando las líneas de bulldozer y manuales. Ayer, combustibles no quemados fueron encendidos por ignición aérea dentro del perímetro del incendio, contribuyendo al humo y cenizas en las comunidades vecinas. Las cuadrillas también están retirando equipos y suministros de incendio que ya no se necesitan. Excavadoras están trabajando a lo largo del borde este del incendio cerca de la carretera 646 para reparar daños, tenga precaución en esta área. El fuego y las llamas pueden ser visibles durante las horas nocturnas lejos de los bordes del incendio. El equipo de incendios está consciente del estado de evacuación de los residentes de Pine y Geronimo Estates, y está trabajando para reducirlo.

Clima: Hoy, soleado, cálido y seco con una temperatura máxima de 89 grados. 0% de probabilidad de precipitación con humedades en el rango del 20%. Vientos del este de 7 mph. 

 Seguridad: La salud y seguridad de los bomberos y del público siempre son la primera prioridad. Se pide al público que evite el área del incendio y tenga precaución alrededor del equipo de incendios en las carreteras.

Humo: El humo del Incendio West puede ser visible en las áreas circundantes durante muchos días. El humo se mantendrá en las áreas bajas por la mañana y se elevará a medida que aumenten las temperaturas durante el día y más tarde en la semana. Se recomienda a las personas sensibles al humo y a las personas con problemas respiratorios o enfermedades cardíacas que tomen medidas de precaución. Obtenga más información sobre los impactos del humo en el sitio web del Departamento de Calidad Ambiental de Arizona. 

Cierres: El Bosque Nacional Tonto ha emitido un cierre para las tierras que rodean el Incendio West. Esto incluye el inicio del sendero Pine. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publications/aztnf-2024-west-fire-tnf/us-forest-service-closure-order-for-west-fire-09-04-2024

Evacuaciones: Los residentes de Pine en el lado este de la SR 87 y al este de North Pine Creek Canyon Road están en estado de PREPARACIÓN. Los residentes de Geronimo Estates cerca del Incendio West están en estado de PREPARACIÓN. Para obtener información sobre el mapa interactivo del estado de evacuación, visite este enlace. https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appic+9bf2ca222ss74f8697bc670ae9c2531a

Para las últimas noticias e información sobre el Bosque Nacional Tonto, síganos en Facebook @TontoNationalForest, en ‘X’ (anteriormente Twitter) @TontoForest o en Instagram @tontonationalforest y en el sitio web del Bosque Nacional Tonto: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.

UPDATE: West Fire, Payson Ranger District 
September25, 2024

Size: 15,053 acres                                             Start Date: August 28, 2024
Cause: Lightning                               Location: Payson Ranger District, Arizona
Containment: 51%                          Fuels: Ponderosa pine, mixed conifer, chaparral
Total personnel: 165

Operations: A local Type 3 Team assumed command of the fire yesterday afternoon and will continue to secure fireline and repair dozer and hand line.  Yesterday, unburned fuels were ignited by aerial ignition inside the perimeter of the fire, contributing to smoke and ash in neighboring communities.  Crews are also backhauling equipment and fire supplies longer needed.  Excavators are working along the east edge of the fire near 646 Road to repair damage, use caution in this area. Fire and flames may be visible during nighttime hours away from the edges of the fire.  The fire team is mindful of the evacuation status of Pine and Geronimo Estates residents, and is working to lower it. 

Weather: Today, sunny, warm and dry with a high temperature of 89 degrees. 0% chance of precipitation with humidities in the 20% range. East winds of 7 mph.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. Members of the public are asked to avoid the fire area and use caution around fire equipment on the roads  

Smoke: Smoke from the West Fire may be visible in the surrounding areas for many days. Smoke will linger in lower areas in the morning and rise as temperatures increase during the day and later in the week. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Learn more about smoke impacts on the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality website.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure for land surrounding the West Fire.  This includes the Pine Trailhead. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publications/aztnf-2024-west-fire-tnf/us-forest-service-closure-order-for-west-fire-09-04-2024

Evacuations:  Pine residents on the east side of SR 87 and east of North Pine Creek Canyon Road are in SET status. Geronimo Estates residents near the West Fire are in SET status. For information on the interactive map of evacuation status, visit https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/sidebar/index.html?appic+9bf2ca222ss74f8697bc670ae9c2531a

For the latest news and information about the Tonto National Forest, follow along on Facebook @TontoNationalForest, ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) @TontoForest or Instagram @tontonationalforest and on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024                           

Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov                

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South: Total Personnel:495| Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,444

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 50 | Total Red Fire Acres: 1,831

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/

Summary

Monday’s overnight winds of 10 mph created warmer, dryer conditions which reduced fuel moistures within the perimeters of the fires. Tuesday, firefighters prepared to suppress fire activity due to unseasonably high temperatures. Fortunately, there was minimal increase in fire intensity. Low to moderate fire behavior is predicted for today. Smoldering, creeping and small flareups are expected. Crews continue working to firm up indirect control lines and repair resources in places impacted by suppression operations. The Chalk, Coffee Pot, McKinley Creek, and Tire Mountain fires retain their status as 100% contained and are in monitor-and-patrol phase. Crews still work the Coffee Pot, 208 and Red fires to clean ditches, repair roads and tighten up control lines. Members of the public are asked to continue respecting area closures and restrictions.

Red Fire (1,831 acres, 11% containment)

Air support in the form of two “Fire Boss” scoopers dumped 80,000 gallons of water to cool down hot spots yesterday. Currently, the fire is slowly creeping down the slope.

208 Fire (9,013acres, 4% containment)

The 208 Fire continues to move towards the 23 Road on the NW and the 21/2154 roads on the South. Crews are continuing to strengthen those lines along the 23 road to the 423 road and eventually tie in with the existing lines for the Moss Mountain Fire. Crews observed spotty smoke near the northwest corner and will continue to monitor and control the fire. Expect heavy equipment traffic in the area.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,182 acres, 10% containment)

The fire is being kept north of private timber lands by improving and holding forest system road features. Indirect primary lines are implemented to protect values at risk, limit northward spread, and to protect Highway 58, Union Pacific Railroad corridors, the Wolf Mountain Communications site to the north, and infrastructure and cultural sites throughout the fire area. Fire line repair and chipping operations continue. The fire is being kept north of private timber lands by improving and holding forest system road features.

 Weather and Fire Behavior

Today will be the polar opposite of Tuesday as a cold front moves through this afternoon. There’s not much moisture left in the cold front, but there is chance of scattered showers. We will experience cool, westerly onshore winds of 5 to 8 mph and temperatures down to around 75 degrees in the lower valley. Afternoon humidity will also be double what it was yesterday. This cold front is followed by potential for general warming and drying for the remainder of the week.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuation

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosures2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024.
• For fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024.
• The Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice remains in effect for the Red Fire. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management.

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

Red, 208, Moss Mountain, Coffee Pot, Tire Mountain, McKinley Creek and Chalk Fires

Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2024                           

Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov                

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South: Total Personnel:495| Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,444

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-willamette-complex-fires-south

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 50 | Total Red Fire Acres: 1,831

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/

Summary

Monday’s overnight winds of 10 mph created warmer, dryer conditions which reduced fuel moistures within the perimeters of the fires. Tuesday, firefighters prepared to suppress fire activity due to unseasonably high temperatures. Fortunately, there was minimal increase in fire intensity. Low to moderate fire behavior is predicted for today. Smoldering, creeping and small flareups are expected. Crews continue working to firm up indirect control lines and repair resources in places impacted by suppression operations. The Chalk, Coffee Pot, McKinley Creek, and Tire Mountain fires retain their status as 100% contained and are in monitor-and-patrol phase. Crews still work the Coffee Pot, 208 and Red fires to clean ditches, repair roads and tighten up control lines. Members of the public are asked to continue respecting area closures and restrictions.

Red Fire (1,831 acres, 11% containment)

Air support in the form of two “Fire Boss” scoopers dumped 80,000 gallons of water to cool down hot spots yesterday. Currently, the fire is slowly creeping down the slope.

208 Fire (9,013acres, 4% containment)

The 208 Fire continues to move towards the 23 Road on the NW and the 21/2154 roads on the South. Crews are continuing to strengthen those lines along the 23 road to the 423 road and eventually tie in with the existing lines for the Moss Mountain Fire. Crews observed spotty smoke near the northwest corner and will continue to monitor and control the fire. Expect heavy equipment traffic in the area.

Moss Mountain Fire (2,182 acres, 10% containment)

The fire is being kept north of private timber lands by improving and holding forest system road features. Indirect primary lines are implemented to protect values at risk, limit northward spread, and to protect Highway 58, Union Pacific Railroad corridors, the Wolf Mountain Communications site to the north, and infrastructure and cultural sites throughout the fire area. Fire line repair and chipping operations continue. The fire is being kept north of private timber lands by improving and holding forest system road features.

 Weather and Fire Behavior

Today will be the polar opposite of Tuesday as a cold front moves through this afternoon. There’s not much moisture left in the cold front, but there is chance of scattered showers. We will experience cool, westerly onshore winds of 5 to 8 mph and temperatures down to around 75 degrees in the lower valley. Afternoon humidity will also be double what it was yesterday. This cold front is followed by potential for general warming and drying for the remainder of the week.

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuation

• For closure information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/RedFireClosures2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireClosures2024.
• For fire restrictions, visit: https://tinyurl.com/DesFireRestrictions2024 & https://tinyurl.com/WillFireRestrictions2024.
• The Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice remains in effect for the Red Fire. For more information or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management.

Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat Fire Daily Update

9-25-24

Rail Ridge Fire

Acres: 164,158 – Containment: 61% – Detection Date: Sept 2, 2024 – Cause: Lightning – Total resources: 1255

Operational Update: An increase in fire activity along the western edge of the Rail Ridge Fire produced a large smoke column yesterday afternoon. Shifting winds moved the fire northward toward a control line created with tactical burning operations over the last few shifts. These lines held the fire in check along Coffee Pot Ridge where hotshot crews and aerial resources were engaged to catch any spot fires. Another shift in wind is expected today, with gusts up to 40 MPH, along with high temperatures and low relative humidities. Active fire behavior is expected again this afternoon, and crews will continue to strengthen and reinforce containment lines along the western edge in the Black Canyon Wilderness and along the northern edge near Aldrich Mountain. Mop up and suppression repair efforts are underway around the perimeter of the fire where containment has been established. 

The BLM, U.S. Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry are working in coordination to prioritize and complete suppression repair on federal, state and private lands. Landowners can submit a request for suppression repair assistance here: https://tinyurl.com/RailRidgeRepair

Wiley Flat Fire

Acres: 30,186 – Containment: 94% – Detection Date: Sept 2, 2024 – Cause: Lightning – Total resources: 63

Operational Update: Mop up and suppression repair is ongoing as crews work to eliminate any remaining heat signatures inside the fire perimeter.

Weather: Elevated temperatures and lower relative humidities with gusting winds up to 40 MPH are expected today. Fire activity is expected to increase midafternoon and will produce a visible smoke column. 

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 9-25-24.jpg

Wed, 09/25/2024 - 13:16

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Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat PIO Map 9-25-24.jpg

Size: 5,737 acres | Reported Date: September 7 | Cause: Lightning | Personnel: 371 | Containment: 96%

(Silver Lake, Ore.) – The Buck Creek Fire started in heavy timber within the Yamsay Mountain Semi-Primitive Area on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, about 13 miles southwest of Silver Lake, Ore. The fire spread north and east into managed timber stands on National Forest lands with brush/grass understory and remains about 11 miles from the community of Silver Lake. In anticipation of assuming command of the fire later this week, the Incident Commander of the incoming fire management team was given a helicopter tour to gather information on conditions around the fire. Despite the heavy smoke produced by burning woody material, surveys around the fire detected no hot spots or burning debris within 100 feet of its perimeter.

Yesterday, all burning that took place on the fire occurred well within containment lines. Grading of all roads around the fire was completed. Road graders and water tenders were released from the incident to be available elsewhere. An Albach chipper, one of the most powerful all-road, self-propelled chippers, was engaged on the north side of the fire, processing large woody debris and returning chips to the forest floor. Chipping operations continued along roads used as secondary lines north, northwest, and northeast of the fire.  Additional work included suppression repair on non-critical dozer lines, which are being restored to pre-fire conditions.

Today, with warmer temperatures and stronger southwesterly winds expected, efforts are focused on patrolling the eastern edge of the fire to ensure containment lines remain secure. Equipment operators will be completing suppression repair (pulling in berms and installing water bars) on dozer lines not serving as containment lines and chipping along roads used as secondary fire line. Backhauling of equipment continues and to date, nearly 30 miles of water hose has been returned to the Incident Command Post from the fire lines. Helicopters remain available to assist on-the-ground crews as needed.

Weather: Windy conditions are expected today with sustained southwest winds of 15 to 25 mph. Expect temperatures in the 70’s, with gradually decreasing winds once skies become cloudy this afternoon. 

Safety:  Firefighting equipment and personnel are present on local roads. For the safety of firefighters and the public, fire managers ask the public to drive carefully and remain clear of the fire areas. The public also plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire by using caution with all ignition sources. For fire prevention tips, visit: https://keeporegongreen.org. 

Closures and Restrictions: Fire danger remains high. Campfire and other restrictions are in place within the Fremont-Winema National Forest. A forest closure order is in effect for the area around the Buck Creek Fire. For the complete order and map, as well as more detail on fire restrictions, go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema. Christmas Valley Airport is being used as the helibase for fire operations and is temporarily closed to general aviation. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the Buck Creek Fire. 

Smoke:  Smoke from fires around the region may affect air quality. For more information on conditions and strategies on limiting exposure, go to: www.oregonsmoke.org or www.AirNow.gov.