Incident Publication

Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat Fire Daily Update

9-22-24

Rail Ridge Fire

Acres: 162,423- Containment: 50% - Detection Date: Sept 2, 2024 - Cause: Lightning - Total resources: 1,376 Crews: 41 - Engines: 50 - Dozers: 17

Operational Update

Hotshot crews and other firefighting resources continue to focus efforts along the northern portion of the fire, working to identify opportunities for direct and indirect line construction along the uncontained fire edge. Crews are working to increase containment while favorable weather conditions persist in anticipation of warmer temperatures and gusting winds that are predicted next week. Mop up and suppression repair is ongoing along the southern half of the fire, where crews work to increase depth along containment lines and repair roads that were damaged during suppression activities.

Wiley Flat Fire
Acres: 30,186 - Containment: 94% - Detection Date: Sept 2, 2024 - Cause: Lightning - Total resources: 141

Crews: 2 - Engines: 3 - Dozers: 2

Operational Update Crews on the Wiley Flat Fire have been focused on establishing containment along the last section of perimeter without control lines in place. Road rehabilitation and suppression repair are ongoing around the fire as firefighters work to restore sensitive areas within the fire footprint to identified standards.

Closures and Evacuations

Rail Ridge Evacuations: All level 1 and 2 evacuation zones have been lifted for Grant County, and level 3 zones have been downgraded to level 2 “set” status. For Crook and Wheeler counties, all evacuation statuses have been lifted.

Wiley Flat Evacuations: All areas inside the fire perimeter are designated Level 3 Evacuation zones. The area encompassing approximately one-half mile from the fire perimeter is designated Level 2 evacuation zone.

For Current Evacuation Levels in all 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

Central Oregon Wildfire Information: centraloregonfire.org
Email:2024.railridge@firenet.gov -Phone:541-208-7111
Social Media, Evacuation and Closure Information: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire

Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat Public Information Map 9-22-24.jpg

Sun, 09/22/2024 - 12:12

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Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat Public Information Map 9-22-24.jpg

     Ruby Fire Quick Facts

This is the last update unless significant fire activity occurs.

Size: 1336 acres                      Location: North Cascades National Park, Ruby Mountain, Diablo, Washington

Containment: 0%                    Cause: Lightning/Natural

Start Date: August 9, 2024     Fire Personnel: Incident Commander Type 4 (ICT4), Type 3 helicopter and crew and local fire personnel 

Fire Information: 360-208-8096 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wancp-ruby-fire

Email: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov

Current Status: This will be the last update unless significant fire activity occurs. Today the Ruby Fire is transitioning from the current Incident Commander (IC) to the local unit. Yesterday saw an increase in visible smoke. This was not due to an increase in fire activity. Smoke has been settling low in the drainages and valleys due a stable airmass in place. Today brings a chance of showers in the afternoon with Monday and Tuesday experiencing warmer and drier conditions. Most fire activity is near the west side of Panther Creek on the east slope of Ruby Mountain. Fire personnel continue to monitor the fire for concerns or changes. Travelers should use extra caution when traveling on State Route 20 (SR20) near Colonial Creek Campground to avoid inhibiting active firefighting operations. Panther Creek Trail and Thunder Creek Trail north of Junction camps are closed.

Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue to support fire suppression efforts and be ready to protect critical infrastructure such as campgrounds, SR20, trails, and backcountry camps in preparation for possible fire growth. The Ruby Fire is a full suppression fire, and firefighters are using tactics with the highest chance for success, while reducing safety risks to themselves and the public. 

Weather: To visit current weather please visit: https://forecast.weather.gov/

Closures: Multiple closures remain in place for public safety. Panther Creek Trail and Thunder Creek Trail north of Junction camps are closed. Go to the park website https://go.nps.gov/fireclosures for a complete list.

Smoke: To view current air quality visit: https://www.airnow.gov.

Burning Restrictions: There are currently no fire restrictions in place: https://go.nps.gov/ban-lifted.

Drone Restrictions: If you fly, we can’t. Drones can jeopardize firefighting efforts, and operating drones within North Cascades National Park is prohibited, except with prior written approval from the superintendent. 

Cooperating Agencies & Tribes: National Park Service, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Seattle City Light, Whatcom County, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Dept. of Transportation, Washington DNR.

To sign up for Ruby Fire updates, email: 2024.Ruby@firenet.gov Thank you.

Fossil Complex Crews Turn Corner from Suppression Action to Suppression Repair

FOSSIL, Ore. – With the increasing containment, work on the Service Fire continued with mop up and suppression repair.  ODF IMT3 Operation Section Chief Justin Lauer said the efforts are “turning that corner focusing on suppression repair over suppression action on this fire.” Suppression efforts will be on gridding the fire for any areas of heat or smoke and hauling back of equipment.

Suppression repair crews will continue work on all three fire areas - the Fossil Complex, the Lonerock Fire and the Battle Mountain Complex.  They will be focusing repair work on the interior areas of the fires identifying and repairing dozer lines, staging areas, and creating water bars to safely channel water runoff where needed, along with making fencing repairs. 

Today’s weather will be like yesterday with highs in the upper 60s to lower 70s. Winds will be light out of the south and relative humidity in the lower 20s.

There are no evacuation orders on the Fossil Complex.

Videos: Recordings of the Daily Operations Updates and other stories are available at: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex.

Willamette Complex North Update Boulder Creek, Ore, Linton Creek, 374 and Pyramid Fires 

Fire Update for Sunday, September 22 through Monday, September 23, 2024
Fire updates will be provided for a two-day operational period.

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

Willamette Complex North Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565845313387  

Email:2024.WillametteComplex.North@firenet.gov
Information line: 541-208-1262      Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Overview:  OR-126 between mileposts 13 and 19.5 is now open for two-lane traffic. OR-242 remains closed to all traffic between the intersection with OR-126 and the Dee Wright Observatory (mileposts 55 to 75). For current road conditions, please check Oregon Department of Transportation’s website: https://www.tripcheck.com/.

Temperatures are forecasted to increase over the next few days.  As our daylight shortens, the north aspect vegetation will continue to become less available to burn. Warmer and drier conditions may lead to a moderate increase in fire behavior on south aspects. Some fire growth is expected; however, all fires are expected to remain within their current footprints. An increase in smoke visibility is possible during these warmer daytime temperatures. 

Willamette National Forest Area Closures: Fire-related closures remain in place on the McKenzie River Ranger District, as well as on the Middle Fork Ranger District. Please respect and avoid closed areas of the national forest.

Source: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029. 

Boulder Creek: 523 acres, 34% contained 
Located 5 miles east of McKenzie Bridge. More containment has been gained. Crews will continue to monitor, masticate, and chip vegetative material to draw out areas of heat interior of the containment lines and prevent fire spread as the daytime temperatures continue to increase.

Ore: 3,484 acres, 77% contained 
Located 7 miles northeast of Blue River. Firefighters continue mastication and chipping operations to remove vegetative fuels from the edge of the containment lines and carry on with repairing other non-essential firelines. As we move into warmer temperatures, this fire will be monitored for pockets of heat and increased fire activity. 

Pyramid: 1,312 Acres, 98% contained 

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness. Firefighters have removed all hose and water pumps. All chipping and mastication of fuels have been completed. Crews are shifting focus to suppression repair and rehabilitation of non-primary control lines. This fire will continue to be monitored for fire activity as we move into warmer daytime temperatures. 

374: 60 acres, 0% contained and Linton Creek: 1,309 acres, 0% contained

Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Both fires are remaining within their footprints adjacent to natural barriers and previous fire scars. Fire activity remains low but is expected to increase slightly with rising temperatures. These fires will continue in monitoring status. 

A Community Meeting will be held in Indian Valley on Tuesday, September 24th at 7:00 p.m. at the Indian Valley Community Hall, 803 Indian Valley Road, Indian Valley, Idaho.  

Overview: The Lava Fire is on the Boise and Payette National Forests and lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management and the Idaho Department of Lands. The fire is located north of Emmett and west of Lake Cascade and started by lightning on Monday, September 2. It is burning in tall grass, brush, and timber.  

The Lava Fire is currently 97,844 acres with 61 percent of the perimeter contained. 610 personnel are assigned, including 10 crews, 1 large helicopter, 1 small helicopter, 25 engines, 10 bulldozers, 15 water tenders, 7 excavators, 1 skidder, 7 masticators, 7 graders, and 8 ambulances. 

Property remaining in an area that is evacuated or impacted by Forest Service closures must remain until fire managers, Sheriff’s departments, and emergency management departments deem the area is safe for reentry.  

Operations: Yesterday, with drier weather operations section chief trainee CorDell Taylor observed “white, whispy smoke above the treeline” mainly on the eastern part of the fire. Pockets of heat remain scattered in areas of timber throughout the Lava Fire and as these areas continue to dry, smoldering logs, trees, and stumps may actively burn. However, due to the good work firefighters have done, these isolated areas pose little threat to additional fire growth. 

In the eastern flank, chippers reduced burnable vegetation along Forest Service Road 446E and Gopher Road. Firefighters continued to backhaul excess equipment and patrol and mop up isolated areas of heat as needed.  

Firefighters constructed direct line along the fire edge in the northern flank from Little Weiser River working east and working west from Forest Service Roads 835 to 766. Mop up continued around homes near Grays Creek. 

On the western flank, nine more miles of road grading was completed and excavators helped repair interior bulldozer lines. Crews also extinguished isolated areas of heat. They worked with resource advisors in the interior to assess additional needs. 

Crews continued to monitor the southern flank near the Gross community. Firefighters constructed direct and indirect line along Forest Service Road 653. 

Today, firefighters will continue to cool isolated pockets of heat and work alongside resource advisors throughout the fire to carry out and assess suppression repair needs to return areas to pre-fire conditions. 

On the eastern flank, chipping will reduce thick, burnable vegetation on Forest Service Roads 446E and Gopher Road. Crews will patrol Forest Service Road 404 and extinguish any heat sources they find, focusing on a depth of 100 feet from the line.  Firefighters will repair handlines and bulldozer lines and assess equipment needs such as a road repair graders. Firefighters will grade roadways between Campbell Creek boat ramp and God’s Acres.  

On the northern flank, firefighters continue to remove hazardous trees on Forest Service Road 206 to allow safe access to interior handlines. Crews continue to build direct line east along the fire edge towards Anderson Creek until it meets with a bulldozer line constructed from the north.  

On the western flank, crews will extinguish heat along containment lines near Forest Service Road 208. Firefighters will work in the southwest to repair bulldozer line that was installed for containment. Nearly 10,00 feet of fire hose no longer needed for suppression efforts will be backhauled. 

On the southern flank, firefighters continue to patrol and mop up any fire activity near the Gross community. Crews continue constructing direct and indirect handline northeast along Forest Service Road 653, while mopping up and cold trailing as needed. Chipping operations will occur on Forest Service Road 618.  

Weather/Fire Behavior: Another dry and fair day is forecasted today. Minimal cloud cover during the morning hours will increase during the afternoon and evening, shading to the fire. High temperature is expected to remain seasonable in the 60s. The weather system shouldn’t cause any rain on the fire; instead its moisture is expected to bring a small increase to the relative humidity. The winds are expected to remain weak during the passage of the system either at 3 to 6 mph with gusts up to 12 mph. 

Evacuations: Adams County Sheriff’s Office downgraded to a Level 1 “READY” for residents south of South Grays Creek, along Little Weiser River Road in Indian Valley, North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and the Mesa Area.  

Valley County Sheriff’s Office removed Zones 2 & 3 from LEVEL 1 “READY” status. Zones 4 – 6 remain in a LEVEL 1 “READY” Evacuation notice.  

Closures and Restrictions: The Boise and Payette National Forests implemented a joint Lava Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure for public and firefighter safety. The southern portion of this closure area follows roads 601 (which remains closed) and 644 (which remains open). The northern boundary follows a portion of the Payette National Forest’s road 186 (open) and crosses over to the Boise National Forest just south of trail 116. Snowbank Road (446) and Sage Hen Reservoir area remain closed, French Creek Campground remains open. This closure adjustment became effective on September 19, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.  

Gem County Road and Bridge issued the following road closures: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. The Sweet-Ola Highway is closed at the High Valley intersection in Ola. Please be advised that the Gem County Sheriff’s Office is staffing the road closure check points. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes the use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly. 

The Pearl Fire is now 90% contained. Crews have worked diligently on strengthening containment lines to ensure there is no heat near the perimeter. The number of personnel on the fire has decreased significantly over the last two days, but resources continue to monitor and complete any remaining work on the fire line. 

A cold front has moved in over the fire area, bringing cooler and wetter conditions. Temperatures will stay well below normal through Sunday. Smoke and flames will remain visible from the interior of the fire, within established control lines.

On Sept. 21, 2024, Larimer County removed all evacuation orders for the area. The Pearl Fire Area Closure remains in effect and Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place until further notice. Visit Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests website for more information on Forest closures and fire restrictions. When returning to the area, the public is asked to adhere to any area or road closures and be aware of emergency personnel. 

At 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, 2024, the Type 3 Incident Management Team will hand fire management back to the Roosevelt National Forest.

More information on the Pearl Fire can be found on InciWeb. For the latest updates, follow us on Facebook and X. To receive email updates on this fire, join our email list and select Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 14 to Wyoming Border (Red Feather Lakes).

FIRE BEHAVIOR:

The increase in winds today, coupled with low RH and higher temperatures, will lead to an increase in fire behavior across the fires. There will be surface fire spread across all fuels, especially in the heavy dead and downs. Although we will see an increase in fire behavior, with the possibility of visible fire and smoke, it is important to note that this activity will occur within the current fire perimeter. 

FIRE ACTIVITY:

Red Rock Fire is currently at 3055 acres and 32% containment.

Crews took advantage of the favorable weather, advancing directly south from Fourth of July Creek to the 60110 road, then continuing west along the 60110 road to the southernmost edge. As fuels dried out, fire behavior intensified, leading to increased fire spread. The fire remained active in the bowl near Red Rock Peak but stayed within its current footprint.

Today, crews will focus on establishing a direct line north from Red Rock Peak, as well as along the southern portion of the fire and up the west flank. Maintenance and grading work are ongoing, along with the use of chippers to clear tree debris typically left from firefighting efforts. This tactical repair work will continue as resources transition to a long-term suppression repair strategy.

Black Eagle Fire is currently at 6465 acres and 8% containment.

Yesterday, crews concentrated on hotspots along the southeast side of the fire near Black Eagle Creek and Black Eagle Mine, establishing direct lines and conducting hazard tree abatement along nearby roads. This work will continue today, with additional hazard tree abatement along the 60112 road. Crews will also focus on securing spot fires both east and west of Black Eagle Creek.

WEATHER:

Mostly sunny skies are forecast for this morning, with increasing cloudiness as well as winds and wind gusts through the afternoon. High temperatures for today are forecast to warm into the lower 60's, with minimum RH levels of 21-26%.

FOREST CLOSURES:

For forest closure information please go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices

EVACUATIONS: 

For evacuation information in Lemhi County regarding these fires please go to: Emergency Management Department | Lemhi County, ID (lemhicountyidaho.org).

Map of Black Eagle and Red Rock Fire - 9/22/24

Sun, 09/22/2024 - 09:55

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Map of Black Eagle and Red Rock Fire - 9/22/24

The 09/22/24 Public Information map for the Red Rock and Black Eagle fires

Wapiti Fire Statistics

• Size: 125,476 acres 
• Completion: 72% 
• Total Personnel: 375 
• 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 Updates:   Great Basin Team #4 is also in command of the 82-acre Corral Fire. Located east of Atlanta, ID, the fire has not exhibited any growth or fire activity since Thursday, September 19. This fire will not be reported on daily unless significant activity occurs. 

Weather:  Today’s weather will be very similar to yesterday’s. Warmer and drier conditions continue until midweek when a slight chance for moisture and thunderstorms is forecast. Incident meteorologists will continue to monitor the incoming weather and provide firefighters with information on the likely impacts to the fire area. 

Current Situation:  Slight increases in fire behavior occurred yesterday on the Wapiti Fire when the clear skies and warm temperatures allowed vegetation to burn more readily than it has since last week’s rain. Light terrain winds caused whirls of dust and ash to rise several hundred feet into the air. This is likely to continue while the warm and dry weather remains over the vicinity and are not of concern to firefighting efforts.   

Near Lowman and the Bull Trout area, firefighters have nearly completed all suppression repair work doable by hand and are waiting for incoming equipment to support larger repair actions. Special equipment is also on order to facilitate reopening the road to Grandjean since mudslides closed it to all traffic last week. Engineers and other specialists are in consultation with fire managers to ensure it is completed effectively.   

Fire crews continue to cut down trees near Stanley Lake and in Iron Creek that pose hazards near roads and trails. They are also pulling out equipment, signage, and other markers of fire suppression actions. Some fire activity was observed in Iron Creek yesterday; it was far enough interior of the fire perimeter that it did not require any direct response by firefighters.  Log removal continues along the 210 road.  Once equipment has finished with that, it will be moved to the west side of the fire to support repair actions there.  

Traffic control measures along Highway 21 may increase during the week as Idaho Transportation Department (ITD) continues replacing damaged infrastructure and signage along with removing trees along the highway right of way. 

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

All evacuation levels have been lifted for Boise County; residents should continue to be alert for any change in conditions which could cause a return of evacuation status. To sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notifications, enroll online 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 has been reduced but still covers portions of the Sawtooth, Boise, and Salmon 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. 

Frog Fire Statistics 

• Size: 3,111 acres 
• Containment: 42% 
• Total Personnel: 108 
• 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 

Special Updates:   Great Basin Team #4 is also in command of the 82-acre Corral Fire. Located east of Atlanta, ID, the fire has not exhibited any growth or fire activity since Thursday, September 19. This fire will not be reported on daily unless significant activity occurs. 

Weather:  Today’s weather will be very similar to yesterday’s. Warmer and drier conditions continue until midweek when a slight chance for moisture and thunderstorms is forecast. Incident meteorologists will continue to monitor the incoming weather and provide firefighters with information on the likely impacts to the fire area. 

Current Situation:  More accurate mapping of the Frog Fire accounts for the additional growth on the northeast end of the fire. A crew was flown into the southern corner of the fire, above Little Boulder Creek, to begin working directly along the fire perimeter to extend existing containment line that stretches along the eastern edge of the burned area. In the northwest corner of the fire, where more fire activity has been observed over the weekend, helicopters dropped water to suppress flames and limit spread. Fire engines and crews remain in the valley to respond to any threats to private property. 

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

Closures:  An area closure is in place around the Frog Fire. Roads 669 and 670 and trails 678 and 047 are all included in the closure. See the map and read the complete description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idstf-frog. 

Middle Fork Complex Fire Update

September 22, 2024

Middle Fork Complex: 61,484 acres, 85% completion, 553 Personnel   

Snag Fire: 33,300 acres, 75% completion, 178Personnel   

Goat Fire: 26,478 acres 32% completion, 89 personnel 

Though fire activity has remained low, an Infrared recon flight last night revealed several remaining heat sources within the perimeter of the fires, posing minimal threat for spread. Firefighters will continue to monitor these areas and be prepared for suppression action if necessary.The predicted weather calls for continued mild temperatures, minimal winds, and moderate humidity. These conditions are conducive to proposed repair actions, and minimal fire activity. Because of the determined work by firefighters, the Containment on all fires has significantly increased. 

Today, suppression repair and rehabilitation activities will continue to be the focus on all fires with additional resources being assigned to carry out these actions. On the Goat Fire, the Mad River Hot Shot crew and other resources continue to construct direct and indirect fireline in the steep and rugged terrain in the area West of East Mountain adjacent the 2017 East Mountain fire scar. Crews will continue to mop-up several hot spots on the northeast corner of the Snag fire near the Warm Lake Highway. Point protection will remain in place for communities and property at risk. 

The public are reminded that heavy fire equipment and support vehicle traffic can be expected along all open roadways. 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.  

Middle Fork Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.)                     

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