Incident Publication

Unified Command: CIIMT5, Los Angeles County Fire, Los Angeles County Sheriff, San Bernardino County Sheriff, CAL FIRE – San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit

Start Date: September 8, 2024, at 2:12 p.m.

Incident Website: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-bridge-fire

Fire Information: (626) 662-0120

Media Line: (626) 470-1395

Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Email: 2024.Bridge@firenet.gov 

Fire Size: 54,795 acres

Percent Contained: 59%

Personnel: 1,910

Injuries: 5

Structures Damaged: 17

Structures Destroyed: 81

Cause: Under investigation

Location: Sheep Mountain Wilderness, San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

CURRENT SITUATION: Today, potential thunderstorms did not materialize, and the fire area saw only trace amounts of rain in a few spots. However, the possibility of cloud to ground lightning strikes on the north side of the fire led some crews to take shelter for a time. Firefighters continued mop-up efforts across much of the fire area, securing containment lines wherever possible, extinguishing isolated heat sources, and felling hazardous trees to improve public and crew safety—especially in the northwest area around Vincent Gap near Grassy Hollow. Overnight, crews will continue to patrol, mop-up, and answering public service calls.

A Forest Order will close portions of the Angeles National Forest at 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024. The Order closing the Bridge Fire area is available in local U.S. Forest Service offices and online at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/angeles 

Damage inspection teams have completed their inspections. For more information you will find an interactive maps for residents affected by the Bridge Fire at: 
For San Bernardino County: prepare.sbcounty.gov/bridge-fire/ 
For Los Angeles County: recovery.lacounty.gov/bridgefire/

Local Assistance Centers:

Los Angeles and San Bernadino Counties are working together providing assistance to residents affected by the recent Bridge and Line Fires. The purpose of the LAC is to provide a one-stop center where individuals, family members, and business owners may obtain information on services and assistance needed because of a disaster or damage to personal property. 

https://lacounty.gov/2024/09/18/los-angeles-and-san-bernardino-counties-to-open-joint-local-assistance-centers-for-residents-impacted-by-bridge-and-line-fires/

**Please note that evacuation orders have been lifted in several areas. Current order and warnings still in place are listed below.

Evacuation Order:

• Mile High

Evacuation Warning: 

• Bear Canyon 
• East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort and River Community

For Interactive maps on evacuations: 

• Los Angeles County: Genasys Protect website or download the app. https://protect.genasys.com  
• San Bernadino:  https://sbcounty.maps.arcgis.com 

For emergency alerts, please register here:  

• Los Angeles County: https://ready.lacounty.gov/emergency-notifications/  
• San Bernardino County: https://wp.sbcounty.gov/sheriff/alerts/   

Evacuation Centers:

• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds: 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 

Animals: 

• Devore Animal Shelter: 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA. (909) 386-9820. After hours: (800) 472-5609
• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds: 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 
• Palmdale Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 
• Lancaster Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA

For more information on evacuation centers:

• www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
• https://lacounty.gov/emergency/ 

ROAD CLOSURES: 

• Big Pines Highway
• Big Rock Creek Road 
• Largo Vista Road
• Mescal Creek Road
• Panorama Motorway
• SR-39 at the base of San Gabriel Canyon (residents of Camp Williams and River Community only)
• Glendora Mountain Road north of Big Dalton Road
• SR-2 at Flume Canyon Road westbound                                             

WEATHER:
The area will see a warming and drying trend as a high-pressure system from the Pacific Ocean moves in. The marine layer will dissipate by early- to mid-week, and relative humidities will drop, leading to elevated fire weather. While winds aren’t expected to be particularly challenging, the weather will still be more favorable for fire growth in the coming week.

Date(s): Sep 20, 2024

Forest Order: 05-01-24-10

The Angeles National Forest has issued a closure order in the area of the Bridge Fire to provide for public safety. Closure of the fire area is necessary to help ensure that no one is injured within the areas impacted by the fire.

The National Forest System roads and trails within the burned area will be closed to provide for public safety and to facilitate natural recovery of the natural resources affected by the Bridge Fire.

This Order is effective from September 21, 2024, through December 31, 2025.

The following is prohibited within the Angeles National Forest and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument: 

1. Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Bridge Fire Closure Area as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Bridge Fire Closure Area as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B.  
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Bridge Fire Closure Area as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Owners, lessees, or residents of private land in the Bridge Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to access their land, unless the area is under evacuation order by the County Sheriff or California Office of Emergency Management. 
2. CalTech employees or students who are currently assigned to a NASA-JPL program facilities, to the extent necessary to access the Government facility, for the purpose of conducting NASA-JPL research or duties, unless the area is under evacuation order by the County Sheriff or California Office of Emergency Management. Valid NASA-JPL identification is required to be carried while in the closure area. 
3. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty. 
4. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

See attached information for Exhibit A/B and more details.

Attachments:

Closure Order

Exhibit B South Map

Exhibit B North Map

Bridge Fire Closure Map

4:00 PM, September 20, 2024

Estimated size: 1,098 acres
Start Date/Time: July 17, 2024
Area of Origin: 21 air miles east of Darrington WA
Cause: Lightning
Fuels/Topography: timber, rugged terrain
Structures Damaged: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.
Evacuations: None

This is the last public information update for the Miners Complex fire. The incident email and fire information phone will no longer be monitored after 5pm on Friday, September 20th. The incident Inciweb page will continue to be active until the fires are out.                                                  

Update: Effective 9/20/2024, the Pacific Crest Trail between Mica Lake and Suiattle Pass is now open. The Suiattle River Road closure has been lifted, and all trails are open besides the Suiattle River Trail #784 and Sulphur Mountain Trail #794, which remain closed due to fire activity. 

The Sulphur Fires remain active at high elevations, and fire debris roll-out has been seen near the Suiattle River Trail. It is anticipated that the fires will continue to burn at high elevations until the area receives a significant amount of rain. Little to no activity has been seen on the Miners, Middle Ridge, Dolly, and Plummer fires. Smoke was seen recently on the Vista fire after several weeks without activity.

The Middle Ridge fire burned over ~0.2 miles of the PCT. While hiking on the PCT, please note that the fire does not pose any active safety risks, but fire weakened trees can be a safety hazard. If you are in the area, you may see or smell smoke. Please consider the following safety tips for hiking in fire impacted areas:

• Do not camp in an area with standing dead or fire impacted trees, as they are likely to fall. 
• If there are high winds, consider adjusting your schedule to avoid spending time in recently burned areas. During high winds, fire impacted trees are much more likely to fall.
• Erosion can be common after fires, leading to poor or unstable trail conditions. Stay situationally aware when hiking on burned over trails – look for any areas of the trail that are eroding, especially at high elevations next to drop-offs. 

Please follow the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Facebook and the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest website Alerts & Notices page for updates on any further trail openings. 

Smoke: For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Forest Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has lifted the full campfire ban and forest-wide shooting restrictions, effective 8/28/2024. All closures are lifted in the fire area besides the Suiattle River Trail #784 and Sulphur Mountain Trail #794. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

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Lava Fire Evacuation Zone Update, September 20th, 1410 MDT

We are removing the ready status for zones 2 & 3 on the Lava Fire.

Zones 4 - 6 will remain in "Ready". Valley County Sheriff Copperi is actively engaging with fire officials and will continue throughout the weekend to keep us all updated.

You will continue to see columns of smoke along West Mountain. As always if you have concerns, please contact our dispatch center and we will take the information and pass it along to the appropriate persons,

If you have questions or need more information, please contact our dispatch center at 208-382-5160.

Thank you and as always, be safe.

Valley County Idaho

U.S. Forest Service - Payette National Forest

U.S. Forest Service - Boise National Forest

Cascade Fire Department

Donnelly Rural Fire Protection District

West Mountain Fires

KXGV Radio Host Slim Gormet interviews Great Basin Team 2 Public Information Officer Erin Meyrs and Incident Meteorologist Dan Byrd

https://youtu.be/kDimrrff2mY?si=txtvco8m5yjjwL5h

Swauk Creek Fire 

September 20, 2024

Estimated size: 348 acres

Containment: 51%

Start Date/Time: 9/8/2024 at 3:54 PM

Area of Origin: Adjacent to Highway 97, 14 miles east of Cle Elum, WA

Cause: Human                                                      

Structures Damaged: 0

Update: Today’s forecast will continue to challenge the fire perimeter as wind gusts up to 22 mph are expected across the area. While cooler temperatures are expected, humidity levels will remain in the 30’s allowing fuels to continue to dry out. 

Dayshift crews are monitoring the strength and security of the fire perimeter and control lines, improving containment lines, gridding areas to identify hot spots and mop-up as needed. Crews will be patrolling throughout the day, checking for any smoke or hotspots that could threaten fire control or containment lines.

Some resources are demobilizing from the fire throughout the day. Due to the busy fire season, resources are timing out and needing to return to their home units to rest and prepare for other incidents that may develop.  Over the weekend, resources remaining at the incident will be transitioning the response to the local units with Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest - Cle Elum Ranger District and the WA Department of Natural Resources – Southeast Region Kittitas County Unit that will continue to mop-up, patrol and repair the fire.  

Smoke: While the interior burn area continues to consume dry and downed fuels, citizens and travelers in local communities and along Highway 97 may still see smoke coming from the fire. The fire remains fully staffed to monitor and maintain control lines.

Forest Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has area, road, and trail closures due to the Swauk Creek Fire. For a detailed list of closures, including a map of the closure area, please visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=90533.

Road Closures: Highway 97 remains open. Due to the increased flow of fire vehicle traffic traveling in and out of the fire area, we ask that people drive slowly through the area using caution.

Weather: Dry, northwest flow will continue over the fire today as cooler air continues to move into the region.  Temperatures will lower back into the low to mid 60’s.  The air mass will remain unseasonably dry so despite the cooler temperatures, afternoon humidity levels will continue to dry out near 30-36%.  Winds will be elevated from the west to northwest with speeds of 9 to 13 mph and gusts of 15 to 22 mph. 

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels have been lowered effective yesterday, September 19, 2024, at 6:00 PM.  There are only Level 1 (Be Fire Aware) evacuations in place.  These can be found on the interactive map. Many Forest Service roads are affected in this area; please review the map if you want to know about a specific location/road. Live map of active fires from Kittitas County:

https://kitcogis.maps.arcgis.com/.../minima.../index.html...

The First Creek area is currently closed to the public.

As always, conditions can change quickly; please stay alert and avoid the area if you feel unsafe.

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FIRE ACTIVITY: 

In the past 72 hours, a substantial arrival of federal and state resources from across the nation has arrived to assist in fighting the Red Rock and Black Eagle fires. This increase in resources will support our full suppression strategy and enable us to make significant progress toward getting containment on these fires. 

The Red Rock Fire is currently 3,055 acres and is 15% contained. 

Units are actively repairing roads in the Red Rock fire area, including Panther Creek Road, with the aim of bettering access all the way to Road 10112. Crews are grading the roadways and chipping downed trees and branches along the edges. As containment efforts advance, these repairs will transition to long-term suppression rehabilitation. 

Meanwhile, hotshot crews are spiked out in the south, scouting safe locations to go direct to increase containment efforts in the southern and western part of the fire. Additional crews are focusing on established containment lines, working to extend and connect them, particularly along the northern and eastern borders. 

The Black Eagle Fire is currently 6,451 acres and is 4% contained. 

Crews are actively using infrared cameras and helicopter flyovers to monitor the behavior of the Black Eagle Fire. The fire has shown very limited growth on both its western and eastern flanks, having burned into a rock scree with little to no vegetation. Similar observations have been noted on the northern side.  

Meanwhile, a hotshot crew is spiked at the Yellow Jacket Guard Station, scouting locations for a direct attack on the fire near Black Eagle Mine in the southeast area. Additionally, a hand crew is also on site to assist with addressing hotspots. 
 
In wildland firefighting, "spiked out" refers to a crew being stationed away from their base camp, typically in a remote location, to be closer to the fire line. This allows them to respond quickly to fire activity and conduct operations more efficiently. Crews often set up a temporary camp, or "spike camp," where they can rest and regroup while remaining ready for action. 

WEATHER: 

The weather today will likely be similar to yesterday, with cold weather and high humidity in the morning giving way to warmer temperatures and drier air around 11 AM. Winds will be blowing out of the west/southwest, averaging around 13 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph.  

FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

The warming and drying trend will likely cause fire activity to increase over the next few days, with the possibility of open flame and fire spread in addition to the increased burning of heavy dead and down fuels. Fire spread will most likely occur where steep slopes align with the wind or where there is a heavy fuel load, particularly west of Red Rock Peak. This increased activity will make direct attack more difficult than it has been the past few days. 

FOREST CLOSURES: 

Forest Closure Order 04-13-24-017 remains in place. Closure order 04-13-24-019 has been rescinded, and Forest Closure Order 04‐13‐24‐020 is now in place. The Salmon‐Challis National Forest has reduced the Black Eagle Fire Closure. The explanation of closure order #04-13-24-020 is as follows:  

Described Roads 

NFS lands, roads, and trails on the Salmon-Cobalt, and North Fork Ranger Districts of the Salmon-Challis National Forest within the area bounded by the following: 

Beginning at the intersection of FS Road 112 and 055 (Panther Creek Rd) to the intersection of FS Road 112 and 113.  Then following FS Road 113 to its intersection with trail 029 (FS Roads 112 and 113 are closed to the public).  Then following the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Boundary to the Golden Trout Lake Trailhead, including the Big Horn Crags Campground and crossing over into the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness and onto the ridge to the West of Wilson Creek, then going South to Middle Fork Peak.  From Middle Fork Peak to the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Boundary to trail 053 then running along Little Jacket Creek to Trail 051, then following Trail 051 to Birdseye Creek to Forest Road 245 at its intersection with Panther Creek road 55. Then following the western side of FS Road 55 (Panther Creek), to the intersection of FS Road 55 and 112. 

The purpose of this order is to protect public health and safety during the Black Eagle/Red Rock Fire. This Order shall be in effect from September 17, 2024, at 8:00 am until rescinded. 

For more information please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices 

EVACUATIONS:   

Lemhi County has made changes in the evacuation zone statuses.  The changes are as follows: 

• ZONE 1- WILL REMAIN IN “GO” STATUS 

•  Yellowjacket drainage 

• ZONE 2- HAS BEEN RESCINDED 

• ZONE 3- WILL REMAIN IN “READY” STATUS 

• Zone 3: Forney to road #252 to road #103 and back to Moyer 

• ZONE 4- WILL REMAIN IN “READY” STATUS 

• Zone 4: Silver Creek, Rams Creek, and Camas Creek from Hammer Creek to White Goat Creek

Map of Black Eagle and Red Rock Fire - 9/20/24

Fri, 09/20/2024 - 14:21

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Map of Black Eagle and Red Rock Fire - 9/20/24

Map of Black Eagle and Red Rock Fire - 9/20/24

Willamette Complex South & Red Fire Update

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

Date: Friday, September 20, 2024                                  

Fire Causes: Lightning

Email: 2024.willamettecomplex@firenet.gov               

Information Phone Line: 541-208-1742

Willamette Complex South:   Total Personnel: 428 |  Total Willamette Complex South Acres: 23,365

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

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

Red Fire: Total Personnel: 18  |  Total Red Fire Acres: 1,769

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

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

Summary 

Most fire activity in the area has been limited – some smoldering and slight expansion inside the fires’ perimeters. Though some flames may be visible in sun-exposed acreage, fire growth has been minimal. Crews continue working to firm up indirect control lines and repair resources in places impacted by suppression operations.

The Chalk Fire, Coffee Pot Fire, McKinley Creek Fire, and Tire Mountain Fire are considered 100% contained and have entered the patrol and repair phases. Crews are clearing blocked culverts to maintain proper water drainage and prevent erosion, repairing fire access roads or those impacted by fire suppression activities, and removing fire-line construction materials. Tasks are prioritized under the advisement of specialists such as ecologists, hydrologists, and archeologists in an effort to ensure repairs and restoration are effective and scientifically sound. 

Members of the public are encouraged to continue respecting area closures and restrictions.

Red Fire (1,769 acres, 0% containment) 

Hauling and removing slash from Forest Service Road (FSR) 6010 from Summit Lake to the southwestern corner of Crescent Lake remain a priority. Road repairs and clean-up of the shaded fuel break from Whitefish Horse Camp to Crescent Lake Sno-Park will continue. Structure protection measures – including portable tanks, hoses, and pumps – will remain in place even as fire conditions recently improved, as warmer, drier weather is on the way. Fire growth remains at a moderate pace and concentrated on the southeast perimeter.

208 Fire (8,953 acres, 4% containment) 

Crews observed some spotty smoking near the northwest corner and will continue to improve holding features from Lighthouse Rock to Summit Lake. Road repairs and material chipping are ongoing along FSR 21 from Campers Flat to Emigrant Butte. 

Moss Mountain Fire (2,168 acres, 10% containment) 

Slash and excess vegetation removal to strengthen primary lines northeast of Groundhog Mountain is nearly complete. Crews are making progress south of Beach Mountain near FSR 2316 and expect to connect to the existing fire-line along FSR 23 from the 208 Fire. 

Weather and Fire Behavior 

A weak cold front is moving through early today, reducing the relative humidity by 5-10%, but that will be followed by a warming trend that will usher in higher temperatures and increasing humidity levels until another front arrives mid-week next week.  Temperatures will return to seasonal averages, with lows in the 40s and highs in the mid-60s but may spike next Tuesday. Expect light northwest winds and relative humidity to decrease to around 40 percent.  Smoldering and creeping fires are becoming less frequent as heavy fuels burn out. 

Closures, Fire Restrictions, and Evacuations 

• 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.

11:00 AM, September 20, 2024

Estimated size: 211 acres
Start Date/Time: July 17, 2024
Area of Origin: Johannesburg Mountain. 1 Mile East of Mineral Park C.G.
Cause: Lightning
Fuels/Topography: Timber, rugged terrain
Structures Damaged: None
Evacuations: None

This is the last public information update for the Pincer Two fire. The incident email and fire information phone will no longer be monitored after 5pm on Friday, September 20th. The incident Inciweb page will continue to be active until the fires are out.

Update: The closure on the Cascade River Road and all tributary roads, trailheads and trails has officially been lifted as of Friday, September 20th. The fire does not pose any risk to visitors, trails, structures or roads at this time, but please be aware that the fire is still burning at 3,500 feet. If you are in the area, you may see or smell smoke that is coming from the interior of the fire. It is anticipated that the fire will burn until there is a significant amount of rain received in the fire area. Firefighters will be in the area continuing to monitor until the fires are officially determined to be out. Please consider the following safety tips for recreating in fire impacted areas. 

• Do not camp in an area with standing dead or fire impacted trees, as they are likely to fall. 
• If there are high winds, consider adjusting your schedule if possible to avoid spending time in recently burned areas. During high winds, fire impacted trees are much more likely to fall.
• Erosion can be common after fires, leading to poor or unstable trail conditions. Stay situationally aware when hiking on burned over trails – look for any areas of the trail that are eroding, especially at high elevations next to drop-offs. .

Smoke: For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Air Space Restrictions: There are no air space restrictions at this time.

Forest Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has lifted the full campfire ban and forest-wide shooting restrictions, effective 8/28/2024. The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie has lifted the Cascade River Road closure, effective 9/20/2024. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs
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