Incident Publication

Location:  South of Sierra Brooks off Bear Valley Rd., Tahoe National Forest  

Personnel: 516 

Start Date:  9/2/2024 @ 2:00 PM 

Cause: Undetermined  

Size: 3,325 acres  

Percent contained: 45% 

Yesterday evening, the incident transitioned out of unified command. Crews continued to focus on gaining additional depth in their mop-up efforts. With wind gusts reaching up to 29 mph, crews worked through the night to maintain containment and successfully maintained the current footprint of the fire.  

Today, crews will be working on gaining depth and mop-up efforts, around the southeast area of Smithneck Road and the 56 Road. Other resources have been redirected to suppression repair, which involves restoring areas impacted by wildfire suppression activities to a more natural or stable condition. Currently, the tasks include approximately 60 miles of dozer lines, 11 miles of road lines, and 12 miles of hand lines requiring suppression repair. Overall, suppression repair aims to minimize long-term environmental impacts and facilitate the recovery of the affected landscape.  

 As the containment of the fire is improving, it is important to remember there are Forest Closures and Evacuation Orders that remain in effect for public and crew safety. Any public entry to these areas are prohibited. The closure area boundary travels north along State Highway 89 until it reaches end of National Forest System Lands south of Sierraville. The closure continues generally east and then north along the forest boundary to the Antelope Valley State Wildlife Area. At the eastern most boundary with the Antelope Valley State Wildlife Area the closure boundary then travels generally east along the forest boundary to its junction to the Humboldt Toiyabe National Forest. At that junction the closure boundary travels generally south along the Tahoe National Forest boundary to the junction of the Truckee Ranger District where the closure boundary travels west along County Road 860 (Smithneck Creek Road) until it becomes County Road 450 (Henness Pass Road) and back to Little Truckee Summit.   

WEATHER:   
Winds are expected to decrease in speed from the previous days, with a cold front approaching on Wednesday.  Wind gusts of 25 mph with cooler temperatures are expected with a 20% chance of showers forecasted for Wednesday.  

EVACUATIONS:   

Sierra County: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For an interactive map of evacuations, visit: https://protect.genasys.com/search.  

FOREST CLOSURE: 

A forest closure has been issued, For more information visit the Tahoe National Forest website at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tahoe/alerts-notices. 

Bear Fire Public Information map for 9-9-24

Mon, 09/09/2024 - 11:54

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Bear Fire Public Information map for 9-9-24

DOLORES, Colo., Sept. 5, 2024—The San Juan National Forest’s Dolores Ranger District is planning to conduct several prescribed burns starting in September. Operations will take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable and may continue throughout the fall based on conditions. Both hand and aerial ignition methods may be utilized, following the weather, fuel and smoke parameters stated in the prescribed fire plan. Burning operations will be conducted by U.S. Forest Service personnel assisted by fire resources from cooperating agencies. 

Project areas identified for burn implementation are: 

• Haycamp Mesa: 2,500 acres located 10 miles east of Dolores, along the Haycamp Mesa Road, National Foreset Service Road (NFSR) 557, 395 and 393- Haycamp Mesa Units 10,11,13
• Boggy Draw: 2,775 acres located 15 miles northeast of Dolores, along (NFSR) 526 and (NFSR) 249- Boggy Draw Unit 45
• Salter: 1,280 acres located 15 miles east of Cahone,near Salter Y along (NFSR) 510

This effort will reduce hazardous ground fuels, lessen the risk of unplanned large-scale wildfire, help restore ponderosa pine ecosystems, and improve wildlife habitat. Prescribed fire also reduces the ladder fuels that can carry fire into the canopy, killing mature trees.

During burning operations, smoke may be visible around Mancos, Dolores, Dove Creek, Cortez, and Highway 491 between Dove Creek and Pleasant View. Smoke may settle into low lying valleys and the Dolores River Canyon overnight. Smoke monitoring will be conducted, and ignitions will be scheduled to minimize smoke impacts to communities. Prescribed fire smoke may affect your health. More information can be found online: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/wood-smoke-and-health 

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional San Juan National Forest prescribed fire program news can be found on InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/cosjf-san-juan-national-forest-prescribed-fire-program. For more information, please contact Fire Management Officer Matthew Traynham, by email at Matthew.Traynham@usda.gov or by phone at (970) 882-6837.  

For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (X and Facebook).

-USDA-

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Closures and Evacuations

Closures: Both the Ochoco National Forest and BLM have implemented partial closures due to the fire. For more details and closure maps, visit the Ochoco National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and BLM webpages.
Evacuations: For the most up-to-date evacuation information, please visit:

• Crook County: Crook County Emergency Management website and Crook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
• Wheeler County: Visit the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for real-time updates.

• Grant County: Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page.

   

Operational Update

The fire was less active last night due to higher humidity recovery and more stable weather conditions. The priority for firefighters overnight was to continue strengthening lines to the southwest of the community of Dayville. A firing operation was initiated but not completed as conditions became unfavorable for burning.

Yesterday, Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces worked to harden structures. Crews placed mobile water sources and installed sprinkler systems around multiple structures threatened by the fire. During the afternoon fire activity increased and crews moved into position around structures in the Dayville and Fields Creek areas, as well as on the southern edge of the fire. With a total of nine OSFM task forces now assigned to the fire, structural protection is in place around the clock.

Today, crews will remain in position at structures directly adjacent to the fire line and in areas that may become impacted. There will be a heavy structural task force presence in the Dayville and South Fork area, as well as at the critical infrastructure at Aldridge lookout. Wildland crews will work to construct and improve containment lines southeast into Guyson Basin and along the South Fork Road to cut off the fires northern and eastern progression.

Crews made access to the spot fire from yesterday in the South Fork John Day River (east of Little Baldy). That spot grew considerably with westerly winds yesterday evening and is now estimated to be at about 100 acres. Crews are working to contain that spot but are also working on constructing and improving secondary lines along Indian Creek.

Firing operations on the western side of the fire held well yesterday and overnight.
Weather A period of cooler, dryer weather is anticipated to pas through the fire area today into tomorrow, preceding a wetter system which is predicted to enter the area on Wednesday with a chance of rain on Thursday.

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PAGOSA SPRINGS, Colo., August 27, 2024— The San Juan National Forest’s Pagosa Ranger District is planning to conduct prescribed burns starting in September. Burning operations may take place over multiple days when weather and fuel conditions are favorable for meeting objectives described in the prescribed fire plan.

Burning operations will utilize both hand and aerial ignitions and will be conducted by Forest Service personnel and cooperating agencies. Burns will take place in the following locations:

• Fawn Gulch (1,100 acres) adjacent to Fawn Gulch Road (FSR 666) northeast of Pagosa Springs.
• Mill Creek (300 acres) adjacent to Nipple Mountain Road (FSR 665) east of Pagosa Springs.
• Turkey Springs northwest of town between Newt Jack Road (FSR 923) and the Catamount Trail (650 acres). 
• Additionally, multiple pile burns will take place at various locations later in the year when snow is present. These areas include Eight Mile Mesa, Turkey Springs, Fawn Gulch, Buckles Lake Road, East Monument Road, Quartz Meadow Road and the upper Piedra area near Williams Creek Campground. 

The forests in Southwest Colorado are part of a fire-adapted ecosystem, which has historically experienced frequent, low-intensity fires on a large scale. Prescribed fire replicates that fire regime under controlled conditions. These burn units are part of mechanical fuels reduction projects designed to reduce hazardous ground fuels and long-term risk of catastrophic wildfire, as well as restoring ponderosa pine ecosystems, and improving wildlife habitat. Smoke will be visible from U.S Highways 160 and 84 and the town of Pagosa Springs. 

Smoke from wildfires and prescribed fires may affect your health. More information on smoke.

Maps of the prescribed burn units and additional information can be found on Inciweb. For more information, please contact Fred Ellis, Assistant Fire Management Officer (Fuels), Pagosa Ranger District at fred.ellis@usda.gov.

For information on the San Juan National Forest, call (970) 247-4874, visit the forest website, or follow us on social media (X and Facebook).

-USDA-

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Williams Mine Fire Update for Monday, September 9, 2024 

The Williams Mine Fire continued to be affected by smoke from multiple fires Sunday morning. As the smoke began to clear out mid-day, fire activity increased. Some previously quiet areas showed an increase in visible smokes. Fire personnel checked these areas plus other hot spots identified by infrared. They extinguished a few spots near the edge of the fire, and will continue to monitor hot areas on the interior of the fire. Interior heat rarely poses a threat to the containment lines, but accessing many areas on the fire’s interior is highly dangerous due to falling snags.

The area of greatest concern continues to be the fire edge in the Morrison Creek drainage, west and northwest of the South Climb Trailhead. The relative humidity dropped below the forecasted level Sunday, hitting a very dry 24% and making fuels much easier to ignite and burn. Winds from the west gusted up to 20 mph, pushing the fire toward the toe of a steep slope about ¼ mile west of the trailhead. 

A Type 1 Chinook helicopter and a smaller Type 2 helicopter dropped thousands of gallons of water on this area, slowing the rate of spread but not able to extinguish the many burning logs, snags, and stump holes. Fire managers hope to stall the progression of the fire toward the South Climb Trail until weather conditions turn cooler and possibly rainy Tuesday night and Wednesday. If the fire pushes up this slope too quickly before the weather changes, strategic firing may be used on the South Climb Trail to reduce fuels along it and the likelihood of embers crossing the trail, creating spot fires to the east of it.

This morning, skies were much clearer in the vicinity of the Williams Mine Fire. A haze of smoke hung over the slopes from the pockets of fuel that continue to burn. Westerly winds are pushing much of the smoke from other fires out of this area. This clearer air is likely to allow the fire to become more active earlier in the day, especially when the winds blow. Firefighters are preparing for a busy day, especially near the South Climb Trailhead.

SAFETY AND CLOSURES: 

Fire traffic, school buses, hunters, tourists, motorcyclists, bicyclists, commercial vehicles, and locals are all sharing the roads. Please slow down, drive attentively, and watch out for other traffic.

The Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Tract D Recreation Area is currently closed, please see Yakama Tract D Road Closure for more information. FS Rd 23 south of FS Rd 90 is still CLOSED to the public due to fire suppression activity. Takhlakh Lake is still closed. The revised closure for the Mt. Adams Wilderness and FS Rd 23 closure can be found at Williams Mine Fire: Area and Road Closure. The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is closed from the PCT's intersection with FS Rd 23 to Potato Hill. The current area closure spans the entire Mt. Adams Wilderness.

Park Fire Update: Monday, September 9, 2024

Southwest Complex Incident Management Team 2

Incident Commander John Truett

Size: 429,603 acres 

Start Date: July 24, 2024

Containment: 99 percent

Total Personnel: 563

Resources: 1 helicopter, 7 crews, 8 engines, 4 dozers, 17 water tenders, 3 chippers, 10 excavators, 3 feller bunchers, 4 skidders, 2 log loaders, 1 backhoe, 5 road graders

CURRENT SITUATION: The hazard tree group is continuing to clean up dead hazard trees that were felled along Ponderosa Way. The roads group will finish Pearl Lake Loop today and Bear Wallow Road in a couple days. While repair activity progresses on the Park Fire, the need for fire-suppression personnel and equipment across the western United States remains high. Some Park Fire resources are being reassigned to other incidents and others are being sent home for crew rest. Community members might notice a decrease in personnel, equipment, and activity; however, fire-suppression repair work and fire patrols will continue, just at a smaller scale. 

One type of machine being used by the hazard-tree group is a feller buncher. They are extraordinary machines capable of grabbing one or more full-sized trees, cutting them off near the base and stacking or even throwing them whole onto a pile. They operate on tracks or wheels. Tracked units tend to disrupt the soil less than wheeled units, so they are being used on the Park Fire. There are three types of head used on feller bunchers: felling heads, which fell single trees; bunching heads, which fell multiple trees at a time; and processing heads, which fell a tree and process it by removing all the branches and cutting the trunk into sections. 

WEATHER & FIRE SAFETY: Hazy, smoky skies are the result of fires in other states. Get air-quality information for your area and view a smoke map here: tinyurl.com/ypkfbkyn. While temperatures will gradually moderate throughout the week, relative humidity levels remain very low and winds remain gusty, increasing the potential for new fires to spread quickly. Be particularly cautious while recreating and using equipment outdoors, and be aware of applicable fire restrictions.

FOREST CLOSURE: Some Lassen National Forest lands, roads, and trails near the fire area are temporarily closed for the safety of the public and firefighters during the repair phase of the fire. Prior to recreating on your public lands, view Forest Order No. 06-24-07 and the map here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. It is your responsibility to know where you are in relation to the closure order.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions remain in effect throughout the area. For details, view Forest Order No. 06-24-04 here: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. Find links to other land management agencies’ restrictions in the Park Fire Information Linktree (URL and QR code below).

Park Fire Information (Southwest CIMT 2): 530-414-9298 |  2024.park@firenet.gov

Park Fire Linktree (fire information website links): linktr.ee/park_fire

Actualización Sobre Incendio Park: Lunes, 9 de Septiembre de 2024

Administración De Incidentes Complejos Del Área Suroeste - Equipo 2

John Truett - Comandante Del Incidente 

Tamaño: 429,603 acres

Fecha de Inicio: 24 de Julio de 2024

Contencion: 99%

Personal Total: 563

Recursos: 1 helicóptero, 7 cuadrillas, 8 camiones de bomberos, 4 topadoras, 17 camiones de agua, 3 astilladoras, 10 excavadoras, 3 máquinas para talar árboles, 4 minicargadoras, 2 apiladoras, 1 retroexcavadora, 5 motoniveladoras

SITUACIÓN ACTUAL: El equipo de árboles peligrosos continúa limpiando los árboles muertos que fueron talados a lo largo de Ponderosa Way. El equipo de carreteras terminará Pearl Lake Loop hoy y Bear Wallow Road en un par de días. Mientras avanza la actividad de reparación en el incendio Park, la necesidad de personal y equipos de extinción de incendios en todo el oeste de los Estados Unidos sigue siendo alta. Algunos recursos del incendio Park están siendo reasignados a otros incidentes y otros están siendo enviados a casa para que el equipo descanse. Los miembros de la comunidad podrían notar una disminución en el personal, el equipo y la actividad; sin embargo, continuarán los trabajos de reparación de extinción de incendios y las patrullas contra incendios, aunque a menor escala. 

Un tipo de máquina que utiliza el equipo de árboles peligrosos es el talador apilador. Son máquinas extraordinarias capaces de agarrar uno o más árboles de tamaño natural, cortarlos cerca de la base y apilarlos o incluso apilarlos enteros. Operan sobre orugas o ruedas. Las unidades con orugas tienden a perturbar menos el suelo que las unidades con ruedas, por lo que se están utilizando en el incendio Park. Hay tres tipos de cabezas utilizados en los taladores apiladores: cabezas de tala, que talan árboles individuales; cabezas agrupadas, que derribaron varios árboles a la vez; y cabezas procesadores, que derriban un árbol y lo procesan quitando todas las ramas y cortando el tronco en secciones.

CLIMA Y SEGURIDAD CONTRA INCENDIOS: Los cielos brumosos y llenos de humo son el resultado de incendios en otros estados. Obtenga información sobre la calidad del aire en su área y vea un mapa de humo aquí: tinyurl.com/ypkfbkyn. Si bien las temperaturas se moderarán gradualmente a lo largo de la semana, los niveles de humedad relativa seguirán siendo muy bajos y los vientos seguirán siendo racheados, lo que aumentará la posibilidad de que nuevos incendios se propaguen rápidamente. Tenga especial cuidado al recrear y utilizar maquinaria al aire libre, y tenga en cuenta las restricciones contra incendios aplicables.

CIERRE DE BOSQUES: Algunos terrenos, caminos y senderos del Bosque Nacional Lassen cerca del área del incendio están cerrados temporalmente por la seguridad del público y de los bomberos durante la fase de reparación del incendio. Antes de recrear en sus tierras públicas, consulte la Orden Forestal No. 06-24-07 y el mapa aquí: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. Es su responsabilidad saber dónde se encuentra en relación con la orden de cierre.  

RESTRICCIONES DE INCENDIO: Las restricciones contra incendios siguen vigentes en toda el área. Para más detalles, consulte la Orden Forestal No. 06-24-04 aquí: fs.usda.gov/alerts/lassen/alerts-notices. Encuentre enlaces a las restricciones de incendios de otras agencias de administración de tierras en el árbol de enlaces de información sobre el incendio Park (URL y código QR a continuación).

Información sobre incendio Park (Suroeste CIMT 2) 530-414-9298 2024.park@firenet.gov       

Árbol de Enlace Incendio Park (enlaces a sitios web de información sobre incendios): linktr.ee/park_fire

Northern Rockies Team 5, Incident Commander Joe Sampson  

Location: Three miles west of Stevensville, Montana

Start Date: 8/23/2024  

Cause: Lightning        

Size:   3,018 Acres  

Completion: 36%

Total Personnel: 355 

CURRENT STATUS
Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 5, led by Incident Commander Joe Sampson, took command of the Sharrott Creek Fire at 6 a.m. today. At the fire’s northernmost point, near the head of the Larson Creek drainage, crews are improving constructed line and using natural barriers (such as areas with limited fuel sources for the fire) to hold the fire within its current footprint. Engines will continue to patrol the fire's eastern edge to check for any areas of residual heat. To the south, crews are using water to cool hot spots from the most southern point of the fire west towards the St. Mary’s Trailhead. Fire managers are optimistic about limiting the fire spread south. A rappel module remains near the St. Mary’s Trail, digging handline to tie together natural control features like rocky areas void of available fuel. Structure protection crews will take on initial attack responsibilities if new fire starts crop up with incoming thunderstorms in the area. Helicopters will be available to assist ground crews with water drops as necessary and as long as it is safe to do so. The fire will no longer be staffed by night crews due to a substantial decrease in nighttime fire activity.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Thunderstorms passed through the fire area last night, bringing wind gusts up to about 30 mph. However, the fire area did not receive measurable precipitation. Today, hot and dry conditions are expected with southwest wind gusts reaching about 20 mph along the ridgetops. Temperatures will likely remain in the mid 70s in the fire area with relative humidities in the mid 20s. The majority of the fire’s movement will be in the upper slopes where dry, subalpine fir has the potential to torch and cause short-range spotting up to ½ mile.
In the coming days, precipitation is expected with up to 1 inch of rain possible in the fire area. This wetting rain will likely hinder the fire’s ability to move substantially for a week or so or until fuels along the fire’s perimeter dry out. However, thunderstorms could potentially cause new fire starts.
EVACUATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, CLOSURES
-The Ravalli County Sheriff’s Office has issued an Evacuation Warning for neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Sharrott Creek Fire. Sign up for evacuation alerts at http://hyper-reach.com/mtravallisignup.html
-Area closures are in effect from North Fork Sweeney Creek to Sweathouse Creek. More information on Bitterroot National Forest area closures can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bitterroot/alerts-notices
- The Bitterroot National Forest is currently in Stage I Fire restrictions within the Anaconda Pintler Wilderness.
- A Temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place west of Highway 93 from Bass Creek to Big Creek.

Northwest Team 12

Whisky Creek, Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires

Sept. 9, 2024

Fire Information: (541) 208-1743, 8 AM - 8 PM

For links to incident information: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024

Whisky Creek Size: 2,935 acres | Start Date: July 20 | Cause: Human | Containment: 25%

Sandstone Size: 702 acres | Start Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment 75%

Total Resources: 306 | Hand Crews: 4 | Engines: 7 | Dozers: 2 | Heavy Equipment: 11 | Helicopters: 3

The Whisky Creek, Sandstone, and Blister Creek Fires are in steep and rugged terrain on the Mt. Hood National Forest where rolling debris and fire-weakened trees challenge firefighting efforts. Firefighting resources from these fires remain available to assist with new fire starts as needed.

Whisky Creek: The fire was most active near the headwaters of Herman Creek and there was some fire growth on the southwest flank yesterday. A small spot fire is smoldering below the Benson Plateau, but it does not appear to be moving or growing. Firefighters removed structure protection wrap from buildings and signs where there is no longer threat from fire. Fire managers used a reconnaissance flight to scout the north end of the fire for secondary fireline locations. Large and medium helicopters assigned to the incident continue to support the Williams Mine Fire in Washington, dropping approximately 38,000 gallons of water on that fire yesterday.

Crews will continue to patrol and monitor the fire both aerially and from the ground. Fire managers are working on a contingency firing plan that could be implemented, if needed in the future. Today firefighters are connecting the last piece to complete an extensive hose lay northeast of Wahtum Lake. This hose lay will be fully charged and tested to ensure it is ready if needed. Dozers and excavators will continue to repair dozer lines and road grading will continue on Forest Service Road (FSR) 2810. 

Sandstone and Blister Creek: Isolated heat signatures persist on infrared mapping of the Sandstone and Blister Creek fires, but no smoke is visible. Heavy equipment completed dozer line repairs south of the fires. Fire suppression repair work continues as excavators work on FSRs 7015 and 6320. 

Weather: Cooler and moist conditions are on the way with rain in the forecast for Tuesday night through Wednesday. Air quality still remains impacted by numerous large fires across central and southern Oregon. For smoke forecasts and safety, visit: oregonsmoke.org.

Closures: Area closures will remain in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Hood River County. Closures are put into place for the safety of the public and fire crews; intrusion into a closure area can disrupt fire suppression and repair activities, endanger lives and property, and can result in fines. Closure information is at: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024. 

Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; please use caution with all potential ignition sources. For prevention tips see: https://keeporegongreen.org. The Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect for the Whisky Fire: https://tinyurl.com/2s49yrj4. Fire restrictions are in place on the Mt. Hood National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire. 

Power outages in the south Reno area continue to leave some homes, businesses, and traffic signals without electricity. Customers who are currently without power should be prepared for prolonged outages throughout the incident and those customers living near the fire who still have power should be prepared for potential additional de-energizations due to the dynamic nature of the fire. To learn more about outage preparation visit: www.nvenergy.com/outages-and-emergencies/outage-preparation-tips.