Incident Publication

Summary of fire activity and outlook for the Summit Lake Fire for October 28, 2024.

Evergreen Forest Fire Update
Monday, October 28, 2024
InciWeb:https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnmns-evergreen- forest
Email: 2024.evergreenforest@firenet.gov

Fire Quick Facts
Size: 167 acres Containment: 95%
Location: Pine City, MN
Cause: Under investigation
Start Date: 10/17/2024

Current Status: Over the weekend, firefighters continued focusing on mopping up along the fire’s perimeter, adding an additional 50 feet into the interior of the fire. The work accomplished over the weekend will help further reinforce and secure the containment line.
 

Closures: The Emergency Closure Order remains in effect for all recreation activities to ensure public safety and support firefighting operations. The closure will be removed when weather and fire conditions indicate reduced risk. The closure area includes the Chengwatana State Forest Road. Closure information is available on the InciWeb and MNICS website: https://mnics.org/wpress/dnr-temporarily-closing-a- portion-of-chengwatana-state-forest-due-to-wildfire/.
 

Planned Actions: Firefighters have progressed to patrolling and monitoring the containment work along the perimeter and interior of the fire. While they patrol, firefighters look for any lingering signs of heat. Ensuring the fire holds within the established containment line is tedious but crucial. Any heat discovered during the patrolling stage will be quickly addressed and put out cold with water and bare mineral soil. The patrolling efforts will continue over the next several days. Firefighters will also begin rehabbing the dozer line to reduce the potential for erosion.
 

Background: The Evergreen Forest Fire was reported on October 17, 2024, on the Chengwatana State Forest, 10 miles east of Pine City, MN. The fire is burning actively in hardwood timber with leaf litter, on Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) managed land.
 

Fire Weather Forecast & Air Quality Info: Today, clouds will increase, with a high near 70 and breezy south winds 10 – 15 mph, gusting up to 25 mph. Tonight, cloudy with a low around 55 and south winds 5 to 10 mph, gusting up to 20 mph. Tomorrow, there is a 20% chance of showers, mostly cloudy, with a high near 75 and east winds 5 mph. Air quality is forecasted for “good” for Monday and Tuesday. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air- water-land-climate/air-quality-forecast
 

The Next Daily Update is anticipated on Friday, November 1, 2024.

Rush Fire

Fire Information - 580-257-7839        2024.Rush@FireNet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/okwmr-rush-fire 

Facebook: @WichitaMountainsWildlifeRefuge

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for strong winds, low humidity, hot temperatures, and dry vegetation. Winds will be out of the south at 20 to 30 miles per hour with gusts to 41 miles per hour and a relative humidity dropping to as low as 25 percent. Temperatures will reach 86 degrees. 

Overview: The Rush Fire is on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge and lands administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Oklahoma Forestry Services. The Rush Fire is currently 12497 acres and 48% contained. As of 7:00 a.m., the Southern Area Red Team has assumed command of the fire. There are currently 33 engines, 6 dozers, 1 helicopter, 2 fixed wing air tankers, 8 water tenders and 159 people assigned to the fire. 

Operations: Yesterday, firefighters patrolled and mopped up the north west perimeter of the fire edge along Black Bear Springs going east towards Mt. Sheridan Estates. A retardant line was extended further to the east along the northern fire perimeter to reinforce containment. On the northeast portion of the fire, crews and engines focused on structure protection ensuring that the community of Meers and Mt Sheridan Estates are secure. The areas around Jed Johnson Lake, the Holy City and north of Hwy 49 were patrolled for any areas of heat. 

Today, firefighters are focused on the northwest, north and northeastern perimeters of the fire with the forecasted wind shift and red flag warning this afternoon. Engines will be focusing on containment lines and structure protection on the northeast corner of the fire in Meers, Mt Sheridan Estates and other communities adjacent to the fire area. Additional people and equipment are expected to arrive today. 

Smoke: For the latest on smoke conditions, visit https://www.airnow.gov/ 

Evacuations: There are no evacuations in place for the Rush Fire. Residents close to the fire area should stay alert and informed on the current fire situation. Any changes to evacuations will be made in consultation between fire managers and the Comanche County Emergency Management and individuals impacted will be notified. Residents can sign up for the Comanche County Emergency Notifications and Alerts through their website at https://www.comanchecounty.us/emergency-notifications-systems

Closures and Restrictions: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is currently closed due to smoke impacts from the Rush Fire and to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. This closure is for all public use areas, including Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area, Dog Run Hollow Trail System, Boulder Cabin and Picnic Areas, Lost Lake, Doris Campground, the Environmental Education Center, the Visitor Center, Holy City, the Parallel Forest, and Mount Scott.  

All entrance points to the refuge are closed. There are road closures on Highway 115 at the Cache and Meers Gates, on Highway 49 at the West Gate located Northwest of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area and at the Medicine Park Refuge entrance. Indiahoma Road is also closed South of Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area. Entering a closed National Wildlife Refuge is a violation of federal law and is cause for fine or arrest.

Comanche County has a countywide burn ban in effect. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. The use of personal drones is always prohibited on the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. If you fly, we cannot fly.

Size at time of update: 33,041 Acres
Containment: 66% 
Personnel: 234 
Start: Saturday, September 28, 2024 
Cause: Human Caused (Under Investigation) 
Location: 10 miles southeast of Francis, Utah

The Northern Utah Type 3 Team would like to thank the communities for their attendance at last night’s Trunk or Treat with the Firefighters. The turnout was phenomenal, and it was a wonderful boost to the crew’s morale to give back to the community after this lengthy fire season. A great reminder of why we do what we do. 

A snowstorm is predicted to begin this evening. Therefore, fire managers are pulling all the heavy equipment and property off the fire, for safety reasons. Crews will be working throughout shift today, and stay off the fire tonight through Wed, when it is safe to reengage. 

The fire is currently at 66% containment. A large portion of this uncontained perimeter is the center unburned circle, or the “Donut Hole”. Due to the difficult terrain and with the incoming storm, much of this area will remain uncontained as it does not threaten any growth to the perimeter. This storm and the one predicted this weekend will reduce most of the remaining heat on the fire. Reminder that smoke will continue to be visible. Please do not report. 

Tomorrow morning the Northern Utah Type 3 Incident Management Team will transition back to the local unit. The Type 4 team taking over the fire are local resources that have been working the fire, and are familiar with the terrain, uncontained perimeter, and safety hazards. There will be firefighters working this fire until full containment. As noted previously, this will likely take multiple heavy snowstorms to reach. Or what firefighters call a “season-ending event” to essentially bury and cool the remaining heat. 

The fire has still been active, throughout shift yesterday. The fire is not out, and there is still a significant amount of heat. Continued fire activity, along with fire weakened trees, and hot ash pits, are some of the reasons the forest closures remain in effect. This closure will continue to be evaluated as containment is reached and conditions change, 

To request a permit to access property within the forest closures to retrieve items or winterize buildings, please contact the local Heber-Kamas Ranger District: (435) 783-4338.

Forest Closures: 

• Updated October 18, 2024, the Yellow Lake Fire closure area has been reduced on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. This Order shall remain in effect until November 25, 2024, unless rescinded. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/uwcnf/alerts-notices
• Updated October 19, 2024, the Yellow Lake Fire closure area has been reduced on the Ashley National Forest. This closure will remain in place through December 31, 2024, or until rescinded. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices

RAIL RIDGE FIRE INFORMATION 

Published October 27, 2024

Acres: 176,619 ~ Containment: 92% ~ Start Date: 09/02/24 ~ Cause: Lightning 

For information after 6:00 p.m. on 10/28/24, please contact the following:
Central Oregon Wildfire Information: centraloregonfire.orgLinktree: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire

BLM – Prineville District: https://www.blm.gov/office/prineville-district-office 

Prineville BLM, Deschutes Field Office
541- 416-6864
lmclark@blm.gov

Ochoco National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco 

Ochoco National Forest
541-416-6647
isabella.isaksen@usda.gov

Malheur National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur 

Malheur National Forest
541-575-3008
amy.franklin1@usda.gov

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife - Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area

https://myodfw.com/phillip-w-schneider-wildlife-area-visitors-guide

For access information: 541-318-7972
For hunting tag and related information: 541-620-1047

Total Acres: 89,930        

Confined: 78%     

Total Personnel: 445    

Operations – Nevada Team 4 will take command of the Pack Trail tomorrow at 0600. On the north and east sides of the fire, crews continue to identify and prioritize suppression repair needs prior to the forecasted snow event.  Cold trailing continues along the fire perimeter as safety hazards allow. Crews continue to break down and back haul remaining structure protection equipment along Highway 26. On the southwestern flank, crews are cleaning ditches as the chipping of slash from shaded fuel breaks is complete from Union Pass to the Strawberry Warming Hut area. Crews are removing structure protection in the southern end of Gros Ventre Valley. Precipitation and cold temperatures continue to aid suppression efforts on the fire.   

Safety – Despite the recent and predicted precipitation, Teton Interagency Fire Managers are maintaining the Very High Fire Danger Rating for Grand Teton National Park, the Bridger-Teton National Forest, the Shoshone National Forest, and the National Elk Refuge. This precipitation was not a fire season-ending event. Due to wind, fuels will begin to rapidly dry out when the snow melts. Residents and visitors are reminded to exercise extreme caution when dealing with fires or other possible ignition sources.

Please use caution while driving in these areas, especially on narrow secondary roads. Always expect to encounter fire vehicles and heavy equipment in and around the fire area. Check with WY-DOT for possible closures due to fire activity, especially if you are planning to travel on US-26 across the Continental Divide.

“If you fly, we can’t.” Remember that flying a personal drone over a fire area during a temporary flight restriction is illegal and can be an extremely dangerous threat to our aviators and firefighters on the ground.

Weather—It will be mostly cloudy today as a cold front approaches, bringing with it scattered rain and snow showers. Snow levels should drop to 7,500 to 8,000 ft by the evening. Showers turn to snow everywhere by late Monday evening, with chances for snow peaking from Monday night into Tuesday. Accumulations will range from 2-8 inches depending on elevation. Temperatures will range from of 43-48 degrees and minimum relative humidities of 40-45%. Winds from the southwest to west will be 7-12 MPH with gusts up to 23 MPH. Another cold front is predicted to bring additional precipitation as the week continues. To learn more about air quality, visit Fire.AirNow.Gov.

Evacuations – Evacuation areas have been reduced to a Level 1 “Ready” status for the Union Pass subdivision, Lava Mountain Lodge, Triangle C Ranch, and Old Mackenzie Ranch.  All other evacuation areas have been rescinded.  See the Fremont County Emergency Management Facebook Page for alerts and updates. See the Teton County Emergency Management website updates and to sign up for emergency alerts through Everbridge.

Road Closures – The Union Pass Road is closed on the Pinedale Ranger District (BTNF) from Mosquito Lake to the Moon Lake Road on the Wind River District (SHO). Moon Lake Road is also closed.

Forest Closures - Closure Order #04-03-24-317 is in effect from October 14, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. through November 15, 2024 at 12:00 a.m. unless rescinded. This order supersedes previous orders, including #04-03-24-316, prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same described area.

For more information, visit: Facebook: USDA Forest Service - Bridger-Teton National Forest, USDA Forest Service - Shoshone National Forest  Pack Trail Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wybtf-pack-trail-fire 

SHOE FIRE

 DAILY UPDATE

 October 28, 2024 

Email: 2024.shoe@firenet.gov 

Incident Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/cashf-shoe-fire 

Forest Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/stnf 

Fire Weather Forecast: https://www.weather.gov/wrh/CAFW?area=ECC005 

Fire Information Line: 530-338-0317 (Staffed 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM)

Quick Facts:

Location: Shasta County, CA │ Start Date: Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 6:57 PM │ Cause: Human 

Size: 5,124 │ Containment: 65%│ Vegetation: Timber, Chapparal │ Total Personnel Assigned: 767 

Diligent mop-up operations, rain showers, and cooler temperatures all contributed to another increase in containment on the fire. Yesterday the fire area received up to a quarter-inch of rainfall. Much of the fire perimeter has been thoroughly secured and firefighters removed additional hose and water handling equipment from the line where it was no longer needed. Excavators are engaged in fire suppression repair along Garden Ridge, scattering cut vegetation over the soil and constructing water bars to promote proper drainage and prevent erosion.  Dozers also are installing water bars along mechanically constructed control lines elsewhere on the fire. Additional heavy equipment resources have moved into place to further fire suppression repair efforts. Resource Advisors are coordinating closely with fire managers to identify and examine repair work to mitigate impacts from suppression operations on natural and cultural resources. Chipping, masticating, and grading operations are ongoing around the fire area. Crews are working to clean debris out of culverts, helping to avoid road damage from rains and water runoff. Firefighters continue to monitor and patrol, ready to take action if any smokes are observed near containment lines and resources remain available to assist with any new fire starts in the area. 

WEATHER: Scattered showers are forecast today. Temperatures will be very similar to yesterday, with highs mainly in the 50s. Winds are expected to be southwest-west 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. More precipitation is anticipated within the coming week. 

SMOKE: Updates on smoke conditions can be found at the following link: https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/59ecb6c0? 

CLOSURES AND SAFETY: 

• Fenders Ferry Road at Pit River 7 Bridge: West-Bound Fenders Ferry Road (Also known as 34N17 - Forest Service Road 27) at the Pit River Bridge/Pit 7 
• Ferry Road is closed at McCloud Bridge: East-Bound Fenders Ferry Road at the McCloud River Bridge 
• A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire area https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_2632.html. Drones are prohibited from flying in fire areas. If you fly, we can’t.
• A temporary Forest closure is in effect https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5392380

Conditions permitting, several districts on the Lolo National Forest are planning to conduct pile burning today to reduce the fuel loading created from previous management operations.

Superior Ranger District: Firefighters will conduct up to 20 acres of prescribed fire operations on the Green Breen Timber Sale/Grapple Piles project, located 7 miles north of Cabin City in the 12 Mile Creek drainage.

Seeley Ranger District: The Seeley Ranger District will conduct up to 5 acres of hand pile burning at the Seeley Ranger District located 3 miles north of Seeley Lake. Smoke may be visible from Highway 83 and Seeley Lake.

Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District: Firefighters will be burning up to 50 acres of hand piles near Pats Knob west of Paradise. Smoke may be visible from Paradise, Knowles, Quinns, Highway 200 and Highway 135.

Firefighters will patrol and monitor the burn over the next few days.

Prescribed fire is implemented in compliance with Montana air quality standards and coordinated with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the appropriate county health departments to minimize the impacts of smoke. Check air quality near you on the Fire and Smoke Map online at fire.airnow.gov.

Elk Fire Update

Monday, October 28, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Special Notes: Today will be the last shift of the Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1, led by Incident Commander Dan Dallas. Command of the Elk Fire will be transferred to the Wyoming Interagency Incident Management Type 3 Team, led by Incident Commander Jon Warder, at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Some personnel will be retained from the current team to implement a smooth transition and complete fire objectives. 

A community meeting will take place today at 6 p.m. at the Sheridan Junior High School located at 500 Lewis Street. The meeting will be recorded and posted to Facebook and virtual connection will be available through Facebook live streaming at: https://www.facebook.com/bighornnf. 

Current Situation: Yesterday, firefighters were prepared for elevated fire behavior, which did occur, and resulted in active burning with a pronounced smoke column near Soldier Creek (Division H). Firefighters received helicopter support through water drops, which lowered fire intensity. In Division D/F, uncontained fireline was completed resulting in an increase in containment to 82%. Firefighters also continued suppression repair activities aided by heavy equipment with about 50% of dozer line rehabilitation now finished. Beginning tonight, weather conditions will squelch fire activity as snow and rain totals could be as high as 14 inches and 1 inch, respectively, by Wednesday. While conditions allow, firefighters will be working to complete imminent tasks and secure unresolved tasks for possible resumption after the storm or next spring.   

Division A: Aircraft patrol of this unstaffed division is ongoing.  

Divisions Z, P, M, K, I: Suppression Repair in Division I was completed yesterday and was ongoing in other divisions. Due to the arriving winter storm, outstanding work will remain after today in both Divisions M/P and K. Firefighters will focus on completing tasks where they can and securing incomplete work.  

Division H: The active burning of an unburned interior island resulted in more pronounced smoke and required water drops by helicopters to cool flames. This increased fire activity validated the importance of the shaded fuel break work on the Red Grade Road and Forest Road 26, which will continue as weather permits today.   

Divisions D, F: Containment increased on the north end and suppression repair was completed on contained fireline. Work on Forest Road 15 continues as firefighters strive to connect uncontained fireline.   

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior: Today, clouds will move in, and temperatures will be cooler with a 30% chance of precipitation rising to 80% overnight. In advance of the winter storm, and for the bulk of the day, humidity will be in the 35-40%, range, temperatures will vary by elevation at 40-50 degrees, and winds will be 7-12 mph with gusts up to 20 mph. Overall, fire activity will be lessened from yesterday although some activity is possible if sunlight persists long enough to warm dry fine fuels near a heat source. 

Closures and Advisories: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Elk Fire. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t.  For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. 

Red Grade Road is closed. US Highway 14 between Burgess Junction and Dayton is open, restrictions are in place for some commercial vehicles based on weight and size. Additional information is at: https://www.wyroad.info/. 

Bighorn National Forest closure Order No. 02-02-06-24-08 remains in effect. The order and map can be viewed here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/bighorn/alerts-notices. 

Elk Fire Statistics: Size: 98,352 acres   |   Containment: 82%   |   Total Personnel: 449 |   Location: West of Sheridan, WY 

Reported: September 27, 2024   |   Cause: lightning 

Daily Update: October 28, 2024

Red Rock Fire  

Operations:   

With a minimal change in fire activity staffing on the Red Rock Fire has begun to wind down operations. Incoming weather will further mediate already low fire activity and by tomorrow there will be limited resources on the Red Rock Fire. Due to this drawdown this will be the last daily update for the Red Rock Fire. Information will still be posted on the fire’s InciWeb page and on the Salmon-Challis' Facebook page. 

Additional Information:  

Great Basin Team 7 will be transferring command of the Red Rock Fire back to the Salmon-Challis National Forest at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29, 2024.

Over the next several days there is an extremely low potential of any fire behavior beyond smoldering due to low temperatures, high relative humidity and rain/snow accumulation. Smoldering of heavy dead and down, within the fire perimeter, is still possible where fuels remain sheltered from precipitation.

Weather: 

Cloudy with rain and snow.  Snow level lowering to 5700ft elevation.  In the fire area, high temperatures will be from 29 to 45 degrees with ridge winds southwest 2 to 7 mph and by 12:00 pm becoming west 8 to 14 mph gusts to 22 mph.

Closures: 

The Red Rock Closure Order, Number: 04-13-24-027 has been terminated. The roads and trails and area within the closure are now open, including the fire footprint. Please be careful when entering recent fire areas. 

PIO_85x11_land_20241027_2113_RedRock_IDSCF240202_20241028day.jpg

Mon, 10/28/2024 - 10:13

---

PIO_85x11_land_20241027_2113_RedRock_IDSCF240202_20241028day.jpg