Incident Publication

Highlights:  

Weather changes have significantly reduced fire activity, prompting a shift in suppression strategy for the Red Rock and Garden Fires to a mix of containment and confinement tactics. This approach involves actions both directly adjacent to the fire perimeter and further away, including full suppression, confinement to predetermined natural barriers, and the protection of values such as private property and infrastructure. This combination of tactics enables fire managers to effectively address the 321 miles of fire perimeter for the Red Rock and Garden Fires. 

Containment means that control lines have been constructed around the fire, and once completed, they are expected to effectively stop its spread. Confinement utilizes natural geographic features—such as rock bands, ridges, burn scars, or changes in fuel types—that are anticipated to contain any fire growth. Both strategies are represented as percentages, which, when combined, will indicate overall “completion.” Moving forward, the Red Rock and Garden Fires will be reported as a percentage of completion. The priority remains on protecting values and ensuring the safety of both firefighters and the public. 

Red Rock Fire 

Operations:  

Containment tactics have secured the fire's edge near the Blackbird Mine, 4th of July Creek/Forney and the Yellowjacket area. Throughout the fire, crews are working to remove and backhaul pumps and hose lays that were used to suppress, mop up, and provide point protection to values at risk. Excavators have completed repairing dozer line near the Blackbird Mine and are moving to join other equipment making repairs in the vicinity of the Ridge Road. In the Yellowjacket area more dozer line is being repaired. Additionally, road graders are working to repair the impacts of increased travel and heavy equipment along the Morgan/Panther Creek road through the middle of the fire. 

Garden Fire 

Operations:  

Resources are actively patrolling the north and northeast sides of the fire, particularly along Panther Creek/Morgan Creek Road, looking for any remaining heat. 

Additional Information 

Weather: Morning clouds are anticipated to clear, leading to a sunny afternoon with cooler temperatures. Winds are expected to calm, and high humidity will help maintain minimal fire activity.  

Closures: The Red Rock Closure Order, Number: 04-13-24-027 remains in effect. For more info:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/scnf/alerts-notices.  Please adhere to closure orders, this remains an active fire area. It is important for both the safety of the public and the firefighters working in the area. Barricade closures will be posted at road intersections and forest boundaries. In coordination with the Lemhi County Sheriff's Office and the Salmon-Challis National Forest, residents of Yellowjacket and Panther Creek can use the road to access their property, checking in with the road guard.   

Evacuations: All evacuation zones for the Garden Fire have been lifted. For evacuation information on the Red Rock Fire please go to: https://www.lemhicountyidaho.org/. 

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Thu, 10/24/2024 - 11:28

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Elk Fire Update

Wednesday, October 24, 2024 - 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Special Notes: Agency Administrators in coordination with CIMT have developed a process to allow owners of recreational equipment such as campers to retrieve their personal property. To gain access to the closure area for this purpose, the following form must be filled out: https://forms.office.com/g/P7vrvgQW5d. The form will close at 9 am on Friday, October 25.  Additional details regarding entry into the area, including timing of entry and process, will be emailed to those who will be allowed into the closure area.

The Elk Fire Incident Command Post move to the Sheridan County Fairgrounds will be completed today allowing for a centralized location in closer proximity to ongoing work. Motorists are reminded to drive with caution, follow posted speed limits, and be alert for firefighters traveling and working along roads. This includes U.S. Highway 14 where motorists should also expect travel delays as repair work is ongoing. 

Current Situation: As expected, fire activity remained consistent with the past few days with no perimeter growth due to elevated humidity and recent precipitation. Firefighters took advantage of these conditions by continuing indirect fireline construction, extinguishing areas of heat on fire edges, and conducting suppression repair operations. 

Today, fire behavior will once again be sluggish due to high humidity, cloud cover, foggy conditions, and precipitation. Due to wet slick road conditions, firefighters will use extra caution as they continue work of the last several days. This will include building toward further extension and strengthening of uncontained firelines while also focusing on suppression repair. The bulk of heavy equipment resources will be working to establish fireline along the southwestern edge by creating defensible space on the Red Grade Road and Forest Road 26. 

Division A: This remote division is being observed with aircraft and remains unstaffed due to firefighter safety concerns associated with steep rugged terrain, heavy dead and down fuel loads, and slick road conditions. 

Divisions Z, P, M, K, I: The fire is out in most of these divisions due to the grassy fuels, recent moisture, and elevated humidities. In the northwest corner, dozer line was constructed to connect contained and uncontained fireline. Firefighters worked to prevent additional fire spread to the north and further secure structures in the Red Canyon area. On the eastern side, suppression repair operations are nearly complete and have consisted of rehabilitating dozer lines by pulling topsoil and vegetation debris across them and placing earthen water control features on slopes. These efforts minimize soil erosion and promote vegetation growth in the future. Within these divisions, there were two primary areas of concern where excessive heat was located in close proximity to fireline, Tongue Canyon Road and Rapid Creek Road. Firefighters were successful in mopping up these heat sources. Today, firefighters will assess yesterday’s efforts and strive to complete remaining tasks. Excess resources will be reprioritized to other parts of the fire, released to other incidents, or receive days off. 

Division H: Additional heavy equipment arrived yesterday to support expansion of defensible space along the Red Grade Road and Forest Road 26. These efforts will create a wide fireline while maintaining vegetative tree cover known as a “shaded fuel break.” This work will continue north over the next several days and is planned to connect with Highway 14. 

Divisions D, F: Indirect fireline construction was completed along Forest Road 15. In other parts of these divisions, firefighters worked to improve firelines and remove vegetation debris aided by a chipper. Suppression repair occurred on dozer lines around Burgess Work Center and Hate Creek. These operations will continue today. 

Weather, Fuels, and Fire Behavior: Overnight, humidity was approximately 100% as much of the fire received some rain or snow. These conditions will persist through this morning with afternoon temperatures warming above 50 degrees, humidity remaining high and light winds with gusts about 20 mph. Today, fire activity will remain minimal throughout the day due to the increased moisture levels. On Friday and over the weekend, weather will warm and dry promoting burning with some visible smoke. Another front will move through early next week. 

Evacuation Notices: A Ready Evacuation status exists for several areas in proximity to the Elk Fire. For additional information about evacuation status, go to Johnson County and Sheridan County respective websites: Johnson County Emergency Management’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JohnsonCoWYEMC and Sheridan County Emergency Management website www.tinyurl.com/2s38bcc5. You may also contact Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office (307-672-3455) or Sheridan County Emergency Management (307-752-2174).

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.

US Highway 14 between Burgess Junction and Dayton is open, restrictions are in place for some commercial vehicles based on weight and size. Red Grade Road and County Road 89 from Dayton to Beckton Junction are closed. County Road 335 is closed from the intersection of County Road 335 and Brinton Road to the west. Additional information may be obtained at https://www.wyoroad.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: 96,370 acres   |   Containment: 52%   |   Total Personnel: 537  |    Location: West of Sheridan, WY

Reported: September 27, 2024   |   Cause: lightning

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Pile burning operations will begin today and will continue as conditions allow through the fall across the Lolo National Forest. 

The Superior Ranger District plans to burn up to 25 acres of landing piles today, located 5 miles northeast of Superior in the Flat Creek and Idaho Gulch drainages.  The landing piles are a result of the Hall Wood Timber Sale created from previous logging activities.  Piles are typically burned in fall, winter, or early spring after the piles have dried out and conditions allow, reducing the damage to the remaining trees and confining the majority of fire to the footprint of the pile.   Smoke may be visible from Superior and I-90.   

All prescribed fires are implemented in compliance with Montana air quality standards and coordinated with the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and the appropriate county health departments to reduce the impacts of smoke to neighbors, cooperators, and surrounding communities. For additional information on air quality, smoke management, and forecasts, see https://mi.airshedgroup.org/.

The Northern Utah Type 3 IMT will host a Virtual Community Meeting for Yellow Lake Fire on Thursday, October 24, 2024 at 6pm. This virtual meeting will not include a physical meeting location, but will be livestreamed via both the Ashley National Forest and Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Facebook pages to ensure all interested audiences may attend or watch later.

No Changes to Evacuation Status or Road Closures as Fire Suppression and Restoration Work Continue

Sheridan County, 10/23/2024 2:30 p.m. – In response to ongoing fire suppression and restoration efforts, officials have announced that no changes will be made today to the current evacuation statuses or road closures.

Road Closures

• Red Grade Road remains under a hard closure, with access restricted to fire personnel only.
• Closed roadways are being used for restoration work and heavy machinery, making public access unsafe at this time.

Officials will continue to evaluate the needs of the Elk Fire Incident Management Team and make adjustments to public access when it is safe to do so. We appreciate the public’s understanding and cooperation as fire crews work to control the fire and restore the affected areas.

Sheridan County Emergency ManagementPhone: 307-752-2174

The Elk Fire information hotline: 307-303-7642

Sheridan County Web Site: www.sheridancountywy.gov
Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SheridanCountyGovernment for live updates.

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Pending favorable conditions, the Seeley Lake Ranger District plans to conduct prescribed pile burning to reduce hazardous fuels and restore healthy forest conditions and wildlife habitat. Pile burn operations will take place in the Westside Bypass project area, Seeley Campgrounds, Seeley Lake Ranger District Office, Monture and Guard Station.  Operations could begin as soon as October 28th, 2024.

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Wed, 10/23/2024 - 16:23

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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: 530-338-0317

Hours: 08:00am to 8:00pm

Location: Shasta County, CA                                             Start Date:  Wednesday, October 9, 2024, at 6:57 p.m.    

Cause: Human caused                                                       Size: 5,127                                                            

Percent Contained:  38%                                                 Vegetation: Timber, Chapparal 

Number of Personnel Assigned: 1,126

Firefighters are actively engaged in reinforcing containment lines, with an emphasis on advancing further into the interior to effectively extinguish any residual heat detected by infrared systems. Reports indicate that heat persists in the northern section of the fire, primarily along Beartrap and Bills Creeks. A mobile retardant base remains operational in Big Bend, which will continue to be utilized by aircraft as they prioritize support for divisions involved in suppression efforts. As ground crews proceed with their mop-up operations, sawyer teams will also focus on the removal of hazardous trees to ensure that all factors contributing to the fire's heat are fully suppressed or mitigated. Minimal smoke impact to local communities is forecasted. Planned prescribed burns by Cal Fire in the vicinity of Igo and Red Bluff may contribute additional smoke into the area.

WEATHER: Gusty northwesterly winds are expected to develop rapidly this afternoon in response to the passage of a trough system. These winds will subsequently shift to northerly and northeasterly directions this evening, with a continued strengthening anticipated late tonight through Thursday morning. The relative humidity, which began to decrease along slopes and ridges last night due to the settling of a drier air mass over the region, will continue to trend drier this afternoon and particularly tonight into Thursday. Relative humidity levels are projected to reach approximately 20% tonight along slopes and ridges, with minimum relative humidity values expected to decline into the mid-teens on Thursday.

EVACUATIONS:  Due to improving conditions on the Shoe Fire burning north of Lake Shasta, in cooperation with fire officials, the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has reduced the Evacuation order for zone LKH-1448-B to an Evacuation WARNING.

Information staff for the Shoe Fire are working diligently to provide timely and accurate information to the public. Fire updates can be found on the Shoe Fire 2024 Facebook page: www.facebook.com/2024ShoeFire/

FIRE AND SMOKE MAP:

Updates on smoke conditions can be found under the following link:

https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/59ecb6c0?

ROAD CLOSURES:

• 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

FOREST CLOSURES:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/stnf/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5392380

Prescribed Fire Planned for Forest, Private Property

Fire Will Cross Onto Ted Turner’s Vermejo Reserve

Taos, N.M., Oct. 23, 2024—After evaluating post-storm site conditions, fire managers for the Carson National Forest and the privately-owned Vermejo Reserve plan to begin ignitions on a cross-boundary prescribed fire as early as Friday, Oct. 25.

“This is a ground-breaking project for the Carson National Forest,” said Questa District Ranger Amy Simms. “Fire knows no boundaries, so it’s important that we work with partners and private property owners to address the wildfire threat based on the realities of the landscape, not administrative lines.”

It is a long-term goal that “fire functions in its natural ecological role on a landscape scale and across administrative boundaries,” according to the Carson National Forest Land Management Plan. 

The North Hart Prescribed Fire will be the first time the Carson National Forest has used a congressionally authorized tool known as a Wyden Agreement to conduct restoration work collaboratively across boundaries. Additionally, a qualified Vermejo Reserve wildland fire employee will assist the burn boss, who will manage the prescribed fire, in a training role.

The 1,871-acre unit is about evenly split between Forest Service and Vermejo Reserve lands. Ignitions are expected to take two days. Once completed, the work will connect with over 22,000 contiguous acres that have been treated with prescribed fire over the past seven years in the Valle Vidal, which is often referred to as “The Yellowstone of the Southwest.”

Quick Facts

• The prescribed fire unit is located on the northeastern corner of Valle Vidal, partially bounded by a portion of Forest Road 1950 and Forest Road 1915. A map that features this fall’s three potential prescribed fires in the Valle Vidal is available online.
• There are no planned road closures, although traffic may temporarily be stopped.
• Smoke is forecasted to push out of the Valle Vidal during daytime ignitions, but residual smoke may lay down in the valley overnight.
• Updates will be available on InciWeb and by other means. The public can learn more about prescribed fires on the Carson National Forest at fs.usda.gov/goto/CarsonRx.
• The previously announced Powderhouse Prescribed Fire on the western end of Valle Vidal remains on hold due to site conditions (too much moisture).

FOREST SERVICE: SNAG & DOLLAR POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT SUMMARY RELEASED

The Forest Service—Boise National Forest completed a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) post-fire assessment of the Snag and Dollar burned areas and affected watersheds to determine their response, soil conditions, potential threats, and recommended BAER emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands. BAER emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to critical values from the burned areas during rainstorm events such as: human life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.

NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF documents called “SNAG-DOLLAR Post-Fire BAER Assessment Report Summary_PUBLIC”.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/boi/.

Evergreen Forest Fire Update

Wednesday, October 23, 2024

MNICS Team C - Incident Commander-Mike Hill  & Trainee-Ryan Williams 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mnmns-evergreen- forest

Fire Information: 218-432-0953, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Email: 2024.evergreenforest@firenet.gov

Fire Quick Facts

Size: 167 acres         Containment: 70%

Location: Pine City, MN                

Cause: Under investigation

Resources: 1 crew, 3 engines, 1 dozers, & 7 tracked vehicles 

Start Date: 10/17/2024    Total Personnel: 49

The next Evergreen Forest Fire Update will be on Friday, October 25, 2024

Current Status: Firefighting resources continue mop up on the fire, making good progress on the fire’s containment status. Resources continue to secure containment lines to decrease the potential for fire spread. Firefighters are monitoring leaf drop and suppressed a small reburn from leaf drop in the interior of the fire. Fire behavior is mostly smoldering and creeping but can increase when it creeps into unburned leaf, grass, or brush vegetation. Light and spotty precipitation fell over the fire yesterday afternoon. Firefighter and public safety remain the main priorities for the incident. 

Closures: An Emergency Closure Order remains in effect to ensure public safety and support firefighting operations. 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: Resources will continue to hold and secure containment lines. Firefighters will continue mop up along the fire’s perimeter, working inward. Resources will monitor and suppress new hot spots or areas of concern from newly fallen leaf litter. Tracked equipment is being used to traverse the difficult terrain. 

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-Sunny. High of 53 with dropping humidity levels. Northwest winds 7-10 mph, with gusts up to 22 mph, shifting westerly at 6 mph in the afternoon. Tonight- Mostly clear, then mostly cloudy. Low of 39. Southwest winds 5-10 mph with gusts up to 15 mph. Tomorrow- Showers likely in the afternoon. Mostly cloudy. High of 57. Southwest winds 5-10 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between 0.1” and 0.25” is possible. Air quality is forecasted for “good” for Wednesday and Thursday. https://www.pca.state.mn.us/air- water-land-climate/air-quality-forecast

Air Operations: Aircraft are available and may be brought in to help support firefighting efforts. A reminder - flying drones over the fire is prohibited. If drones are detected near the fire, any air operations supporting the fire will stop. All media requests, including video, must be coordinate through the Incident Contact listed on the Inciweb page. 

Cooperating Agencies: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, National Park Service, Pine County Sheriff’s Department, Pine County Emergency Management, Pine City Fire Department, and Chengwatana Township.