Incident Publication

Rail Ridge Fire Update
Friday, October 18, 2024

Central Oregon Wildfire Information: centraloregonfire.org
Email: 2024.railridge@firenet.gov – Phone: 541-208-7111

Social Media, Evacuation and Closure Information: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire
Acres: 176,383 – Containment: 89% – Detection: 09/02/24 – Cause: Lightning – Personnel: 577

Special Notes: Although the weather conditions have decreased fire activity and fire suppression operations, there is still an immense amount of rehab work to be done on the Rail Ridge Fire. Hundreds of miles of containment and contingency line was built during initial suppression efforts that need to be repaired. Fire suppression repair or rehab, is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities. Northwest Team 2 is working with the local USFS, BLM and ODF offices to supply resources and personnel to implement a mutually agreed upon suppression repair plan while they are on this assignment.

Fire suppression repair work occurs anywhere the ground is disturbed during suppression operations. This could be a small two-foot-wide handline or a 20-foot dozer fireline. Some roads are damaged by heavy equipment and need to be repaired to their previous state of use. Staging areas, supply drop points, and places where firefighters install pumps can also require repair.

Fire Behavior & Weather: Weather has been partly to mostly cloudy with on and off rain and snow showers throughout the day. Minimal rainfall was recorded, but higher elevations did see snowfall of 0.5" to 1". Humidity remained above 70% across the fire with winds gusting 20-30 mph at times. Temperatures struggled to rise much above freezing. Mostly cloudy skies will quickly move east, leaving clear skies and light to calm winds today with temperatures in the 20s. High pressure in the region today and Saturday will result in clear skies and temperatures warming from below normal today to near to slightly above normal over the weekend.

Operations Yesterday: Firefighters continued work on the fuel break at FS Road 3850. They backhauled hoses and pumps that were no longer in use. Backhauling is the process of removing supplies and equipment from a fireline after a fire has been secured. Due to the rain and snow, road repair was slow going and access was a challenge.

Operations Today: Although risk of new fire starts is very low, NW Team 2 still has initial fire attack responsibilities under the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area, meaning the current resources will respond to any new fires. Heavy repair work continues throughout the fire footprint, with firefighters prioritizing their work to be the most effective given the weather and ground conditions. Most of the repair work will be in the south due to muddy roads in the north. In addition to repair work, fire crews continue to prioritize fire suppression, mop-up, and patrol where necessary.

USFS & BLM Closures / Evacuation Information / Fire Restrictions for the Rail Ridge Fire area can be found at: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

Incident Commander: Jim King
Location: 40 miles south of Ennis, MT and 10 miles southwest of Lyons Bridge on HWY 287. 
Start Date: 10/08/24
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 3,900 acres (infrared mapping flight on 10/16/24)
Resources on Site: 2 20-person hand crews, 6 Type 6 engines.
Total Personnel: 74

*** This will be the last formal update for the Meridian Fire; future updates will be dictated by fire activity. ***

The Meridian Fire was reported late in the day on October 8th. Fire managers from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest have identified and prioritized critical values at risk in the fire area. Firefighting efforts will focus available resources on the protection of prioritized critical values at risk that are currently nearest the fire’s edge. 
There are several factors involved in making wildfire management decisions. These factors include firefighter safety, resource availability, threats to public safety and property, terrain, fire behavior, fire season outlook and modeling, and past prescribed fire units and vegetation management projects in the area. Fire managers are strategic in their approach and continually reassess conditions and alter management strategies to protect critical values.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
The fire received rain and a small amount of snow overnight, preventing any fire growth today. Resources spent the day securing sections of the fire along the east flank, specifically along FS 1209 (Jack Pine) and the very northern end of the fire closest to Cliff and Wade Lakes.

Fire managers coordinated with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, who lifted the evacuation order that was issued yesterday afternoon.

Tomorrow’s plan will be situational, depending on the amount of snow received overnight. If minimal moisture is received, similar operations will occur. If conditions associated with the predicted winter storm warning materialize, then crews will shift to removing equipment from the fire area.  

“Do Not Report” signs remain in place at Raynolds Pass and the junction of HWY 87 and HWY 287 by Three Dollar Bridge to minimize 911 calls impacting Madison County Dispatch. Information boards are still in place at the MT DOT Rest Area at Lyons Bridge and Cliff/Wade Lake Campground.  

All barriers into the fire area have been removed. The fire is not completely extinguished, and fire behavior is expected to be smoldering and creeping for the foreseeable future. The public should be aware that smoke and small amounts of flames may be visible until the fire area is fully covered in snow.

These actions are designed to allow fire personnel to protect the identified values at risk while operating in areas that have much better access and egress to safety. 
 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
A winter storm warning is in effect until noon on Friday and calls for 6-14” of snow above 7,000’, including the entire fire area. Overnight temperatures will bottom out in the mid-20s, with daytime high temperatures only reaching into the mid-30s.

If forecasted conditions materialize, fire behavior will be moderated significantly.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
There are no fire restrictions on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest or any area closures pertaining to the Meridian Fire.

ELK HUNTING INFO and the RAIL RIDGE FIRE

“Oregon’s elk are one of the most sought-after species for hunters and the second most popular game animal after deer. Rocky Mountain elk are found in eastern Oregon and Roosevelt elk are found in western Oregon, with most concentrated in the Coast, Cascade and Blue Mountain ranges.” - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Sometimes it takes a few years or more to draw certain controlled hunt elk tags and winning your controlled hunt in the spring brings about a great deal of excitement and anticipation. Unfortunately wildfires are unpredictable and often times create an unsafe camping, hunting and recreating environment. The Rail Ridge Fire burned through some renowned hunting grounds on the Ochoco and Malheur National Forests and as a result, forest closure orders are in place for firefighter and public safety. We apologize for the inconvenience and will help point you in the right direction for areas to hunt and points reimbursement. As a reminder, stay informed for closure areas are subject to change.

Hunting and Fire Danger in Oregon

Here are some of the controlled hunts impacted by the Rail Ridge and Crazy Creek fires.

Any Legal Weapon Controlled 200 Series Hunts: 1st Elk Season and 2nd Elk Season

Wildlife Management Unit 37 OCHOCO has significant closure areas from the Rail Ridge and Crazy Creek Fires. If you drew a controlled hunt tag for the following units, your hunt may be impacted by a closure:

237X Bull Elk - Dates:10/30 to 11/03

237Y Bull Elk - Dates: 11/09 to 11/17

Ochoco - Unit 37 Map

Wildlife Management Unit 46 MURDERERS CREEK also has significant closure area from the Rail Ridge Fire.

If you drew a controlled hunt page for the following units, your hunt may be impacted by a closure:

246X Bull Elk - Dates: 10/30 to 11/03

246 Anterless Elk - Dates: 11/23 to 12/01

246A West Murderers Creek - Dates: 11/09 to 11/17

Murderers Creek - Unit 46 Map

Safety hazards while hunting near the Rail Ridge Fire area:

RED ROCK UPDATE 10/17/2024 update 1400 hours

Posted on: September 4, 2024 - 8:34am

THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES TO THE EVACUTION ZONES, THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

ZONE 1 – DOWNGRADED TO “SET” FROM GO

ZONE 2 – DOWNGRADED TO “SET” FROM GO

ZONE 3 – DOWNGRADED TO “SET” FROM GO

ZONE 4 – HAS BEEN RESCINDED

ZONE 5 – DOWNGRADED TO “READY” FROM GO

ZONE 6A – HAS BEEN RECINDED

ZONE 6B – HAS BEEN RECNCINDED

Zone 1: Yellowjacket drainage

Zone 2: Cobalt to Forney

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

Zone 4: Silver Creek, Rams Creek, and Camas Creek from Hammer

Creek to White Goat Creek

Zone 5: Cobalt to Blackbird and Leesburg.

Zone 6A: Perreau Creek to Rattlesnake Drainage

Zone 6B: Rattlesnake Drainage to include all of Elk Bend and the 93 S Corridor

GARDEN FIRE UPDATE 10/17 1400 hours

Posted on: October 5, 2024 - 7:32pm

THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES TO THE EVACUATION ZONES, THEY ARE AS FOLLOWS:

ZONE 1 – DOWNGRADED TO “READY” FROM GO

ZONE 2 – DOWNGRADED TO “READY” FROM GO

ZONE 3 – HAS BEEN RECINDED

Zone 1: From Cove Creek to Ebeneezer Bar, downriver along the Salmon River Road #030.

Zone 2: On Panther Creek Rd #055, a half mile south of Beaver Creek Rd #057 to the Salmon River Rd #030 confluence.

Zone 3: Panther Creek to Spring Creek to include private land up Spring Creek.

#LoganFire - Edwardsburg and Big Creek evacuation status has been lifted and the county road is open for travel.

With the current weather conditions, please be cautious as you drive on the road and watch for rolling rocks, debris and fallen trees. #FirefightingResources are also still in the area.

Press Release: Red Grade Road Cabin Owners Granted Limited Access Friday October 18

In cooperation with the incident management team, the Sheridan County Sheriff and Bighorn National Forest are allowing access for owners of cabins along Red Grade Road tomorrow, Friday, October 18, to winterize their cabins. Please remember that this is a dynamic situation and is subject to change. This access is for Friday only, and will only be allowed from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is ONLY for cabins located along Red Grade Road. The protocol for access is as follows:

• Check-in with law enforcement at Red Grade Road closure with official ID, plate number, and location/address of cabin.
• This is only for owners of cabins along Red Grade Road.
• Law enforcement will have a presence along Red Grade Road to ensure safety.
• Cabin owners must check-out with law enforcement at the Red Grade Road closure by 5:00 p.m.
• No trailers or heavy equipment will be allowed past the Red Grade Road closure.

Further opportunities may be available in future days, as fire conditions allow, and for others interested in retrieving items from the mountain.

We encourage everyone to monitor the Sheridan County Facebook page and the Sheridan County website for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of all residents.

Sheridan County Emergency Management
Phone: 307-752-2174,  307-675-2569, scema@sheridancountywy.gov

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

New Change to Evacuation Map for the Elk Fire

For Immediate Release: October 17, 2024 a.m.
 

The Sheridan County Sheriff’s Office and Incident Command are working closely together to reevaluate the evacuation status levels for the areas in proximity to the Elk Fire. With the onset of precipitation and expected fire behavior, we will be downgrading several areas.

Effective immediately: 

The following area has been downgraded to a “Set” status:

The area South of PK Lane and West of Beckton, Big Goose Road and Rapid Creek Road to the black fire containment line.

Eaton’s Ranch Headquarters

The following area has been removed from any evacuation level status:

Everything South and West of Bird Farm Road and HWY 87 Intersection and West of HWY 193 to the Johnson County Line and Forest Service Boundary, and West to the Brinton Road and Highway 335 Intersection, moving southeast along the foothills to Kemp Creek and then south to the Forest Service Boundary. This includes the community of Story.

The Town of Dayton

Officials will continue to monitor fire behavior and assess the need to change any evacuation levels on an as needed basis. 

We encourage everyone to monitor the Sheridan County Facebook page and the Sheridan County website for the most up-to-date information.

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to ensure the safety of all residents.

Sheridan County Emergency Management
Phone: 307-752-2174, 307-675-2569, scema@sheridancountywy.gov 

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

The Elk Fire hotline number is: 307-303-7642

Phase 2 Line Post-Fire BAER Soil Burn Severity Map Released

October 17, 2024

USDA Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis for Phase 2 of the Line Fire burned area to produce a combined post-fire Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map for Phases 1 and 2. Phase 1 BAER assessment of the Line Fire was paused when the fire became active and burned approximately an additional 5,000 acres.

The BAER assessment team used initial remote sensing imagery with their field-validated soils data to develop and produce a map showing soil burn severity levels for the burned area. The SBS is broken into four different classes: unburned/very low (green), low (blue), moderate (yellow), and high (red). For more information on these different SBS classifications, see the BAER Information Brief at: Cabdf Southern California Postfire Baer 2024 - | InciWeb (wildfire.gov).

The BAER SBS map and data display categories of unburned/very low, low, moderate, and high soil burn severity in different colors for the different categories. Approximately 30% of the 44,132 acres analyzed by the BAER team are either unburned/very low or low soil burn severity, while 50% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and about 20% were identified as having high soil burn severity.

There are several types of fire severity and intensity maps that you may see. Although they look different for the same fire, they are accurate. This is because fire severity or intensity are different metrics of the fire effects on a specific resource such as soils, tree canopies, vegetation or wildlife habitat. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) maps are primarily measures of fire effects on soils. See also Fire Intensity vs. Soil Severity Effects BAER Information Brief at: Cabdf Southern California Postfire Baer 2024 - | InciWeb (wildfire.gov).

The BAER team relies on their final soil burn severity map to produce data, which they are using in their subsequent modeling and determinations of post-fire runoff, erosion, and sedimentation. The BAER team, the US Geological Survey (USGS), and the California State Watershed Emergency Response Team (WERT) all utilize the soil burn severity map as an analysis tool to estimate post-fire watershed response to precipitation events. In specific areas that experienced moderate to high burn severity, there could be increased runoff from steep hillslopes which could result in increases of post-fire soil erosion, sedimentation, and potential debris flows.

The Phase 2 Line Fire SBS map can be downloaded at the Southern CA Post-Fire BAER 2024 InciWeb site: Cabdf Southern California Postfire Baer 2024 Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) under the Maps” tab.

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/lox/.

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FOREST SERVICE: Lava 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 Lava burned area 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 “LAVA 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/.