Incident Publication

Frog Fire Statistics

• Size: 3,114 acres
• Containment: 77%
• Total Personnel: 46
• Location: east of Clayton, ID
• Reported: September 7, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idstf-frog 

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

Current Situation: Another day of steady progress was made on the Frog Fire; containment increased to 77 percent. Firefighters worked on securing existing containment lines and extinguishing any remaining heat on the southeast portion of the fire. Resources will continue to be pulled from the Frog Fire as managers right-size the incident to the appropriate number of personnel for the remaining work to be done. Today, firefighters will keep an eye out for any increased activity and remain on standby to respond appropriately.

A single burning tree was discovered northwest of the Frog Fire yesterday. Crews were able to drop water via helicopter and dig line around the small fire. It was also surrounded by retardant from a past aircraft drop so fire managers feel confident it was from the more active burning days of the Frog Fire and see no significant threat to containment. It serves as a reminder to the fire crews to remain attentive to the whole fire area.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations related to the Frog Fire.

Closures: The area closure in place around the Frog Fire includes FS 667 (Big Boulder Creek Road) and Trail 047 where adjacent to the closure boundary.  The closure excludes FS Roads 669 and 670 and Trail 682. Hunters and recreationalists should familiarize themselves with this closure information prior to entering the vicinity.  Please reference the map and read the full closure description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idstf-frog. Fire managers and local forest officials are evaluating the current closure area for a reduction in size once it is safe to do so.
 

Wapiti Fire Statistics

• Size: 125,758 acres
• Completion: 78%
• Total Personnel: 310
• Location: near Grandjean, ID
• Reported: July 24, 2024
• Cause: Lightning

For More Information

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-wapiti-fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wapitifireinfo2024

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/WapitiFireInfo2024

Interactive Map:  https://tinyurl.com/WapitiFireInfoMap

Special Emphasis: Collection of firewood within the closure areas is prohibited; any firewood collection in open areas must be done with a valid firewood permit. For questions on firewood collection on the Sawtooth National Forest, please contact the Stanley Ranger Station at 208.774.3000. 

Weather: Dry and warm conditions will continue today with winds picking up in the early morning and dropping off in the mid-afternoon. The possibility of precipitation in the near future remains very low.

Current Situation: Crews on the Wapiti Fire worked hard to increase containment yesterday. Due to yesterday’s northwest winds, there was increased fire activity and smoke in Big Meadows blown towards the fire’s interior. Increased smoke was also seen below Copper Mountain and west of Bull Trout Lake. Hand crews and engines continued extinguishing any heat and securing line along the west portion of the fire. The successive warm and dry days have caused interior fuels to be consumed continuously and crews will pay close attention today as fire activity may again increase due to wind, especially around the south edge and the interior. 

More hazard tree assessment of Grandjean was completed yesterday to remove standing trees with a high likelihood of falling. The trees were cut down then sawed into firewood-sized pieces. Stream diversion work will continue today. Crews will continue to cut down and clear out hazard trees along several roads in the closure area to ensure safe travel once they reopen to the public. 

As a reminder, maps for the Wapiti Fire have been updated to better reflect the difference between containment lines and completion lines, since both strategies are in use on the fire area. Containment will continue to be shown as a black line along the fire perimeter; confinement will be shown as a brown line adjacent to the fire perimeter line. 

Evacuations: Evacuation status for Stanley Zone 1 is currently at READY. All residents should remain alert for any change in conditions that may reinitiate an evacuation status. Sign up for Custer County CodeRED emergency notifications: text CUSTER to 99411 or enroll at https://public.coderedweb.com/CNE/BF28E45537FF. Sign up for Boise County Alert Sense emergency notifications at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx?regionid=1163. 

For evacuation information on the Wapiti Fire, please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/p/Custer-County-Sheriff-Idaho-61558947312289/, and the Boise County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/boisecountysheriff/

Closures: The Wapiti Fire area closure covers portions of the Sawtooth, Boise, and Salmon-Challis National Forests. Please reference the map and description at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident- closures/idbof-wapiti-fire. Recreationalists and hunters should reference this map and obey all posted signage regarding the closure area and any related road, trail, and campground closures. Fire managers and local forest officials are evaluating the current closure area for a reduction in size and scope once it is safe to do so. 

An interactive map for all closures on the Boise National Forest is found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/642380b0eb124c8cab6bd9ad3d7146ad/page/Overview/# data_s=id%3AdataSource_5-1888bd00a2c-layer-13-1888bd00b53-layer-16%3A82

Fish Creek and Pack Trail Fire Daily Update 
Wednesday, October 2, 2024

Pack Trail Fire                             
Total Acres: 18,774                       
Total Personnel: 214                      
Contained/Completed: 0%              

Fish Creek Fire
Total Acres: 25,371
Total Personnel: 85
Contained/Completed: 95%

Closure Order
A new Fish Creek and Pack Trail Fire Area, Road, and Trail Closure Order (order # 04-03-24-314) was issued by the US Forest Service on Tuesday. This order is in effect from October 1, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. through October 15, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. unless rescinded. This order supersedes any previous orders, including #04-03-24-313, prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same described area. Click here to access both the map and the closure order or view the information on the fire’s Inciweb site.

Weather
The National Weather Service in Riverton, WY issued a Red Flag Warning yesterday for central Wyoming, including Fremont County, effective through 8:00 p.m. this evening. Warm, dry, and strong gusty winds could cause erratic fire behavior. Winds are expected to be out of the west-southwest, gusting 30-35 mph through the afternoon and decreasing after sunset.

Operations
Firefighters continued to install structure protection fixtures around homes and ranches along the Highway 26 corridor yesterday. Farther south, other crews began improving holding features along the road to Pelham Lake and scouting for suitable fireline locations to the east between the Lava and Purdy burn scars. Aviation was very active over the fire on Tuesday, addressing hot spots and flare ups where the fire had crested the Lava Mountain ridgeline.

The focus today will be improving and holding established firelines and protecting critical values at risk under red flag conditions. The objectives are to keep the fire south of Highway 26, west of the 532 road, and north of the South Fork of Fish Creek. Aerial resources will assist when wind and smoky conditions allow.

Resources
The incident management team currently managing the Fish Creek and Pack Trail fires, IMT3 Nevada Team 4, is reaching the end of its 14-day rotation. They hosted a transition meeting yesterday afternoon with members of CA Team 10, which will be the next incident management team to oversee the two incidents.

Today, overhead personnel from the incoming team will shadow their respective counterparts in the various divisions as they carry out their duties, giving the incoming team members one-on-one opportunities to gather additional information, ask questions, familiarize themselves with local factors and resources, and work with interagency partners and cooperators. CA Team 10 is expected to assume command of the fire later this evening or Thursday morning, October 3.

Safety
An air quality alert for wildfire smoke was issued on Tuesday for the Upper Wind River Basin, including the city of Dubois. The alert will remain in effect until 1:00 p.m. today. The Wyoming Department of Health recommends that the elderly, young children, and individuals with respiratory problems avoid physical exertion and minimize outdoor activities during this time.

Highway 26 is currently open to traffic, though drivers will likely experience periods of smoke today. Please use caution while driving, use headlights, and expect to encounter fire vehicles along the road. The Wyoming Travel Information Map at https://map.wyoroad.info/wtimap/index.html provides up-to-date road information.

Due to current conditions and expected weather, residents and visitors are urged to exercise extreme caution with fire or possible ignition sources, including campfires, as well as stay out of posted closed areas and avoid areas around fire impacted zones.

Evacuations
Evacuations and evacuation alert levels for several subdivisions and ranches in Fremont County, WY remain in place.

Current Situation:

• The Lava Fire is 86% contained at 97,625 acres, with 526 personnel assigned.
• In areas with remaining heat, the fire will continue to smolder and creep with minimal intensity.
• Interior pockets of unburned fuel are slowly being consumed by the fire without risk to containment, creating visible smoke columns. This smoke will be present until a season-ending weather event.
• Crews are continuing to remove unneeded pumps, hoses, and other equipment from the southeast corner and western flank of the fire to return to the cache. 
• Firefighters, including two Interagency Hotshot Crews, are still working through steep terrain to secure hotspots on the east and northeast side of the fire, using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to identify heat.
• Near Anderson Creek on the northern edge of the fire, and on Forest Road 653 on the southern edge of the fire, firefighters are monitoring line with the help of UAS to ensure no heat remains.

Weather: Warm and dry conditions will continue to persist throughout this week, with higher temperatures and a mild increase in relative humidity. Today, a wind shift will occur later in the day. There will be a modest increase in smoke, however increased fire intensity is not expected.

Evacuations: A Level 1 “READY” notice remains for residents south of South Grays Creek, along Little Weiser River Road in Indian Valley, North of South Grays Creek Road to Highway 95, and the Mesa Area. https://www.gemcounty.org/departments_offices/latest_advisories_watch_warnings.php

Valley County Sheriff’s Office has removed Zones 2 & 3 from LEVEL 1 “READY” status. Zones 4 – 6 remain in a LEVEL 1 “READY” status. https://www.co.valley.id.us/departments/Wildfire/WildfireEvacuation

Closures: The Boise and Payette National Forests have adjusted the Lava Fire area closure yesterday, increasing access for the public to select areas north and south of the fire perimeter. For updated map and closure information see: *CLOSURE AREAS... - U.S. Forest Service - Boise National Forest | Facebook.

Gem County Road and Bridge issued the following road closures: Third Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, Second Fork Road at Nesbitt Lane, and Nesbitt Lane. Check out updated closure information at https://gemcounty.org/departments_offices/latest_advisories_watch_warnings.php

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect. View a map of the TFR and details at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_8199.html. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if unauthorized aircrafts, including drones, enter the TFR. If you fly, we can’t! Learn more about how to use drones safely and responsibly at Home - Know Before You Fly.

Fire Info Phone: 208-780-5003  Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  Email: 2024.Lava@firenet.gov  

Facebook:@LavaFire Inciweb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-lava-fire

Forest Service News Release

Boise National Forest

Contact: Michael Williamson, Public Affairs Officer, 208-204-4484, michael.williamson@usda.gov

Boise National Forest reduces fire closure areas

BOISE, Idaho, Oct. 1, 2024 – The Boise National Forest has reduced several wildfire closure areas surrounding the Lava, Snag, Goat, and Middle Fork Complex fires. These closure adjustments have been made due to progress by firefighters and reduced fire activity. 

Lava Fire: The southern boundary of this closure area has been moved north and west allowing access to Sage Hen Reservoir and Tripod Meadows via roads 644 and 626 west of Smiths Ferry. No adjustments have been made along the Lake Cascade portion of the closure area as Snowbank Road (446) and road 435 remain closed. 

Middle Fork Complex: The updated closure area is primarily the footprint of the Bulldog and Nellie fires’ themselves and the area between these two fires. Roads 698 and 671 north of Crouch are now open, allowing access to the Silver Creek Plunge area. However, road 678 and Boiling Springs Campground remain closed due to proximity to the Goat Fire. Road 555 from Highway 21 to Deadwood Reservoir remains closed. 

Snag and Goat fires: The closure area’s new northern boundary is the Warm Lake Highway (which remains open), and that portion of the Snag Fire that burned north of the highway. The east side of the closure has moved west, opening the Deadwood River drainage north of Deadwood Reservoir. 

Wapiti Fire: We expect reductions to the Wapiti Fire closure area to be announced later this week. 

Please refer to the maps and closure orders on the Boise National Forest’s Alerts and Notices webpage and Interactive Forest Closure Map for specific details. 

These closure areas are for public and firefighter safety. While some roads are opened back up, please watch for firefighting traffic. 

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For those directly impacted by the Elk Fire, there will be a community meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Tongue River Middle School located at 1251 Dayton Street in Dayton. This in-person meeting will be recorded and published on the U.S. Forest Service Bighorn National Forest’s Facebook page.

Highway 35 is closed between Nobletts Trailhead and Wolf Creek Summit, for both public and firefighter safety. This closure will remain for at least 24-72 hours, until fire activity decreases and the road can be cleared of debris. 

The Yellow Lake Fire has been mapped at 2,474 acres and 0% contained. The fire remained active throughout shift yesterday, though cooler temperatures overnight saw moderated fire activity. It continues to burn in heavy timber, both standing and dead-and-downed. Lack of moisture in the area this summer, as well as unseasonably late heat waves this fall, have caused the fuels to be highly receptive to fire, making suppression efforts dangerous and difficult.  

Fire managers are inserting ground crews where access is available and safe. The fire was active on the north side, and firefighters utilized air support and fire retardant to slow the progression. However, with the current heat and dry fuels, the fire is slowly burning through the retardant lines.

Crews are doing structure protection at the YMCA camp and near the gas pipeline, using bulldozer line and increasing the fuel break previously created to assist in holding the fire. Other values, including structures and communities not immediately affected by the fire, are being assessed proactively in case of further growth from the fire.  

This remains a full suppression fire, but with the current conditions it will likely be a longer duration fire due to the terrain, topography, receptive fuels, and predicted weather. 

Fire managers are working with their cooperators and respective county and local agencies to coordinate impact on grazing allotments, logging, and other permittee concerns. They are also working with law enforcement to escort recreationists to retrieve their belongings in the campgrounds and in the closure area.

Highway 35 remains closed, for both public and firefighter safety. This closure will remain for at least 24-72 hours, until fire activity decreases and the road can be cleared of debris. 

The fire has been determined to be human caused, but it is still under investigation. More information will be released once the final investigation report has been finalized. 

The Yellow Lake Fire is located east of Mill Hollow Reservoir on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest. Currently, there are 230 personnel assigned to the fire, including ground crews, aircraft, engines, water tenders, and bulldozers.

Airport Post-Fire BAER Soil Burn Severity Map Released

October 2, 2024

USDA Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) specialists recently completed their data gathering and analysis for the Airport Fire burned area to produce a post-fire Soil Burn Severity (SBS) map. 

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. Of the 23,688 acres burned by the Airport Fire, 21,401 acres are National Forest System (NFS) lands. Approximately 20% of the total 23,688 acres analyzed by the BAER team are either unburned/very low or low soil burn severity, while 77% sustained a moderate soil burn severity, and about 3% were identified as having high soil burn severity.

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).

There are several types of fire severity and intensity maps that you may see. Each map represents different information.  Fire severity or intensity are different measures 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.

The BAER team uses the final soil burn severity map in their subsequent modeling to estimate  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 in their analysis to estimate post-fire watershed response to precipitation events. In specific areas that experienced moderate to high soil 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 Airport Fire SBS map can be downloaded at the Airport Post-Fire BAER 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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The Yellow Lake Fire, located east of Mill Hollow Reservoir, is estimated at 2,300 acres and 0% contained as of Monday, September 30. The Forest Service is taking all available actions to fully suppress the fire, using firefighting resources where safe and effective. The area received a light amount of precipitation Sunday night, but the fire remained active overnight in heavy timber. Additional resources arrived yesterday and are available to the Incident Command Team. Fire managers expect additional resources to continue to arrive. There will be 24-hour operations on scene until further notice. 

The fire is actively burning in timber and standing dead and down trees. It has crossed onto the east side of Highway 35, west of Potts Hollow. Fire behavior is actively burning in the understory, with torching of individual trees, as well as group torching. Currently, there are 80 personnel assigned to the fire, including ground crews, aircraft, engines, and bulldozers. Additional resources are being ordered and should be on scene tonight.

 The U.S. Forest Service Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is working with Wasatch County on an area closure being put in place for public safety. The closed area boundaries are Mill Hollow on the west side, Soapstone Basin area south of Highway 150, Iron Mine Mountain to the east and the West Fork of the Duchesne River on the south. Additionally, Highway 35 remains closed to through traffic, for both public and firefighter safety. This closure will likely remain for at least 48 hours until fire activity decreases and the road can be cleared of debris. 

Smoke is visible and will vary throughout the day. Please do not report.