Thursday, July 9, 2020

Contact Fire Information:  208.296.1233 or 2020.Numbers@firenet.gov
 

Great Basin Team 4, a Type 2 Incident Management Team, assumed command of the Numbers Fire this morning.  The Team will work closely with local land managers and agencies to ensure the protection of the local communities and resources.

Today, crews are being flown to the upper ridgeline of the Pine Nut Mountains to limit fire spread over the ridge to the east and into Smith Valley.  Right now, this is the area of greatest concern for additional fire growth.  Helicopters will support these crews by dropping water from buckets and delivering supplies.

Additional firefighting resources will continue to secure and patrol existing firelines and respond to any adjacent fire activity.  In some areas, where containment is certain, crews and equipment will begin to repair suppression actions.  This includes rehabilitation of ground moved by dozers to create fireline.

The weather over the fire area today is expected to be hot, dry and breezy.  A Red Flag Warning – an indicator of critical fire weather conditions that could lead to increased fire activity – has been issued for the fire area.  The pattern of high temperatures and low relative humidity is expected to continue for several days.

The Team is working at the firecamp based at the Douglas County Fairgrounds.  Please be aware of increased fire traffic in these areas, especially during the morning and evening hours, and limit use of Pine Nut 2 and Blossom Canyon Roads to residents only.  The fire crews are well supplied with food, water, and other necessities.

Date: Sunday, July 5, 2020

Fire Information: 218-248-2411

Incident Names: Sundial, 212, 213, and Independence Fires

Description: Late in the day on July 4th, four wildfires were reported/detected on the west zone of the Superior National Forest, three within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in St. Louis County and one outside of the BWCAW in Lake County. Several thunderstorm cells developed and redeveloped with lightning activity while passing through northeastern Minnesota. The Sundial Fire is approximately 8 acres in size and burning in a remote area of the BWCAW south of Iron Lake in the Sundial Primitive Management Area (PMA) on the LaCroix Ranger District. The 212 and 213 Fires are each .10 of an acre and located north/northeast of Trout Lake and north of Lake Vermilion on the La Croix Ranger District. The Independence Fire is 1 acre in size and located near Birch Lake south of Ely on the Kawishiwi Ranger District.

Location: Northeastern Minnesota, St. Louis County and Lake County

Sundial: T66N-R12W Section 33

212: T64N-R16W Section 35

213: T63N-R16W Section 27

Independence: T62N-R11W Section 32

Status:

Sundial Fire: Yesterday afternoon this fire was detected burning in jack pine regeneration and the old 1996 White Feather Fire area. Initial response included four aircraft that were used to drop water on the fire yesterday afternoon and evening. The fire is estimated to be 8 acres in size this morning. Today, a firefighting crew will be inserted near the fire. The crew will begin suppression action as safely allowable along the fire edge. Firefighter and public safety are the most important priorities in all wildfire response and due to the remote setting of this fire the suppression efforts will be undertaken deliberately and with life safety in mind.

This fire started away from any travel routes and is not accessible by lakes or rivers due to low water. It is located in a very remote area about 3.5 miles south of Iron and Crooked Lakes and the Canadian border. The fire was observed smoldering this morning with higher humidity levels, however the winds are predicted to increase today and humidity levels will drop and fire activity predicted to increase slightly.

213 Fire: This fire is located north of Lake Vermilion and west of the Trout Lake Portage. It is accessible from Lake Vermilion and was a .10 of an acre in size and a single tree lightning strike fire. A fire crew is on site taking suppression actions today.

212 Fire: This fire is located northwest of Trout Lake and anticipated to be a single tree lightning strike at a .10 of an acre in size. A fire crew is traveling by boat on Trout Lake to locate and suppress this fire today.

Independence Fire:  This is a 1 acre fire detected yesterday and located near Birch Lake south of Ely. Two engine modules and the Morse Township Fire Department responded to suppress the fire yesterday afternoon. Crews remained on site and continued to work on the fire into the evening and early morning. The crews have been successful holding this fire and returned today to continue to mop up hot spots on the fire and secure the fire edge.

Northeastern Minnesota is in moderate drought conditions as we have not received significant moisture over the past several weeks. There are several soil and fuel conditions that are monitored to determine fire danger levels and several of those conditions are indicating a drying trend in the region.

Resources: A 12 person firefighting crew and 1-3 helicopters will be assigned to the Sundial Fire today. A 4 person fire crew is assigned to the 213 Fire, a 4 person crew is assigned to the 212 Fire, and one engine module is assisting with mopping up on the Independence Fire. Additional fire engine modules are staffing in locations across the Forest including off-forest resources from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Firefighters have been ordered to backfill in case additional fires challenge local resources. Aviation resources assigned to the Forest include two Beaver Floatplanes, three Type 3 helicopters, and two Type 1 helicopters all equipped for water dropping.

Closures/Campfires Prohibited: The Superior National Forest currently has campfire restrictions in place on the Forest both inside and outside the BWCAW except in specific developed campgrounds. There are no fire specific area Forest Closures at this time but visitors should continue to be aware of the dry conditions and expect to see aircraft being used for fire response and detection.

Date: Sunday, July 5, 2020

Fire Information: 218-248-2411

Incident Names: Sundial, 212, 213, and Independence Fires

Description: Late in the day on July 4th, four wildfires were reported/detected on the west zone of the Superior National Forest, three within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) in St. Louis County and one outside of the BWCAW in Lake County. Several thunderstorm cells developed and redeveloped with lightning activity while passing through northeastern Minnesota. The Sundial Fire is approximately 8 acres in size and burning in a remote area of the BWCAW south of Iron Lake in the Sundial Primitive Management Area (PMA) on the LaCroix Ranger District. The 212 and 213 Fires are each .10 of an acre and located north/northeast of Trout Lake and north of Lake Vermilion on the La Croix Ranger District. The Independence Fire is 1 acre in size and located near Birch Lake south of Ely on the Kawishiwi Ranger District.

Location: Northeastern Minnesota, St. Louis County and Lake County

Sundial: T66N-R12W Section 33

212: T64N-R16W Section 35

213: T63N-R16W Section 27

Independence: T62N-R11W Section 32

Status:

Sundial Fire: Yesterday afternoon this fire was detected burning in jack pine regeneration and the old 1996 White Feather Fire area. Initial response included four aircraft that were used to drop water on the fire yesterday afternoon and evening. The fire is estimated to be 8 acres in size this morning. Today, a firefighting crew will be inserted near the fire. The crew will begin suppression action as safely allowable along the fire edge. Firefighter and public safety are the most important priorities in all wildfire response and due to the remote setting of this fire the suppression efforts will be undertaken deliberately and with life safety in mind.

This fire started away from any travel routes and is not accessible by lakes or rivers due to low water. It is located in a very remote area about 3.5 miles south of Iron and Crooked Lakes and the Canadian border. The fire was observed smoldering this morning with higher humidity levels, however the winds are predicted to increase today and humidity levels will drop and fire activity predicted to increase slightly.

213 Fire: This fire is located north of Lake Vermilion and west of the Trout Lake Portage. It is accessible from Lake Vermilion and was a .10 of an acre in size and a single tree lightning strike fire. A fire crew is on site taking suppression actions today.

212 Fire: This fire is located northwest of Trout Lake and anticipated to be a single tree lightning strike at a .10 of an acre in size. A fire crew is traveling by boat on Trout Lake to locate and suppress this fire today.

Independence Fire:  This is a 1 acre fire detected yesterday and located near Birch Lake south of Ely. Two engine modules and the Morse Township Fire Department responded to suppress the fire yesterday afternoon. Crews remained on site and continued to work on the fire into the evening and early morning. The crews have been successful holding this fire and returned today to continue to mop up hot spots on the fire and secure the fire edge.

Northeastern Minnesota is in moderate drought conditions as we have not received significant moisture over the past several weeks. There are several soil and fuel conditions that are monitored to determine fire danger levels and several of those conditions are indicating a drying trend in the region.

Resources: A 12 person firefighting crew and 1-3 helicopters will be assigned to the Sundial Fire today. A 4 person fire crew is assigned to the 213 Fire, a 4 person crew is assigned to the 212 Fire, and one engine module is assisting with mopping up on the Independence Fire. Additional fire engine modules are staffing in locations across the Forest including off-forest resources from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Firefighters have been ordered to backfill in case additional fires challenge local resources. Aviation resources assigned to the Forest include two Beaver Floatplanes, three Type 3 helicopters, and two Type 1 helicopters all equipped for water dropping.

Closures/Campfires Prohibited: The Superior National Forest currently has campfire restrictions in place on the Forest both inside and outside the BWCAW except in specific developed campgrounds. There are no fire specific area Forest Closures at this time but visitors should continue to be aware of the dry conditions and expect to see aircraft being used for fire response and detection.

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 15, 2020, 6:00 p.m.

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 14, 2020, 8 am

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 13, 2020, 8 am

 

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 12, 2020, 8 am
Acres: 647 acres

Percent Containment: 80%

Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020

Cause: Lightning

Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ

Fuels: Pinyon juniper, high desert grass

Resources: approx. 126 personnel assigned: including 1 crew, 2 engines, 3 helicopters with additional resources returning

Firefighters worked through Saturday night on active northwest perimeter  

Payson, Ariz. – Firefighters worked the northwest boundary of the Polles Fire through the night, using saws to cut a new line around the spot fire that developed yesterday afternoon.  Two thunderstorms yesterday produced gusty, erratic winds that rekindled an isolated heat source well within the perimeter.  The fire grew to the north and west with the first storm.  Then, winds from the second storm pushed flames back to the east.  The entire spot was approximately 75 acres.  Forward progress was halted, and the fire remains on top of the mesa.  
Additional air support and ground crews are reengaging the fire today to continue to check the line and patrol for hotspots.  Pocket of fire within the perimeter may become active Sunday afternoon under the extremely hot and dry conditions. However, little to no growth is expected today. 
 
There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification systems and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information.
 
The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires.  Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
 
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information visit:  https://azstateparks.com/tonto
 
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. Drove incursions during a wildfire can result in significant fines and jail time. For more info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.
 
Polles Fire Public Information 
Fire Information: (480) 339-9585
Email: eric.solomon@usda.gov 
Inciweb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/
Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/
Tonto NF Twitter:  twitter.com/TontoForest
Tonto NF Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/tonto

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 11, 2020, 8pm

 POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 10, 2020 Acres: 572 acres                                                                                                    Percent Containment: 85%

POLLES FIRE UPDATE - July 9, 2020 

 Acres: 572 acres Percent Containment: 61%

 Start Date: Friday, July 3, 2020 Cause: Lightning

 Origin Location: 11 miles W of Payson, AZ Fuels: Pinion juniper, high desert grass

 Resources: approx. 384: including 9 crews, 10 engines, 7 helicopters

 Polles Fire 61% Contained
 
Payson, Ariz. – Yesterday ground resources continued to work the fire’s edge and completed contingency work around local communities. Due to the fire’s remote location in the wilderness and spotty vegetation in the area, crews haven’t been able to dig fireline and burn out from containment features like roads or trails.  Instead, they have been checking thousands of individual hotspots to ensure fuels along the fire’s perimeter are cold. “We are now reporting the fire as 61% contained, meaning we feel confident the fire will no longer grow in these areas.” said Incident Commander John Pierson. 
 
Little to no perimeter growth is predicted. The Incident Management Team will begin right-sizing the organization and demobilizing crews as appropriate. However, there will continue to be adequate air and ground resources to respond and suppress any fire activity and to perform initial attack if needed.
 
Today, and throughout the weekend, the weather forecast is calling for excessive heat warnings with a small chance of thunderstorms.
 
There are no current threats from the Polles Fire to the communities of Pine-Strawberry or Payson. We do encourage that residents become familiar with Arizona’s Ready-Set-Go program and sign up for their county emergency notification systems and remain alert, ready and make essential preparations. Visit https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go for more information.
 
The Tonto National Forest has a Closure in effect across the forest to prevent new human caused fires.  Details are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices.
 
The Tonto Natural Bridge State Park has closed due to the Polles Fire. For more information visit:  https://azstateparks.com/tonto
 
Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area. Drove incursions during a wildfire can result in significant fines and jail time. For more info, visit: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.Polles Fire Public Information
  Public Line: (928) 351-7723‬

 Media Line: (928) 351-7596

 Email: 2020.polles@firenet.gov

 Inciweb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6825/

 Tonto NF Facebook: FB.me/TontoNationalForest/

 Tonto NF Twitter:  twitter.com/TontoForest 

 Tonto NF Website:  www.fs.usda.gov/tonto