Creede, Colo., July 1, 2020 – Heavy lift helicopters will continue to drop water today on the still-smoldering Goose Creek Fire in the Weminuche Wilderness Area. Two helicopters made an estimated 40 water drops on hot spots Tuesday. Drawing from the nearby Lake Humphreys, the pilots are able to make quick turnarounds and get more water on the fire before they have to refuel. High winds can keep the helicopters grounded but today’s plan calls for their continued use, conditions permitting.

Firefighters on the ground have been assessing structures at the Humphreys Ranch and preparing trails near the fire in case those trails might be needed for access to the fire or as fire lines. “There is currently no threat to structures” says Incident Commander Derrick Rader, “but it’s prudent to look ahead and make contingency plans in case the fire activity should increase,” Rader added. Still estimated at 149 acres, containment is now 20%. In addition to the helicopters, 108 people are assigned, along with engines and support personnel.

An incident-specific web page on this fire is on Inciweb at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6812/

Fire danger remains very high across the Rio Grande National Forest and Stage 2 fire restrictions remain in place. With the Fourth of July approaching, residents and visitors are reminded to be exceedingly careful with anything that could spark a new fire.

For additional information follow the Rio Grande National Forest on Face book at: https://www.facebook.com/USFSRGNF and Twitter @RioGrandeUSFS

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Mahogany Fire Leads the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area to Close 7,200 Acres for Public Safety and Recovery Efforts

Las Vegas, July 25, 2020 – The Spring Mountains National Recreation Area (SMNRA) on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest has assembled a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team to address safety concerns and recommend emergency treatments on National Forest System (NFS) lands recently burned during the Mahogany Fire.

The Mahogany Fire BAER Team consists of scientists and specialists with expertise in soils, hydrology, natural and cultural resources, engineering, and recreation. The team used field surveys, remote sensing data (e.g., satellite imagery), and models to conducted a BAER Assessment that outlines short and long-term emergency treatments needed to minimize threats to human life and mitigate unacceptable degradation to natural and cultural resources in the Mahogany Fire burned area.

The team identified multiple safety hazards that require the USDA Forest Service to close 7,200 acres for public safety and to allow the area to naturally recover. Additional information can be found in the attached Closure Order and map. The main hazards include those related to burned trees, including falling trees and stump holes, runoff, and the possibility of vehicles being stranded on Forest Service Roads 560 and 560A during or after rain events.

Although the area is likely to produce more runoff during rain events than before the fire, the risk of significant debris flows is lower than what the region experienced after the Carpenter 1 Fire. The BAER Team is collaborating with the United States Geological Survey and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to help determine these risks and develop strategies to help forecast when damaging rainstorms are likely to impact the fire area.

Over the next year, the SMNRA will assess the need for additional resource protections and repairs to roads, trails, and other infrastructure in the Mahogany Fire area that cannot be addressed through BAER or suppression repair authorities.

Mahogany and Wallace Fires Burning on the SMNRA

Las Vegas, NV., June 29, 2020 – Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest resources have responded to several wildfires on the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area over the last few days. The two fires that are currently uncontrolled are the Mahogany Fire and Wallace Fire. Both fires started on June 28th.

The Mahogany Fire has burned approximately 3040 acres and spread rapidly due to high winds from a cold front passing through the area. Strong winds kept aircraft grounded yesterday, but ground resources worked throughout the night to establish an anchor point for fireline construction. Firefighters are using able aircraft today, with several large airtainkers applying fire retardant to assist with fireline construction. The acreage has been reduced because of more accurate mapping.

Fire managers are urging the public to avoid the areas of Lee and Kyle Canyon so crews can efficiently move firefighting apparatus. They also ask that drones not be flown anywhere near the fire area, as this can hamper the ability to use firefighting aircraft. An Interagency Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered for this incident.

The American Red Cross had established an evacuation center for those affected by the Mahogany Fire at James H. Bilbray Elementary School at 9370 Brent Lane, Las Vegas, NV 89143. Residents seeking food, water and shelter where encouraged to report to this location for assistance. Should the center be needed again it will be re-established.

The Wallace Fire, burning in the Wallace Canyon area west of Mount Charleston, is believed to be approximately 20 acres in size and is not currently threating any homes or structures.

Lee Canyon evacuated, please refer to Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department for evacuation information. 

Carson Ranger District, July 02, 2020

• Acres: 3,010

• Location: Eastside of Peavine Mountain, Northwest Reno

• Start Date: June 26, 2020

• Cause: Under Investigation

• Containment: 98%

• Personnel: 132

                    

  Nevada Interagency Team 3 officially turned command of the fire over to a Type 4 Incident Command Team, Robert Willis, IC and Kyle Mitchell (Trainee), at 7:00 am today.

   

  Even though the focus will be suppression repair activities, there will still be fire vehicles traveling the roads and equipment in the burned area. The repair process is expected to take several more days and we are asking the public to please stay out of the area and do not block roads in or out of the fire area. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

   

  This will be Nevada Interagency Team 3’s last update and we would like to thank the citizens of Reno and Sparks for the hospitality they have shown the fire fighters.

   

  Fire Information:

• Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6810/

• Facebook:  @HumboldtToiyabeNF #PoevilleFire

• Twitter:  @HumboldtToiyabe #PoevilleFire

• Fire Information Number: 775-750-8973

Carson Ranger District, July 01, 2020

• Acres: 3,010

• Location: Eastside of Peavine Mountain, Northwest Reno

• Start Date: June 26, 2020

• Cause: Under investigation

• Containment: 95%

• Personnel: 116

                    

  As fire activity has diminished, fire personnel have started focusing their efforts on fire suppression repair.  Fire vehicles and equipment will be in the burned area over the next several days, and we still need the public’s help to avoid the area. Please stay out of the area, do not block roads in or out of the fire area, so fire fighters can continue to do their job. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

   

  The last couple of days people have been noticing black plumes over the fire area. This is not smoke; these are dust devils that have originated in the burn area and may be visible through the summer until there has been enough moisture to settle the dust or soak it into the ground. Blowing ash will be visible during times of high winds.

   

  The Type 3 team will be turning the fire back over to local jurisdictions tomorrow. 

   

  Fire Information:

• Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6810/  

• Facebook:  @HumboldtToiyabeNF #PoevilleFire

• Twitter:  @HumboldtToiyabe #PoevilleFire

• Fire Information Number: 775-455-5316

 

Incident Management Team:  Brock Uhlig’s Nevada Interagency Team 3

June 30, 2020 All evacuations have been lifted.  We ask the public to please stay out of the fire area.

Poeville Fire

Carson Ranger District, June 30, 2020

• Acres: 3,010

• Location: Eastside of Peavine Mountain, Northwest Reno

• Start Date: June 26, 2020

• Cause: Under investigation

• Containment: 70%

• Personnel: 162

                    

  Current Activity: There was minimal fire activity yesterday. Heat was found within the mountain mahogany shrub stands and crews continue to cool these areas.

   

  Today’s weather forecast calls for warmer temperatures and little wind. Crews will continue looking for hot spots and potential problem areas as well as assessing the burned areas for damage impacts.

   

  As fire suppression slows down and the repair of dozer and hand lines is starting, we have started releasing resources as they are no longer needed.

   

  With the fire winding down and the smoke no longer visible, there is a tendency to believe there is no longer a threat. We would like to remind the public that the fire area is still full of many hidden dangers, including ashpits, rolling rocks, and burned vehicles. We are asking the public to please stay out of the area to allow the firefighters to do the job of suppression and repair.

   

  Motorists are asked to be vigilant as firefighter vehicles and equipment travel down roadways. When encountering fire traffic please slow down, be patient, and drive safely.

   

  Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted.

   

  Fire Information:

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6810/

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtToiyabeNF/ #PoevilleFire
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe #PoevilleFire
• Fire Information Number: 775-455-5316

Incident Management Team: Brock Uhlig’s Nevada Interagency Team 3