Tincup fire continues to consume dead and down fuel

SODA SPRINGS, ID— The Tincup fire remains active and continues to consume dead and down fuel. Higher fuel moistures and significant live vegetation are currently keeping fire activity moderated, allowing a slow surface fire to rejuvenate the forest. Occasional single-tree torching has been observed. The Tincup Fire was discovered on July 30 approximately 30 miles northeast of Soda Springs near the Grays Lake Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. The lightning-caused fire is approximately 7 acres in size. The fire is slowly spreading towards the northeast away from private property, burning in rugged terrain within the Caribou Mountain Range.

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest, with the assistance of a long-term fire behavior analyst, has run several computer models to determine probabilities of fire growth and direction. With the above normal snowpack, precipitation and historic decrease in fire activity beginning mid-September, fire managers feel there is minimal risk allowing Tincup to play its natural role in the ecosystem. Management activities will focus on preventing fire spread toward private lands and public land infrastructure.

The Forest Service has established several management action points that will determine how the fire will be managed should the fire reach those points. These include modifying suppression actions if a possible increase of growth might affect range allotments, the general archery hunting season, private property to the north and west near Bridge Creek or impact the US Highway 34 and power line corridor.

FS lands often have vegetation and wildlife habitat that require fire to remain healthy and functioning watersheds. On forested lands, up to 60 percent more of the landscape burned historically than now, especially in the West. To diminish the “fire deficit” and thereby mitigate fire risk, the FS and partners are using this fire management strategy that protects values from harm, but also reduces future wildfire risk from excessive fuel accumulation. Fire officials will continue to monitor weather and fuel conditions daily to predict the fire’s spread.

The Tincup Fire was discovered on July 30 approximately 30 miles northeast of Soda Springs near the Grays Lake Wildlife Refuge Headquarters. The lightning-caused fire is approximately .5 acres in size and creeping in dead and down fuel with minimal fire activity observed. The fire is slowly spreading towards the northeast.


The Caribou-Targhee National Forest is aware of several unique values in the area including private in-holdings, recreation trails, Hwy 34 and range infrastructure. Due to the location of the fire and the observed fire behavior, fire officials feel it important to let the Tincup Fire play its natural role in the ecosystem. The mixed conifer and aspen ecosystem found in southeast Idaho has evolved with and depends on fire. This does not mean the fire will burn without human intervention. Active measures will occur to create fuel breaks on forest service lands between public and private lands to prevent fire spread onto private lands. Should fire activity increase or threaten private resources, additional firefighting tactics will be implemented. As the fire increases or decreases, incident staffing will grow or shrink accordingly. Fire officials will continue to monitor weather and fuel conditions daily to predict the fire’s spread.
Smoke from the Tincup Fire will be visible likely until a major precipitation event occurs or until it snows. Fire managers urge individuals to use caution and stay out of the area due to fire hazards. Currently no closures are in effect.

Allowing the Tincup Fire to burn naturally will assist the forest in achieving a variety of resource benefits including:

• Reducing heavy dead and down fuel loading that is above the historic range due to past suppression activities, which will reduce the risk of future high-intensity wildlife by removing excessive fuel loading.

• Stimulating aspen regeneration through fire’s natural disturbance, which will increase habitat for a variety of big game species.

• Reducing the risk of firefighter exposure

• Increasing plant diversity

U.S. Forest Service

Inyo National Forest
351 Pacu Lane, Suite 200
Bishop, CA 93514

News Release

September 22th, 2019

Media Contact: Kirstie Butler
(760) 920-7149
Kirstie.butler@usda.gov

www.facebook.com/inyonf

Twitter: @Inyo_NF

Springs Fire Road Reopening

The Springs Fire remains at 4,480 acres and 98% containment with no anticipated growth, although interior islands of fuel may continue to burn.

At this time road closures for the incident have been lifted, and the public will again have access to these areas. Please be advised that although the roads are open, hazards may still exist. The impacts of fire on the landscape can result in mudslides, compromised trees and lingering pockets of heat from burning tree roots beneath the topsoil. Fire equipment and personnel are also still using the roads for access to the fire.

Those wishing to utilize the road systems within the Springs fire area are encouraged to be vigilant and aware that these hazards still exist.

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Fire: There are no more ignitions planned for the Springs Fire. Mop-up and monitoring for hotspots will continue along with restoration of fire lines. Total fire size is 4840 acres.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24-hour AQI) values remained in the “good” (green) range. This is the final smoke outlook from the Springs Fire.

Fire: Containment on the Springs Fire is at 73%. There was little interior burning yesterday as a result of thunderstorms and rain showers. The fire size remains at 4840 acres. Smoke seen today can be attributed to smoldering fuels from previous firing operations, and any ignitions required to secure perimeter control lines. Any ignitions today during daylight will be minimal in size due to forecast winds, thunderstorms, and rain showers. Crews may use tactical firing within the perimeter tonight to secure handlines if conditions permit.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors (24-hour AQI) values remained in the “good” (green) range with the exception of the Bishop and Benton AQ monitors that registered into the ”moderate” (yellow), as a result of the Cow Fire smoke. Due to minimal firing last evening, expectations are for all monitors to register in the “good” range today, with the possible exceptions of Bishop and Benton which may again be affected by Cow Fire activity. Very few emissions are expected from the Springs Fire today.

Fire: The Springs Fire, a lightning-ignited wildfire, grew more slowly yesterday and last night under northeasterly winds that were less favorable to tactical firing. By this afternoon, winds over the fire will likely transition back to southwest, bringing back the conditions favorable for firing. Smoke emissions levels similar to last Friday and Saturday are likely tonight and tomorrow.

Smoke: Yesterday, residual emissions as heavy fuels burned down created some visible smoke local to the fire area, but had little to no effect on monitors throughout our forecast area. Today, as the afternoon and evening winds return to blowing out of the southwest, we may see light haze/smoke return to the Benton/Hamill Valley areas, with potential haze aloft in Bishop by morning. Calm winds overnight will likely allow heavier smoke to accumulate in the highway 120 east area near the fire, and again result in light smoke and haze aloft over the eastern Mono Basin, depending on firing progress. All smoke monitoring sites are likely to remain in the good (green) AQI range today, and tomorrow.

Fire: Yesterday, containment on the Springs fire, a lighting-ignited wildfire, increased to 23%. We will likely see the same level of smoke production today from tactical firing, weather permitting.

Smoke: Though it was hazy yesterday, all monitors reported overall (24 hour AQI) values in the good (green) range yesterday, with occasionally hourly values in the moderate (yellow) NowCast range. The afternoon southwest winds that cleared that haze yesterday will likely be weaker this afternoon, which could allow some light smoke/haze to accumulate to moderate levels north and/or west of the fire in Benton/Hammil Valley and/or the Mono Basin/Lee Vining areas. Tonight, some smoke may drain back down to the south toward the Crowley Lake/Long Valley areas, and could accumulate to the moderate (yellow) range before clearing out by afternoon tomorrow, depending on fire activity. Tomorrow afternoon, models show southwest winds will likely streng

Special Statement: Due to decreasing emissions, air quality is likely to remain good for much of this week. Daily outlooks will resume if and when fire activity increases again.

Fire: Containment on the Springs fire, a lighting-ignited wildfire, rose slightly yesterday to 27%, and smoke production from tactical firing continues to decline. Much of the smoke production today and for the rest of the week will likely be from residual burn down of areas already ignited. Some limited ignition will likely continue in the evening and overnight periods to further secure the containment area.

Smoke: Yesterday, all monitors returned to overall (24 hour AQI) values in the good (green) range under variable southerly winds. Today, with lower smoke production, all sites are likely to remain in the overall (24 hr AQI) good range, though some moderate morning hourly (NowCast) levels could occur in the Lee Vining/Mono Basin, Benton/Hammil Valley, and Crowley Lake/Long Valley areas. Tomorrow through the end of the week, this pattern of good air quality at all sites with occasional morning and/or evening light smoke/haze is expected to continue as emissions further subside.

Fire: The Springs Fire, a lightning-ignited wildfire, continued yesterday and last night to grow at about the same rate, further widening containment areas. Today, emissions will be minimal due to a hold on firing until southwesterly winds and/or favorable conditions return tomorrow (Monday).

Smoke: A brief period of NNE winds and reduced emissions due to the hold on firing will likely change the pattern of smoke transport from the Springs fire today. Local smoke in the vicinity of the fire and on 120 east was lighter this morning, and that smoke will likely clear by midmorning. Under these NNE winds this afternoon, Lee Vining and areas north of the fire should remain clear. South and west of the fire, models show some residual light smoke/haze from last night’s operations may briefly reach the June Lake, Devils Postpile, and Crowley Lake area, possibly even the Yosemite and Bishop areas. However, all sites are likely to remain in the good (green) AQI range today, and tomorrow.

Fire: The Springs Fire, a lightning-ignited wildfire, grew more quickly yesterday and last night as crews made more progress with the tactical firing to widen the controlled area, which is now over 20% complete. More firing is planned for today, with increasing emissions likely from tactical firing tomorrow.

Smoke: Yesterday, winds started from the NE and clocked around to the southwest briefly, bringing light smoke and haze south and west of the fire to the Lee Vining, Mammoth, and Crowley/June Lake areas, with some smoke aloft over Benton/Hammil Valley and Owens Lake areas by evening and early this morning. Today the southwest winds will likely be stronger and the effects to the south and west of the fire less noticeable, with more of the smoke heading to areas northeast of the fires. Tomorrow morning, some light smoke/haze may end up in the Benton/Hammil Valley area, and over the Bishop/Owens Valley area. Tomorrow morning and/or evening smoke in the moderate (yellow) to USG (orange) range could drain south toward the Crowley Lake/Mammoth area, depending on firing activity.