Single Publication

August 10, 2024   12:00 p.m. 

Incident Commander:  Rick Connell, Northern Rockies Team 5 

Middle Fork Complex Location: 9 miles east of Garden Valley, ID    

Bulltrout Location: 15 miles WNW OF Stanley, ID Wapiti Location: 2 miles southwest of Grandjean, ID 

Start Dates:  07/24/24 – 08/06/2024 

Cause: Lightning 

Size:                             

Bulltrout: 271 acres     Wapiti: 1,705 acres 

Middle Fork Complex: Bulldog: 1,056 acres Anderson: 1,118 acres Nellie: 718 acres 

Containment:                    

Middle Fork Complex: 0%     Bulltrout:  74%       Wapiti: 0% 

Resources on site:       

Middle Fork Complex: 1 hotshot crew; 3 type 2 hand crew; 3 engines 

Wapiti: 2 type 2 hand crew; 5 engines  

Bulltrout: 1 Hotshot crew; 1 type 2 hand crew; 2 engines 

Total Personnel:  Middle Fork Complex: 104             Bulltrout: 71   Wapiti: 93 

KEY MESSAGE: 

COMMUNITY MEETING SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 2024, 7 – 8 P.M. AT CROUCH COMMUNITY CENTER, 1022 OLD CROUCH ROAD. 

CURRENT STATUS /PLANNED ACTIONS:  

Middle Fork Complex: The Middle Fork Complex is comprised of Bulldog, Nellie, and Anderson fires. On the Bulldog Fire, firefighters are constructing handline and dozer line on the west and south sides to protect private property and structures in the vicinity of Crouch. Firefighters are planning strategic burn out operations tonight and the public may see an increase in firefighter activity and smoke. The fireline is completed from the river to the Lightning Ridge trailhead and crews are working west to south to connect into the Pioneer Fire burn area. The public is reminded that the Middle Fork Road is closed at the Forest Service boundary just south of Lightning Creek. The Nellie and Anderson fires are burning in remote, rugged terrain and firefighters are searching for opportunities to engage.  

Wapiti Fire: Crews successfully completed strategic firing operations along the 525 road, reducing the potential of fire spread west. Firefighters are ensuring the structures in the Summer Homes area are protected with defensible space, water pumps, and sprinklers.  

Bulltrout Fire: Crews will continue patrolling the fire area, repairing areas affected by suppression efforts, and extinguishing pockets of heat in the interior of the fire.  

Weather and Fire Behavior: 

Low relative humidities and high winds are expected today with the possibility of strong outflow winds due thunderstorms in the area throughout the day. Late afternoon, gusty winds and lifting inversion conditions could cause the fires to burn and grow in all directions. 

CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS, AND EVACUATIONS: 

Wapiti Fire: The evacuation order for Summer Homes and the Sawtooth Lodge remain in effect for the Wapiti Fire, as does the area closure issued by the Sawtooth and Boise National Forests (Closure #0402-05-92 effective July 27, 2024). This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Wapiti Fire.  

Bulltrout Fire: The Bull Trout Fire Area Closure (0402-05-91) remains in effect for the roads, trails, and area surrounding the Bull Trout Fire. Boise National Forest issued this Order on July 27, 2024. It will be rescinded as soon as it is safe to do so.  

Middle Fork Complex: The Boise County Sheriff's Office continues to maintain the Level 2 evacuation notice for residents on and near the Middlefork Road between Stump Ranch Road up to Tie Creek Campground. The Boise National Forest issued areas closure for the fire area on August 8th (Closure #0402-06-58 and Closure # 0402-06-57). 

Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7  

The Boise National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management are in Stage 1 fire restrictions on state, endowment, private and federal lands within the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Zone. For more information on the restrictions and a map visit:  

https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/