Single Publication

Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires

Fire Information 208-992-3032

2024.limepoint@firenet.gov

Limepoint: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-limepoint-fire

Cliff Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-cliff-mountain

https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest/

Saturday, August 10, 2024

The Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires are burning in the Hells Canyon area, located on the Payette National Forest in west-central Idaho, east of the Snake River bordering Oregon.

Note: Per Adams County Sheriff, residents of Cuprum may return to their homes at a Level 2 (SET) evacuation level. Bear and Wildhorse are now in a READY evacuation level (Level 1). Ditch Creek is no longer in an evacuation status. For your safety and the safety of firefighters, please stay away from the fire area. Only residents and property owners are allowed in the area until further notice. This will be the last update from the Southern Area Red Team. We wish the Great Basin Team 4 a good and safe assignment

Limepoint Fire

The Limepoint Fire is west of Cuprum and Bear communities to the Snake River in Adams County, Idaho and was started by lightning on July 24th, burning in tall grass, brush and timber. The southern part of the fire was once a smaller, separate fire named the Oxbow Fire, but both fires burned together and are now collectively known as the Limepoint Fire. It is now 28,115 acres with 27 percent containment. The good work that firefighters have done to hold the fireline has reduced the threat to communities and structures throughout the fire. However, residents should remain alert in case fire activity increases. 

Yesterday, an inversion that persisted through early afternoon reduced visibility for aircraft and moderated fire behavior, allowing firefighters to make good progress improving fireline. Firefighters continued to work overnight on the fire, mopping up and protecting structures. Structure protection remains in place in Bear, Cuprum, Paradise Flat, Ditch Creek, Wildhorse, Mill Creek and OX Ranch.

On the northern flank, hotshot crews worked to contain a spot fire in the northernmost area of the fire and helicopters helped with water drops. Due to unfavorable conditions crews did not burn south of Horse Mountain Lookout yesterday but continued mop up in the area. Crews also improved firelines north to Sheep Rock.

On the eastern flank, crews conducted mop up and held a fireline north of Boulder Creek and along Forest Road 071. They scouted a contingency fireline west of Bear Work Station to Cuprum. Night shift firefighters mopped up around Cuprum. 

On the southeastern flank, firefighters continued to mop up in the Flat Creek and Elk Creek areas. Much of the fireline in this area is considered contained. 

The southwestern flank near Oxbow and western flank along Forest Road 454 (Hells Canyon Road) south of Big Bar had minimal fire activity yesterday. Several areas along the Snake River on the western flank are contained.

Today, 15 hand crews, 27 engines, seven bulldozers, five helicopters, two skidders, seven masticators, four feller-bunchers and 699 people are on the Limepoint Fire. Firefighters will be on alert today for near critical fire weather, shifting winds, high temperatures, chance of thunderstorms and winds aligned with topography which could result in very active fire behavior. On the northern flank, crews will continue to maintain firelines and establish dozer line north to Sheep Rock. As conditions allow, firefighters will continue with strategic burning operations south of Horse Mountain Lookout and along Grassy Ridge, with hotshot crews and drones. These operations may span several days. Hotshot crews will continue to mop up heat and improve handline in the northernmost area of the fire. Masticators will work near Lockwood Saddle to reduce ladder fuels in subalpine fir stands to prevent torching. 

On the eastern flank, crews will continue mopping up and securing fireline north of Boulder Creek and along Forest Road 071. They will also continue improving a contingency fireline north toward Black Lake Road and west towards Cuprum using bulldozers and masticators. Firefighters continue to monitor hot spots along Indian Creek up to Cuprum. 

On the southeastern flank, crews will continue to improve and mop up fireline to hold the fire in the Flat Creek and Elk Creek drainages. 

No personnel are assigned to the western flank of the fire due to lack of fire activity along the Snake River, but firefighters will monitor the area by air. 

Cliff Mountain Fire

The Cliff Mountain Fire started by lightning on July 25th in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in wilderness just below Hells Canyon Dam 25 miles east of Joseph, Oregon in Adams and Idaho Counties, Idaho. It also was once two fires, the Muddy Fire and the Cliff Mountain Fire, which burned into each other. It is 1,108 acres with 20 percent containment, burning mostly in wilderness, with growth slowed in some areas due to steep rocks. Hells Canyon Dam and associated powerlines are threatened by the fire. No smoke was observed on this fire yesterday. No personnel are assigned to the fire. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: Today is forecasted to be hot and dry, with near critical fire weather conditions. Scattered thunderstorms are possible, with very little precipitation. Highs will be in the low-90s, while relative humidity will be 13-19%. North-northeast winds in the morning will become southwest in the afternoon with gusts of 20-25 mph.

Dead and down fuels remain extremely dry, making all types of vegetation available to burn. In heavy grass, a new start could burn 418 acres in an hour if undetected. Minimal fire activity is expected today along the Snake River north of Oxbow; however, material could continue to roll down onto Hells Canyon Road. In the northern, eastern, and southern flanks of the fire, interior burning and spotting is likely, although fire activity is expected to be minimal. The Cliff Mountain Fire is expected to have minimal fire activity.

Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov and www.wildlandfiresmoke.net. 

Evacuations: Per Adams County Sheriff, residents of Cuprum may return to their homes at a Level 2 (SET) evacuation level. Bear and Wildhorse are now in a READY evacuation level (level 1). Ditch Creek is no longer in an evacuation status. For your safety and the safety of firefighters, please stay away from the fire area. Only residents and property owners are allowed in the area until further notice. 

Closures and Restrictions: The Payette National Forest issued a Forest Closure to protect public safety during the Limepoint and Cliff Mountain wildfires. The closure includes, but is not limited to, the following recreation areas: Big Bar, Black Lake, Sheep Rock, Kinney Point and Horse Mountain Lookout. Huckleberry Campground is inaccessible due to county road restrictions. For more information, see the full closure order and map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/payette/fire.

County roads within the Forest Closure area are accessible to firefighters and local residents only. For more information view the closure map. Forest Road 454, which runs along the Snake River is open, but please drive with caution due to rolling debris. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Payette National Forest and all state, private and BLM lands in the fire area. Prohibited: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on your own land, and only within a permanent landowner-provided structure; and smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.