Fire

Yesterday, Red Flag conditions increased interior activity on the Trout Fire near Boone Meadow and in the Little Trout/Snow creek drainages. The Borel Fire was extremely active, spotting over Havilan Canyon Road, and burning up Haight Canyon and Red Mountain. Significant eastern spread is possible on the Borel Fire again today. Expected fire behavior on the Borel includes crownfire runs and long-range spotting. Additional information can be found here SQF Lightning Fires Inciweb

Smoke

Yesterday, smoke transport was influenced by high westerly winds and tracked to the east/northeast. The plume from Borel crossed the Mojave and impacted Las Vegas, NV over 200 miles away. Today, westerly flow will continue and pyrocumulus plume development on Borel is expected. Western foothill communities and the North Owens Valley will see generally cleaner air with GOOD to MODERATE conditions expected as smoke stays to their east and south, respectively. The southern Owens Valley can expect periods of MODERATE to USG conditions from Coso Junction to Ridgecrest. Lake Isabella and Kernville can expect periods of Moderate to Unhealthy in the AM through midday as smoke mixes down and begins to track east.

HILL FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE

Date: July 27, 2024

Fire Information: 530-414-9056 

Hours: 08:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Email:2024.Hill@firenet.gov

Incident Website:

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casrf-hill-fire

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/16/hill-fire

Location: Humboldt County, CA

Size: 7224 acres

Cause: Under Investigation

Start Date: Monday July 15, 2023, at 5:40 PM

Percent contained: 45%

Personnel: 1578

CURRENT SITUATION: 

Yesterday, firefighters were able to keep the spot fire on Sugarloaf Mountain in check. Moderate weather helped keep fire activity to a minimum and the fire stayed within containment lines. While the suppression of Sugarloaf Mountain remains the priority, fire personnel continue to mop up and patrol other areas of the perimeter. 

Suppression repairs begin today with hand crews and excavators. Working closely with resource advisors, crews will restore dozer lines in the fire area to their natural condition. Repairs after wildfires are necessary to aid the process of healing the affected environment. These repairs include but are not limited to, returning roads to their original conditions, cleaning culverts for proper drainage, and clearing slash piles. Moderate weather conditions are expected to remain in the area today, supporting these recovery operations.

Many hazards still exist within the fire interior. Smoke may be visible as stumps, logs, and other materials continue to burn well within the containment lines. 

WEATHER:

A cutoff shortwave trough passing over the area today will create a complex but generally moderate fire weather environment. Southeast wind in the morning will generally enhance the surface inversion and delay afternoon sea breeze, similar to how it did Friday. That said, cool marine air easing into the area will continue to gradually decrease temperatures and increase relative humidity, especially in the afternoon. Winds will generally be terrain influenced, with gusts generally below 15mph. Marine influence will only increase Sunday, with slightly better smoke mixing.

CLOSURES:

Forest Closure Order currently in effect for the area impacted by the Hill Fire. It is temporarily prohibited to be on any national forest system land, trail, or road within the closure area. To view the closure order and map of closure area visit the following link www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1191963.pdf.

Road closures are currently in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N01 and Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04. For updated road closure information, visit protect.genasys.com or humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 12th. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188610.pdf.

Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.

EVACUATIONS:

Humbolt County: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies. 

Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description. 

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications 

Trinity County: Evacuation warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064589806351 and https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES 

Evacuation Center:

For information on assistance available to those displaced by the Hill Fire, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS  (1-800-733-2767.)

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in coordination with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services and the American Red Cross-Gold Country Region established an Evacuation Center for those impacted by the Hill Fire to receive fire information. The Evacuation Center is located at Trinity Valley Elementary School, 730 CA-96 in Willow Creek. The center is not open to the public, however information on how to request assistance is posted at this location.

Blacktail Canyon Fire Update

Incident Commander J. Willoughby
Location:  southeast of Butte, MT between Interstate 90 and Highway 2
Start Date: 7/19/2024 
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 80 acres 
Resources on Site:  4 engines; 2 type 2 hand crews
Total Personnel Assigned:  107
Containment:  75%
KEY MESSAGES:  
The evacuation warning issued by Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department has been rescinded.

The proximity of the fire location to recreation sites such as the Continental Divide Trail and the Silver Bow Archery Range in Thompson Park presents a further need for public awareness. The public is advised to stay out of these areas, as crews and helicopters continue their work. Ensuring firefighter safety and protecting life and property are of the utmost importance during any incident.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
Previously constructed firelines held, despite the gusty winds. The acreage remains at 80. Yesterday, crews worked in the morning until the predicted high winds materialized, forcing the crews off the fireline and back to fire camp due to the snag and falling tree hazards. Firefighting efforts resulted in securing sections of the fire edges, 3 chains (198 feet) into the interior.

Fire managers are calling the fire 75% contained. Containment of a fire implies there are secure firelines around the perimeter, directly next to the edge where the fire burned. As the crews progress around the entire fire perimeter with “mop-up” and extinguish all residual heat interior to the fire edge, the containment percentage will increase.

Crews and helicopters will be available for initial attack of new fires, given the recent lightning and several smoke reports in the area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Fire behavior was minimal yesterday, with smoldering observed. Little to no smoke was visible.

A dry and unstable atmosphere will bring a chance for dry thunderstorms (20-25% chance) to the area on Saturday afternoon and evening. Temperatures will remain near-normal, while winds turn westerly in the afternoon with gusts to 25 mph. Winds on Sunday will relax slightly, but gusts 15-20 mph are still possible in the afternoon.
 

Current status: The fire is currently at 715 acres, 83 percent contained with 313 personnel.

Closures:
The Firefighter Memorial and Green Dale Group campgrounds are now open but the following roads and trails are still closed to public access:
- Forest Service Road (FSR) 610, FSR 689, FSR049 (Greens Draw Road), Lowline trail FST103 its junction with the Pipe Creek Trail, FST 003.
- Forest Service Trail 003 from the beginning at the junction with FST 103 to the junction of Forest Service Trail 004 and Forest Service Trail 004 to Greens Draw Road 049.

For more information on existing closures, please visit the Ashley National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices 

Prevention
Nearly 85% of wildfires are started by humans. While many of these fires are contained before they become large and complex incidents, it is valuable to remember to check and observe fire restrictions. Prior to leaving a campfire, please Drown, Stir, and Feel to prevent a new wildfire start from occurring.

Speirs Fire Information Number: 435-709-8209 (6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.).

Public Information Phone: (435) 310-5450                                     Email: 2024.silverking@firenet.gov 

Agency: Fishlake National Forest – Beaver Ranger District

Location: Approximately three miles west of Marysvale, Utah 

Start Date: July 05, 2024 

Cause: Lightning 

Acres: 18,222

Containment/Completion: 86%

Personnel: 193

**RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY**

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Silver King Fire and surrounding areas beginning 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 27, 2024, and continuing until 10:00 p.m. Sunday, July 28, 2024. A Red Flag Warning means the combination of forecasted warm temperatures, low relative humidity, and stronger winds result in an increased risk of fire danger. 

During a Red Flag Warning, there are several precautions you can take to keep yourself and your community safe.

Equipment – follow all local fire restrictions on the use of chainsaws, mowers, welders and other equipment

Outdoor Fires – follow all fire restrictions or burn bans in your area

Vehicles – never throw cigarettes or matches out of your vehicle; do not drive your vehicle through dry tall grass; ensure trailer chains do not drag the ground

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions continue, meaning no open fires of any kind except within established public facilities in improved campgrounds and picnic areas. The Silver King Fire Forest Closure Order also continues.  Details of the closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/fishlake/alerts-notices. 

Much drier air moves into the area today and will remain for most of the week. Daytime relative humidity will be in the 8%-14% range, with poor overnight recovery into the 20%-25% range. Daytime high temperatures will reach the mid-80s. Enhanced southwesterly flow will spread across the area over the weekend, with gusts in excess of 30 mph both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

Firefighters continue to progress in the northeast corner of the fire. They have advanced the containment line slightly, though the area remains an operational challenge with difficult access. In other areas of the fire, suppression and repair remain the focus. On the north side of the fire, crews continue to patrol and monitor the perimeter. On the east side, personnel continue dozer line repair. On the south and west sides, firefighters continue to monitor and secure edges where possible.

Smoke Outlook 7/27 - 7/28 Eastern Oregon

Special Statement

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for Harney, Grant, Wheeler, Baker, and Malheur Counties.

Fire

There are multiple fires affecting the forecast area. For more information on these incidents, please visit Inciweb.

Smoke

Winds are expected to be from the northwest in the morning, turning more westerly throughout the day. Winds may be gusty at times in the afternoon, leading to more smoke impacts in areas east of active fires. Due to their proximity to fires, Monument is expected to have VERY UNHEALTHY conditions. For Burns, John Day, and Seneca, there is an inversion in place like yesterday, but, it is weaker and expected to break down earlier. UNHEALTHY air quality is expected in those areas overall. Air quality will improve after the inversion breaks down in the afternoon until smoke settles back in at night. Spray is expected to have UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS conditions, with air quality improving during the day as winds transport smoke away from the area.

Additional Smoke Outlooks

Smoke outlooks for adjacent areas are posted on the Fire and Smoke Map.

LONE ROCK FIRE UPDATE July 28, 2024

Location: Lonerock, Ore. to west of Highway 207 | Size: 137,214 acres | Containment: 73% Cause: Under Investigation 

Start Date: July 13, 2024 | Total Personnel: 766

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orprd-lone-rock-fire 

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4369 

Email: 2024.0404rvlonerock@firenet.gov

Condon, Ore. — The Lone Rock Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy by Northwest Incident Management Team 2 (NW2).

Yesterday’s Activities: A dedicated crew continued work on hazard tree mitigation along Forest Service Road (FSR) 25 yesterday. Containment lines continued to hold well, and fire behavior was minimal. There are still areas within the fire’s perimeter that will continue to smolder, burn, and smoke. Some isolated single tree torching within the burned area was observed. This fire behavior was expected and should not pose a risk to existing containment as it is within a previously burned area.

A smaller contingent of firefighters continued to work through the night to patrol the fire perimeter and ensure lines continue to hold, focusing on a few limited areas that were still holding heat.

As more containment is added to the fireline, and the threat to public and private land is further reduced, resources will be gradually reassigned to assist with other fires throughout the region.

Today’s Activities: Even as more containment lines continue to be added, firefighters remain fully engaged and committed to addressing remaining areas of concern, as well as continuing to patrol the fire perimeter. On the west side of the fire, crews will focus on timbered areas north of FSR 25, as well as continuing work in the Alder Creek and Notch Road areas.

On the east side of the fire, crews will continue cleanup work near Flatiron Spring and mopping up interior pockets of heat. Chipping of downed trees will also be occurring in the area, specifically along main travel corridors. Crews will begin the process of hauling out equipment that is no longer being utilized, so that it can be refurbished and sent to support other fires in the area.

Evacuations:

• For Gilliam County evacuation information, visit Gilliam County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
• For Wheeler County evacuation information, visit Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
• For Morrow County evacuation information, visit Morrow County Sheriff's Office Facebook page.

Closures:
• For updated road closure information, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/.

• Umatilla National Forest Order Number 06-14-02-24-02 includes prohibitions within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest.

• Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Prineville District Office issued an Emergency Public Land Closure on BLM- managed lands along the main stem John Day River and along the North Fork John Day River from Kimberly, Ore. to Dale, Ore.

• Weather: A weak marine push will result in a bump up in relative humidity to the upper teens or lower 20s on Sunday. Skies will be mostly sunny with haze and smoke. Temperatures will remain steady in the 80s, and winds will pick up again late in the afternoon on Sunday out of the west-northwest. Wind speeds are forecast to be 5-9 mph with gusts around 15-18 mph along ridge tops.

  Smoke Information: Visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for local air quality information.
  Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Lone Rock Fire area.

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