Big Horn Fire Update 

10:00 PM, July 26, 2024

Estimated size: 49,585 acres

Containment: 38%

Start Date/Time: 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM

Area of Origin: 7 miles SE of Bickleton, WA

Cause: Undetermined                                                                 

Structures Damaged: 4

Update: Today brought progress in management of the fire and surrounding areas. In coordination with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Highway 14 was reopened to traffic at 7:00 PM. Travelers are reminded that this is still an active fire area, use caution and reduce speed as firefighters are still working in the area.

Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office and Emergency Management lowered evacuation levels this evening at 6:00 PM.  The Level 3 evacuation notice has been reduced to a Level 2.

Today crews continued improving containment lines on the fire perimeter.  This included starting mop up in several areas. More favorable weather brought cooler temperatures and reduced winds, helping keep the fire in the existing boundaries. For tonight’s shift, firefighters will continue to mop up and monitor the fire line. 

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels changed at 6:00 PM. Please visit Klickitat County Emergency Management’s website or check Facebook for the most current information:

• https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management
• https://www.facebook.com/KlickitatDEM911

Road Closures: The west-bound shoulder of SR 14 will be closed, please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area. East Road remains closed from the Town of Bickleton south to Middle Road. Alderdale Road from Linda Lane south to the intersection of Highway 14 remains closed. 

Community Meeting: Tomorrow, Saturday July 27th, 2024, Klickitat County Emergency Management and Southeast Washington Incident Management Team will host a community meeting at 2:00 PM.

Mercer Ranches Inc. – Conference Room 

46 West Sonova Road

Patterson, WA 99345

Weather and Fire Behavior: Cooler temperatures and lower winds today and for the next few days will reduce fire behavior probability. 

Smoke: Satellite imagery shows large swaths of smoke across the region.  With the large number of fires in the Pacific NW and continued westerly flow, smoke impacts should be expected in central and eastern Washington through the weekend. New Air Quality Alerts are in place for Klickitat, Benton, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties. If you are near fire locations, please stay up to date on evacuation orders.

While there are no current air quality alerts for Klickitat County, communities close to active wildfires could see air quality worsen as the fire and wind conditions change. Critical fire weather continues across Central and Eastern Washington; please continue to recreate responsibly as any fire starts could spread quickly. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com)

Shelter: An American Red Cross Shelter in neighboring Benton County that is currently assisting individuals and families that are displaced by the fire, will be closing tomorrow at 10:00 AM.

Patterson Elementary School

51409 Prior Ave

Patterson, WA 99345

Resources: 35 engines, 12 water tenders, 1 helicopter, 1 UAS module, 5 dozers, 1 tractor and disk, 4 hand crews, 212 personnel total.

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Firefighters hold more line with help from clear skies and milder weather

UKIAH, Ore. – Firefighters working northwest of Monument along the Battle Mountain Complex Zone I continued to make progress on containment lines spanning from Top Road and Wall Creek Road. Additionally, aircraft resources, including a Type 1 and Type 2 helicopter, were able to assist firefighters on the ground with bucket drops in areas of high fire activity. Aircraft have been grounded for several days due to heavy smoke in the area; using these resources once again has helped ground crews immensely.

Winds, consistently blowing up to 10 miles per hour, increased fire activity along the western perimeter of the fire near Ant Hill and Turner Mountain, but firefighters are continuing to hold ground.

“Lines are holding well,” ODF Team 1 Operations Sections Chief Kyle Gibbons said. “We’re continuing to hold ground, and the fire is being kept away from homes.” 

In Zone II, crews made good progress in the eastern half of the complex. Firefighters are focused on connecting lines across divisions, securing “cold trailed” portions of the perimeter that were suppressed with water but still need to be dug down to mineral soil, and removing unburned vegetation so it doesn’t flare up and spread.  

Along the northeast of the Monkey Creek Fire, firefighters built dozer line directly on the fire’s edge and constructed line through a key canyon, connecting the northern lines. Similarly, firefighters also built line directly along the fire’s edge on the southeast perimeter, even lining a three-acre spot fire from earlier in the day. Crews hope to connect lines in the southeast by tomorrow morning. Below the Middle Fork John Day River, crews tied in some key pieces of line in the Dry Gulch area. 

With today’s progress, officials look to shift some resources to the more-active, south-central portion of the Monkey Creek Fire. 

The 4,484-acre North Fork Owens Fire is now 90% contained (the complex stands at 5% containment).

Evacuations: Level 1 (Be Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect. For updated information, visit:

• For Umatilla County, follow www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff or sign up for Umatilla County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.
• For Grant County, visit the RAPTOR arcgis site or sign up for alerts at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/825462649520134.
• For Morrow County, visit https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

Public Land Closures:

The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek. More information here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District. More information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1194462 and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Total Estimated Complex Size:  151,013 acres
Monkey Creek Fire:  146,529
North Fork Owens:  4,484 acres
Total Containment:  7%
Cause:  Under Investigation     
Estimated Cost:  $13,700,000

All Resources 

Hand Crews:  47            
Engines:  96       
Water Tenders:  41         
Dozers:  20
Helicopters:  8
Total Personnel:  1,628

The Bridge Creek Road is now open to the public as of 5:30 pm Friday, July 26. Please drive with caution. 

Quick Facts

• Acres: Mill, 2,962; Smith, 45    
• Containment: Mill 20%; Smith 100%   
• Detection Date: July 22, 2024
• Cause: Lightning
• Crews: 13
• Engines: 57
• Dozers: 4
• Helicopters: 5
• Fixed wing: available as needed
• Total resources: 569

Headlines
•    As of today, no evacuation orders remain. For specific evacuation information, please visit: facebook.com/plumascountysheriff or facebook.com/sierracosheriff
•    Join us for another Ask-the-Incident Commander meeting TOMORROW (technology permitting, July 27, at 2 p.m. on facebook.com/USFSPlumas 
 

Operational Update
Smith Fire: The Smith Fire is at 100% contained. This does not mean that the fire is out. Some isolated smokes may occasionally be visible far interior, and crews will continue to patrol the area.  
Mill Fire: The Mill Fire is also continuing to show reduced heat. Crews continue to strengthen direct line and mop up around previous spot fires. Mopping up is a critical piece of firefighting, and can include “cold-trailing,” where firefighters remove their gloves and feel through the dirt with their hands to ensure that absolutely no heat remains that could rekindle. Managers continue to patrol by air and with infrared and are able to pinpoint specific areas of potential heat. If any hot spots are detected, they can then direct crews to extinguish them.
 

Weather
A cooling trend is expected to continue into the weekend, with temperatures predicted to be roughly 10 degrees cooler tomorrow. Better overnight fuel recoveries are anticipated to arrive with this cooling trend.

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The Paulina Ranger District is responding with air and ground resources to the several fires named the Paulina Complex as of 7/25/2024 (On 7/24/2024 named the 0490, 0491 0494, 0496, 0497, 0521, Pulley Creek Fire, Crazy Creek Fire, and the Kitty Creek Fire.) Firefighters from the Ochoco National Forest and contract resources are now working to establish containment lines and fully suppress these fires. Due to risk for personal health and safety it is necessary to close the area. This closure will maintain the safety of both members of the public, fire crews and contracted crews through the suppression activities while providing an efficient perimeter of safety.

Forest Order No. 0513-24-14

USDA FOREST SERVICE

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION

SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST

Borel Fire Area, Trails, and Roads Closure

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety,

the following acts are prohibited within the Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National

Forest. This order is effective from July 27, 2024, through August 10, 2024.

1. Going into or being upon any National Forest System lands within the Borel Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on the attached map. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).

2. Being on any National Forest System trails within the Borel Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on the attached map. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

3. Being on any National Forest System roads within the Borel Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on the attached map. 36 C.F.R § 261.54(e).

4. Entering or using any Developed Recreation Sites within the Borel Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on the attached map. 36 C.F.R. § 261.58(b)

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

3. Owners or lessees of land in the area, to the extent necessary to access their property.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Porterville, California, this 26th day of July, 2024.

ANTHONY EDWARDS

Forest Supervisor

Sequoia National Forest

Forest Order No. 0513-24-14

USDA FOREST SERVICE

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION

SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST

Borel Fire Area, Trails, and Roads Closure

Exhibit A

The Borel Fire Closure Area begins at the intersection of the Sequoia National Forest Boundary and the Kern River in Section 32, Township 28 South, Range 30 East, Mount Diablo Base and Meridian, then continues north and east approximately 27 miles along the east side of the Kern River to its intersection with the Forest Boundary in Section 11, T. 27 S., R. 32 E., MDB&M, then continues east and then southwest approximately 32 miles along the Forest Boundary back to the starting point.

AREA CLOSURE ORDER for the Muir Creek Fire

Effective at 1600, Friday, July 26th, 2024, pursuant to 36 CFR 1.5 (a), the following acts are prohibited within Glacier National Park:

All visitor use, administrative use, concession use, commercial use authorizations, use for research, and special use permits.

CLOSURES: (See Map dated 07/26/2024)

The Fielding Trail, from Park Creek to Coal Creek.

The area northeast of the Fielding Trail, southeast of Coal Creek Trail, northwest of Park Creek Trail to include Mount Saint Nicholas climbing routes. (See Map dated 07/26/2024 for more detail.)
Coal Creek Trail, Park Creek Trail, Coal Creek Wilderness Campground, and the Lower Park Creek Wilderness Campground remain open at this time.

PURPOSE:
The closure is in order to protect the safety of park visitors and for the protection of the park’s resources due to wildland fire activity caused by lightning the afternoon of Saturday, July 20th, 2024.

IMPLEMENTATION:
1. This Order shall be in effect at 1600 on Friday, July 26th, 2024 and shall remain in effect until further notice.
2. This Order supersedes, rescinds, and replaces any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this order.
3. Any violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for individuals and/or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months.

Muir Creek Fire Update
Friday July 26, 2024 7:00 p.m.

National Park Service
Glacier National Park
Mike West, Incident Commander; NW Montana Type 3 Incident Management Team

Fire Information Recording: 406-206-6099 / Media: 406-206-5272
Hours of Operation: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Type 3 Incident Management Team Assumes Muir Creek Fire

Current Situation: The Muir Creek Fire was reported on the evening of Tuesday, July 23rd. It is located in southern Glacier National Park on a western slope of Mount Saint Nicholas approximately 4 miles east of US Highway 2 and the Pinnacle community. Helicopter rappelers were flown in for initial attack on Wednesday and directed numerous water drops from aircraft. Despite these efforts, fire activity increased and the fire grew to approximately 30 acres by Thursday morning. Glacier National Park fire managers determined direct attack was no longer feasible due to lack of escape routes or safety zones, and multiple hazards to firefighters.

On Thursday, the fire area received minimal precipitation, temperatures cooled, and limited smoke was observed from the fire. However, the fire continues to smolder in heavy fuel and deep duff and is expected to become more active as temperatures increase later next week with a high probability of visible smoke from Highway 2 and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River.

Today, a local Northwest Montana Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) assumed command of the fire. A Glacier National Park fire crew is monitoring fire behavior. The IMT is developing plans for future fire suppression actions to keep the fire within Glacier National Park and avoid impacts to infrastructure within and outside of the park. The team is prioritizing safety and working to improve radio communications and fire lookout staffing.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Forecasted temperatures, winds, and humidity have the potential to increase fire behavior in coming days and weeks. The fire is in heavy timber on the edge of a burn scar from the 2003 Rampage Complex where there are significant amounts of very dry dead and down fuel.

Closures: There is an Area Closure Order in place for the area northeast of the Fielding Trail, southeast of the Coal Creek Trail, and northwest of the Park Creek Trail to include Mount Saint Nicholas climbing routes and the Fielding Trail between Park Creek and Coal Creek. The Coal Creek and Park Creek Trails, as well as the Coal Creek and Park Creek Wilderness Campgrounds, remain open at this time.

Fire Restrictions: Wood and charcoal fires are currently allowed in established campsites. Fire danger is currently Very High, which means that wildfires that start have a high potential for rapid growth. Please use care with campfires and ensure that they are dead out before leaving an area unattended. See https://www.mtfireinfo.org/ for up-to-date state-wide fire information.

Smoke: The Muir Fire has not yet produced significant smoke impacts, but smoke from numerous fires west of Glacier and in Canada have been negatively affecting air quality across the western U.S. Smoke impacts from fires across the west are anticipated to continue. Current smoke information is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Muir Fire Statistics:
Size:  Approximately 30 acres
Containment:  0%
Total Personnel:  17
Cause:  Lightning
Fire was detected:  Tuesday, July 23, 2024
Location:  20 miles southeast of West Glacier, MT and east of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River

Contact Information:
InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/mtgnp-muir-creek-fire
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GlacierNPS
Fire Information Office:  Recording: 406-206-6099 / Media Inquiries : 406-206-5272

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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

SPRINGFIELD, OREGON ORDER # 06-18-03-24-16

FOREST ORDER

PYRAMID FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (“NFS”) areas, roads, and trails described below within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. Refer to exhibit A for the map and exhibit B for trails, and recreation sites that are closed. This Order is effective on July 19, 2024, through November 15, 2024, unless otherwise rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:

1. Being on the road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e)
2. Being on a trail 36 CFR § 261.55(a)
3. Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e)

CLOSURE AREA:

The closure area is located within the State of Oregon, Linn County, and within the Administrative Boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The closure applies to the NFS areas, roads, Middle Santiam Wilderness, developed recreation sites, trails and trailheads described below. The closure area is depicted on the attached map, which is incorporated into this order as “Exhibit A”. All areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, and rec sites in this closure area are closed. This does not include area north of FS Road 11 or the road itself. Lava Lake Snow Park remains open. Big Springs and Maxwell Butte Snow Parks are closed. Recreation sites, trails and campgrounds closed by this order are depicted in “Exhibit B”.

Area Closure Description:

The closure boundary starts at the junction of FS Road 11 and Forest Service Road (FSR) 1142 and proceeds north along FS Road 11 until the intersection with FSR 1161 which then turns into FSR 1164 going southeast intersecting with Parish Lake Road FSR 2266 and Hwy

22. The closure then follows Hwy 22 south to Lava Lake Road FSR 2067. It continues on FSR 2067 all the way to a gate at Lava Lake Snow Park located in section 19 of Township(T)13S, Range (R)6E, then continues west in sections 24, 23, 22, 21, 20, and 19. It continues southwest into R5E section 24, 23 and 27 which intersects with FSR 2047. It then follows FSR 2047 south to Hwy 20. It then goes west on Hwy 20 to the intersection of Soda Fork FSR 2041. It continues north along the FSR 2041 to the intersection of Cool Camp FSR 2041, FSR 320, FSR 2027, FSR 523 and 520. The closure continues north west in section 32 and 31 T12S, R5E, then north in sections 31 and 30 to the boundary of the Middle Santiam Wilderness on the west edge. It continues north along the western edge of the Middle Santiam Wilderness to section 7, T11s, R5E, then west along the Sweet Home District boundary sections 1 and 2 T11S, R4E. It then goes north to section 35 T11SR4E ending at the intersection with FS Road 11 and FSR 1142.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1) and (4), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically exempting them for this Order.
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3551, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Springfield, Oregon on this 19th day of July 2024

Duane Bishop 

Acting Forest Supervisor

Willamette National Forest

Forest Order No. 06-24-05 Lassen National Forest Park Fire Closure

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Lassen National Forest. This Order is effective from

.July 26th, 2024 through August 25t11, 2024.

Going into or being upon any National Forest System lands within the Park Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 26 I .52(e).

I.    Being on any National Forest System road within the Park Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit A and shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 26 l .54(e).

2. Being on any National Forest System trails within the Park Fire Closure Area, as shown on Exhibit B. 36 C.F.R. § 261.SS(a).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.S0(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

I.    Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Owners or lessees of land in the Park Fire Closure Area, to the extent necessary to access their land.
4. Persons with a valid registration at the Developed Site known as Battle Creek Campground.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A. A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Done at Susanville, California, this 26th day of .July 2024.