Apache Fire Incident Update July 26, 2024

Apache Fire Phone: 213-631-5455 Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Apache Fire Email: 2024.apache@firenet.gov

Apache Fire Start: Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 6:31 p.m.

Cause: Under investigation

Location: Maricopa Highway and Apache Canyon Road, Cuyama Valley, Ventura County

Size at time of update: 1,552 acres
Containment: 0%

Personnel: 214

Incident Details: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-apache-fire

The Apache Fire ignited Tuesday evening in a remote area of Ventura County in the Los Padres National Forest. The fire, burning in a two-year crop of cured annual grass, spread quickly Wednesday as winds from nearby thunderstorms impacted the area. On Thursday, despite weather conditions favorable for fire growth, fire behavior moderated and fire crews supported by aircraft were able to regain ground lost the day before.

Today gusty winds are expected to challenge fire crews as they focus on improving on the progress made yesterday. Firefighters are working directly on the fire’s edge where possible, to hold the fire in Apache Canyon using dozers, engines, and hand crews. They are also preparing the areas around evacuated residences to protect the homes in case the fire does continue to grow. 

The fire is burning adjacent to Maricopa Highway (CA-33). The highway remains open. Motorists are encouraged be alert for firefighters and equipment in the area. Please check https://roads.dot.ca.gov/ prior to driving through the area.  

California Interagency Incident Management Team 2, a United States Forest Service incident command team has been assigned to manage the fire and is in unified command with the Ventura County Fire Department.

Forecast for Friday: Hot and dry weather is expected over the area today with temperatures ranging from 95-100 degrees and relative humidity in the low teens. Afternoon wind gusts of up to 28 mph are predicted in the area and could potentially lead to further fire growth.

Evacuation Areas: Current Apache Fire evacuation information can be found at https://www.vcemergency.com/The status of evacuations may change during the day. Ventura County residents are encouraged to sign up for https://www.readyventuracounty.org/vc-alert/ emergency notifications.

Social Media: 

https://www.facebook.com/lospadresnationalforest/

https://www.facebook.com/venturacountyfire/

https://x.com/vcfd

Forest Service News Release

Jessica Schick

Public Affairs Officer

(208) 768-7120

jessica.schick@usda.gov

http://www.fs.usda.gov/snf/

https://twitter.com/SawtoothNF

https:www.facebook.com/sawtoothnf

SNRA to reopen Redfish Lake recreation complex in phases

Stanley, Idaho (July 26, 2024) — The Redfish Lake recreation complex on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area will reopen in phases today through Tuesday.

The complex is currently closed by emergency order due to the Bench Lake Fire, which started one mile west of the lake July 11.

“Stanley thrives on a tourism and recreation economy dependent, in part, on Redfish Lake visitation,” said SNRA Ranger Kirk Flannigan. “We want to do all we can to limit the impact of our fire response efforts on local businesses.” 

The complex reopened 8 a.m. today for employees. The complex will reopen for visitors in phases to ensure an orderly return to normal operations at complex facilities:

• Sunday – Redfish Lake Lodge will open to guests with existing reservations, and Mystic Saddles Outfitters will resume operations. Guests of the lodge and the outfitter will be allowed entry into the recreation complex.
• Monday – Campers with existing reservations will be allowed to enter the recreation complex. 
• Tuesday – The complex will open to the general public. 

The emergency closure order and map will be updated later today and will include modifications to the closure area and any additional restrictions that apply to those visiting the complex. 

Inicio del Incendio Lake: Viernes, 5 de julio de 2024 a las 3:48 p.m.

Causa: Bajo investigación

Localización: Cerca del Zaca Lake, en el condado de Santa Barbara, al norte de Los Olivos, California.

Tamaño en el momento de la actualización: 38,664 acres

Contención: 90%

Personal: 746

Detalles completos del incidente: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-2024-lake-fire

Incendio Lake
Las acciones posteriores al incendio se implementaron de inmediato y continúan para reparar los daños y minimizar la posible erosión del suelo y los impactos de las actividades de extinción del incendio. Este trabajo implica la reparación de líneas de defensa manuales y con buldócer, caminos, senderos, áreas de preparación y otros lugares utilizados durante los esfuerzos de extinción del incendio, con el objetivo de restaurar estas áreas a sus condiciones previas al incendio lo más fielmente posible. Además, los bomberos continúan monitoreando el perímetro del incendio para evitar cualquier brote.

El Equipo 2 de Gestión de Incidentes Interinstitucional de California ha estado manejando el incendio Lake y asumió el mando del incendio Apache el jueves por la mañana.

Pronóstico para el viernes: Las condiciones cálidas y secas continuarán con temperaturas máximas entre 90 y 100 grados. La humedad relativa bajará entre 12% y 28% por la tarde. Se esperan vientos ligeros durante las primeras horas de la mañana, luego los vientos del oeste-noroeste aumentarán a las 10:00 a. m. a 5-10 mph con ráfagas de 15-18 mph.

Cierre del área del incendio Lake: Todos los caminos, senderos y áreas recreativas dentro de la Orden de Cierre del Bosque Nacional Los Padres están cerrados al público. Consulte la Orden de cierre y el Mapa de órdenes de cierre mediante enlaces o visitando el sitio web del Bosque Nacional Los Padres. Este cierre permanecerá vigente hasta el 18 de agosto de 2024, o hasta que sea revisado o rescindido.

Áreas de evacuación: Todas las órdenes de evacuación y advertencias de evacuación previamente vigentes debido al incendio Lake han sido canceladas. Se insta a los residentes a tener precaución al regresar a sus hogares ya que el personal de emergencia continúa trabajando en el área. La Orden de Cierre del Bosque Nacional Los Padres todavía está vigente.

Lake Fire Start: Friday, July 5, 2024 at 3:48 p.m.

Cause: Under investigation

Location: Near Zaca Lake in Santa Barbara County, north of Los Olivos, California

Size at time of update: 38,664 acres
Containment: 90%

Personnel: 746

Full Incident Details: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/calpf-2024-lake-fire

Lake Fire

Post-fire actions were implemented immediately and are ongoing to repair damage and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts from fire suppression activities. This work involves repairing hand and dozer lines, roads, trails, staging areas, and other locations used during fire suppression efforts, aiming to restore these areas to their pre-fire conditions as closely as possible. Additionally, firefighters continue to monitor the fire perimeter to prevent any flare-ups.

California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 has been managing the Lake Fire and assumed command of the Apache Fire on Thursday morning.  

Forecast for Friday: Hot and dry conditions will continue with highs in the upper 90s to low 100s.  Relative humidity will drop to between 12% and 28% in the afternoon.  Light winds are expected in the early morning, then west-northwest winds increase at 10:00 am to 5-10 mph with gusts from 15-18 mph.

Lake Fire Area Closure: All roads, trails, and recreational areas within the Los Padres National Forest Closure Order are closed to the public. Refer to the Closure Order & Closure Order Map using links or visiting the Los Padres National Forest website. This closure will remain in effect until August 18, 2024, or until revised or rescinded. 

Evacuation Areas: All Evacuation Orders and Evacuation Warnings previously in place due to the Lake Fire have been lifted. Residents are urged to drive slowly and take caution when returning home as emergency personnel continue working in the area. The Los Padres National Forest Closure Order is still in place. 

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, 1 helicopter, 2 type 1 “hotshot” hand crews, 3 type 2 hand crews
Total Personnel Assigned:  152
Containment:  50%

KEY MESSAGES:  
The evacuation warning issued by Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department has been rescinded.

Winds associated with passing thunderstorms pose a major safety hazard due to the high density of “snags” and falling trees. Additionally, 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 and Red Flag conditions. 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 50% 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.

Infrared mapping identified an area of residual heat on the eastern flank, given the winds yesterday. Crews will address this section today as they continue with “mop-up” operations, as allowed by weather conditions and subsequent impacts of the gusty winds. Engine 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 cold front moved through the fire area yesterday. Mostly clear skies will dominate the forecast today. West winds will increase in the afternoon hours today and tomorrow. Relative humidity will remain low, with readings in the teens. A slight chance for showers enters the area on Saturday.
 

PYRAMID FIRE:

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 615 Acres, 5 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 280, Lightning caused

Yesterday, bulldozers, masticators, and heavy equipment finished building most of the control line around the fire perimeter using the existing road system. Today, hand crews will work on completing a small section of the control line in rocky terrain on the north flank. They will also continue to improve existing control lines using masticators and chippers. The goal is to widen and improve the control lines, and reinforce them with hose and pumps, especially on the southern flank.

SLATE FIRE: 

5 miles SW of Detroit, OR, 45 Acres, 11 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 47, Under Investigation

Yesterday was a very successful day as firefighters, assisted by helicopters and water-scooping planes, aggressively attacked the fire. On the northern perimeter, dozers built a control line east along the 548 Road to the ridgeline.  On the southern flank, along the 549 Road, crews worked to construct a control line and install sprinklers at the edge of the fire.  In addition, a smokejumper crew started from the 549 Road and began working on the west flank, building a direct hand line. Today, firefighters will continue direct hand line construction at the fire’s edge to secure a control line around the fire. 

WEATHER: Last night, skies were clear with moderate to good humidity recovery. Today will be sunny, warmer, and drier, with typical afternoon northwest winds.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Several fires on the Willamette National Forest are causing smoky conditions in surrounding communities. Citizens can check smoke and air quality conditions on this website: AirNow.gov

ROADS: Please be mindful of firefighting equipment when driving in the area. Refer to the emergency closure order for forest roads affected by the fires. For information about all other roads, visit the Oregon Department of Transportation website at https://tripcheck.com 

EVACUATIONS: On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map https://tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). 

CLOSURES AND FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Area, road, recreation sites, and trail (including the PCT) closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest due to nearby fires. For specific information, please follow this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Fire restrictions have been implemented for Willamette National Forest, including the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487

Whisky Creek Fire Daily Update 

July 26, 2024 
 

Email: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov 

Incident Information Phone Line: 541-208-1743 – daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Whisky Creek Fire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024WhiskyCreekFire 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/ormhf-whisky-creek-fire 

Smoke Report: https://www.airnow.gov/ 

Whisky Creek Fire 

0% Contained 

856 Acres 

6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR 

Burning in scrub oak, timber, woody debris, and grass  

 
Highlights  

Crews made progress on preparing containment lines to the south of the active fire area yesterday. Heavy equipment was brought in to assist with clearing roads and creating fuel breaks reopening an Eagle Creek Fire contingency line. Conditions were also favorable for an infra red flight allowing for better mapping of the area and a more accurate number of acres burned.  

Operations 

Crews continue to prepare containment lines, clearing roads and trails, to the southeast along the Rainy-Wahtum Trail #409 from Rainy Lake to Wahtum Lake and continuing to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) approximately one mile to the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burn area. A temporary reroute of the PCT to the Eagle Creek Trail is expected. To the east of the fire, crews continue to strengthen a containment line along the Gorton Creek Trail #408 and identifying potential contingency lines further east. Crew will continue to do fuels reduction work and tie in indirect line along the edge of the wilderness area.  

Fire Behavior & Weather 

The fire is burning within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and moving steadily along the eastern edge up Woolly Horn Ridge and west towards Waucoma Ridge. Moderate upslope growth is expected to continue around the fire’s edges with potential for wind to push to the south. Smoke will continue to be visible, especially in the afternoon, as fire consumes denser pockets of vegetation and dead-and-down fuels. Decreasing humidity and light and variable winds will allow for warmer and drier conditions over the area today. This may increase fire activity and smoke, especially in the afternoon. 

Evacuations, Road and Trail Closures, and Restrictions 

The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area have issued a joint emergency closure for the fire area. Closure information can be found on the Mt. Hood National Forest website Alerts & Closures page at: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness.  

Total Fire Resources Assigned 

• Approx. 244 personnel, 5 hand crews, 5 water tenders, 2 dozer, and 2 helicopters. 

The recorded video from the community meeting on July 24 is found here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/2KTb1duie5G8vmWz/ 

Friday July 26, 2024   Update for Swawilla and Bridge Creek Fires

• Evacuation areas remain at a Level 3 around the Swawilla Fire.

• Highway 155 remains open.  See chart for closures.

See Inciweb Site for locations and evacuation boundaries.

The Incident Team will host a community meeting on Friday, July 26 at 7pm at the Nespelem Head Start Center, 19 Wenatchi St.

FIRE ACTIVITY: Fortunately, Thursday’s forecast winds were not as strong as predicted and the fire was less active than feared. High temperatures and low humidity did allow it to grow, just more modestly. More seasonable weather with a lighter west/southwest wind should be around through the weekend.

Swawilla Fire

The line along the Swawilla Basin, at the heel of the fire, is considered contained. Along the Peter Dan Road, firefighters were able to do point protection around structures and were supported by retardant drops. The fire made one attempt to cross the Peter Dan road and was stopped by a Type 1 hot shot crew. On the other side of the fire, flames pushed against the lower Manilla Road but did not cross it. Fire moved into some of the drainages southwest of Keller and made its way to the top of Mt.Tolman. It is now backing down the north side towards Meadow Creek. Fuels on this side of the mountain are greener, slowing progression.

The priority of fire management continues to be life and structure protection, however the incoming, more moderate weather after the cold front, provides a good opportunity for more direct attack on the fire. Crews are scouting for terrain features, such as old roads and dozer lines, to continue containment line efforts to reduce further spread to the east.

More resources are showing up daily and some are able to shift from the Bridge Creek Fire to support actions on the Swawilla Fire. A night shift and a swing shift are in place allowing for around-the-clock work on the line. These firefighters, engines, machinery and firefighting infrastructure require more space to house so the Forward Operating Base (FOB) has moved from Keller to a 20-acre camp near the intersection of Agency Cutoff Road and Cache Creek Road. The Incident Command Post remains at the Nespelem Community Center. 

Even with the favorable change in the weather, forecasting models still indicate a chance that the fire will reach the town of Keller, push towards the Cache Creek Road, and impact the Buffalo Lake area. For this reason, evacuations remain in place. Community leaders are regularly evaluating these orders with the incident management team. The team appreciates the community’s patience with this process.

An evacuation center is open at the Lake Roosevelt High School gym in Coulee Dam. The shelter at the Paschal Sherman Indian School in Omak is full. Keller Ferry is open only for limited service to assist with evacuations. 

Bridge Creek Wildfire

The Bridge Creek Fire is looking good. Firefighters are monitoring the line and working to extinguish hot spots on the east side of the fire. Opening the Bridge Creek Road is a priority and crews are focusing significant time in removing fire weakened trees that may fall on Bridge Creek Road and threaten the safety of the public when the road opens. 

Additional Information and Maps at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/, https://www.facebook.com/CCTENV, https://www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts

Firefighters focus on southern portion of Courtrock Fire, work to control spread

MONUMENT, Ore. – A public meeting was held Thursday night in Long Creek to provide fire information for the communities surrounding the Courtrock Fire and the western portion of the Monkey Creek Fire in the Battle Mountain Complex. The video from the meeting can be accessed at  https://youtu.be/rvudySyUGok

Firefighters will work today to complete line on the southern area of the fire where it has continued to be active. Line construction using bulldozers and handline is planned, along with using strategic firing operations to remove fuel and vegetation between the fire’s edge and indirect fireline, creating a larger and stronger barrier between the fire and homes to the southeast.  

Lower temperatures and higher relative humidity will aid in the firefighting efforts this morning, however the forecast calls for north winds to increase this afternoon. Fuels in the area are dry and firefighters are aware of the potential for increased fire behavior during these windows and will be watching for changes. 

On the north side of the fire, firefighters have been able to secure a longer portion of line, resulting in an increase in containment to 9%. Resources will continue to build on this work as well today. 

Information for Zone I of the Battle Mountain Complex, including the western portion of the Monkey Creek Fire (formerly Boneyard Fire) can now be found at: www.facebook.com/battlemountaincomplex2024

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

• Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/825462649520134/login. Morrow County Evacuation information can be found at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae

Shelters: An evacuation center has been set up at Grant Union High School (911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845).

Clean air and cooling centers are located in the following locations in Grant County:

• Grant County Library- cooling & clean air, Monday – Thursday 11 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• John Day Senior Center- cooling & clean air, Monday & Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday 12 – 4 p.m.
• Prairie City Public Works - clean air center, Monday -  Friday 12 – 7 p.m. 
• Dayville Community Hall- cooling & clean air, 24/7