Quick Facts

• Acres: Mill, 2,962; Smith, 45    
• Containment: Mill 0%; Smith 5%
• Detection Date: July 22, 2024
• Cause: Lightning
• Crews: 15
• Engines: 127
• Dozers: 16
• Helicopters: 9 + mapping-capable UAS
• Fixed wing: available as needed
• Total resources: 910

Headlines
•    Join us for an Ask-the-Incident Commander meeting TODAY (technology permitting), July 25, at 2 p.m. on facebook.com/USFSPlumas
•    Crews and aircraft from the Gold Complex are assisting with response to the Park Fire near Chico, California. Official information: fire.ca.gov/incidents
Operational update
Smith Fire: Line around the Smith Fire held again overnight. Crews will remain on the fire today to ensure that winds do not affect containment. 
Mill Fire:  The Mill Fire containment lines have also continued to hold. However, embers and burning snags from still-active areas interior to lines continue to challenge firefighters and are of special concern today with increased winds.  There are still unburned pockets of vegetation inside containment lines, and residents and visitors to the area can expect to see fire activity increase as those interior areas continue to ignite and burn. Today, crews will work to find and extinguish those areas and to strengthen lines around the fire. 
 

Weather
Slightly cooler weather is likely to persist into the weekend. Wind speeds are anticipated to increase today, with gusts up to 30 m.p.h. possible.

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Homestead, Diamond complex teams to hold community meeting tonight 

The incident management teams assigned to the Homestead Complex and Diamond Complex will hold a community meeting tonight to provide updates on their respective fires and answer questions from community members. The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. in the Old Glide Middle School Gym, 301 Glide Loop. The teams intend to stream the meeting live on the Diamond Complex Fire Information Facebook page. 

The seven confirmed fires in the Homestead Complex now total a combined 910 acres based on aerial infrared mapping. About 230 people are assigned to the complex with more arriving today. 

The Horse Heaven Creek Fire (258 acres) was the most active fire in the complex on Tuesday. Crews were working on both direct and indirect containment lines when fire activity intensified, and they switched to indirect tactics. A helicopter attempted to assist firefighters with water drops but was unable to fly into the area due to thick smoke. Crews will reengage the fire today to continue building containment line. 

Crews and heavy equipment operators assigned to the No Man Fire (267 acres) north of Chilcoot Mountain are using roads in the area to begin building containment line around the fire. The steep, rugged terrain means it is unlikely that firefighters will be working on the ground close to the fire’s edge. Great Basin Team 5 continues to work with cooperators west of the fire to coordinate the construction of indirect control lines. 

Firefighters assigned to the Reynolds Butte Fire (84 acres) are building direct containment lines in areas that have been identified as having the greatest likelihood for success. Work is also being done to further secure and improve containment line and hoselays around the Lost Bucket Fire (35 acres). The Fuller Lake Fire (38 acres) and Bullpup Fire (110 acres) are unstaffed until additional resources become available. 

Weather today is expected to be cooler with light wind. Smoke and high-level cloud cover should reduce solar heating today, which may moderate fire activity. Information about smoke impacts is available at https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d393fd74. 

Area fire restrictions and danger ratings are as follows: Fire Danger Rating: High. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs): 2. Public Use Fire Restrictions (PURs): 2.  

CLOSURES: Umpqua National Forest has issued two closures across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 which impact all of the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District, and parts of the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The closure orders can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. 

Location:Siskiyou County, CA                                             Start Date:Wednesday July 3, 2024 at 1:27 PM
Size:15,477 acres                                                               Percent Contained:66%
Cause:Under Investigation                                                  Personnel:1,416

CURRENT SITUATION:
Most of the effort at the Shelly Fire is now on suppression repair.

The Kidder Creek and Babs Ridge areas still have isolated pockets of heat, which may produce smoke and poor visibility. Crews will address these areas as a high priority, and the fire is expected to remain within the current perimeter.

Drivers should continue to remain alert for fire personnel and heavy equipment on or near the roadways.

WEATHER:
Today will have low relative humidity, high temperatures, and gusty southwest winds up to 35 miles per hour.

EVACUATIONS:
For current evacuation status, visit www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff and www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountyOES. Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Genasys site at https://protect.genasys.com/search?z=14&latlon=41.550694%2C-122.905589.

CLOSURES:
An official forest closure around the Shelly Fire went into effect on July 4th. Hikers are not permitted and will be asked to leave the area. For details and a map of the closure area, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1187463.pdf.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:
Forest fire restrictions are currently in effect. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/klamath/alerts-notices/?aid=88596. Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.
Pacific Crest Trail Information: https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures
 

Current status: The Speirs fire is currently at 715 acres and 61 percent contained.

Recent back burn operations were successful in increasing the containment of the Speirs fire.

Closures:

• The Firefighter Memorial and Green Dale Group campgrounds are now open.

• The following roads and trails are still closed to public access.

o 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 Ashely National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices

Looking forward

• Increased fire weather conditions continue to be a factor in the suppression of the Spears fire.

• Monsoonal moisture trends are predicted to enter the fire area on Thursday and continue into the early part of the weekend.

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: 18,195 

Containment/Completion: 83% 

Personnel: 268 

Moisture will remain across the fire area today, with several rounds of showers and thunderstorms possible. Wetting rains would help minimize fire activity but could bring a different challenge to firefighters and the local community. Rain could cause mudslides or flooding in areas where burned vegetation no longer helps bind soil and absorb water. Flooding and landslides cause more casualties than wildfire nationwide, and they often occur in burned areas.  

There was a small mudslide near the fire’s northern perimeter on Wednesday that has since been cleared. There is potential for flooding in Bullion Canyon, Beaver Creek and Pine Creek. Exercise caution, watching for fire equipment and personnel, and look out for slick or blocked roads and trails. Please observe the Forest Closure Order still in effect. Details of the closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/fishlake/alerts-notices.  

Firefighters continue to focus on suppression and repair. Crews on the north side of the fire are patrolling and mopping up hot spots. Personnel on the east side have completed rehabilitation of some dozer lines and are repairing the rest. Firefighters on the south and west sides will continue working to secure edges. 

This afternoon the chance of precipitation increases and could include heavy rain and thunderstorms. Storms could bring gusty outflow winds and lightning. Humidity will remain above 30 percent and temperatures will remain in the 70s across the fire. Smoke impact will remain minimal. 

Big Horn Fire

10:00 PM, July 24, 2024

Estimated size: 32,886 acres

Containment: 5%

Start Date/Time: 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM

Area of Origin: 7 miles SE of Bickleton, WA

Cause: Undetermined

Structures Damaged: 4

The Big Horn fire is burning near the town of Bickleton in Klickitat County, Washington. The fire started at approximately 1:07 PM on Monday July 22nd,2024, and was driven by windy and dry conditions.

Today’s fire activity has been active due to gusty winds and low daytime relative humidity levels. An impending cold front has brought winds with gusts up to 30 mph. 

Around 3:00 PM, the fire expanded on the southwest corner in the Pine Creek drainage when the winds shifted to a westerly direction pushing fire towards the east continuing to burn towards the Alderdale area.  A significant number of aircraft from state and federal partners were utilized to slow the forward progression of the fire.  The current weather conditions are forecasted to continue into late Thursday afternoon.  

Evacuation Levels: Evacuation levels have changed. Please visit Klickitat County Emergency Management’s website or check Facebook:

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

Level 3 “GO NOW” Go now! Danger in your area is current or imminent and you should evacuate immediately. Follow directions from law enforcement or fire departments and do not return home until officials have determined it is safe. Notification it is safe to return home will be given as soon as possible.

Level 2 “GET SET” Be prepared for sudden or short-notice evacuation. People who need help or more time to evacuate -- such as people with disabilities, people with small children, people with medical conditions, and people with large animals -- should evacuate now. Ensure your evacuation plan checklist is complete and your Go! kit is in your vehicle. Stay informed and be aware of alerts from local law enforcement and fire departments. Always remember to leave if you feel unsafe, do not wait for an official evacuation order.

Level 1 “GET READY” Be aware of the danger in your area and start preparing for possible evacuation. Monitor local media and check on neighbors. If you do not already have an evacuation plan or a Go! kit, assemble these now. Conditions can change suddenly, and you may not receive a Level 2 "Be Set” warning before you are ordered to Level 3 “Go!” Prepare both the inside and outside of your home for fire. Leave if you feel unsafe -- do not wait for an official evacuation order.

Road Closures: East Road is closed from the Town of Bickleton south to Middle Road.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Dry conditions continue today with increase wind gusts. Calm winds will increase into gusty conditions by this afternoon.

Smoke: 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. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com)

Shelter: Red Cross has opened an Emergency Shelter at Patterson Elementary School in Benton County.

Patterson Elementary School

51409 Prior Ave

Patterson, WA 99345

Resources: Multiple overhead, strikes teams, aircraft and dozers are currently responding to the fire. 

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Thunderstorms and wind gusts increase fire behavior

UKIAH, Ore. – Firefighters faced another day of challenging weather with high temperatures and gusty, changing winds from thunderstorms in the area. The wind-driven increase in fire behavior created spot fires as far as a half mile away – one of which was roughly 200 acres.

“The vegetation is so receptive that just one ember can take off,” said Field Operations Section Chief Eric Perkins. “We’re seeing late-summer, mid-August conditions out here.”

Along the northern section, crews quickly suppressed and lined spot fires and will continue to prepare the line for burning operations.

Along Highway 395, crews performed firing operations to remove unburnt vegetation, so it doesn’t reignite and spot across the highway. The Oregon Department of Transportation removed hazardous, standing dead trees. Tree removal will continue over the coming days with heavy equipment using the roadway. 

Crews also faced active fire behavior along the south end of the fire where fire crossed the lines as firefighters attempted to connect roughly seven miles of dozer line. Crews were able to hold the southeast corner of the fire with the help of helicopter bucket drops late in the afternoon.

ODF’s Team 1 and Team 3 are coordinating with each other to align objectives to manage operations as the Monkey Creek and Boneyard fires are expected to merge in the coming days.  

Crews will continue mop-up operations and patrolling on the 4,485-acre North Fork Owens Fire, which stands at 40% containment (the complex stands at 5% containment). Crews saw some spot fires today with wind gusts, but firefighters quickly quelled the new starts. 

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 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 

Quick Facts

• Acres: Mill, 2,951; Smith, 56    
• Containment: Mill 0%; Smith 0%    
• Detection Date: July 22, 2024    
• Cause: Lightning    
• Crews: 15
• Engines: 127
  Dozers: 16
  Helicopters: 9 + 3 night-flying
• Fixed wing: available as needed
  Total resources: 910    

Real-time map-based information (no log in needed)  is available at: egp.wildfire.gov/egp/Default.aspx and click on the "Wildfire Map" button in the righthand column.

Evacuation information: facebook.com/plumascountysheriff or facebook.com/sierracosheriff  
 

Headlines
•    Join us for an Ask-the-Incident Commander meeting starting tomorrow (technology permitting), July 25, 2024, at 2 p.m. daily. https://www.facebook.com/USFSPlumas 
•    California Complex Interagency Incident Management Team 10 (CCIIMT) took command of the Gold Complex (Smith and Mill Fires) at 0600 on July 24, 2024.
•    An infrared-capable Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) arrived at the fire today to assist with mapping capabilities. 
 

Operational update

Smith Fire: Line around the Smith Fire held today. Crews are keeping a close eye on hot spots near the line that could threaten containment and continued to mop up to the extent possible.

Mill Fire: Crews again made excellent progress today and the Mill Fire has been almost completely lined. However, there are still numerous hot spots, burning snags, and other hazards near the fire lines that could threaten containment and spot fires are possible. Crews continued to work on mitigating those hazards today, but there is still considerable work to be done. In addition, wind speeds are expected to increase tomorrow, with the possibility of gusts up to 30 m.p.h. These winds could threaten containment, so work continues to strengthen lines and to build contingency lines in case of an increase in fire behavior tomorrow. 

Crews are on 24-hour shifts around structures and critical powerlines. Engines remain pre-positioned in neighborhoods and dozers will continue to build and reinforce lines overnight. In addition, crews are still utilizing helicopters with night-flying water-dropping capabilities to aid firefighting efforts on the ground. 
 

Weather
While temperatures are expected to cool over the next few days, both increased winds and lower relative humidities are expected to persist into the weekend.

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Summary: The Clearwater Fire started on Friday, July 19th, 2024, in the early afternoon. The fire is located in the Elk Fork vicinity. The location of the fire is very difficult terrain that makes suppression efforts challenging. The fire cause was from lightning.

The aerial assessment of the Clearwater Fire showed growth along the Elk Fork Canyon and Highway 14 Corridor; fortunately, the fire did not cross the highway nor travel south along the Elk Fork Drainage. A Type 1 helicopter will be used to support containment in Elk Fork. Crews will finish structure protection preparation work in the Bill Cody Ranch area and begin fuel reduction work in the Moss Creek and Aspen Creek areas.

Closures: Elk Fork Campground, Wapiti Campground, Big Game Campground, Wapiti Ranger Station, and Pagoda Summer Homes are all closed. These closures provide public safety and increased access to fire resources. A road and trail closure are in effect at NFS Road #424, Elk Fork Road and NFS Trail # 760, Elk Fork Trail. The purpose of this Order is to protect human health and safety from the Clearwater fire. More information can be found: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/shoshone/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5175892

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior: The fire is burning through timber, brush and thick, dead and down fuels on steep slopes. A milder day is in store for the fire today, with higher relative humidity, lower temperatures, and average winds being forecasted. Warmer temperatures throughout the remainder of the week could create challenges for potential fire growth.

Important Information: Risk to responders and public safety remain the highest priority for the incident management team. The Clearwater fire has not been the only fire contributing to the smoke in the air. Smoke from fires in Canada as well as Idaho and the Northwest

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