KEY MESSAGE 

Red Flag Warning issued for the Missoula area starting at noon today.  

CURRENT STATUS  

Crews and heavy equipment have been successful in creating a line around the entire fire perimeter. The Eastern side of the fire (Moccasin creek area) is currently the most active and lines in that area are plumbed with hose lays. Crews are also constantly monitoring for hot spots and being watchful for spot fires. The UAS (drone) is being used for reconnaissance and has been monitoring the fire area with infrared to pick up any new heat sources. The Southwest flank is being mopped up and is largely contained. Along the Northwest side of the fire, the line is plumbed with hose lays and there is no new heat.  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Hot and dry conditions combined with gusty westerly winds and afternoon storms create critical fire weather conditions. Winds are forecasted to increase over the fire area over the next 24 to 36 hours. As a result of these conditions the fire location is under a Red Flag Warning by the National Weather Service starting at noon on Wednesday.  

CLOSURES  

A temporary flight restriction is in effect over the fire area. An area and road closure around the fire is in effect due to hazardous conditions resulting from fire activity. Stage II fire restrictions are in effect in the area. Specific closure information and maps are posted on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-miller-peak-fire and https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lolo/alerts-notices as they are implemented.  

Durkee, Cow Valley, and Bonita Fires Update for Wednesday, July 24, 2024

541-208-4371, staffed 7AM to 7PM PDT

2024.durkee@firenet.gov

DURKEE FIRE: Start date: July 17, 2024 | Location: 5 miles southwest of Durkee, OR | Personnel: 526 | OSFM Task Forces: 4 | Fire size: 244,858 acres | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 0%

Today’s weather will lead to extreme fire behavior and growth. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms and will be followed by a Flash Flood Watch. Thunderstorm wind gusts may reach 75 mph and are expected to directly impact the Durkee Fire footprint. Burned areas are more susceptible to landslides, mudslides, flash floods and debris flow. The amount of rainfall is not known at this time, but 15/100 of an inch of precipitation in 15 minutes could be enough to cause debris flows. 

The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office have issued evacuations for multiple areas. Residents in Level 3 Evacuations “GO NOW”, should leave immediately. Residents should not return to their property until evacuation levels have been removed. Carry enough supplies to support you and your family for multiple days. A real time map of fire evacuations can be found at the State of Oregon Fire Dashboard. 

Weather and fire behavior could impact transportation, power transmission, cell service and other utilities. Monitor these resources for additional information. 

• Oregon Department of Transportation - TripCheck.com
• Idaho Power -  IdahoPower.com
• American Red Cross of Eastern Oregon and Idaho - https://www.redcross.org/local/idaho.html

The Durkee Fire is located west of Interstate 84 (I-84). The Thompson Fire, a convergence of lightning fires that started near Thompson Creek on July 22, is located east of I-84. Both have grown rapidly with the persistent high temperatures, strong winds, and extremely dry fuels. 

Firefighters worked overnight to maintain primary and secondary firelines and to support structure protection. No strategic firing operations were initiated. Today, wildland firefighters are anticipating the extreme weather event. They will remain strategically placed around the fire area for when the extreme weather arrives and engage when safe to do so.  Protecting life of the public and firefighters is the highest priority of the incident. 

Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces will work to support communities around the fire perimeter. 

Yesterday, air resources were limited due to poor visibility and high winds. Air resources are expected to be limited or grounded today due extreme weather. 

WEATHER AND SMOKE: 

• RED FLAG WARNING 
• FLASH FLOOD WATCH
• Thunderstorms with outflow winds as high as 75 mph 
• For current smoke information, visit airfire.org. 

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES: 

The Malheur County Sheriff’s has issued evacuations for the area around Durkee Fire. check for updates on the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. There is an American Red Cross shelter in Ontario at the Malheur County Fairgrounds, 795 N.W. 9th Street.

The Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuations for the area around Durkee Fire. Visit the Baker County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for more information. Baker County Sheriff's Office has closed Burnt River Canyon Road to non-local, non-emergency traffic due to the Durkee Fire. 

I-84 AND OTHER HIGHWAYS: Please go to tripcheck.com for current road closures as the situation is dynamic and subject to change.

BURN BAN: A burn ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County, including all BLM lands.  For more information, visit https://www.malheurco.org/category/public-notices/. 

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION: There is a temporary flight restriction over the Durkee Fire, please remember, if you fly we can’t! If a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aviation equipment will be grounded.

COW VALLEY FIRE:  Start date: July 11, 2024 | Location: 9 miles east of Ironside, OR | Personnel: 
0 | Fire size: 133,490 acres | Cause: Human caused |Containment: 91%

BONITA FIRE: Start date: July 11, 2024 | Location: 9 miles south east of Ironside, OR | Personnel: 0 | Fire size: 2,727 acres | Cause: Human caused |Containment: 90%

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Durkee and Cow Valley Facebook Page

HILL FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE

Date: July 24, 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: 6623 acres

Cause: Under Investigation

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

Percent contained: 10%

Personnel: 2075

Community Meeting tonight 7/24/24 at 7:00 PM at Willow Creek Bible Church

39 Brannon Mountain Rd., Willow Creek, CA

CURRENT SITUATION: 

Yesterday, as local temperatures increased, firefighters worked tirelessly on the Hill Fire. On the southern perimeter, constructed lines held, and additional depth was achieved by focusing on areas of unburned fuel. 

Along the western and northern edges, crews diligently monitored previously contained areas and conducted mop-up operations to address hotspots. Crews connected handlines surrounding pockets of heat north of the fire, with ongoing efforts to extinguish these areas in the coming days fully.

Spotting was observed on Sugarloaf Mountain, prompting firefighters to strategically reposition resources to work on containment. Crews are working the spot fire from the north and south, with the support of aircraft, and actively engaging the fire directly to achieve containment. 

Today, crews and air resources continue to focus directly on the spot fire located on Sugarloaf Mountain. Meanwhile, on the west side, crews are engaged in mop-up operations and patrolling the area to ensure containment.

There will be a community meeting tonight at the Willow Creek Bible Church at 7:00 PM. 

WEATHER:

A passing upper-level shortwave will help ease heat today and slightly increase relative humidity. Expect smoke to lift more than previous days with inconsistent smoke transport out of the area. Winds will battle from southeast in the morning to west in the afternoon, with infrequent and inconsistent gust up to 20 mph. Winds will be heavily terrain influenced. A slight chance of thunderstorms will continue through the early afternoon with any storms most likely to be dry, isolated, and fast moving. 

EVACUATIONS:

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

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.

Location: Siskiyou County, CA                                     Start Date: Wednesday July 3, 2024 at 1:27 PM
Size:15,477 acres                                                        Percent Contained:62%
Cause: Under Investigation                                          Personnel:1,717

CURRENT SITUATION:
The fire’s behavior is expected to stay largely the same today. Areas around Kidder Creek and Patterson Creek may produce smoke as the fire finds unburnt pockets of fuel. Crews will be focusing on fire suppression repair work to rehab roads and trails that may have been impacted by suppression efforts. To this point, 49% of bulldozer lines have been repaired and inspected.

While Shelly Fire operations is reducing the number of personnel and equipment, the safety of the community remains paramount.

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

WEATHER:
Today brings a 30% chance of thunderstorms along with outflowing winds that may influence fire behavior, while not testing containment lines.

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
 

Texas Fire – FINAL Update

July 24, 2024, 8:30 AM PT

Date of Origin: Monday, July 15, 2024

Location: East of Kendrick, Idaho

Cause: Human

Size: 1,582 acres                                                     Containment: 80%                                                         Personnel: 114

Northern Rockies Team 8 will transfer command of the Texas Fire back to the Idaho Department of Lands Thursday, July 25th at 6:00 AM PT. Robbie Easley, a local Type 4 Incident Commander will assume command of the fire along with approximately 50 firefighters. 

Current Situation:

Approximately 50 firefighters, including 2 crews, 2 engines, and 1 water tender will remain on the incident and continue to patrol the fire area. Firefighters will check on visible smokes and take necessary actions to stop further fire spread.

Please be mindful of firefighters still working and driving within the fire area. Slow down for your safety and theirs.

Weather: Today, cooler temperatures are expected in the low 90’s. There is a 25% chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms after 3:00 PM PT, with potential for gusty, erratic winds between 20-30 mph. Thursday, a mostly dry cold front will bring an increase in west to southwest winds sustained around 10 mph.

***This will be the last update for the Texas Fire unless conditions change.***

Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area. Restrictions apply to all federal, state, state endowment, private forestland, and rangelands within the designated area.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idids-texas-fire

###

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:  3 engines, 1 helicopter, 2 type 1 “hotshot” hand crews, 4 type 2 hand crews
Total Personnel Assigned:  160

KEY MESSAGES:  
The evacuation warning issued by Butte-Silver Bow Law Enforcement Department for Blacktail Canyon Road southeast of Homestake Road, Homestake Road east of Blacktail Canyon Road, and Passmore Canyon is still in effect.

A RED FLAG WARNING will be in effect today. The combination of low relative humidity and thunderstorm outflow winds will result in critical fire weather conditions. These conditions increase the risk for new and existing fires to spread quickly. Winds will be from the southwest at 10-15 mph, and gusts associated with thunderstorms may reach 30 mph. Relative humidity will bottom out at 12-17 percent. Fire officials are keeping a close tab on these conditions, as they affect fire behavior and subsequent firefighting operations. Securing the fire edge is paramount, in anticipation of the cold front passage with gusty southwest winds on Thursday.

The combination of these weather conditions, the volume of fuel in and adjacent to the fire area, and the amount of internal residual heat result in significant potential for this fire. Winds associated with passing thunderstorms will test the efficacy of constructed firelines. The public is advised to stay out of the area, 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: 
“Drones” were used for more precise infrared mapping operations, placing the fire at 80 acres. Helicopters assisted ground operations with reconnaissance flights and sling loads of cargo.

Residual heat is still present in the smoldering fuels throughout the fire footprint. Crews progressed with “mop-up” operations, working along the previously constructed sawline and handline. Crews canvassed the ground along the fire edge and one chain (66 feet) into the interior, locating and extinguishing hot spots. Crews were able to complete these “mop-up” operations along approximately 40% of the fire footprint so far. Crews will continue these operations, expanding along both flanks of the fire and working toward 100% completion of the “mop-up” objectives. Engine crews and helicopters will be available for initial attack of new fires in the area, given the predicted weather conditions.

Helicopters will be available for aerial support with bucket drops and movement of cargo through “sling loads.”
 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Fire behavior was moderate yesterday, with smoldering and creeping observed, despite the hot and dry conditions. Larger fuels continue to consume, producing small areas of smoke interior to the fire’s edge.

Winds will be from the south, switching to the southwest at 10-15 mph, and erratic gusts associated with thunderstorms may reach 30 mph. Relative humidity will bottom out at 12-17 percent. Temperatures will remain in the upper 80s to low 90s. Increased winds and dry thunderstorms enter the area, as the ridge of high pressure breaks down and a cold front moves through on Thursday. Little to no precipitation is expected. 
 

Fire

Yesterday’s afternoon thunderstorm activity brought wetting rains to portions of the fire and moderated fire behavior. Today, higher relative humidity and slightly cooler temperatures will continue that moderation; however, additional thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon and outflow winds could cause erratic fire behavior. Expected fire behavior includes smoldering, single tree/small group torching, spotting, and potential short uphill runs. Additional information can be found here SQF Lightning Fires Inciweb

Smoke

Yesterday, smoke transport was impacted by convective thunderstorms and dispersed generally to the N/NW and E. Convective activity will likely impact smoke movement again today, but transport will be generally to the NW through the late afternoon, becoming more SE in the evening. Outflow winds from thunderstorms have the potential to cause erratic smoke movement. Expect generally MODERATE conditions in western foothill communities. The north Owens Valley should see generally GOOD conditions, with MODERATE in the south valley. Smoke will again pool overnight and there is a chance for heavier impact in the Indian Wells Valley overnight.

Circle Fire Update Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Start Date: Friday, July 19, 2024                                                                                                                      Cause: Lightning 

Location: 14.5 miles south of Kearny                                                                                                              Acres: 2,800

Personnel Assigned: 73                                                                                                                                    Containment: 85% 

Summary: At 7am this morning, the Circle Fire transitioned to a Type 4 Organization. This will be the FINAL Press Release for the Circle Fire. Any future updates will be provided through the incident information sources listed below when significant activity occurs.

“With the Freeman Fire the previous week, we understand the anxiety this incident brought to the nearby communities” stated Incident Commander Eric Huddleston. “We would like to thank the community of Oracle and the owners of Haydon and Cactus Ranches for their support during the Circle Fire. The teamwork between Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, cooperators and federal agencies is what made operations successful in suppressing the Circle Fire quickly”.

Overall, there is minimal fire activity but one crew, two engines, one medical team and one water tender remain assigned to the fire. They will patrol the fire and conduct mop up operations until the fire reaches 100% containment. The Circle Fire is 2,800 acres and 85% contained. The lightning caused fire was discovered on July 19 just after 7pm.

Residents in Pinal County can sign up for emergency alert notifications at: https://www.pinal.gov/1335/PENS---Pinal-Emergency-Notification-Syst to be notified in the event of future emergencies.

Closures: The AZT (Arizona Trail) is closed between Oracle and Kearny. Hikers should plan an alternate route and monitor. All road closures have been lifted. However, firefighters are still working in the area and traveling on Freeman Road, Barkerville Ranch Road, and Willow Springs Ranch Road.  We ask that anyone not having a need to be in the area find alternate travel routes. If you must travel the roads listed, please drive at slower speeds and turn on your headlights to be more visible.

Weather: Excessive heat and outflow winds continue over the next few days as forecasted thunderstorms move through the area.

Safety: The TFR has been lifted for the fire. However, we ask that the public avoid flying aircraft (including drones) in and around the fire area. Firefighters remain assigned to the fire and could request air support at any time.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 1 fire restrictions in effect on State Trust lands in Pinal County. Restriction info: http://wildlandfire.az.gov/.

Incident Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aza3s-circle

Twitter: @azstateforestry: https://twitter.com/azstateforestry

Facebook: Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management: https://www.facebook.com/arizonaforestry

Ready, Set, Go: https://ein.az.gov/ready-set-go

Current status: The Speirs fire is currently at 715 acres and 48 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:
- Forest Service Road (FSR) 610,  FSR 689, FSR049 (Green's 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: 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.)