Video Update: https://fb.watch/tvyTEd63FK/ 

Deadman, McGhee, Prairie, and Four Mile Fires 

Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office 

Mark Jacobson 406-233-2831 

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 

Eastern Land Office Anna Lau 406-247-4400 

Fire Information 406-924-3831 (until 9 pm today) 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtmts-deadman-fire www.facebook.com/RosebudCountyDisasterAndEmergencyServices 

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 

Northern Rockies Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens  

Location:  South of Birney, Montana and north of Tongue River Reservoir in Rosebud and Big Horn Counties 

Start Date: 7/12 and 7/13/2024 

Cause: Lightning    

Size:   Deadman: 19,982   McGhee: 19,223   Prairie: 6,540   Four Mile: 2,082  

Completion/Containment:   Deadman: 95%   McGhee: 73%   Prairie: 100%   Four Mile: 100%   

KEY MESSAGE  

This is the final update for the Deadman, McGhee, Prairie and Four Mile Fires. 

Today is the last day the Deadman Fire(s) will be managed under Mike Behrens’ Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3. Command will be transferred to a local Type 4 team at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, with the Bureau of Land Management and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation fire managers. Yesterday, firefighters patrolled and mopped up uncontrolled edges of the McGhee and Deadman Fires, increasing containment percentages for both. Repair of suppression and control lines occurred on all four fires. Extra resources were demobilized or sent to other priority incidents.  

CURRENT STATUS 

Patrolling, monitoring, and mopping up will continue today. Repair and rehabilitation of suppression and control lines are also ongoing. Hand crews will finish repairing control lines on steep ground today. Unburned islands in the interior of the McGhee and Deadman Fires will continue to burn out in the foreseeable future and produce visible smoke. However, the probability of escape is very low. The temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the fire area will be lifted at the end of today.  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 97° F and 15 percent relative humidity. Winds will generally be from the north with gusts to 8 mph. Triple digit temperatures and very low levels of relative humidity are forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday.  

SMOKE 

Smoke from Canada and other regional fires is impacting the area. For the current smoke reports, visit  www.fire.airnow.gov/    

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES 

Stage 1 fire restrictions are in place in Bighorn County. Visit www.mtfireinfo.org for current Montana fire restrictions information.  

The current weather forecast calls for continued warm and dry conditions over the fire area. This will continue to dry out fuels and make them more available to burn. A weather system is expected to bring moisture to the region on Thursday. This system may be proceeded by dry lightning and erratic outflow winds. Firefighters are strengthening containment lines in anticipation of a possible wind test for the fire area.

Fire crews carried out a low intensity firing operation yesterday along the Speirs Fire's northern perimeter and will continue today. This operation is intended to eliminate pockets of unburned fuels along the perimeter and create a more consistent and manageable containment line.

Hand crews are working diligently on the eastern end of the fire. The progress here has been slower than in other sections of the fire due to very steep terrain and a significant amount of dead and down fuels. Containment along the fire's southern flank has been extended from the western end down to Helispot 5 near the most southerly point of the fire area. Mop-up has been carried out to a depth of 30 feet in from the edge along the perimeter, and crews continue to work through the area, deepening and strengthening the containment line.
 

Today, an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) team arrived on the fire. They have begun flying over the north area of the fire to search for any concealed heat sources outside the containment lines. The UAS will map this area using infrared sensors and then proceed into the area south of the fire footprint where heat from earlier spot fires may have lain undiscovered.

Closures:
The Forest Service has approved an updated evacuation plan for the Firefighters Memorial Campground and Greendale Group Campsite, which will be implemented in the event of a flare-up of the Speirs Fire. With this plan in place, Forest officials are comfortable reopening the Firefighters Memorial Campground and Greendale Group Campsite. Campers will be allowed to reenter these campgrounds beginning today at 10:00 AM. 

Being on or within the following campgrounds, roads, and trails are prohibited on the Flaming Gorge Ranger District on the Ashley National Forest: Forest Service Road (FSR) 610, FSR 689, 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

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): A TFR is in effect over the Speirs Fire area. Using uncrewed aerial systems (UAS)/drones is illegal within the TFR.

Start date: July 13, 2024 
Location: Approximately three miles south of the town of Dutch John, Utah and south of Flaming Gorge Reservoir.
Fire size: 715 acres (decrease in acres due to more accurate mapping)
Containment: 48%
Total personnel: 431
Cause: Naturally-Caused, Lightning

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

​*There is a decrease in acres from 764 to 715, due to more accurate mapping and the closure for the campground/group sites will be rescinded at 10:00 AM this morning. The official order and updated map will be shared at 10:00 AM, as well.

Location: Siskiyou County, CA                                  Start Date:Wednesday July 3, 2024 at 1:27 PM       Size:15,477 acres                                                   Percent Contained:55%
Cause:Under Investigation                                        Personnel:2,085

CURRENT SITUATION:
The fire’s footprint is expected to stay largely the same this morning into the night. Areas around Kidder Creek and Patterson Creek may continue to smolder in isolated pockets, but these pose little threat to control lines.

Shelly Fire operations is reducing the number of personnel and equipment while continuing to focus on suppression repair.

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

WEATHER:
Today will be the hottest day of the week, bringing moisture in the afternoon, along with a chance of thunderstorms.

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

Boneyard Fire grows while some flanks hold, spot fires outside of Monument start but are caught

MONUMENT, Ore. – The Boneyard Fire was active throughout the day on Monday July 22, growing along southwest flanks in Cupper Canyon and starting spot fires outside of Monument. Firefighters were able to suppress and stop the majority of the spot fires and are likely to stop the remaining spot fires this evening.

Control lines along the northwestern flank of the fire are continuing to hold and the fire did not cross the North Fork John Day River west of Monument along highway 402. The fire is continuing to spread northeast into the Umatilla National Forest, away from structures.

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: 18,189 

Containment/Completion: 83% 

Personnel: 252 

With Pioneer Day approaching tomorrow, all staff assigned to the Silver King Fire wish the people of Utah a safe and enjoyable holiday!  We encourage the public to drive safely to and from home.  For those planning on recreating outdoors, please consider having the Mountaineers Ten Essentials: 

1. Navigation 
2. Headlamp/flashlight 
3. Sun Protection 
4. First Aid 
5. Knife 
6. Matches/lighter 
7. Shelter 
8. Extra food 
9. Extra water 
10.  Extra clothes 

Please exercise extra caution around the fire area, watching for fire equipment and personnel and observing the Forest Closure Order still in effect.  Details of the closure can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/fishlake/alerts-notices.  Remember to abide by the Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and avoid activities that could potentially cause another fire. 

Firefighters continue to make progress containing the Silver King Fire, focusing on securing containment and removing hazard trees in the Deer Creek drainage on the fire’s northeast corner. Crews also continue to repair and rehabilitate dozer lines on the eastern side of the fire. Firefighters will perform strategic burnout operations on the southern edge of the fire to mitigate risk and contain the fire’s edge against natural barriers. 

Tuesday will bring slightly drier and warmer weather with relative humidity likely fall to 15% to 20% and temperatures in the upper 70s to mid-80s. This will result in minimal fire behavior and limited fire spread.  There is a slight chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms producing rain on Wednesday with a greater chance on Thursday.  These bring gusty winds and potential for flash flooding in and out of the fire area. Smoke impact will remain minimal; for more information go to https://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks. 

Firefighters holding strong amid challenging weather 

UKIAH, Ore. – Morning operations were challenged by thick smoke and limited visibility, which changed abruptly in the afternoon when the inversion layer lifted and brought high temperatures and wind gusts. That combination increased fire behavior, testing lines and producing several multi-acre spot fires. 

On the Snake Fire, firefighters caught a fire that spotted across Camas Creek and Highway 395. Helicopters slowed the fires rate of spread quickly enough for hand crews to line the fire.

Crews were able to hold the southeast corner of the Snake Fire and construct contingency lines. They tied in and improved the dozer line to the south completely across to the Monkey Creek Fire. They also scouted to the north of both fires for a location to construct a similar dozer line to box in the fires. Within the river corridor, firefighters focused on structure protection and creating defensible space around homes.

In other portions of the fire, crews constructed and improved dozer and handlines as directly and safely as possible. Officials expect additional resources in the coming days to bolster capacity.

On the 3,887-acre North Fork Owens Fire, crews continued mop-up operations, bringing containment up to 20% (the complex stands at 3% containment). Crews will continue mop-up operations and patrolling the perimeter. 

Firefighters still face critical fire weather in the region and heavy smoke is making it difficult for helicopters to access some portions of the fire. In addition to the smoke from this complex, the area is inundated with smoke from fires across the region. 

Closures: A road closure remains in effect for Highway 395, between mile posts 50 through 90, beginning 35 miles South of Pilot Rock. 

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.

Status Update: Durkee Fire was last calculated to be 223,872 acres as of 2:00 pm today (July 22, 2024). Due to the wind, temperatures and dry fuels, the Durkee Fire has been very active again today.

There have also been approximately 6 new fire starts from today’s lightning strikes, predominantly east of the fire and east of I-84. Size range is between 1,000-5,000 acres. We are supporting Rangeland Fire Protection Associations and local resources to respond. Today’s brief rain had minimal impact on fire activity.

The Durkee Fire is actively burning to the east. Tonight, firefighters are planning to complete strategic burn operations from Huntington Road to Lockette to 1-84. This aims to help get ahead of where to fire is moving and protect infrastructure and communities.

Last night firefighters used a burn out operation to protect the Bridgeport area which is holding

Pincer Two Fire Update

9:00 PM, July 22, 2024

Estimated size:                 60 acres

Start Date/Time:               July 17, 2024

Area of Origin:                  21 air miles northeast of Darrington WA

Cause:                              Lightening

Fuels/Topography:            timber, rugged terrain

Structures Damaged:        None, there are no homes threatened at this time.

*At this time, the same information email and information phone number will be used for both the Miners Complex fires and the Pincer Two Fire.

Closures:

Campgrounds and Roads: Cascade River Road at and including Marble Creek Campground, Mineral Park Campground, and all tributary roads, trailheads, and trails.

Full closure orders available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

Evacuations: None, there are no homes threatened at this time.

Update: The Pincer Two Fire is currently burning in the Mount Baker District and now the North Cascades National Park in the Stephen Mather Wilderness. Fire behavior is moderate backing and flanking with the fire expected to reach the Cascade River Road in the next 5-7 days. The incoming weather is anticipated to be cooler over the next few days.

This morning, crews were able to fly over the fire. Unfortunately, crews weren’t able to see much do to the amount of clouds in the area. An order has been placed requesting hand crews, fallers, and heavy equipment. This will aid in preparing along the Cascade River Road. Tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, an engine crew will begin opening up the 1590 road. We have also scheduled an Infer Red (IR) flight to gather more intel on the fire including more accurate acreage.

Smoke: In Washington, communities closest to active wildfires will continue to observe the greatest smoke impacts. The current Air Quality Alert for Chelan County and Methow Valley remains in place. Air quality will likely be unhealthy on the Colville Reservation due to smoke from the Swawilla and Bridge Creek Fires. Increasing winds from the west starting this evening will clear out lingering haze in the rest of the state. Please continue to recreate responsibly and heed all burn bans..  For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Air Space Restrictions: There are no air space restrictions at this time.

Campfire Restrictions: The Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie will be elevating to a full campfire ban, even in developed campgrounds, starting Wednesday July 24, 2024 to help prevent human-caused starts in this critically dry period. Additional details at: www.fs.usda.gov/mbs

###

The Douglas County Sheriff's Office has implemented the following evacuation levels. Updated information and an interactive map are at www.dcso.com/evacuations. As of July 22 at 8:37pm, the Sheriff's Office modified the evacuation level boundaries for the Lemolo Fire, which is part of the Diamond Complex. Largely, the boundaries remain the same. However, the Poole Creek Campground and the Lemolo KOA have been downgraded to a Level 2 - BE SET - notice. This change is reflects the current public safety needs of the incident.

LEMOLO FIRE AREA

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PINE BENCH FIRE AREA

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TRAIL FIRE AREA

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Umpqua National Forest has issued a closure order that impacts all the Cottage Grove Ranger District and parts of the Diamond Lake, North Umpqua, and Tiller Ranger Districts. The closure order can be found here: https://bit.ly/3SeYvih. The closure area includes Boulder Flat Campground and Boat Launch. Additionally, Diamond Lake, Thielsen View, and Broken Arrow Campgrounds are closed through July 28, 2024 and will be reevaluated to that date. The attached map shows the Diamond Complex and adjacent Rocky Ridge closure areas as of July 24, 2024. The current status of all trails on the Umpqua National Forest may be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/umpqua/recreation 

The fire closure is described as an area starting at the intersection of Canton Creek Road (FSR 23) and Highway 138E, following Canton Creek Road northwest to the Umpqua National Forest Boundary, following the Umpqua National Forest Boundary north, then southeast to Highway 138E, following Highway 138E northwest to FSR 4795, following FSR 4795 southwest to Silent Creek, following Silent Creek southwest to Highway 230, following Highway 230 southwest to the Umpqua National Forest Boundary, following the Umpqua National Forest Boundary west to FSR 37, following FSR 37 north to FSR 3700-800, following FSR 3700-800 west to Forest Service Trail (FST) 1470, following FST 1470 southwest to FST 1477, following FST 1477 northwest to FSR 2715-950, following FSR 2715-950 northwest to FSR 2715, following FSR 2715 west to FSR 2715-530, following FSR 2715-530 northeast to FST 1500, following FST 1500 east to FSR 4770-500, following FSR 4770-500 north to FSR 4770, following FSR 4770 north to Highway 138E, following Highway 138E back to the point of origin at the intersection of Canton Creek Road (FSR 23) and Highway 138E. See the attached map for illustration.

Fire danger is set at High and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 2: https://bit.ly/3xIZZdK, meaning:

Campfires are restricted to Forest Service-constructed fire rings or fireplaces in designated sites. Commercial campfires must be solely pressurized by liquid fuel or propane.

Stoves are restricted to commercial stoves or campfires solely fueled by liquid fuel or propane. Not allowed are smudge pots, wood stoves, charcoal, and briquettes.

Smoking is restricted to enclosed vehicles, buildings, designated recreation sites, and watercraft. It must occur only in areas of at least 3 feet in diameter that are cleared of all flammable material.

Generators are restricted to those with approved spark arrestors, in designated recreation sites.

Motorized vehicles are restricted to Forest Development Roads, designated parking areas, and roads and trails identified as open to motorized travel on the Motor Vehicle Use Map.

Firewood cutting must be done in compliance with the terms of the 2024 Forest Removal Permit. It must occur within the hours of 8PM to 10AM, followed by a one-hour fire watch. Electric chainsaw use is exempt from this order and allowed all day, followed with a 30-minute fire watch.