Cougar Creek Fire Update for Monday July 22, 2024

KEY MESSAGE: 

An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) is being utilized in the fire area to assist firefighters with infrared and mapping. Air operations continue to drop retardant and water to limit the progression of the fire and to secure the area around Grouse Flats. Further air resources were diverted to support firefighting efforts as activity increased in the afternoon. Morning smoke has generated visibility challenges, limiting aircraft availability. 

CURRENT STATUS:

The previous days spot fire has progressed into the West Fork of the Wenatchee Creek drainage and is moving towards Grouse Flats where crews are heavily engaged with point protection efforts.  Direct and indirect attack is being implemented and structure protection tactics are in place. A helibase was established in Anatone for better flight access to the fire area. Perimeter progression is expected to continue over the upcoming days due to limited access and extreme weather conditions.

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND WEATHER:

The fire is expected to progress uphill from the Wenatchee drainage and is heavily influenced by critical fire weather conditions, topography, fuel loading, and active fire behavior. An excessive heat warning remains through today. There is a small chance (less than 10%) of thunderstorms in the area, with lightning and wind gusts being the main concern. Hot conditions will continue, but elevated relative humidity could bring overall fire behavior down. 

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES: 

In Washington, Garfield County has established level 2 evacuations levels.  Please see evacuation notices on Garfield County Facebook page.  All other evacuation levels in Washington remain the same, including the extent of Grande Ronde Rd. In Oregon, a new level 2 evacuation is in effect for Wallowa County, including all of Grouse Flat from Bear Creek Rd north to the State boundary and the Garfield County lines to Grande Ronde River. Please see the evacuation notice from  Asotin County Sheriff and Asotin County Emergency Management . Grande Ronde Road is closed from Troy, Oregon to Highway 129 junction.

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, a change in weather conditions helped to reduce the fire activity. The fire is burning in an old-growth and mature forest with no recent history of fire and is located in steep, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. Crews have begun improving and opening existing forest and overgrown roads, which will help prevent the fire from spreading towards the Middle Santiam Wilderness, private industrial timberlands, and nearby communities. Today, control efforts will focus on using heavy equipment to open and improve the 2041 Road (Bridge to Nowhere trail) and the forest road near Shedd Camp.

WEATHER: The Red Flag Warning expired yesterday, and near-normal temperatures and humidity are forecast for the rest of the week as onshore flow pushes cooler marine air inland. Humidity levels are expected to improve overnight.

CLOSURES: On July 19th, the Willamette National Forest issued an emergency closure order for the Pyramid Fire for public and Firefighter safety. Read the complete Forest Order closing the area at https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1194122.pdf 

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. Sheriff Duncan wants everyone to know that the large evacuation area is necessary to give wildfire response teams enough space to travel and fight the fire safely. The fire itself is much smaller than the evacuation area. No residential structures are in jeopardy of the fire. This LEVEL 3: GO NOW! Evacuation Alert is primarily impacting forest and recreation areas.  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). Follow the Linn County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LinnSheriff 

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Effective July 17, 2024, fire restrictions apply to all lands within the Willamette National Forest, including the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. Read the full restriction at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487 

Circle Fire Update Monday, July 22, 2024

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

Location: 13 miles southwest of Kearny                                                                                                           Acres: 2,800

Personnel Assigned: 99                                                                                                                                   Containment: 10%

Evacuation: SET for 3C Ranch 

Summary: The Circle Fire is at 2,800 acres and 10% containment. Yesterday, a dozer completed containment line along the north end of the fire. This dozer line was tied into a wash on the west side that is currently serving as a fuel break. The wash runs south of Freeman Road and has also been improved by the dozer.  Handcrews went direct on the northwest perimeter of the fire to support the dozer operations. Crews implemented multiple small firing operations to tie the fireline into the wash.

A sever thunderstorm moved into the area early Sunday evening. The storm produced strong, erratic outflow winds that impacted the fire area with low visibility and gusts up to 50 mph. Resources were pulled off the fireline for safety with a few overhead remaining in the fire area late into the evening to monitor fire behavior. No moisture was received over the fire area from the passing storm.

Today, crews are returning to the northeast side of the fire perimeter. After going direct in this area yesterday, the line will be strengthened and improved today. They will also address any remaining hotspots on the fire’s edge that may pose a threat to further spread.  Depending on the weather conditions, crews may initiate firing operations to strengthen containment lines. Firing operations will only be implemented if weather conditions are favorable to do so. Firefighters will go direct where it is safe to do so but contingency plans are in place. Aircraft remain available to support the fire for recon and suppression efforts.

Due to the proximity of the fire to the 3C Ranch west of the fire, near Barkerville Rd, fire operations made the decision to place the ranch in SET evacuation status. in Pinal County can sign up for emergency alert notifications at: https://www.pinal.gov/1335/PENS---Pinal-Emergency-Notification-Syst. 

Closures: Freeman Road is closed. Deputies will be placed at roadblocks throughout the fire area. The public is asked to avoid the fire area, including Barkerville and Willow Springs Road. The AZT (Arizona Trail) is closed between Oracle and Kearny. Hikers should plan an alternate route.

Weather: Weather is expected to be the same as the past two days. Expect mostly sunny skies, becoming cloudy in the afternoon. Thunderstorms with lightning and strong, erratic outflow winds remain a concern in the afternoon.

Safety: A TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) is in place over the fire. Firefighting aircraft and drones are a dangerous combination. Drones in the area could lead to accidents or slow down wildfire suppression operations. If you fly…we can’t.

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

Trout Fire: 15,702 acres - 1% containment

Long Fire: 8,908 acres - 0% containment

Total Personnel: 900

Current Situation: For over a week, firefighters on the Trout Fire and Long Fire have been using a variety of fire suppression techniques to lessen fire intensity, build control lines, and achieve complete containment. To accomplish this, crews are constructing control lines with hand tools and heavy equipment, extinguishing burning vegetation that could spread fire beyond the current perimeter; and sometimes conducting low-intensity firing operations to halt the main fire’s spread and intensity. Each tactic is strategically implemented to meet the unique challenges of different topography and vegetation. As a result of dedicated efforts, control lines on each fire are now being strengthened and are a step closer to being reclassified as containment line. 

Trout Fire: On the Trout Fire, firefighters spent Sunday night conducting strategic burns from Sherman Pass R. along Boone Meadow Rd. and 21 Rd. This was supported by a UAS (unmanned aerial system). During favorable nighttime weather conditions, the area between the fire’s perimeter and roadway were burned with deliberation and low intensity. Today, firefighters will continue to work off Sherman Pass Rd. to connect sections of control line that are approximately a half mile apart. Hotshots will be added to the east side of the fire to build handline while other crews look for natural barriers and favorable locations to build control line from Deadwood Meadow and Sirretta Pass to the fire’s edge. 

Long Fire: Fire behavior continues to diminish on the Long Fire as more and more sections of control line are completed. Several days of work are having an effect on keeping the fire from growing and acreage is holding at 8,908. Today, along the southern perimeter, where control line has already been established, crews will strengthen the line and extinguish smoldering vegetation. Between the head of the fire in the northeast and South Fork Kern River at the southwest perimeter, multiple teams of hotshot crews will work toward one another. Working through rocky terrain they will continue line construction and receive aerial support from helicopters dropping water and retardant. 

Weather & Air Quality: Showers and thunderstorms are forecasted for today. The most probable areas to see rainfall will be around the Trout Fire. All are watching the sky due to the increased potential for lightning strikes and outflow winds that could quickly create intense fire behavior. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr). 

Closures & Restrictions: Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout, Long, and Packsaddle Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-12. Fire restrictions are also in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. Both orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s “Forest Orders” web page: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k. The Bureau of Land Management’s Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. View the emergency closure order here: tinyurl.com/4mprcb9b  

Evacuations: Tulare County evacuation warnings are in effect for zones TLC-E274-B and TLC-E261-B, the area north of Canebrake Road, south of Sacatar Trail, west of Inyo County line, east of the South Fork and Kern Rivers. 

Ore Fire Update

Monday, July 22, 2024 – 9:30 a.m.

Size: 645 acres | Reported Date: July 16, 2024 | Personnel: 186 | Cause: Under Investigation

An Ore Fire Community Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the McKenzie High School Gymnasium.

(Springfield, Ore.) – Fire suppression efforts continue on the Ore Fire, which is burning 7 miles northeast of Blue River, Oregon. Challenges include steep and rugged terrain, falling rocks and rolling debris, fire-weakened trees, and extreme weather conditions. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority on the incident. Fire managers are focusing on activities with a high probability of success while minimizing risk to firefighters and protecting values such as communities, infrastructure and forest, recreation and cultural resources.

Yesterday, a specialized felling module worked to clear hazardous trees to create a safer work environment for crews along FS 15 Road. With the help of aviation resources dropping water to moderate fire behavior, the fire slowly backed down the hillside above the prepared FS 15 Road, where it was met and held by firefighters on the ground. Crews and heavy equipment continued strengthening additional control features by widening roads and removing vegetation along the FS 15, 1509, and 1513 Roads.  

Today, crews are scouting additional sites where they can safely build control lines to stop the fire from spreading or threatening protected values. Firefighters are working with subject matter experts called Resource Advisors to identify and protect natural and cultural resources such as road integrity and old-growth timber. On the southwest edge where fire behavior is most active, hose lays are being installed near Ore Creek and along the FS 15 Road. Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire perimeter overnight.

Weather: Conditions will remain dry with near-normal temperatures in the 80s and higher relative humidity throughout the week. Light terrain-driven winds will be prevalent over the fire area.

Safety: Fire danger continues to increase. The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire. Use caution with all ignition sources. Fire restrictions are in place within the Willamette National Forest. More information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.

Smoke: Smoke from numerous wildfires burning throughout the state will affect air quality in many areas over the coming days. For information on air quality in your area, go to: www.airnow.gov. 

Forest Closures: Closures in the Willamette National Forest have been established around fire-impacted areas. These closures include the following sites: Buck Mountain Trail, Tidbits South and West Trail, Gold Hill Trail, Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, and Saddle Dam Boat Launch. For a complete list of recreation and roads in the Ore Fire closure order, visit  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices.

Boneyard and Lone Rock Fire Closure Areas:

The area within the following boundary:

Starting at the Proclaimed Boundary of Heppner Ranger District where it meets with Ranger District Boundary between NFJD and Heppner Ranger Districts in T. 6 S., R, 29 E., Section 32 follow the Ranger District Boundary North until you meet the Proclaimed oundary of Heppner Ranger District turn west following the Proclaimed Boundary around until you reach the starting point at the Proclaimed Boundary of Heppner Ranger District were it meets the Ranger District Boundary between NFJD and Heppner Ranger Districts in T. 6 S., R. 29 E., Section 32.

All Boundary lands, roads and trails will be closed.

Texas Fire – Update 

July 22, 2024, 8:30 AM PT 

Information Line: 208-901-7295                                 Email: 2024.texas@firenet.gov 

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

Date of Origin: Monday, July 15, 2024 

Location: East of Kendrick, Idaho 

Cause: Human 

Size: 1,565 acres                                     Containment: 60%                                   Personnel: 198 

Current Situation: 

Containment increased to 60% as firefighters made significant progress yesterday securing the fireline. Crews completed initial mop-up for most of the fire area, gridding 100 feet into the black from the fireline, to search for and extinguish lingering heat. Firefighters assigned to the eastern spot completed hose lays three-quarters of the way around the perimeter, with engines working in areas where hose cannot be laid. Yesterday, a snag fell down creating visible smoke from the interior of the eastern spot; crews quickly responded and cooled the area with water. While mop-up operations continue, interior smoke may still be visible from time to time.  

Today, firefighters will reinforce fireline and address areas of smoke and heat as needed. Crews continue to remove brushy fuels and install additional hose lays to extinguish remaining heat where possible. 

Fire size slightly decreased to 1,565 acres, due to more accurate mapping. 

***Please be mindful of the firefighters continuing to work and drive within the fire area. Slow down for your safety and theirs. 

Weather: Today, an instable atmosphere brings a slight chance of dry thunderstorms in the afternoon. Hot and dry conditions continue into the week, with today forecasted to be the hottest and driest day. Winds remain light and variable. 

Evacuation and Closures: As per Latah County Sheriff’s Office, ALL evacuations and road closures have been lifted as of 9:38 AM PT, July 20, 2024. 

Video Update: https://fb.watch/tuhVavdJ6-/ 

Deadman, McGhee, Prairie, and Four Mile Fires 

Bureau of Land Management Montana-Dakotas State Office 

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation 

Fire Information 406-924-3831  2024.Deadman@firenet.gov 

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

Monday, July 22, 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: 74%   McGhee: 52%   Prairie: 100%   Four Mile: 100%   

KEY MESSAGE  

Containment on both the Deadman and the McGhee Fire increased. Firefighters continued to secure structures along Hanging Woman Road and mopped up (cooled hot spots) along the south edge of the McGhee Fire north of the Lacey Gulch Road. A crew patrolled and mopped up hot spots along the Tongue River Road south of Birney. Dozer lines were mapped for potential rehabilitation needs on all four fires. Repair of known dozer lines began on the southwest corner of the Deadman Fire.  

CURRENT STATUS 

Firefighters will continue patrolling and mopping up uncontrolled edges of the McGhee and Deadman Fires. Repair and rehabilitation, including some work by hand, of indirect and direct lines will continue today on the north end of the McGhee Fire, as well as on various dozer lines on all four fires. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area, and initial attack resources assigned to these fires will help with any new starts within the TFR. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR 

Today, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 92 F and 21 percent relative humidity. Winds will generally be from the north northeast, with gusts to 15 mph. A heat dome is moving into the area with very high temperatures forecasted for Wednesday and Thursday, and very low levels of relative humidity. Isolated torching in the interior of Deadman and McGhee will continue.  

SMOKE 

Smoke from Canada and other fires will impact 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 Big Horn County Sheriff has lifted its evacuation warning for the Four Mile Fire and Tongue River Reservoir area. The Rosebud County Sheriff has lifted the evacuation warning for the area north of the McGhee Fire. 

Start Date & Location: July 9, 2024,    5 miles south of York, MT 

Cause: Human, under investigation          Size: 15,167 acres          Containment: 92% 

KEY MESSAGE:  The diminished air quality around the Horse Gulch Fire and the Helena area is largely a result of smoke from Canadian wildfires. Residents should take measures to reduce smoke exposure when air quality dips. Current air quality can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/. Drivers are urged to reduce speed around the fire area to eliminate conflicts with emergency traffic.  

CURRENT STATUS:  Yesterday, crews finished suppression repair on private land and BLM land.  To the west, along Jimtown Road, crews continued to patrol the area searching for isolated areas of heat to ensure new flare-ups do not threaten control lines. Firefighters located and mopped up areas of remaining heat in Hellgate Gulch to minimize potential for flare-ups. Crews continued with suppression repair work along the Canyon Ferry Corridor and Hellgate Gulch.  They are assessing fire lines created by crews and equipment and mitigating erosion potential. 

Today, crews will move road graders in to improve roads throughout the fire area. Firefighters will continue to seek out and extinguish residual heat along the north and west flanks of the fire. Crews will also continue cold trailing and mopping up heat sources in these areas. Suppression repair will also continue along Magpie Gulch Road. 

Weather:  Weather will remain in a persistent hot and dry pattern with temperatures today in the low 90’s and humidities in the high teens to low 20’s. 

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES 

Evacuations: Effective 7/19/24, all evacuation warnings have been lifted. 

Road Closure: Residents only access on Jimtown Road from Riverside Road to Trout Creek Road and on Black Bear Road. All other roads including Canyon Ferry Road are open, except roads within the fire perimeter. 

Forest Closure: The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest closures remain in place around the fire area. Details can be found at Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Home (usda.gov)  

Campground Closure: The Vigilante Campground, within the forest closure area, remains closed. As of 7/19/2024, all other campgrounds are now reopened.  

BLM Closure: The Butte Field Office has issued a closure on BLM lands near the fire area. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-publication/mthlf-horse-gulch-fire/signed-blm-area-closure-07-14-2024

Actualización del Incendio Lake 22 de Julio de 2024

Lake Fire Teléfono: 213-631-5455 Horas: 8 a.m. - 8.p.m

Correo electrónico de Lake Fire: 2024.lake@firenet.gov

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

Causa: Bajo investigación

Localización: Cerca del lago Zaca, 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: 1.614

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

Hoy los bomberos continuarán buscando y extinguiendo los puntos calientes dentro del perímetro del incendio Lake. La mayor parte del calor está localizado en islas de vegetación no quemada. Los bomberos han estado ocupados extinguiendo estos puntos calientes con el apoyo de helicópteros. El comportamiento del fuego dentro de estas islas puede aumentar a finales de esta semana a medida que las temperaturas aumenten y la vegetación se seque.

Los bomberos han comenzado la tarea de desmovilización de los equipos utilizados para proteger las estructuras en el área lejos del perímetro inmediato del incendio. Además de eliminar los tendidos de mangueras y los sistemas de bombeo alrededor de las estructuras, se eliminará la envoltura resistente al fuego utilizada para proteger la histórica Escuela Manzana y la Cabaña Dabney.

Se construyeron líneas de contingencia delante del incendio como medida de precaución en caso de que el incendio escapara de las líneas de control primarias. Los bomberos están construyendo barreras de agua y tomando otras medidas en este sentido para reducir el potencial de erosión durante las lluvias invernales.

Previsión para el lunes: Las condiciones persistentes más cálidas y secas continúan con temperaturas máximas a mediados de los 90 grados hasta cerca de 100 grados a mitad de semana. Una advertencia de calor excesivo está vigente hasta las 10 p.m. jueves.

Donaciones: Agradecemos el apoyo de la comunidad. Pedimos que cualquier donación o esfuerzo voluntario se dirija a los bancos de alimentos locales para ayudar a la comunidad. Los puestos de Comando de Incidentes del incendio Lake no pueden aceptar donaciones.

Cierre del área del incendio del lago: Los caminos y senderos dentro del cierre están cerrados. Consulte la Orden de Cierre y el Mapa de Orden de Cierre. Esto permanecerá en vigor hasta el 18 de agosto de 2024, o hasta que sea revisado o rescindido.

Humo: El Distrito de Control de la Contaminación del Aire del Condado de Santa Barbara (APCD por sus siglas en inglés) - Departamento de Salud Pública del Condado de Santa Barbara y el Distrito de Control de la Contaminación del Aire del Condado de Santa Barbara (APCD por sus siglas en inglés) han levantado la Alerta de Calidad del Aire en el Valle de Santa Ynez. La vigilancia de la calidad del aire se mantendrá en todo el condado, y las condiciones de calidad del aire se prevé que sea buena a moderada en todo el condado.

Áreas de evacuación: El Sheriff del Condado de Santa Barbara ha reducido algunas de las órdenes de evacuación y advertencias. Vea las actualizaciones más recientes: https://www.readysbc.org/4275/Lake-Fire- Incident---July-2024. Regístrese para recibir alertas de emergencia en ReadySBC.org.

Cierre de carreteras: Visite el Mapa de Cierre de Carreteras del Condado para más detalles.

• Happy Canyon Road en el límite del Servicio Forestal
• Montaña Figueroa justo al norte de la escuela Midland
• Ruta forestal 10N06
• Zaca Lake Road al este de Foxen Canyon Road.