Morning Update

Date: 7-20-2024 Time: 8:00 am

Size: 330 acres                                                                 Start Date & Time: 7-19-24 3:23 pm

Containment: 0%                                                              Cause: Under Investigation

Total Personnel: 350                                                        Location: Heaton Flats

Structures Threatened: 0                                             

Current Situation:

The Fork Fire started at 3:23 p.m. near East Fork Rd. The fire is 330 acres with 0% containment and is burning in steep terrain in chaparral. The wildfire is burning in a northeasterly direction towards the Sheep Mountain Wilderness. Over 350 personnel are committed to this incident including the Angeles National Forest, LA County Fire Department, Ventura County Fire Department, Cal Fire, California Highway Patrol, and LA County Sheriff's Department. Recreationist have been evacuated from the East Fork of the San Gabriel Canyon. The San Gabriel Canyon is closed to all forest visitors. For current wildfire information follow Angeles National Forest:

• Website: fs.usda.gov/angeles
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angelesnationalforest
• X (formally known as Twitter): https://x.com/Angeles_NF
• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/caanf-fork-fire

Evacuations:

Recreationists have been evacuated from the East Fork of the San Gabriel River. Residents have not been evacuated at this time. 

Closures:

• Highway 39
• East Fork Road
• Glendora Ridge Road
• Glendora Mountain Road

Fire Restriction:

The current fire danger level on Angeles National Forest is HIGH. "Know Before You Go"--to always check fire restrictions before each and every visit, as restrictions can change at any time with little to no notice: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/angeles/home/?cid=FSBDEV3_027721

RED FIRE UPDATE

July 20, 2024

Fire Information Line - 541-316-7711

centraloregonfire.org x.com/CentralORFire

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/ordef-red-fire

Size: 138 acres | Location: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon

County: Klamath | Start Date: July 17, 2024 | Containment: 0% | Cause: Lightning

Total Personnel: 90

Crescent, Oregon — The Red Fire is located within the Diamond Peak Wilderness on the Deschutes National Forest, on the southwest slope of Redtop Mountain. The fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy. The Southern Area Gray Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Fulton Jeansonne, assumed command of the fire on Friday, July 19, at 6:00 a.m. local time. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority in managing this fire.

The Diamond Peak Wilderness encompasses 52,500 rugged acres straddling the crest of the Cascade Mountains. It was designated in 1964 by the Wilderness Act, to be stewarded in its natural, undeveloped condition. Motorized equipment, motor vehicles, and aircraft are prohibited in Wilderness by federal law, with narrow criteria for exceptions. The USDA Forest Service has authorized the use of chain saws, portable pumps, fire retardant, and aircraft landings by firefighters on the Red Fire since initial attack.

Yesterday’s Activities – Firefighters continued to build on prior suppression efforts, beginning on the southwest side of the fire near the Whitefish Creek Trail (# 3842), utilizing Minimum Impact Strategy and Tactics. Fireline supervisors continued to scout for future primary and secondary firelines. Resource advisors were engaged to assist in protecting natural and cultural resources. Fire activity increased throughout the day as temperatures and wind increased.

Today’s Activities – Firefighters will continue to build on prior suppression efforts and opportunities close to the current fire footprint in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Firefighters will also continue performing structure assessments in the communities on the east side of the fire around Odell Lake, Crescent Lake Junction, and Crescent Lake. In addition, work will start on a shaded fuel break on National Forest land west of those communities and outside of Wilderness.

Weather – Sunny with areas of smoke through the day. Temperatures with a high near 90 degress, Relative Humidity 20-25%, east morning winds 5-8 mph, changing to north in the afternoon with winds 5-8 mph

Evacuations – There are no evacuation orders in place at this time for the Red Fire.

Fire Restrictions – Public use fire restrictions are currently in effect for the Deschutes National Forest. Visit CentralOregonFire.org or the Deschutes National Forest’s website (fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376) for more information.

Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.If you fly, we can’t. Unauthorized drone flights (UAS) pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Aerial firefighting is suspended when unauthorized UAS are in the area, allowing wildfires to grow larger.

Facebook administrators have flagged the newness and engagement level of the Lone Rock Fire Facebook Page. The Community Meeting at 6:00 pm will be live streamed at NW2's Facebook Page. You can click here to open: https://www.facebook.com/pnwteam2

This has put a sudden, unannounced and temporary hold on our ability to use this new page. The Operations video update by NW2 and OSFM was stricken from the page today and flagged as Spam.

The link for today's Operations video update is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_vYo1pdtjc&t=8s

We are asking for patience while we resolve this issue. This has happened to other Fire Facebook pages in recent past.

***The National Weather Service has issued a RED FLAG WARNING from 11:00 AM Saturday through 11:00 PM Sunday for Hot, Dry and Unstable conditions***

Stay safe and informed, and thank you for your continued support.

Fire Information 8am - 8pm 541-208-4369

#LoneRockFire #lonerockfire2024

Ore Fire Update
Saturday, July 20, 2024 – 9:30 a.m.
Size: 500 acres | Reported Date: July 16, 2024 | Personnel: 115

(Springfield, Ore.) – Fire suppression efforts continue on the Ore Fire, which is burning in steep, rugged terrain 7 miles northeast of Blue River, Oregon. The current acreage of 500 is an estimate due to the unavailability of an updated infrared flight. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 10 (NWT10) took command of the fire at 7:00 p.m. yesterday. Members of the incoming team spent the day shadowing the local forest unit gathering information, assessing and surveying the fire area to ensure a smooth transition. Resources continue to arrive, with more expected in the coming days.

Yesterday, fire activity increased in the afternoon, prompting the withdrawal of resources along the fire line due to safety concerns. The rugged terrain poses significant challenges and hazards to firefighters, inhibiting their efforts to attack the fire directly. Firefighter and public safety are the highest priority on the Ore Fire.

Given the hazardous terrain, fire managers are implementing indirect containment strategies, such as utilizing existing roads to create containment lines instead of deploying firefighters directly on the fire's edge. This approach prioritizes the safety of the firefighting personnel while still effectively managing the fire. The control objectives for this fire include several miles of forest fuel reduction along roads and trails using crews and mechanized equipment.

Today, crews and machinery will work to prepare FS Road 15 and 1509 by thinning vegetation, removing fuel and improving these features as containment/contingency lines.  Air operation resources are available and will be utilized to assist personnel and monitor fire progression.

Weather:  Hot and dry conditions will continue through the weekend. This afternoon, unstable air conditions and a chance of thunderstorms in the area are possible, which may lead to increased fire activity. Cooler temperatures in the 80s are expected early next week.

Safety: Fire personnel will be working with heavy equipment along FS Road 15 and 1509. Fire managers ask the public to drive defensively while crews diligently work to complete suppression efforts along the road. With fire danger remaining high, fire restrictions are in place within the Willamette National Forest. Current fire restriction information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire. 

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: Established closures on the Willamette National Forest are in place 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.

Acorn Fire: 5 acres - 95% containment

Packsaddle Fire: 47 acres - 95% containment    

Long Fire: 8,856 acres - 0% containment

Trout Fire: 12.855 acres - 0% containment

Total Personnel: 711

Current Situation: In all areas of both fires, fire managers are strategically directing specific actions and deploying equipment to meet the exact needs of each location. Last night, unmanned aerial systems were used to begin strategically burning portions of the Trout Fire’s northern perimeter to reduce fire intensity as it approaches Sherman Pass Road. Vegetation clearance is being established around structures near each fire, and a mobile retardant base has been established to allow helicopter retardant drops with faster turnaround times. This tailored approach ensures that resources are used effectively and that tactics can be adapted to the dynamic conditions of the fires.
 

Trout Fire: The Trout Fire experienced increased fire activity in the Machine Creek area Friday afternoon, which produced a large smoke column. However, other areas of the fire weren’t as windy, which allowed firefighters to work directly along the fire’s edge, resulting in minimal growth toward Kennedy Meadows. Today, firefighters continue to clear vegetation along Sherman Pass Rd. as the fire approaches. If necessary, strategic burns off Sherman Pass Rd. may be conducted to create a larger buffer ahead of the fire. Crews will also continue building control lines along the southern perimeter and Machine Creek area.

Long Fire: The Long Fire showed diminished activity throughout most of Friday. This reduction in fire behavior enabled crews to make substantial progress in constructing control lines along the southern area of the fire. Today, firefighters will continue the direct line construction on the southern perimeter near the South Fork of the Kern River and Palome Creek. Along the northern edge retardant line has knocked much of the heat out of the fire ahead of crews building control line. These control lines are crucial in our efforts to contain the fire and protect surrounding communities and natural resources

Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire: The Acorn Fire and Packsaddle Fire remain in a patrol status. Crews will monitor the fire perimeter ensuring there is no threat of flare-up or escape.

Weather & Air Quality: A persistent weather pattern is forecasted for the next several days. No rainfall is expected. Temperatures will remain elevated above normal and relative humidity will near critically low levels. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

Forest 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.

Evacuations: Tulare County evacuation warnings have been issued 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.

CURRENT SITUATION:  

Last night activity continued in a southwest area of the fire and crews are currently working on holding lines in the area.  

Yesterday afternoon, the fire showed an increase in activity along its south and southeast boundaries in the Mosquito Creek drainage driven by northwesterly winds.  Air resources were able to utilize water to help slow the fire growth.  Crews continue to construct and improve holding and control lines in this area; however, ground based heavy equipment use was limited due to ongoing fire activity. 

Today on the south side of the fire, crews will be building a dozer line towards Mosquito Creek and go direct where possible. On the east side crews will continue doing road improvement on 6N06 road to Ammon Ridge to utilize as a holding line. 

The fire continues to be influenced by terrain and increasing winds in the southern area of the fire. On the west the fire will continue to creep and in the interior islands and heavy accumulation of fuels will retain heat and smolder. 

WEATHER: 

Today the area will come under the influence of an approaching upper-level disturbance. This will help slightly increase relative humidity. Winds will remain mostly modest out of the northwest with the strongest winds at low elevations in the late evening. Slightly increased mixing heights will aid in some smoke mixing, though high stability will inhibit any significant smoke transport out of sheltered areas. The disturbance moving overhead tonight will bring simultaneous much strong marine influence, especially to low elevations, but also a small (10%) chance of dry thunderstorms.  

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.  

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. 

Hot and dry weather conditions have recently continued to cure both live and dead fuels across the landscape in north-central Idaho. This has prompted a decision amongst interagency land managers to implement Fire Restrictions for the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area. Fire Wardens and Fire Management Officers from the Nez Perce Tribe, Idaho Department of Lands, Bureau of Land Management, Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protection Association, and the Forest Service have collectively decided to implement Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area. (see attached map or visit here: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire.../fire-restrictions-finder/ )

Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to all federal, state, state endowment, private forestland, and rangelands within the designated area.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions go into effect at 12:01 A.M. PDT on Saturday, July 20th. The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on their own land, and only within an owner-provided fire structure.

2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

From the Latah County Sheriff's Office:

EVACUATIONS LIFTED - TEXAS RIDGE FIRE

As of Saturday, July 20 at 9:38 all evacuations have been lifted and all roads have been opened.

Thank you to all those who have assisted in this fire and for our citizens for being understanding and adapting to as we allow crews to fight this fire.

Stay safe Latah County!

Durkee, Cow Valley, and Bonita Fires Update for Saturday, July 20, 2024

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

2024.cowvalley@firenet.gov

DURKEE FIRE: Start date: July 17, 2024 | Location: 5 miles southwest of Durkee, OR | Personnel: 191 | Fire size: 24,269 acres |Cause: Lightning |Containment: 0%

Yesterday, the Durkee Fire was extremely active progressing south/southeast past Huntington Road and paralleling a ridgeline adjacent to HWY 26. Southern progression of the advancing fire front reached east of Brogan. To the north, the fire crossed Burnt River. Fourteen aircraft dropped retardant and water to reinforce the efforts of firefighters on the ground. Overnight, 20-25 mph winds with gusts reaching 45 mph combined with cured grasses and other dry fuels to drive fire growth. Grasslands containing juniper saw six-foot flame lengths.

Today, given conditions associated with extreme fire behavior, fire fighters will continue to engage and make progress were and when it is safe to do so. Today, structure protection is a top priority. Resources, including Oregon State Fire Marshal have been dispatched to aid with structure preparations. Ariel tactics will continue, especially in areas that are not safe for ground support.

Durkee fire is burning in complex terrain with fuels comprised of juniper and sage. Fire behavior in this fuel type is characterized as spreading quickly. With increasing temperatures forecasted, 20-25 mph winds continuing through the day and compounding cumulative drying conditions below seasonal averages, the fire is likely to continue active progressing.

COW VALLEY FIRE:  Start date: July 11, 2024 | Location: 9 miles east of Ironside, OR | Personnel: 303 | Fire size: 133,490 acres | Cause: Human caused |Containment: 77%

Firefighters working on the Cow Valley are patrolling to find any pockets of heat to extinguish. No fire spread is expected, and fire behavior is characterized as smoldering. 

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%

Minimal fire behavior has been observed due to suppression efforts, containment features and fuel consumption. 

WEATHER AND SMOKE: It will be hot and dry today with temperatures ranging in the 100s and low humidities. Winds will be north, 20-25 mph. The inversion will lift over the Durkee fire this morning that will cause gusts to reach up to 30 MPH this afternoon. For current smoke information and air quality index, visit airnow.gov. 

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. 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.

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 cant.

Cow Valley and Durkee Fire Facebook

Battle Mountain Complex firefighters continue to face difficult terrain and critical weather challenges

UKIAH, Ore. – Firefighters on the Battle Mountain Complex continue to face critical weather and fire behavior as hot temperatures are expected to hold through the weekend. High heat, paired with low humidity, make the vegetation more receptive to fire and make fire behavior more erratic and difficult to suppress. 
 

Portions of the Snake Fire crossed the North Fork John Day River and continues to burn south as firefighters attempt to construct and improve line to stop the fire’s forward progress. 
 

More crews and resources continue to arrive to the complex to bolster divisions along both fires. While firefighters are trying to hold the fire within its current footprint, steep terrain, standing dead trees and rolling debris present hazards that firefighters must mitigate to fight fire safely.
 

Fire officials and public partners will host a community meeting at the Ukiah community park tonight at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be recorded and shared to the incident’s social media channels. 
The Battle Mountain Complex consists of the 3,642-acre North Fork Owens Fire and the 2,766-acre Snake Fire. Both fires were among the 17 fires in northeast Oregon that started in the late afternoon and evening of July 17, 2024, as a result of the recent lightning event. 
 

Closure: U.S. Forest Service officials are temporarily closing some of the lands, trails and roads in North Fork John Day Ranger District to ensure safety for the public and firefighters engaged in operations to suppress the Battle Mountain Complex, Upper Winom, Double Snag, Big Creek, and Monkey Creek Fires.
Road Closures: A 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 evacuation information, visit the Umatilla County Sheriff's Office Facebook page, www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff, or sign up for the Umatilla County  Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145. 
 

For current fire restrictions, go to www.bmidc.org or call the Northeast Oregon Fire Prevention line at (541) 975-3027. For current fire info, go to http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ 
ODF NEO Facebook: www.facebook.com/oregondeptofforestryNEO/.