Cedar City, Utah– The Graff Point Fire remains at 544 acres and is now 47% contained. In total, 367 personnel are assigned to the incident. 

Crews continue their full suppression efforts to contain the fire. Yesterday, they strengthened containment lines along the northern and southern flanks and constructed handlines along uncontained areas on the southeast and southwest flanks. Firefighters are using a hose lay on the east side to secure the fire line and extinguish hot spots. Aerial resources have supported ground crews with water drops to cool hot spots and retardant to slow the fire's spread. Similar firefighting efforts will continue today. Additionally, along S. Kanarra Mountain Road, chippers and masticators will be used to reduce fuels.

A community meeting was held last night at the Heritage Center Theatre in Cedar City, UT. Representatives from the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 6 and local agencies shared information on the status of the fire, the operational strategy, and the plan going forward. The speakers also spent time answering questions from the those in attendance and watching online. A recording can be found here:  https://tinyurl.com/3a55uvdy

Despite recent precipitation, the fuels remain dry, resulting in some interior creeping and torching. The chance of isolated thunderstorms are expected to develop again today, and temperatures will be in the mid-80’s. 

For information regarding evacuations, please contact the Iron County Sheriff. We kindly ask that you respect these measures and avoid the area. For more information, please visit : https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ututs-graff-point-fire or utahfireinfo.gov

For private landowners, information is available from the Utah DNR on reducing wildfire threats to homes and property. Homeowner Education | Utah DNR – FFSL (Forestry, Fire and State Lands)

Video Update: https://fb.watch/tnZ0SrC31t/ 

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 

Wednesday, July 17, 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: 19,088   McGhee: 8,379   Prairie: 6,540   Four Mile: 2,082  

Completion/Containment:   Deadman: 20%   McGhee: 10%   Prairie: 50%   Four Mile: 1%   

KEY MESSAGE:  Firefighters conducted burnout operations on the McGhee and Deadman fires Tuesday.  On the McGhee Fire, helicopters and air tankers assisted with water and retardant drops when heavy vegetation, wind, and terrain aligned to increase fire behavior in the afternoon and evening. The fire pushed south of Wall Creek Road. Two Hotshot crews and other resources worked overnight to conduct burnouts north of Lacey Gulch Road and west of Hanging Woman Creek to try to tie it into the northeastern edge of the Deadman Fire. On the west side of the Deadman Fire, a smokejumper module conducted burnout operations to bring the fire down into the Tongue River corridor where it can be secured. An Unmanned Aerial System (drone) was used overnight to continue with small burnout operations. 

CURRENT STATUS: Crews will hold and secure the eastern McGhee fire lines today and continue with burnouts on the south and east as weather conditions allow. Fire managers will also determine how to tie lines together from the west side down into the south portion, avoiding the Battle Butte Area of Critical Environmental Concern as fire will be less detrimental to this area than suppression efforts. On Deadman, crews will continue to conduct small burnouts on the west side to bring the fire down to the river. On the Four Mile Fire, firefighters are cooling the remaining hot spots and patrolling the edges. The Prairie Fire is showing little heat and is being monitored. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR: Winds are predicted to have a north-easterly component today, which could help reduce fire spread to the east. Weather remains hot and dry today, with a slight chance of precipitation on Thursday. Active fire behavior and group torching is expected, especially as fire reaches stringers of timber and heavy pockets of older juniper trees.  

CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES: In Big Horn County, an evacuation warning is in place for residents from the intersection of Dale Creek Road and East Fork Canyon Road, east to the county line; from the intersection of Dale Creek Road and East Fork Canyon Road south to the intersection of Birney Road and Highway 314; from the intersection of Highway 314 and Birney Road east to the county line. In Rosebud County, an evacuation warning is in place for residents along the Tongue River Road from the Tongue River Bridge at Wall Creek to the southern Rosebud County line. Look for specific closure information and maps on the Rosebud and Big Horn County Sheriff Facebook pages.    

An evacuation warning means people should be aware of and monitor the situation closely, being prepared to evacuate if needed as the status could change quickly. 

Start Date & Location: July 9, 2024,    5 miles south of York, MT
Cause: Human, under investigation           Size: 14,250 acres                         Containment: 23%

CURRENT STATUS AND PLANNED ACTIONS
Yesterday on the north flank of the fire, crews conducted tactical firing operations in the afternoon from the established control line to the fire's edge, which widened fire lines and generated an expected smoke plume. Crews also successfully established dozer lines around a spot fire situated outside of the northern perimeter of the fire. Concerns remain on the east flank, just south of the Cave Gulch Fire burn in 2000, where the fuel loads are more susceptible to rapid fire spread. To address this, aerial resources dropped retardant along the fire perimeter to prevent fire spread. Crews also responded to and extinguished a new ¼ acre spot fire near Hellgate Gulch Road. To the west, crews held and improved fire line along Jimtown Road northwards to the 4136 Road.
Overnight, crews on the northern flank continued tactical firing operations from established dozer lines to the fire’s edge, reducing combustible materials to strengthen fire lines. 
Today, the primary mission is to hold control lines where the firing operations occurred yesterday and last night. On the south flank of the fire, crews will continue improving, mopping up, and cold trailing control lines to extinguish residual heat sources. With active fire behavior, Magpie Gulch remains a primary area of focus, with suppression efforts aimed at reinforcing control lines to halt fire spread.
The Structure Protection Group will continue to patrol and monitor structures throughout the fire area and assess the need for fuel mitigation around structures.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
A chance of thunderstorms are forecast, with the possibility of gusty winds, lightning, and light rain, but without beneficial impact to the fire. Temperatures will be in the low 90's with humidity in the teens. SE winds with gusts up to 20mph may cause spotting where slope and fuels align.

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES
Evacuations (UPDATED): Effective 7/15/24, all evacuation orders transitioned to evacuation warnings, 
allowing residents of homes and RVs back into their properties. Under evacuation warning, residents should be prepared to leave if conditions change. Sheriff - Lewis & Clark County (lccountymt.gov)
Road Closure: Canyon Ferry Road remains closed to non-residents from Canyon Ferry Village to the Broadwa-ter County line. 
Campground Closure: Campground closures include Hellgate, Court Sheriff, Chinamen’s Gulch, and Riverside.
Forest Closure: The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest updated their forest closure. It can be found at Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest - Home (usda.gov) 
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
 

Buckhorn Fire: 599 acres 

Start Date: July 10, 2024

Cause: Suspected lightning

Fuels:  Timber, Brush, Understory

Containment:  22%

Resources: 130

Location: Maylay Gap Area, San Carlos Reservation 

22% Containment Achieved on the Buckhorn Fire 

Overview: Yesterday, crews on the Buckhorn Fire completed removing vegetation along the 2034 Road on the southern end of the fire and cleared about three-quarters of the brush along the 2030 Road on the eastern side of the fire. A dozer was moved into position to begin work today. A defensive burning operation was performed, resulting in 22 percent containment. Today, additional resources, including the Geronimo Interagency Hot Shot Crew, will work to complete clearing the 2030 Road. Geronimo Hot Shots will begin scouting along the ridgetops to locate accessible areas to continue building containment lines to keep the fire as small as possible while protecting timber assets.

Weather: Yesterday, storms continued to build erratically around the Buckhorn Fire. The storm cells brought lightning but no measurable rain. Today will bring more storms with little likelihood of precipitation. Temperatures will remain between 80-85 degrees with light west/northwest winds. The storms may also bring outflow winds from the south. 

Safety: Please do not fly drones anywhere near the fire. Drones may endanger firefighting aircraft. If you fly, we can’t.

Reminder: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in place on the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Due to extreme drought, increasing temperatures and no rain predicted soon, the potential of catastrophic wildfire remains high. This restriction is for the protection of public health, safety, property, and natural resources. No burn permits will be issued at this time. For more information call Fire Prevention (928) 475-2326 Ext: 352, 321 or (928) 961-0515 or email asteele@forestry.scat-nsn.gov or wsteele@forestry.scatnsn.gov. 

Closures:  There is an area closure in place around the Buckhorn Fire. Closures are being adjusted based on fire activity for public and firefighter safety. Please monitor the San Carlos Apache Tribe Facebook Page for updated information. (Link Below)

Smoke: Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures.

Ko’ doo bena golde’ da

ODF Team 1 prepares to transition Salt Creek Fire back to local districts 

EAGLE POINT, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Incident Management Team 1 remains engaged on the Salt Creek Fire today, but a transition back to the local districts is now in the works.  The fire is 100% lined at 4,102 acres and is 84% contained this morning. Today will be the final day shift for IMT personnel and as of 7:00 a.m. Thursday morning, the team will disengage and return command of the fire to a local Type 3 team. 

Even during this transition, work continues on the fire and mop-up remains the main focus for resources on the line. The increasing containment illustrates the amount of work that firefighters have been able to complete in the last couple days. Repair work also continues across the fire as firefighters put in water bars and rehab other areas that may have been affected by the firefighting efforts. 

Just under 700 personnel remain assigned to the fire for Wednesday’s day and night shift, including 25 crews, 20 engines, 12 water tenders, five bulldozers and seven helicopters of various types. As resources continue to work today and following the transition light smoke may be visible within the interior of the fire, however resources are still engaged. 

Level 1, “BE READY,” evacuation notices remain in effect for zones JAC-316, JAC-317 and JAC-325-A. Any changes to evacuations will made by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office and Emergency Management. Learn more about evacuations at: https://protect.genasys.com/

BLM Medford District has temporarily closed BLM-managed lands in the area for safety. For more info go to: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire

The Salt Creek Fire is located 10 miles east of Eagle Point and was first reported Sunday, July 7, just after 4 p.m. The cause is under investigation. 

This will be the final update from Team 1. Further updates will be available from local agencies: 

• The ODF Southwest Oregon District: https://swofire.com/ 
• The RRSNF Alerts and Notices page www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices  and website homepage www.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou 
• The BLM OR/WA Fire Management Page: www.blm.gov/orwafire

Size: 2936 acres
Containment: 67%
Total Personnel: 445
Structures Threatened: 416
Start Date & Time: 7-7-24 9:51
Cause: Under Investigation
Location: Southside of Lytle Creek

Yesterday, firefighters continued patrol and mop-up operations and expanded containment lines along the southern flank in the Cucamonga Wilderness. Firefighters have pivoted to suppression repair activities and will be consolidating materials and equipment for removal. Fire behavior remained minimal with no growth. Crews are remaining vigilant and prepared should new starts occur.  Containment increased to 67 percent. 

“Our firefighters’ hard work and professionalism is showing. The plan today is to continue that hard work and keep an eye out for any new starts,” said Scott Cones, Plan Operations Chief.

The Forest Closure on the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forest remains in effect to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. The public is prohibited from using roads, trails, and recreation areas in the Vista Fire area and should not enter the forest on Lytle Creek Road. 

AIR QUALITY: 

Visit AirNow.gov for information and actions you can take to protect yourself and loved ones.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Lytle Creek Road is closed to the general public including all recreation areas north of Glen Helen Parkway.

EVACUATIONS:

None.

Note: In an effort to quickly communicate information on impending dangers, the San Bernardino County Sheriff Department and San Bernardino County Fire Department send high-speed mass notifications via telephone and text messages. This system is known as the Telephone Emergency Notification System (TENS). To learn more about this service, visit the website for more information: https://sbcfire.org/alertwarning/.

CLOSURES:

Closure order in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest and the Angeles National Forest. Several roads, campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, and dispersed recreation areas are closed to the public to provide for firefighters, community and public safety. Recreation activities are prohibited within the closure area. More information about the closure order is available on the national forest websites at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sbnf/alerts-notices and https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/angeles/alerts-notices.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

The San Bernardino National Forest has implemented increased fire restrictions. Campfires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the Forest Order.

There will be a Community Meeting at the Vale Senior Center located at 
100 Longfellow St. S, Vale, OR on Wednesday, July 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. MST.

The meeting will be recorded and posted to Facebook.

Vale, OR— Significant progress has been made along the fire perimeter located north of Highway 26; no heat or smoke has been detected in the last 48 hours. The western flank from Highway 26 southward approximately 6 miles is also showing no signs of heat or smoke. As a result of successful fire suppression, night shift operations have concluded.

Yesterday, the fire did not increase in acreage. Crews were successful in connecting the primary fireline between Swede Flats and Buckbrush Creek Road through the Dry Creek drainage. In the unburned area along East Prong Dry Creek, no smoke has been detected. 

Today, resources will work to improve existing firelines on the western edge in the vicinity of Pole Creek and South Fork Pole Creek and on the east side near Black Creek and South Fork Black Creek. Along the entire perimeter, ground crews, assisted by UAS (unstaffed aerial systems) will continue to patrol for smoke and hot spots and suppress any that are located. Crews will also improve mapping of both dozer and hand lines for impending suppression repair. 

BONITA FIRE: The Bonita Fire is 2,727 acres and 85% contained. Minimal fire behavior has been observed due to suppression efforts, containment features and fuel consumption. 

WEATHER AND SMOKE: Today, there is a slight chance of showers over the fire, mainly in the morning hours. Winds will be variable today, northwest in the morning shifting to the southeast in the afternoon, 3-5 mph gusting to 13 mph. In the afternoon there is a chance of thunderstorms that could produce higher winds. Temperatures will be 97-103oF, humidity 12-16%. Extreme fire behavior is still possible based on fuel and weather conditions. 

For the current smoke information and the air quality index, visit airnow.gov. 

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES:

The Malheur County Sheriff's Office issued updated evacuation orders on July 15. Check below for details or visit the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. 

Level 1 – Be Ready – Green

None at this time. 

• Level 1, or “Get Ready”, evacuation means residents should prepare to evacuate and start packing essentials for themselves, pets, and livestock.

Level 2 – Be Set – Yellow

Residents in the Westfall area (including Bonita, Indian Valley, Clover Creek areas).

• Level 2, or “Get Set”, evacuation means that there is high danger in the area and residents should prepare to leave at a moment's notice. If you or your family require additional time to evacuate, now is the time to do so. 

Level 3 – GO NOW – Red

None at this time.

• Level 3, or “Go Now”, evacuation means that there is immediate danger. Leave without delay and do not return until officials announce that the area is safe.

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: A temporary flight restriction is in place for the safety of the public and firefighting aviation resources. If you fly, we can’t; if a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aviation equipment will be grounded. 

Fire activity cools as precipitation falls on the Ridge Fire 

Daily Update – Wednesday, July 17, 2024 

Acres: 4,123  

Start Date: 7/4/2024 

Location: 19 miles east of Glenwood, NM   

Personnel: 281 

Containment: 23%  

Fuels: Timber, grass, understory 

Highlights: Fire activity has generally cooled with the precipitation received on the north end of the fire area. Some increased fire activity was observed in Iron Creek on the southeast side as the fire slowly moved downslope into the drainage. Heavier rainfall later this week is expected to further dampen the intensity and spread of the fire.  

Operations: Yesterday, local Resource Advisors received seeds to scatter across those areas disturbed by fire operations, such as supply drop points and camps. Seeding will occur in highest concentrations on steep slopes to prevent future erosion. High cloud coverage, humidity, and slight precipitation on the north end of the fire resulted in limited burning, with minimal fire activity including creeping and smoldering. No helicopter flights occurred due to weather conditions. However, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) were able to observe an area where the fire moved into Iron Creek east of Cooper Canyon. Firefighter efforts have resulted in increased containment around the Iron Creek area as crews continue to patrol Trail #151. Firelines continue to hold steady in Gilita Canyon along the north side of the fire. Chipping operations continue along the road into the Willow Canyon community to create a strong defense against any potential wildfire spread. This process involves breaking down large vegetation and other combustible materials into small wood chips to prevent the spread of wildfire. Near the Willow Creek community on the western side of the fire, firefighters completed water bar installation to prevent future erosion in time for predicted heavier rainfall. As work is completed, operational resources are being released to support other wildfires across the region. A Burned Area Emergency Response team has been ordered to assess and strategize restoration and stabilization efforts for burned areas. 

Weather: The coverage of showers and thunderstorms will be even greater today and could produce locally heavy rainfall and gusty and erratic outflow winds. Temperatures may only be slightly cooler and humidity levels slightly greater than Tuesday. Winds will become southerly during the day, with speeds of 8 to 12 mph with higher gusts. 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Mogollon, Willow Creek, and Snow Lake. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. Smoke monitors are in place at the Glenwood Ranger Station, Cliff, and Gila Cliff Dwellings. 

Closures: The Gila National Forest has issued an emergency temporary closure of trails and trail segments for the Ridge Fire. The purpose of the closure order is for the protection of firefighters and public health and safety during emergency wildfire suppression activities occurring in and around the trails. The full closure order (No. 03-06-05-24-002) and map are available on the Gila National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/gila.  

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/.  

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/nmgnf-ridge-fire /  

575-323-8994 / https://www.facebook.com/GilaNForest / 2024.ridge@firenet.gov            

Daily Update, July 17, 2024: #SpeirsFire

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the Speirs Fire at 6 am today. Incident Commander Brett Waters thanked Tom Wilson, Zac Farmer, and the Type 3 Incident Management Organization made up of from local firefighting professionals. "Their outstanding work on the initial attack has given us a solid foundation to build on," Commander Waters said.

Recent wetting rains have significantly reduced fire intensity. This muted fire activity will allow crews to construct containment features directly along much of the fire's perimeter. This direct attack will help contain the fire in the smallest possible footprint. Along portions of the northern flank, the fire burned unevenly, creating fingers of fire that pushed north and left unburned fuels between them. Here, firefighters will use an indirect attack method to remove these unburned fuels and create a more uniform and manageable containment line.

One of the significant challenges firefighters face in suppressing the Speirs Fire is the lack of roads to bring personnel and equipment to the fire area. To address this, we are creating a remote 'spike' camp. This camp will allow firefighters to stay nearer the fire, eliminating many hours of hiking and allowing that time to be invested in containing the fire. Helicopters will fly in food and supplies to support the firefighters in their remote camp.

A ridge of higher pressure will build over the fire area today, reducing the chance of wetting rain. However, this high-pressure ridge should subside by Thursday, bringing the possibility of additional precipitation over the fire area. Along with the possibility of wetting rain, this pattern of afternoon thundershowers also carries the risk of erratic outflow winds that could push the fire in unexpected directions. This is a serious concern, and team safety officers will make every effort to mitigate the risk to firefighter safety.

Closures:

Being on or within the following campgrounds, roads, and trails are prohibited on the Flaming Gorge Ranger District on the Ashley National Forest: Firefighters Memorial Campground, Greendale Group Campsite, 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.

Speirs Fire Incident Website: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../utasf-speirs-fire

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: 759 acres

Containment: 3%

Total personnel: 230

Cause: Naturally-Caused, Lightning

Speirs Fire Information Number: 435-709-8209 (8:00 AM to 8:00 PM.)

Start Date: July 11, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 1,850 acres

Percent Containment: 3%

Helicopters: 4

Scooper Planes: 2

Engines: 13

Crews: 9

Total Personnel: 324

Yesterday on the Bench Lake Fire, crews began using fire as a buffer to burn vegetation between the 101 Trail and the northern edge of the main fire. By intentionally setting fire, crews are creating a break in continuous fuels, reducing fire intensity as it approaches the trail and limiting spread beyond the trail. If conditions prove favorable later today, crews plan to complete the backfire to guide the main fire to the wet, marshy area of Fishhook drainage in the northeast to slow progression of the fire. Incident managers were pleased with the effectiveness of the backburning.

Crews continued structure protection actions throughout the Redfish Lake area, which includes mitigating impacts to historical buildings and areas of cultural significance. The fire is currently above Point Campground, but no damage to the campground has been reported.

South winds of 15 to 25 mph are expected today with temperatures in the mid-80s. Increased smoke across the Stanley Basin was visible yesterday starting in the late morning, a trend which is likely to continue throughout the week. Those who are sensitive to the smoke should limit time outdoors.

The Sawtooth National Forest initiated Stage 1 fire restrictions within the National Forest System lands boundaries on the Sawtooth and Cassia zones, which became effective at 12:01 this morning. Under these restrictions, campfires are allowed only in recreation sites within metal or concrete fire pits. Fires of any kind are not allowed in any dispersed camping areas.

Community Meeting: Today, Wednesday, July 17 at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Building in Stanley, Idaho (500 Eva Falls Ave.)

Closures: Sawtooth National Recreation Area officials issued an emergency closure for the Bench Lake Fire (0414-04-147) July 12 for the Redfish Lake recreation complex, including the lodge and associated buildings, roads, trails, trailheads, and campgrounds in the area. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts- notices for a map and more details on the closure order. Both Highway 21 and Highway 75 remain open.  Increased fire traffic and potential poor visibility warrant slowing down.