Summary: Overnight weather over the last few days remains favorable to firefighters as they work toward full suppression and 100% containment. Cooler temperatures and increased relative humidity levels kept fire activity quiet through the night again. All established containment lines are holding. At 10 am this morning, the GO status will be lifted for the residents of Willow Springs Ranch. All impacted residents will be returned to a READY status. Roads within the fire area remain closed to the public and only accessible to homeowners in the area. Those roads include: Willow Springs Road at State Route 77, Willow Springs Road at Freeman, Willow Springs Road at Camino Rio, Freeman at Barkerville, and Freeman at State Route 79. 

An aerial mapping mission on Saturday reported the fire at 31,727 acres with 5% containment to report. Along the north side of the fire, crews resume efforts to secure and hold established containment line in the area of Willow Springs Ranch and Freeman Roads. They will also resume patrols along the northwestern, northeast and southern flanks of the fire checking for any remaining heat or smoke along the fire’s edge. In those areas crews are conducting mop up, a tactic used to extinguish or remove material still burning down to the mineral soil in or around the fire area. The southwest and west sides of the fire have stayed the most active over the past couple of days. A lot of heat still remains in those areas. The fire is hung up in rough and rugged terrain and crews must wait until the fire backs down out of the Black Mountains until they can safely engage. However, hand crews continue with suppression efforts along that flank conducting firing operations within a wash as a way to slow the spread of the fire as it moves into flatter terrain. Resources are working to bring strategically placed fire up the hillside to stop the fire from advancing into flat country and into dense fuel too quick. Overall suppression objectives include, keeping the fire south and east of Freeman Road, north of Willow Springs Road, and west of power line road. As temperatures warm up throughout the day, unburned pockets of fuel within the fire’s interior will burn off, producing large columns of smoke visible to nearby communities including to Oracle and to drivers along SR 77 and 79. Fire operations will fly the fire again today to provide intel for ground resources. Multiple hand crews, engines, and water tenders remain assigned. Additional medic support teams arrived on the incident today. In addition, Freeman Fire resources including, one hand crew, an engine, and dozer will be used as an initial attack group to support any new starts within the area. Afternoon thunderstorms are forecast again today with the chance for outflow winds with gusts up to 50 mph.

The fire started Thursday, July 11, 2024, from a lightning strike near the Oak Well Camp. A second lightning strike occurred almost a mile away eventually merging the two fires. Late Thursday night, a storm system moved across the fire area producing outflow winds that fanned the fire in all directions and pushed it out to the southeast toward ranch structures. At that time, and due to the proximity of the fire to the Willow Springs Ranch, fire operations made the decision to evacuate the ranch. Residents in Pinal County can sign up for emergency alert notifications at: https://www.pinal.gov/1335/PENS---Pinal-Emergency-Notification-Syst. 

Weather: Moisture expected to increase over the weekend resulting in an increased chance for thunderstorm activity. A potential for outflow winds of 50+ mph. 

Safety: 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/.

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

Carson National Forest fire crews are planning to begin firing operations on the 165-acre Yeso Fire today, ahead of significant precipitation forecasted this week. They will fire off roads t0 fill in a 600-acre predetermined area, which is largely surrounded by existing roads. 

“This is our big day of work,” said District Ranger Angie Krall. “Smoke is expected to be more widely seen and experienced.” 

Fire managers are notifying the Canjilon Ranger District’s list of smoke-sensitive residents, who can borrow a limited number of portable HEPA air filters. Available air filter units can be checked out by calling 505-216-6793. 

The lightning-caused Yeso Fire was first reported on July 9. For safety, crews are using a less aggressive strategy to indirectly contain the fire along existing roads while it provides ecosystem benefits within the interior. 

An overview of the strategy and area fire ecology is available on the Carson National Forest Website. 

Public information officers are updating InciWeb and can be reached at 505-216-6793.

**RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FOR SUNDAY**

The fire received a small amount of rainfall on Saturday measuring only about 1/100 of an inch. Several lightning strikes in the fire area were observed by crews. The control line experienced a 40 mile per hour wind test Saturday afternoon and the line held along the northwest corner of the fire. The Deer Creek area saw moderate fire activity and crews were able to extend lines on the east side north to Deer Creek. Firefighters were able to continue mopping up the fire area that jumped containment lines on the southeast corner during the wind event Friday.

Firing operations were conducted in the south end of the fire to keep the fire from crossing the ridge and moving down into the Cottonwood Creek area. The west side of the fire is showing very minimal growth and firefighters are keeping a close watch on it.

The Incident Meteorologist (IMET) has predicted increasing moisture into the weekend with a 40 percent chance of wetting rain and a potential for flash flooding. With the anticipated moist conditions are possible dry lightning and particularly erratic winds that prompted the National Weather service to issue a Red Flag Warning for Sunday. Prevailing winds are still coming from the South, pushing smoke into Richfield and Salina. New fire starts are possible with the dry lightning. The IMET predicts some showers may occur but may be isolated. The weather trend is for drier conditions into next week.

Smoke conditions have increased to unhealthy levels for some individuals. For more smoke information go to www.fire.airnow.gov.

The Fishlake National Forest has issued a closure order that can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/fishlake/alerts-notices. The Castle Rock Campground remains open.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on the Fishlake National Forest began on Friday, July 12, 2024, at 12:01 a.m. and limits where fires are allowed and what type of fires visitors can have in those places. For additional information on fire restrictions and wildfires in the state of Utah, visit www.utahfireinfo.gov or follow X (formerly known as Twitter) @UtahWildfire.

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT:  213 personnel, 3 crews, 6 engines, 2 helicopters, 3 dozers and 7 water tenders 

CURRENT SITUATION: The Basin Fire is 14,023 acres, with no increase in acreage. Containment remains at 95%. The threat for dry thunderstorms in the vicinity of the fire area continues through Sunday evening.  Slightly cooler, but still hot temperatures are expected over much of the next week along with low humidity and poor overnight recoveries.  Winds will mainly be daytime driven, except near any thunderstorms that develop.  No new fire growth is expected. Temperatures today are expected to reach 103 degrees in lower elevations of the fire line. The National Weather Service – Hanford issued a Red Flag Warning, which is in effect through the weekend. 

Firefighters will continue to patrol the fire lines in order to backhaul any equipment that is no longer needed.  More resources have been released to assist with other wildfires throughout California. 

Fire Suppression:  Firefighters continue to patrol and monitor for any flare-ups, threats to the containment line, and visible smoke. Unburned areas within the fire’s western perimeter may produce smoke. Aircraft will assist firefighters in monitoring the fire line and will use water drops if necessary.

Suppression Repair:  Suppression repair efforts continue in areas of the fire that are no longer posing a threat. Due to very dry fuels, firefighters have not been able to use dozers due to the risk of starting a spot fire. Hand tools will be used in these areas to return them to as natural a state as practical, until the use of mechanical equipment can be re-introduced.

An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING is in effect through Sunday morning, with high day time and night time temperatures. Temperatures are forecast to reach as high as 103 degrees today, with relative humidity 19% to 24%. Winds are forecast to remain low, from the west at 6 to 10 mph, with gusts to 17 mph. These figures will change with the potential for thunderstorms this weekend.

The Basin Fire started on June 26, 2024, and the cause is currently under investigation.  The fire is at 2000-4500 feet elevation, northeast of Pine Flat Lake, west of the Spanish Mountain, south of Black Rock Rd (11S012) and north of the South Fork of the Kings River. 

Fire updates are posted on Inciweb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casnf-basin-fire.

FOREST CLOSURE and FIRE RESTRICTIONS for the Basin Fire: To ensure the safety of the public and our firefighters, The Sierra National Forest has issued a Temporary Partial Forest Closure Orders No. 05-15-52-24-19 & 20 for the Basin Fire area. Effective July 9, 2024, the closure will remain in effect until July 31, 2024. We urge the public to respect all closure signs and barriers and to avoid the area to prevent any potential accidents or interference with firefighting efforts. 

Check https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for the Basin Fire closure area map. Roads & trails in this area on the Sierra National Forest are CLOSED.

The Sierra National Forest has implemented temporary fire restrictions prohibiting campfires except within designated recreation sites. Operating vehicles off roads or trails is prohibited, and welding is prohibited.  Smoking is only allowed in vehicles, buildings and designated recreation sites. 

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for more information or call the Sierra National Forest (559) 855-5355 during business hours for questions.

Start Date: July 9, 2024 

Location: 5 miles south of York, MT

Cause: Human, under investigation 

Size: 12,797 acres

Containment: 0%

***Another Red Flag Warning has been issued from noon until midnight today for hot temperatures, gusty winds, and low relative humidity levels over the fire area. Peak winds are expected around 9 PM this evening.***

Current Status

Crews worked hard yesterday holding and building new line in key locations around the fire area amidst the uncooperative weather. Fire activity remained moderate in the morning until the inversion lifted around 2pm. Then, activity picked up, especially on the densely-forested ridges on the northern side of the fire. The gusty winds caused a spot fire approximately 5 acres in size to the north of the main fire area and both ground resources and aircraft focused their efforts to contain it. Dozers worked to build line south of Hedges Mountain through Neversweat Gulch into Magpie Creek in advance of the fire. Hand crews continued building line northward along the western edge. In addition, engine and hand crews began structure assessments and protection efforts in the communities threatened by the fire. Night operations focused on holding the line and patrolling the perimeter watching for spot fires. To protect a Forest Service cabin, they performed a firing operation during the night, as well.

Today, additional ground resources are expected to arrive. They will be put to work alongside existing crews building fire line and protecting structures. The Horse Gulch Fire currently has 4 Super Scoopers, 2 Type 1 helicopters (largest), 1 Type 2 helicopter, and 1 Type 3 helicopter (smallest) assigned. With the prolonged hot and dry weather, fire activity is picking up across the region.

Weather and Fire Behavior

Skies will be mostly clear with a light haze. Max temps are expected to be 84-89F in the valley with minimum RH at 13 - 17%. Winds are predicted to be 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph from the west/northwest.

Evacuations and Closures

Evacuations: The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff's Office issued evacuations for the following areas:

• Canyon Ferry Road - from Jimtown Road to the Broadwater County line;
• All roads north and south of Canyon Ferry Road between Jimtown Road to Broadwater County line;
• Cave Gulch to Magpie Gulch north of Canyon Ferry Road;
• Jimtown Road to York and York Road north to Vigilante Campground.

Road Closure: Canyon Ferry Road is closed at Canyon Ferry Village to the Broadwater County line. Campground closures include Hellgate, Court Sheriff, Chinamen’s Gulch, Goose Bay, and Riverside.

Forest Closure: The Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest has issued a road, trail, and area closure order, which 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 

Order Number: # 03-01-05-24-05
U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests
Black Mesa Ranger District
Pius Fire Emergency Area Closure
PROHIBITIONS
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following are prohibited
on the National Forest System (NFS) roads, trails, and lands in the Black Mesa Ranger District,
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forests, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated
into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area”):
1. Going into or being upon the Described Area for the protection of public health and
safety. 36 C.F.R. § 261.53(e).
2. Being on the roads in the Described Area. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
EXEMPTIONS
Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads,
Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them
from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer
that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).
2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or
firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS
As shown in the map at Exhibit A, the Described Area encompasses all National Forest
System lands, roads, and trails within all areas South of National Forest System Road
(NFSR) #225, West of NFSR #34, North of NFSR #300, and East of NFSR #115, including
Bear Canyon Lake and Campground.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to provide for the public’s and fire-fighter’s health and safety
during Pius Fire Operations.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from Friday, July 12, 2024 at 0800 through August 15,
2024 at 0800, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Area is attached and made part of this Order as
Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order and Exhibit A, go to
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/asnf/alerts-notices.
3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are
defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II,
Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the
Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined
by their plain language definitions.
4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a
fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by
imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C.
§§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.
5. Contact the Black Mesa Ranger District, (928) 535-7300, and Apache-Sitgreaves
National Forests Supervisor’s Office in Springerville, (928) 333-4301, for more
information about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in
the same Described Area.
Signed and issued on this 12th day of July, 2024.
_______________________
ROBERT LEVER
Forest Supervisor
Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest

Ridge Fire increases to 9% containment 

Daily Update – Sunday, July 14, 2024

Acres: 2,966                                                                             

Start Date: 7/4/2024

Location: 19 miles east of Glenwood, NM                                 

Personnel: 345

Containment: 9%                                                                     

Fuels: Timber, grass, understory

Highlights: After several days of successful firefighting efforts on the western flank, containment has increased to 9% on the Ridge Fire. The fire is expected to burn at low intensities again today as conditions remain similar to previous days. 

Operations: Firefighters used uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, along with a helicopter to survey and update the fire perimeter yesterday. Crews on the ground monitored and held containment lines throughout the day along the northern and western flanks of the fire. Fire activity was mild yesterday, allowing crews to strategically introduce fire down slope towards Trail #151 along Iron Creek drainage. These actions resulted in favorable low intensity burning in this area to help remove excess vegetation between the containment lines and the main fire. Yesterday, heavy equipment operators began improving Forest Road 28 using graders and water tenders to strengthen containment lines and improve access for crews. Chipping operations began along the road leading into the Willow Creek subdivision to cut logs and branches into smaller wood chips. Today, crews will continue to use UAS on the northern flank to monitor fire activity along the ridge. On sections of the western and southern perimeter, firefighters will patrol handlines, cut standing dead trees, install water bars, and remove small shrubs and woody plants to prevent fire spread over the control lines. Grading and chipping operations will continue to reinforce containment lines on Forest Road 28. 

Weather: Dry and unseasonably warm temperatures will remain in place again today. A brief isolated shower or thunderstorm is possible in the vicinity of the fire during the afternoon or early evening. Moisture will be on the increase Monday, with scattered showers and thunderstorms expected, with temperatures only slightly cooler. Showers and thunderstorms will become more numerous Tuesday through Friday as monsoonal moisture returns.

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 on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground 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 

Smoke

Generally west winds developing during the day will push the majority of smoke east into over the high wilderness areas of the Helena-Lewis and Clark NF. Moderate to periods of Good AQ is expected west of Canyon Ferry Lake toward Helena. Moderate to periods of USG remains possible east of Canyon Ferry Lake and into the higher wilderness eastward and immediately downstream of the fire. After dusk, smoke will settle into local drainages including S-284, Canyon Ferry Lake and perhaps Hwy 12 toward east Helena.

Roadway Visibility

Localized smoke conditions can bring reduced visibility along S-284 to the Canyon Ferry Lake south of the fire overnight and in the early morning.

Yesterday, firefighters had another productive day on the fire line. The helicopter was used in the morning to remove firefighting equipment from the fire. Suppression repair is well underway with chipping on the east end of fire and heavy equipment working on the west end of fire. Facebook took the Oak Ridge Fire page down yesterday, but the page seems to be working again. 

The Type 3 organization will transition tonight to a Type 4 Incident Commander with various fire resources. This will be the last day for daily updated information. Information will only be posted when there are significant changes like increase in containment or fire behavior. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team will arrive on Monday. A BAER team addresses post wildfire stabilization and other issues that may arise from a wildfire. The team focuses on public safety as well as ways to protect the landscape. 

Fire remains at 1,310 acres and 89% contained with 65 personnel. 

United States Department of the Interior

BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

Butte Field Office

106 North Parkmont

Butte, MT 59701

http://www.blm.gov/montana-dakotas

July 13, 2024

Pursuant to Title 43, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 9212.2 (a), (b)(1) the following acts are prohibited on all Bureau of Land Management lands administered by the Butte Field Office. These lands are described as follows: Public lands impacted or threatened by the Horse Gulch fire in Broadwater and Lewis and Clark Counties:

BLM lands east of Hauser Lake:
T10N, R1W, Sections 5, 6
T11N, R1W, Sections 30, 31, 32
T11N, R2W, Sections 12, 13, 23, 24, 25, 26, 36

BLM lands east of Canyon Ferry Reservoir: T10N, R1E, Sections 5, 6, 14

Prohibited Acts: Pursuant to Title 43, CFR § 9212.1 (h), unless permitted in writing by the authorized officer, it is prohibited on the above-described public lands to perform any act restricted by this fire prevention order including:

1. Going into or being upon any lands designated in the closure order.

Exemptions: Pursuant to Title 43, CFR § 9212.2 (b)(3), the following are exempted from this order:
1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Persons using a device solely fueled by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off. Such devices can only be

used in an area barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable materials within three feet of the device.
3. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice. 4. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in performance of official duties. 5. Other exemptions unique to each agency/tribe.

An exemption does not absolve an individual or organization from liability or responsibility for any fire started by the exempted activity.

Penalties: Pursuant to Title 43, CFR § 9212.4, any person who knowingly and willfully violates the regulations at §9212.1 of this title shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or to imprisonment of not more than 12 months, or both.

Effective Dates: Pursuant to Title 43, CFR § 9212.2 (b)(2), this Fire Prevention Order will remain in effect from 12:01 p.m. local time on July 13, 2022, until rescinded by the authorized officer.