Quick Facts

Start date:  July 8, 2024        Location:  31 miles northwest of Chelan, WA       Cause:  Human, under investigation  Fire size:  37,164 acres       Containment:  13%                                               Total personnel:  653

CURRENT SITUATION:  The fire has moved to the south side of Boulder Creek, progressing northeasterly and firmly entrenched in the 2010 Rainbow Bridge burn scar between Little Boulder Creek to the south and Rainbow Creek to the north. Crews will continue improving handlines around the area to prevent the fire from moving deeper into the community of Stehekin. 

TODAY'S ACTIVITIES:  Today will be a challenging fire day as the potential for periods of intense rain increases the likelihood of debris flow in the area and elevated chances of new starts due to lightning storms. With expected wind gusts of 40 mph, firefighters may be forced to take a tactical pause during those events. Utilizing information from last night’s infrared flight, fire managers are evaluating locations for contingency lines north of the Boulder Creek area in an effort to keep the fire within the Rainbow Bridge burn scar. Masticators and other heavy equipment working to reinforce containment lines along Stehekin Valley Road will continue throughout the day. 

WEATHER AND SMOKE:  A red flag warning for lightning and thunderstorms has been issued for the area. A warm and unstable air mass will be over the Pioneer Fire throughout the weekend. Weak disturbances passing through the northwest will bring on and off chances for showers and thunderstorms. The strongest and most widespread activity will be during peak heating in the afternoon and early evening hours. During this time, thunderstorms will bring the potential for scattered lightning strikes, heavy downpours of rain, small hail, and gusty outflow winds. Temperatures will remain in the 80s to low 90s with generally light winds outside erratic and brief strong thunderstorm wind gusts.

Expect good to moderate air quality across most of the communities in the Methow Valley and in the Lake Chelan area on Friday, with periods of smoke possible in the late afternoon and evening. Stehekin will likely experience moderate smoke throughout the day, while Omak and Brewster should have good air quality. 

EVACUATIONS: Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation levels remain in effect around the Pioneer Fire. Please contact Chelan County Emergency Management or visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information.

FOREST CLOSURE: Closures for the North Cascades National Park: https://www.nps.gov/noca/index.htm

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure order in place for much of the fire area: Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov). Campfires are prohibited. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) in place over the fire: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6779.html. Unauthorized drone activity is prohibited under the TFR.

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-pioneer 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560760893080 

Fire Information Line: 541-861-5808, 8 AM to 8 PM

Email: 2024.pioneer@firenet.gov 

Date: Aug 7, 2024

Sandstone Fire ignited from a lightning strike on Monday, August 5. The fire is located on the south side of Thunder Mountain several miles north of Forest Road 70 on the Clackamas River Ranger District.

There are multiple trail, road, and recreation site closures:

• Sandstone Fire closure order (also attached as a PDF)
• Sandstone Fire closure order map (also attached as a PDF)

Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders: Evacuation Zones Map - zones only (arcgis.com)

Current information is posted to the Sandstone Fire Inciweb and Facebook pages:

• Sandstone Fire on Inciweb
• Sandstone Fire on Facebook
• Public Info Email: 2024_ORMHF_SandstoneOR@firenet.gov​ 
• Public Info Phone: ⁠541-308-1736

Operations Section Chief for Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 2, John McLaughlin, provides a daily operations update for Friday, August 9, 2024, for the Courtrock Fire and the Lone Rock Fire over their Facebook pages (see below for links). Go there now to get the latest update.   

The Homestead Complex includes seven fires totaling 3,548 acres with an overall containment of 14%. There are 455 personnel currently working on the fire. Fire managers continue directing resources to fires based on threats to property, infrastructure, industry, and areas with the highest probability of success while providing for firefighter and public safety. The fire is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team 8. 

Yesterday, on the No Man Fire (1,334 acres) the fire was active in the southeast corner of the fire but remained within established dozer control lines. On the northern flank of the fire, firefighters conducted tactical burnout operations designed to keep the fire under control as it burned up toward the dozer line near the 3821 Road. Crews continued to prep and put in hose lays along roads serving as control lines. On the Salmon 33 Fire (237 ac.), the fire was active along the northeastern flank near the 3815 Road. Engine crews kept the fire within control lines.  Two engines were assigned to the area for nightshift operations. Horse Heaven Fire (997 ac.), firefighters continued improving and plumbing line with hose lays along the north side of Windy Creek. On the Fuller Lake Fire (253 ac.), on the east side of Fuller Lake, the fire continued to back down to the 5851 Road that is serving as a control line. On the Bullpup Fire (361 ac.), firefighters continued snag falling operations along the 5851 Road, and strengthened control lines. On the Reynolds Butte Fire (330 ac), firefighters were able to go more direct with new dozer line along the northern flank of the fire. Crews continued work on containing an approximate five acre slopover that crossed a handline off of the 349 Road.  

Today, crews assigned to the No Man Fire will be focusing efforts on the southeast corner improving containment line along the 3806 Road. On the northern flank crews will be moving westerly along containment lines conducting strategic burnouts keeping up with the fire’s edge as it moves up to dozer lines near the 3821 Road. Crews will hold the fire within containment lines and begin mop-up operations. On the Salmon 33 Fire, crews are continuing to patrol and improve containment lines. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire, crews will continue work on improving handline and extending hoselays as well as establishing additional contingency lines using heavy equipment where possible. On the Fuller Lake and Bullpup Fires, engine crews will be patrolling control lines and conducting suppression actions as needed. On the Reynolds Butte Fire, firefighters plan to do direct dozer line construction on the southwest flank of the fire.  Hotshot crews will continue mopping-up the approximate five acre slopover from two days ago that crossed a handline off of the 349 Road. Resources will also continue to mop up along the western flank and improve the line on the southern flank of the fire. The Lost Bucket Fire (34 ac.) was contained on July 29 and continues to show minimal fire activity. The fire is in a patrol status. 

Today’s weather will be similar to yesterday and will include smoky and hazy conditions in the valley and sheltered drainages for most of the day. Temperatures will be in the 70s to mid-80s in the higher elevations and mid-80s to lower 90s in the lower elevations. Winds will be from the east in the morning and the will become west-northwest in the afternoon. 

Current forest fire restrictions and danger ratings are:  

Fire Danger Rating: Very High  

Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs): 3  

Public Use Fire Restrictions (PURs): 3 

CLOSURES:  

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, has issued a closure order for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat. The closure order can be viewed here: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf.  

The Umpqua National Forest has Emergency Fire Closures in place. ORDER NO. 06-15-24-05 and ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. 

Fire Prevention: 

Know Before You Go, Fire Restrictions are in place to help decrease the potential of accidental human starts. Check often for the most current Fire Restrictions of where you will be recreating and working. #knowbeforeyougo #onlyyoucanpreventwildfires #thankyoufirefighters 

Incident Commander: David Tingley

Location:  3 miles South of Springer Memorial Community, in the East Fork

Start Date: 7/25/2024        

Cause: Lightning

Size: 270 acres  

Resources on site: 4 Hand Crews, 2 Engines, 2 Heavy Equipment

Update for Johnson Fire August 9, 2024

TAKE NOTE: UDPATES FOR JOHNSON FIRE WILL OCCUR EVERY 2-3 DAYS UNLESS CONDITIONS CHANGE

No fire growth the past 24 hours, fire is still estimated at 270 acres. There are some hotspots on the northern edge of the fire. A heavy equipment taskforce will be used to enhance existing features such as roads to mitigate future fire threats to surrounding communities. Cooler temperatures expected throughout the weekend, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms through Saturday.  Gusty, erratic winds are possible with these events. 

Find information on the Bitterroot National Forest Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DiscoverBitterrootNF

Borel Fire Incident Update Friday, August 9, 2024

Fire Information: 559-481-7849, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. | Media Line: 559-492-9967, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Email: 2024.lightning@firenet.gov | Linktree: linktr.ee/2024sqflightning

Current Situation: The Borel Fire stands at 59,288 acres and is now 91% contained. There was minimal fire activity overnight as firefighters on the ground strengthened containment lines around the fire in the most challenging portions of the perimeter. Crews continued to work on suppression repair to help stabilize and repair impacts from fire suppression activities. This is the last day that California Interagency Incident Management Team 11 is managing the Borel Fire. Tonight at 7 pm, California Interagency Incident Management Team 2 will be managing the Borel Fire.

Borel Fire: Ground crews worked on improving containment lines around the perimeter of the fire, especially in the most difficult terrain. The fire activity remained minimal overnight and was primarily confined to unburned material within the burned area. There is no expectation for additional growth, but crews remain ready to react to any unexpected fire behavior. Isolated torching well inside the interior continues and can be seen as a visible glow at night, these isolated pockets of unburned fuel pose no threat to the fire perimeter or surrounding communities.

A Local Assistance Center will be opening for those affected by the Borel Fire at the Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6401 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, CA 93240 on August 10th through 13th from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm.

Trout and Long Fire: For continuing information, please visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-2024-sqf-lightning

Weather: Today will remain clear and dry, with slight cooling trends. Weather is expected to continue a gradual cooling trend through the weekend, with wind remaining at 8-12 mph and gusts up to 20 mph.

Sequoia National Forest & BLM Closures & Restrictions: Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout and Long Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-12. Lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Borel Fire are closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-14. Fire restrictions are in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. All orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k. The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). View the emergency closure order here: tinyurl.com/4mprcb9b. The PCT is closed between Hwy 178 at Walker Pass (mile 653) and the South Fork of the Kern River bridge (mile 717.7).

Evacuation Center: The Tehachapi Education Center located at 126 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi has been placed in a standby status, due to no residents currently utilizing the service. The shelter is available and ready to assist upon request if the need arises for the communities affected by the evacuation orders and warnings. Animal services are available to assist in sheltering companion animals at the center. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767 to utilize these services.

facebook.com/SequoiaNF/ x.com/SequoiaForest

Containment: 91%
For more information on the Borel Fire, visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-borel-fire

Acres: 59,288
Total Personnel: 901

Large-Animal Assistance: The rodeo grounds in Kernville (467 Scodie Ave., Kernville) is available for residents who need to move large animals or livestock. For more information, contact Orion, Kernville Chamber of Commerce, 661-340-0026.

Road Closures: Portions of Caliente Bodfish Road are closed. Access to the Havilah area will be restricted to *residents only* for property assessments. Visit the Kern County Public Works Department website for the most up to date information on county road closures (tinyurl.com/z6crvp6t)

Evacuations: Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to Genasys Protect (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9) to identify the zone you reside in. Several changes to evacuation orders and warnings have been announced, as described below. Those that remain under an evacuation warning should stay PREPARED to leave.

Fact Sheet 
BLM Arizona – Colorado River District Office

Media Contacts: Dolores Garcia, dagarcia@blm.gov, (602) 828-8734

                          Jason VanBuskirk, jvanbuskirk@blm.gov (928) 466-6938

August 9, 2024

Wildfire Fact Sheet – Element Fire

Wildfire Information Line (928) 362-0549 

The Element Fire experienced outflow winds last evening that pushed the fire north into the Mount Tipton Wilderness. Firefighters will evaluate the full impact from the passing storm and rain. Fire crews continue to be deployed to the most active area on the northwest side of the fire to improve containment and slow its progression to the north.  

Fire Managers ask the public to avoid the northwest area of the fire perimeter around Big Wash Road.  Use caution on Highway 93 and Stockton Hill Road going north of Kingman. Smoke will be visible throughout the day.  Firefighters continue with structure protection in the Vock Canyon area as well as residences west of Stockton Hill Road. 

 Start Date: August 6, 2024 

Location: About 4 miles east of Chloride and About 12 miles north of Kingman, west of Stockton Hill Road.

Jurisdiction: Kingman Field Office, Bureau of Land Management 

Fire Size: 5,364 acres.

Containment: 5% 

Cause: Lightning/Natural 

Fuels: Lower Elevation-Grass/Brush; Higher Elevation-Chaparral/Pinyon Juniper.

Structures: Vock Canyon and homes west of Stockton Hill Road between milepost 18-23 currently in “SET” status. 

Closures:  Big Wash Road from the water tank junction (CM1470) to the Cherum Peak Trailhead; CM1364 to Big Wash Road; Packsaddle Campground; Windy Point Campground; and Cherum Peak Trailhead.

Fire Resources: 2 water tenders, 6 engines, 2 Interagency Hotshot Crews, 2 Department of Corrections crews, 1 suppression module crew, 2 helicopters, 145 total personnel. 

Safety: No injuries reported. Fire managers are asking for the public’s assistance by avoiding the area to allow crews and resources to access and mitigate the fire.  

Wildfires are a no drone zone. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. If you fly, we can’t. 

Updates will be posted to InciWeb. 

Whisky Creek Fire:
Size: 1,671 acres
Cause: Human – Under Investigation
Start Date: July 20, 2024
Location: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR
Fuels: Scrub oak, timber, and grass

Sandstone Fire
Size: 519 acres
Cause: Lightning
Start Date: Aug. 5, 2024
Location: 9 miles SW of Ripplebrook, OR
Fuels: Timber and grass

Whisky Creek Highlights:
Aerial and ground firing operations were successful yesterday. Crews are mopping up and securing the burnout operations from yesterday. Burnout operations may continue today as conditions warrant.

Sandstone Highlights:
Command of the Sandstone Fire was assumed at 6:00 am yesterday.  Hand crews and heavy equipment working on establishing control lines around the perimeter of the fire, prioritizing the south to west flanks.  Flights were done over the fire for monitoring and water drops.  There was little fire growth during the day yesterday.

Operations:
Crews on the Whisky Creek and Sandstone Fires will continue to look for hotspots, securing handline and cold trailing along the east flank of the fire. 

A crew from Alaska will be assigned to the Sandstone Fire today.  More crews and equipment will be ordered as needed to ensure we have the right coverage.  The fires are being managed for full suppression.

Fire Behavior and Weather:
Temperatures will remain warm as a ridge of high pressure builds over the area with terrain driven winds. The warmer and drier weather may increase fire intensity and low relative humidities will make fuels more susceptible to burning.

Additional smoke is expected in the afternoon as fine fuels dry and become more receptive to burning. Smoke forecasts specifically for the Whisky Creek Fire area can be found at AirNow.gov.

Road and Trail Closures:
The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area closure information can be found at: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Hood River County has closure information that can be found on their  website. Closures are put in place for the safety of the public and fire crews – intrusion in a closure area can stop fire suppression activities, endanger life and property, and can result in fines.

Total Fire Resources Assigned:
Approx. 387 personnel, 9 hand crews, 5 engines, 5 water tenders, 2 dozers, 5 masticators, 3 skidders, 1 feller buncher, and 2 helicopters.                   

Contact Information:     
Email: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov  
Phone: 541-208-1743, 8 A.M - 8 P.M     

Oregon Department of Transportation Announcement for SW Oregon: OR-230, MP 13-23: Diamond Lake Highway (OR 230) is reduced to one lane for ten miles between mileposts 13 and 23, near the intersection with North Umpqua Highway (OR 138). Pilot cars are shuttling traffic in one lane, 24 hours a day, to help provide safe access for fire operations on the Middle Fork Fire. The fire itself is not currently near the highway. Expect delays; watch for workers in the area. http://www.tripcheck.com/ for updates. 

Ore Fire - Incident Update

Date: Friday, August 9, 2024

Fire Information

Public Phone: 541-208-1262

Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.

Email:2024.Ore@firenet.gov 

Social Media

facebook.com/OreFireInformation2024

x.com/WillametteNF

Current Situation

As of today, the Pyramid, Slate and Ore Fires will be collectively referred to as the Willamette Complex North. 

Ore Fire

2,221 Acres, 29% Contained, 148 Total Personnel, Under Investigation

With dry conditions and increased fire behavior yesterday, crews focused on improving containment lines and securing the fire perimeter.  Crews continued to monitor fire behavior overnight.  On the western side of the fire, critical fire line was completed along the 1509 Road and crews will continue to reinforce, widen, and improve depth over the coming days. Along the eastern side of the fire perimeter, lateral movement pushed fire towards the ridgeline. The fire is expected to continue backing and flanking towards creeks and ridgelines today.  Across the fire, crews will also continue construction of indirect fire line and prepare for firing operations.

Weather & FIre Behavior

Milder conditions today than yesterday with increasing marine influence. Predicted maximum temperature is 86 to 90 °F in the valleys and 80 to 84 °F on the ridgetops. Predicted minimum relative humidity is 36 to 42 percent in the valleys and 42 to 48 percent on the ridgetops. Conditions will continue to moderate over the next several days. Even so, fire behavior potential will continue to be high because heavy fuels are dry and heavy fuel moistures are slow to change. Enhanced northwest winds will mix out smoke in the afternoon today. Smoke and air quality conditions are available on: AirNow.gov 

Evacuations, Closures & Fire Restrictions

On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Willamette National Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. 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). To sign up for evacuation alerts, visit https://www.linnsheriff.org/. 

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest. 

Specific information is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=61574. 

Fire restrictions are in effect for Willamette National Forest. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487. 

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Special Note

Smokey Bear turns 80 years old today! Since 1944, Smokey has educated millions of Americans on the importance of wildfire prevention, mitigation and suppression.