Thursday, July 4, 2024
388 acres, 5% contained, 165 personnel

Power restored to Nenana Canyon on the Riley Fire

HEALY, Alaska – At 7:00 am, the Alaska Complex Incident Management Team 2 led by Incident Commander Ed Sanford took command of the Riley Fire, located in Denali National Park and Preserve a mile north of the entrance. The Riley Fire is 5% contained. There was miscommunication about percent containment—previously reported as 25%. While there is a substantial area of completed sawline, it is not considered containment until we have confidence that the fire will not breach that line. This usually means that 25 to 50 feet from the sawline into the fire area is completely extinguished. There was no loss of progress; we are continuing to improve the line to achieve containment.

Golden Valley Electric Association restored electricity to the Nenana River Canyon and Denali National Park at 8:00 am after testing the lines overnight and finding them safe. This allows businesses to reopen in the Nenana River Canyon while ensuring firefighting operations can continue safely.

Since the fire started on June 30, there has been a tremendous initial attack response. The McKinley Village Volunteer Fire Department, Tri-Valley Volunteer Fire Department, and the Alaska Western Area Fire Management Crew responded with resources. The Tanana Chiefs Initial Attack Crew and 22 Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service smokejumpers were the first crews on initial attack along with two fire retardant drops along the southern edges of the fire, and multiple water drops. 

Current operations include the Tanana Chiefs and the Alta Interagency Hotshot Crew going direct on the southern edge of the fireline from the railroad west. On the eastern perimeter, the Smith River, Golden Eagle, and Mill Creek interagency hotshot crews are going direct on the fireline, working their way through thick alder and birch on steep slopes. Smokejumpers are being inserted into the northern “bowl” to go direct on the fireline there. The fire growth to the north is primarily following stringers of black spruce toward the upper rocky slopes of the terrain. Four helicopters will support firefighting operations, dropping water on the remaining smoldering hot spots of the fire.

Weather: A series of fronts will be moving through the area bringing cooler temperatures, rain, and gusty winds. The first of these systems is moving in today and is expected to bring rain to the fire most of the day. 

Smoke: Cooler temperatures and the rain forecast today and into the weekend should help moderate smoke production. This should continue the overall trend of improving air quality. Winds will continue to be from the southwest today, pushing smoke northeast. Lingering smoke may potentially enhance any fog that forms and impacts visibility.

Evacuations:  Some areas are in Evacuation Status with the Tri-Valley Community Center established as the Evacuation Information Center. Go to the Denali Borough website for more information.  

Red – Go! All Bison Gulch and Antler Ridge hikers, Riley Creek Campground, and all employees housed at the Denali National Park Joint Venture facility: ANYONE IN RED AREAS SHOULD EVACUATE. 

Yellow – Set: There are currently no locations in “set”. 

Green – Ready: The Nenana Canyon area (aka Glitter Gulch), Denali National Park Headquarters, C-Camp. Anyone in GREEN areas should stay alert and monitor for evacuation status updates. 

Park Closures:   All visitor facilities and park operations in Denali’s entrance area are closed. Future dates will be assessed based on fire activity. The park will also continue to remain closed to personal vehicles and day use visitors until further notice. Employees evacuated from park housing are being sheltered in various facilities in the nearby town of Healy. Park officials continue to work closely with the Denali Borough and other partners to ensure everyone is taken care of. Go to the Denali National Park and Preserve website for closure information.  

Road conditions:  The Parks Highway remains open. Go to https://511.alaska.gov/ for road condition updates. 

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction is in effect over the Riley Fire until July 15. Find more information at: 4/6067 NOTAM Details (faa.gov).

Fire crews continue to aggressively fight the Shelly Fire, which is at 313 acres and 0% containment. Active fire was seen last night until 2:30 AM, and around 3:00 AM, the fire showed moderate activity. Crews are making progress this morning along the Pacific Crest Trail. Smoke has settled into the drainages, so we are not able to see the activity on the spot fires on the northeast side of the main fire. The fire is backing down into Middle Creek drainage. We anticipate fire activity increasing later today as temperatures increase. Steep, rugged terrain is making access difficult. 

“The Forest Service is taking an aggressive stance on fighting the Shelly Fire,” states Chris Christofferson, Acting Forest Supervisor for the Klamath National Forest. “We will continue to do so while providing for firefighter and public safety. We also acknowledge the concern of our neighbors and are working to keep the fire away from private commercial timber ground.”

The Shelly Fire began the afternoon of July 3, 2024, in the Marble Mountains Wilderness. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Forest Service officials anticipate a long duration fire since the fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain within the wilderness that by definition does not have roads through it. Fire crews have to hike in, smokejump in, or attack the fire from the air.

If you are out on the forest today, please pay attention to where you are in relation to the Shelly Fire, heed any changes in wind direction, be mindful of fire crews and equipment, and remember all fireworks are not permitted on forest lands anytime of the year. 

Pacific Crest Trail hikers are asked to avoid the section between Etna Summit and Shackleford Trail.

A fire information hotline has been set up at 530-643-0279. A fire information hotline has been set up at 530-643-0279. Please visit www.facebook.com/KlamathNF and Twitter @KlamathNF for updates.

A new lightning-caused wildfire discovered last week east of Tusayan will be managed in a confine and contain strategy within designated areas to reduce fuel loads and promote healthier landscapes.

The Lockett Fire started on June 29 and is located approximately 12 miles east of Tusayan along the Coconino Rim, between Forest Road 307 and Forest Road 310. It is currently 16 acres burning in ponderosa pine forest, moving with a slow rate of spread and consuming pine needle duff and dead-and-down woody debris and stumps on the forest flood. The fire is burning in the footprint of the 2014 Belknap Fire.

The fire is expected to experience slow-t0-moderate growth given the warmer, drier weather in the forecast, steep terrain, and available fuels. Fire managers will manage the Lockett Fire in a confine and contain strategy within a designated area as long as it continues burning in this manner and conditions allow crews to safely do so. The intended outcome of this fire includes encouraging the growth of native plants, increasing species diversity in the understory, and the restoration of wildlife habitat. 

A 3-mile section of the Arizona Trail will be temporarily rerouted along Forest Road 310.

Fire crews from the USDA Forest Service are patrolling, collecting data on fire behavior and on-the-ground conditions, and preparing roads and other natural control features to confine the fire within the designated area. 

Many other specialists are involved in managing this incident. Wildlife biologists, botanists, and archeologists are helping to ensure that natural and cultural resources are protected, a meteorologist is providing current and forecast weather information, and air resource advisors to monitor and model smoke production and dispersal.

Smoke may be visible from various forest roads in and around the vicinity, as well as along State Route 64/East Rim Drive within Grand Canyon National Park.

The Kaibab National Forest is a fire-adapted ecosystem, with native species, such as the Ponderosa pine, dependent upon frequent, lower-intensity fire to thrive. The thick bark of Ponderosa pines protects trees from all but the most intense fires, and fire on the forest floor provides a nutrient-rich seedbed for the next generation of vegetation to succeed. Fire also plays a crucial role in breaking down forest floor debris, such as fallen leaves, needles, branches, and trees, a process which normally occurs rapidly in more moisture-laden environments but can take decades in the arid Southwest. By using both prescribed fires and naturally occurring fires when conditions safely allow at regular intervals, future fires on the Kaibab will be less intense and produce less smoke, benefiting the ecosystem and those around it.

Managing naturally caused wildfires across the landscape is a very effective tool in restoring the forest to a healthier condition, and these efforts align with the Forest Service's 10-year Wildfire Crisis Strategy, which aims to increase the use of fire on the landscape as well as other treatments to improve forest resiliency for generations to come.

Additional information can be found on InciWeb, the Kaibab NF website, X, Facebook, Flickr, or by calling local ranger stations. 

Size:  172,236 

Personnel:  75 

Start Date: June 8, 2024 

Cause:  Lightning 

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The McDonald Fire received wind from the west-southwest Wednesday, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Fire behavior was moderated due to the higher humidity yesterday and smoke was present on the highway over the course of the day. A reconnaissance flight found heat along the northern edge with most of the heat in the northeast corner, which aligned with the wind direction. There was minimal perimeter growth with the gain in total acreage attributed to the fire consuming unburned pockets in the interior.  

Crews have secured roughly 50 feet of depth along most of the line in the 5 Mile Creek Area and will continue with mop-up operations and securing the fires edge. Several crews reported trees falling over in the areas where they were working. The potential for fire-weakened trees to fall is high and firefighters must be alert to these dangers while working on the line. Rain is in the forecast today for the area, so operations will be weather and safety dependent. Crews will monitor fire behavior for any potential spotting or flanking beyond the perimeter. A module is staffing several lookouts and engines are patrolling the ridge and lookout areas as well as the Richardson Highway to provide information to crews on the ground.   

Weather: Rain is expected today with winds from the southwest at 5 to 7 mph. Temperatures are forecast to be in the 50s to 60s. This should reduce fire activity. 

Burn Permits: The Division of Forestry and Fire Protection has issued Burn Permit Suspensions for Fairbanks, Salcha, Delta, Tok, and Railbelt areas. The fire danger in these areas remains HIGH. Please check https://dnr.alaska.gov/burn/fireareas or call the burn permit hotline for the Fairbanks Area Forestry at (907) 451-2631 for the most current updates. 

Air Quality: Cooler temperatures and rain forecast today and into the weekend should help moderate smoke production. This should continue the overall trend of improving air quality. However, due to the amount of fire on the landscape and wind, there may be periods of increasing smoke until significant wetting rain arrives. Winds will continue to be from the southwest today, pushing smoke northeast. Lingering smoke may enhance any fog that forms and impact visibility. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (1650 Cowles St.) has clean-air rooms available for people impacted by smoke open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Find information on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke at the Smoke Management page on https://akfireinfo.com/smoke-management/. 

Evacuation Notices: A Level 2: SET evacuation notice is in effect for the approximately 20 cabins near the fire’s southeastern edge west of the Tanana River. The communities east of the Tanana River are in READY status, including the Johnson Road neighborhoods, Canaday, Harding Lake, Salcha, the lower Salcha River, Hollies Acres, and south to Birch Lake. Find more information and an interactive map of these areas on the Fairbanks North Star Borough Emergency Services website. 

Temporary Flight Restriction:  New temporary flight restrictions were put in place on July 1; for more information, see: 4/6081 NOTAM Details (faa.gov). 

-BLM- 

Bureau of Land Management, Alaska Fire Service, P.O. Box 35005, 1541 Gaffney Road, Fort Wainwright, AK 99703 

Need public domain imagery to complement news coverage of the BLM Alaska Fire Service in Alaska?  

Visit our Flickr channel! Learn more at www.blm.gov/AlaskaFireService, and on Facebook and Twitter. 

The Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service (AFS) located at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, provides wildland fire suppression services for over 240 million acres of Department of the Interior and Native Corporation Lands in Alaska. In addition, AFS has other statewide responsibilities that include: interpretation of fire management policy; oversight of the BLM Alaska Aviation program; fuels management projects; and operating and maintaining advanced communication and computer systems such as the Alaska Lightning Detection System. AFS also maintains a National Incident Support Cache with a $18.1 million inventory. The Alaska Fire Service provides wildland fire suppression services for America’s “Last Frontier” on an interagency basis with the State of Alaska Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Military in Alaska. 

El equipo de gestión de incidentes evalúa constantemente los planes sobre el incendio, evaluando los riesgos para las cuadrillas y la probabilidad de éxito. Los recursos aéreos están apoyando a las cuadrillas para localizar áreas de calor en el incendio y evaluando opciones de extinción. Comparado con la semana pasada se pronostica que el clima de hoy será el más seco y caluroso. Los gerentes del incendio evaluarán las tácticas estratégicas de extinción y planificarán la siguiente fase para combatir este incendio de forma segura.

Los bomberos están trabajando para construir líneas estratégicas (directas e indirectas) para proteger los valores en riesgo, incluidos Beulah y la cuenca de Middle Creek. Gran parte del trabajo en el que están trabajando las cuadrillas actualmente incluye astillar matorrales y colocar mangueras a lo largo de caminos o senderos que los bomberos han preparado. Estos caminos y senderos se están preparando como línea de fuegos secundarios. Si se utilizan, estas líneas de fuego secundarias servirán como barreras defendibles para anclar si se utilizan operaciones de disparo estratégicas. Estas líneas también pueden servir como protección en caso de futuros incendios.

En el Sucursal I ayer las cuadrillas iniciaron las operaciones de astillar en la línea secundaria norte en la División A y también dirigió una excavadora al sur de esa línea hacia el incendio. La contención adicional se muestra en el mapa de hoy en Div. A, También se inició el trabajo de astillado en la Div. D en la línea entre North Fork sur hacia Beulah, donde los bomberos prepararon el camino. En Div. K, se colocó una manguera desde la parte sur de la línea de contención hacia Soldier Park.

Los trabajos en la Sucursal II incluyeron la instalación de tendido de mangueras en la Div. M avanzando hacia el este hacia Potato Mountain. En Div. U, el bulldozer continuó avanzando hacia Silver Creek Trail. Observadores de incendios en Div. W (cerca del incendio Junkins de 2016) trabajaron en misiones de mapeo. Las cuadrillas de selección (Hotshot) trabajaron más profundamente en el perímetro del incendio, extinguiendo el calor y fortaleciendo la línea de fuego.

Los equipos de estructura terminaron el trabajo ayer en el área de Fairview. El trabajo de contingencia continuó en el área de Pueblo Mountain Park, avanzando hacia el sur fuera del parque hacia la autopista 78 y hacia el norte hacia Squirrel Creek.

Información sobre Condiciones climáticas y de humo: Los vientos cambiarán hoy del noroeste al sureste y alcanzarán su punto máximo al final de la tarde con ráfagas de hasta 25 mph. Los niveles de humedad relativa serán 20-28% y las temperaturas alcanzarán los 84ºC.

El Programa Interinstitucional de Respuesta a la Calidad del Aire de Incendios Forestales de EE. UU. ahora está produciendo un informe diario de perspectivas de humo específico para el centro sur de Colorado y el incendio de Oak Ridge. Visite https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d9fa3c77. 

Cierres: El Distrito de Guardabosques San Carlos de los Bosques Nacionales Pike y San Isabel pronunció un cierre de áreas, senderos y caminos a partir del 26 de junio de 2024. Visite www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/psicc/alerts-notices para ver la orden completa.

Evacuaciones: El condado de Pueblo que se encuentran en estado de evacuación previa las áreas incluyen Middle Creek Canyon Road, Vine Mesa, Cascade Avenue, Pine Avenue y Beulah Highlands Road. Para obtener toda la información sobre evacuación, visite: www.puebloemergency.info.

Restricciones de vuelo temporales: Hay una restricción de vuelo temporal (TFR) las 24 horas del día sobre el área del incendio. El TFR incluye restricciones contra los drones privados. Recuerde, si usted VUELA, nosotros NO PODEMOS. Las incursiones aéreas impedirán los esfuerzos de extinción de incendios y dejarán en tierra nuestros aviones.

INFORMACION SOBRE EL INCENDIO DE OAK RIDGE

Número de Teléfono: 719-315-1536                      Tiempo de abertura: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Facebook: @OakRidgeFire2024                           Correo electrónico: 2024.oakridge@firenet.gov

InciWeb: www.inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/copsf-oak-ridge-fire 

Sierra National Forest                                 

Basin Fire Update         

Thursday, July 4, 2024                       

Public Fire Information: 559-468-6809, 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. 

Media Information: 559-492.9967 

Email: 2024.basin@firenet.gov

Facebook: @SierraNF

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT:  1340 personnel, 28 crews, 93 engines & 13 helicopters.

CURRENT SITUATION: The Basin Fire is at 13,979 acres. Containment has increased to 46%.  Although the heat wave is continuing, the good news is that winds continue to be relatively light and are not substantially affecting the fire.

• Eastern perimeter:  The eastern side of the fire has been staying within the constructed lines, however rollout of burning material may still occur.  This area is being monitored by aircraft and firefighters in the area. 

• Southern perimeter:  Containment line has been secured along the South Fork of the Kings River and the area is being monitored.

• Western perimeter:  Crews have boxed in the fire with a combination of dozer line and retardant. Firefighters are continuing to secure this area.

•  Northern perimeter:  Crews will be working in the area north of Rodgers Ridge to build fire-line.  This area is very steep and difficult to access.  The adjacent brush is beginning to dry out with the long heat wave and fire and may be more susceptible to ignition. Several contingency lines are being built with dozers, masticators and feller bunchers north of the current fire perimeter to halt the fire should it move north.

An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING over the next 6 days will affect the fire with hotter temperatures and drier vegetation. Temperatures within the 90s and low 100s are expected across the fire today, with minimum humidity of 18-22%. Low winds expected with gusts up to 9 mph. 

The Basin Fire started on June 26, 2024 and the cause is currently under investigation. Currently, the fire is burning at 2000-4500 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.

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

EVACUATIONS: The mandatory evacuation order remains in place for Fresno County zones K29, K30, K31, K40, K41 & K166. Evacuation warnings are in effect for zones K61 & K76. Check the Fresno County Evacuation map:

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e7d6006a016a444db8b210ac4d2eb5cf

 FIRE FATIGUE:  This area's history of stressful wildfires means that some community members are experiencing worry, anxiety, "disaster fatigue," and other reactions that are normal responses to these abnormal events. Fresno County Behavioral Health has resources available at https://www.fresnocountyca.gov/Departments/Behavioral-Health/Care-Services/Disaster-Fatigue.

 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 for the Basin Fire area. Effective June 30, 2024, the closure will remain in effect until July 30, 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. 

Sierra National Forest has also implemented temporary fire restrictions prohibiting campfires, welding, and smoking in non-developed campsites. 

Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for more information or call the 

Sierra National Forest (559) 297-0706 during business hours for questions.

FOREST VISITORS: This Fire may affect YOU!!! 

•The following campgrounds are CLOSED due to this fire: Bear Wallow Campground, Black Rock Campground, Gravel Flat Group Campground, Kirch Flat Campground, Kirch Flat Group Campground, Oak Flat Campground, Ross Crossing Campground, Sawmill Flat Campground. 

•Check https://www.fs.usda.gov/sierra for the Forest closure area map. Roads & trails in this area are CLOSED.

• This is NOT a good year for a campfire outside of any of the open campgrounds.  Please see the message above to contact the Sierra

•AIR QUALITY is being impacted by Basin Fire smoke. Please check the air quality for your destination at www.airnow.gov. Today’s Smoke Outlook is available.

•  Fireworks are NOT permitted on Federal land

•  Camp safely and keep hydrated this holiday week!

•  Happy 4th of July!

El incendio Pioneer arde en los espacios naturales de Lake Chelan-Sawtooth, en el Distrito de guardabosques de Chelan del Bosque Nacional Okanogan-Wenatchee y en un terreno privado a 31 millas al noroeste de Chelan. Las comunidades de Stehekin, Chelan y Manson se encuentran abiertas y siguen recibiendo visitantes. Hoy se espera poco humo. Los directores del incendio están utilizando estrategias y tácticas con la mayor probabilidad de éxito, mientras que consideran los riesgos para los trabajadores de primera línea y el público.

Ayer, los bomberos continuaron ayer protegiendo propiedades privadas, y terrenos del Sistema Forestal Nacional y las tierras del Servicio de Parques Nacionales en el lado este de Lake Chelan y cerca de Stehekin. Usaron bombas, mangueras y otras técnicas para proteger estructuras, incluyendo las mangueras colocadas desde Rainbow Falls hacia New School. Las cuadrillas también continuaron abriendo el cortafuego que ya existía alrededor de estructuras privadas y conectándolo de nuevo a la carretera. Continuaron preparando el drenaje de Prince Creek en el extremo sur para que sea una característica de retención natural. El equipo de rappel que en el área de Prince Creek completó una línea directa, pero tuvo que ser retirado ayer por la tarde a medida que la temperatura y la actividad del fuego aumentaron. La cuadrilla de Safety Harbor reforzó e hizo mejoras en la línea de mano en la cresta hasta la línea de topadoras. Los helicópteros siguieron vertiendo agua en los lados norte y sur del incendio para enfriar los focos de calor.

Hoy, las cuadrillas continuarán trabajando en el drenaje de Prince Creek para mejorar las líneas que ya están en su lugar a medida que el clima caliente y seco se desplaza al área. Cuadrillas adicionales se insertarán para mejorar las líneas en Coyote Ridge y Nelson Peak. Los bomberos continuarán trabajando lago arriba, protegiendo las estructuras y reabriendo y reforzando los cortafuego. Los helicópteros continuarán vertiendo agua mientras que el clima lo permita.

CLIMA: Se espera que las temperaturas aumentarán considerablemente junto con la sequedad para el fin de semana lo que empeorará el comportamiento del fuego y la posible propagación. Las perspectivas de la calidad del aire se pueden ver en https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Obtenga más información sobre el humo en smokeready.org. Debido a la llegada de la ola de calor que viene, el jefe de bomberos está elevando las calificaciones y restricciones de peligro de fuego. Véase https://t.ly/WLBds. ¡Tenga cuidado con cualquier cosa que pueda causar una chispa: ¡una chispa menos es un incendio forestal menos!

EVACUACIONES Y CIERRES: Para saber los niveles de evacuación actuales, visite https://t.ly/QoH9w. El Bosque Nacional Okanogan-Wenatchee tiene vigente un cierre para gran parte del área del incendio. Los detalles y mapas están disponibles en: https://bit.ly/PioneerClosure. Muchos sitios de recreación permanecen abiertos y accesibles.

The Pioneer Fire is burning in the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness Area on the Chelan Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and on private land 31 miles northwest of Chelan. The communities of Stehekin, Chelan, and Manson continue to welcome visitors, with limited smoke expected today. Pioneer Fire managers are using a full-suppression firefighting strategy to protect private property, public infrastructure, and natural and recreation resources, while minimizing risks to responders and the public. 

Firefighters yesterday continued to protect private inholdings, National Forest System and National Park Service lands on the east side of Lake Chelan and near Stehekin. They used pumps, hoses, and other structure protection techniques, including improving the hose lays from Rainbow Falls toward the New School. Crews also continued opening preexisting fire line around private structures and connecting it back to the road. Firefighters continued to prepare the Prince Creek drainage on the south side of the fire to serve as a natural holding feature. The rappel crew that was in the Prince Creek area completed some direct line, but had to be pulled back yesterday afternoon as the temperature and fire behavior increased.  The crew at Safety Harbor reinforced and made improvements to the hand line on the ridge up to the dozer line. Helicopters continued water drops on both the north and south flanks of the fire to cool hot spots.  

Today crews will continue to work in the Prince Creek drainage to reinforce lines already in place as the hot and dry weather moves into the area. Additional crews will be inserted to improve the lines at Coyote Ridge and Nelson Peak. Firefighters will continue working up lake, protecting structures and reopening and reinforcing fire lines. Helicopters will continue water drops as weather permits.

WEATHER: Expect considerable warming and drying temperatures into the weekend to increase fire behavior and potential spread. The air quality outlook is at https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Learn more about smoke at smokeready.org. With the heat wave coming, the fire marshal is raising fire danger ratings and restrictions. See https://t.ly/WLBds. Please take care with anything that may cause a spark – one less spark is one less wildfire!

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES: For current evacuation levels, please visit https://t.ly/QoH9w. The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has a closure in place for much of the fire area. Details and maps are available at: https://bit.ly/PioneerClosure. Many recreation sites remain open and accessible.

Stanislaus Moves to Direct Fire Tactics on Sheering Fire

Full Suppression Has Been Strategy Since the Beginning

Acreage: 370                                    

Percent Containment: 0%

Inciweb Entry: Castf 2024 Sheering Fire Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov)

Incident Images: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBxnar

SONORA, California, July 3, 2024— As the Sheering Fire has continued to burn through the planning area, firefighters with the Stanislaus National Forest have been able to shift tactics and implement a direct attack, full suppression strategy. 

Additionally, the incident has been elevated to a Type-3 team with two hotshot crews, two dozers, two falling modules, one falling boss and two division supervisors placed on order. Summit Ranger District Fire Management Officer, Shaun Craig will assume the position as incident commander.

Initial size-up of the location indicated a significant number of dead and down, hazardous and snag trees in the immediate area of this lightning cause fire necessitating the use of indirect tactics for firefighter safety.

“We know our firefighters assume a level of risk with this profession but there does become a point where the risk is too high, and we are unwilling to put them in that situation.” Said Mi-Wok/Summit District Ranger, Shawn Winstead. 

Initially thought threatened, containment lines and hose lays have been placed around the Bourland Trestle, a Tuolumne County historical feature.

For more information please contact Forest Public Affairs Officer, Benjamin Cossel at Benjamin.cossel@usda.gov or 209.288.6261.

Fire - The Oak Ridge fire is currently at 1191 acres with 25 percent containment. It still remains three miles northwest of Beulah. Oak Ridge Fire Update.

Smoke - There has been very light fire activity due to previous moisture. We will see GOOD air quality in Beulah area near the fire. The weather forecast for Beulah shows temperatures decreasing with winds out of the E-SE today with possible gusty winds in the area in the afternoon. Canyon City, Florence Westcliffe, Wetmore, Pueblo, and Colorado City areas will have GOOD air quality today. The winds will be out of the E-SE today and switching to East winds on Friday. Possible haze in the areas of Pueblo, Canyon City and Colorado City late in the afternoon due to smoke from other fires. Information on the air quality and smoke impacts in the area.