Map of initial Sheering Fire footprint

Sierra National Forest
Basin Fire Update
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
Public Fire Information: 559-468-6809, 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
Media Information: 559-492.9967 NEW
Email: 2024.basin@firenet.gov
Facebook: @SierraNF

PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT: 951 personnel, 22 crews, 65 engines & 9 helicopters.

CURRENT SITUATION: One week after it started, the Basin Fire northeast of Fresno is at 13,166 acres. Firefighters have worked hard to safely earn 17% fire containment along the Kings River corridor, a positive trend. The fire is burning primarily in dry, dense grass within the Rough Fire scar from 2015.

Fire growth slowed under higher humidity for the second day in a row Monday, with some fire movement north toward Dinkey Creek, and also to the west/northwest. Priority firefighting efforts continued to effectively protect structures and energy infrastructure at Balch Camp. The southwest front of the fire burned up to the contingency bulldozer line on Sacate Ridge. Today, crews will keep improving this contingency line. The objective is to tie this line in with existing roads and to complete fuel breaks around the west and north of the fire. Three spike camps have been set up closer to the fire perimeter, allowing crews to overnight near the fire, reducing travel time so crews can work more on the fire line.

An EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING over the next 7 days will affect the fire with hotter temperatures and drier vegetation. Highs of 85-95 are expected across the fire Tuesday, with minimum humidity of 20-22% & low wind.
The Basin Fire started on June 26th 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.

EVACUATIONS: There is a mandatory evacuation order 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 

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 new 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.

Grapefruit Complex Update, July 2nd, 2024  

Alaska Incident Management Team 3

Incident Commander- Peter Butteri  

Location: 40 Miles north of Fairbanks

 Complex Acres: 58,153

Personnel: 237

 Containment: 0%                                                         

State Emergency Managers, Alaska State Troopers and Fire Managers worked together to broadcast the increased evacuation levels along the Elliot Highway Corridor. The “GO” evacuation levels increased to include Mile Post 30 to 50. 

Despite the rain that was experienced in the Fairbanks area, there was no measurable precipitation over the fire area. Today there is a high probability of a wind event over the fire area.  Due to southwest winds, smoke will likely impede driving conditions that may lead to significant road delays for north and south bound travel. 

All of the fires in the complex have grown under the hot and dry conditions with more predicted wind in the area today. Firefighters are preparing for a chance of cooler, moist weather moving into the area starting tomorrow. Crews will continue to identify values at risk and protect structures as the fires move toward the east. The Elliot Highway, Trans-Alaska Pipeline, Native Allotments, as well as public and private structures all remain high priorities for firefighters. 

The Globe Fire (#253), estimated at 15,011 acres, was burning primarily in an easterly direction and further into the White Mountains. 

The Iver Fire (#249), estimated at 35,140 acres, is expected to grow more to the east today potentially bringing the active fire edge closer to the Elliott Highway, the neighborhoods along the highway corridor and the Globe Fire. Smoke from this and The Iver Fire are impacting visibility.

Smoke: Higher winds to be experienced today will increase smoke production impacting road conditions and air quality. 

The complex also includes:

• The Eagle Fire (#306) is estimated at 2,071 acres. It wasn’t immediately threatening any known sites of value. This lightning-caused fire has been burning since late Friday night and has shown significant growth in the past few days.
• The Wilber Fire (#308) was reported at about 2 p.m. Saturday. It is about 3 miles west of Mile Post 51 and estimated at 281 acres. This fire was showing significant activity in the afternoon and acreage growth is expected to the east that can push smoke over the Elliot Hwy. 
• The Noordor Fire (#192) is estimated at 11,848 acres. This lightning-caused fire has been burning on BLM-managed land since June 20th. This fire is being monitored by aerial resources and will be engaged if they start getting close to values at risk.
• The Fossil Fire (#115) is estimated at 8 acres and exhibiting minimal fire activity or smoke, but will still be grouped into the complex. It is located in the White Mountains National Recreation Area. This fire is being monitored by aerial resources and will be engaged if they start getting close to values at risk.

Evacuation: Evacuation levels were increased Yesterday, July 1st. The new levels are represented as: 

“Go”  (Red)Elliott Highway Mile Post 30-50 

“Set” (Yellow) Elliott Highway Mile Post 50-60

“Ready” (Green): Elliott Highway Mile Post 18-30 and 60-70

Road access:  The section of the Elliott Highway near the Globe Fire is open. Expect significant delays between Mile Posts 25-50 if fire activity increases. Please exercise caution and patience, turn on your headlights to help ensure the safety of firefighters and flaggers working in the area. Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities contracted workers and a pilot car are helping keep the flow of traffic open. Check https://511.alaska.gov/ for road updates. 

Temporary Flight Restriction:  A TFR is in place during the day to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft.

Closures:  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern Interior Field Office closed the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area surrounding the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at Mile Post 28 Elliott Highway. The closure is in effect until Sept. 1st, unless the BLM determines the area is safe for public use at an earlier time.

Public Information Map for Grapefruit Complex, July 2

Sat, 07/06/2024 - 09:58

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Public Information Map for Grapefruit Complex, July 2

BURNED AREA EMERGENCY RESPONSE

SALT POST-FIRE USGS
DEBRIS FLOW HAZARDS MAP RELEASED

JULY 2, 2024

The Interagency BAER Assessment Team for the South Fork and Salt Fires coordinated early with US Geological Survey (USGS) staff during its evaluation of the burned areas to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds and debris flow predicted response during damaging storm events. 

“Wildfire can significantly alter the hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce dangerous flash floods and debris flows. The USGS conducts post-fire debris-flow hazard assessments for select fires in the Western U.S.  We use geospatial data related to basin morphometry, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall characteristics to estimate the probability and volume of debris flows that may occur in response to a design storm.”

USGS used the BAER team’s soil burn severity (SBS) analysis of the post-fire burned area for the South Fork wildfire to produce debris flow hazard maps. An interactive map on the USGS website (when posted) will show the potential for and size of debris flows that may occur from a range of rain events. When the interactive map is available about a week from now you can access it at Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris-Flow Hazards (usgs.gov).

From USGS Fact Sheet 176-97, entitled Debris Flow Hazards in the United States contains information used to interpret the debris flow map and analysis that was incorporated into the BAER assessment team’s anticipated soil erosion and hydrologic response findings.  According to the USGS, “Analysis of data collected from studies of debris flows following wildfires can answer many of the questions fundamental to post-fire hazard assessments— what and why, where, when, how big, and how often?” This information is extremely important to assist the public with increasing their safety awareness of the areas where there may be a higher increase in flooding, sediment and soil erosion, and a high probability of debris flows –- all of which are potential risks to human life, safety, and property.

The South Fork soil burn severity (SBS) and USGS debris flow hazards maps can be downloaded at the South Fork and Salt BAER InciWeb site: Nmmea South Fork And Salt Fires Burned Area Emergency Response Information | InciWeb (wildfire.gov) as a JPEG or PDF version under the “Maps” tab.

BAER SAFETY MESSAGE: Everyone near and downstream from the burned areas should remain alert and stay updated on weather conditions that may result in heavy rains and increased water runoff. Flash flooding may occur quickly during heavy rain events--be prepared to act. Current weather and emergency notifications can be found at the National Weather Service website: www.weather.gov/abq/.

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Cooler temperatures and light rains calm the McDonald Fire

Size:  160,818 acres
Personnel:  76
Start Date: June 8, 2024
Cause:  Lightning

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – Much of the McDonald Fire received light rain and cooler temperatures on Monday, calming fire activity. Although the rain wasn’t enough to wet the vegetation, it helped clear the air and lighten the smoke layer. Some stronger winds are expected on Tuesday; firefighters are prepared to respond to any surge in fire behavior.

Crews are securing a 50-foot-wide fire break to protect the cabins in the 5 Mile Creek area. Work continues on building indirect line, monitoring fire behavior and any potential spotting or flanking beyond the perimeter, and scouting new opportunities to contain fire growth. No additional acres were added to the perimeter overnight.

The Midnight Sun Hotshots completed their hitch on the fire and got back to Fairbanks for a few days of rest. They set up the crew from eastern Montana to continue their work on cabin protection alongside the Plumas Hotshots. Engines are patrolling the ridge and lookout areas to provide information to crews on the ground.

Weather: Stronger winds and warmer temperatures are predicted for Tuesday, which may create favorable weather for 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:  Overall, air quality should continue to improve as increasing west-southwest winds transport smoke toward Canada. However, this increase in winds may also increase smoke production and result in periods of localized decreased air quality and visibility in communities and on roadways downwind. Pay attention to changing conditions as winds increase and shift throughout the day. Fairbanks Memorial Hospital (1650 Cowles Street) 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 Monday morning; 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

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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.

Mescalero Apache Tribe

Mescalero, New Mexico

Current fire restrictions

July 1, 2023

CLOSED

•Roads around the Salt Fire

•Turkey Springs Lake

•Cienigita Canyon past the stables

•Jose Second Canyon past the Jose Second Lake

•Firman Lake

NO

•Stopping or parking along HWY 70 and 244 or other paved roads

•UTV/ATV on unpaved or unimproved roads

•Slash burning or yard burning (burning of anything)

•Charcoal grills

•Campfires

•Smoking (within an enclosed vehicle is allowed)

•Chainsaw or other machine equipment (can operate only from mid-night – 2:30PM *the following day* is allowed)

•Outdoor welding, operating an acetylene (torch), or other kind of torch with open flame

•Use of firearms (including target practice or just because)

•ABSOLUTELY NO FIREWORKS

•Unnecessary travel by non-residents within the reservation

•Off-road traveling by residents and non-residents (with exception of “Feast Permit” due to getting brush, teepee poles, etc. for ceremonial purposes)

•Outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, elk horn harvesting, hiking, camping, or picnicking

YES

•Acquiring brush, teepee poles, etc. for ceremonial purposes

•Gas burning devices (cooking) at Silver Lake and residential areas

•Electrical devices (cooking) at Silver Lake and residential areas

•Cooking and bonfires for ceremonial purposes

MUST

•Obtain a “Feast Permit” from DRMP in order to get brush, teepee poles, etc. for ceremonial purposes

•Comply with evacuations described as “MANDATORY”

**ALL FIRE RESTRICTIONS ESTABLISHED IN COORDINATION WITH BIA ARE MANDATORY**

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. Para la venidera semana de día festivo se espera una actividad limitada de humo y fuego. 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 trabajando en el valle de Stehekin a lo largo de Stehekin Road. Se centraron en remover vegetación y colocaron mangueras en las áreas a lo largo de la carretera y detrás de propiedades privadas. El equipo de rappel en la cuenca de Meadow Creek, cerca del borde norte del incendio, aprovechó el comportamiento moderado del fuego ayer. Sigueron construyendo una línea de mano y mejorando un área de aterrizaje de helicópteros cerca del borde del incendio. Ayer los bomberos continuaron removiendo vegetación de Prince Creek cerca del extremo sur del incendio. También trabajaron en el sistema de senderos alrededor del área, mejorando esas líneas como posibles características de retención. Lago abajo, progresaron en terminar la contingencia a lo largo de Nelson Butte y Coyote Ridge. Los bomberos también reforzaron las líneas de contingencia al mejorar las carreteras al eliminar maleza y árboles potencialmente peligrosos, y anivelando la carretera.

Hoy, los bomberos en el valle de Stehekin siguieron colocando mangueras y abirendo de nuevo líneas de mano para proteger los hogares y los recursos naturales y recreativos. El equipo de rappel continuará trabajando en el drenaje de Meadow Creek. Lago abajo, los bomberos seguirán mejorando las líneas de mano y topadoras alternativas y de contingencia. Los helicópteros están asignados al incendio y continuarán vertiendo agua para enfriar los focos de calor, especialmente en el drenaje de Prince Creek.

CLIMA: Hoy se esperan temperaturas más calientes y humedad moderada, con una tendencia de calentamiento y sequía hacia el final de la semana. Continuarán los vientos del lago abajo con ráfagas en las cimas de las crestas entre 20 y 30 mph. Las condiciones climáticas que irán cambiando podrían provocar una mayor activadad y propagación del fuego. Las perspectivas para la calidad del aire se pueden ver en https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Obtenga más información sobre el humo en smokeready.org.

EVACUACIONES: No han cambiado los niveles de evacuación. Visite https://t.ly/QoH9w para obtener más información.

CIERRE: El Bosque Nacional Okanogan-Wenatchee tiene un cierre vigente en gran parte de la zona del incendio. Los detalles y mapas están disponibles en: https://bit.ly/PioneerClosure. Permanecen abiertos y accesibles muchos sitios de recreación.

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 and minimal fire activity expected for the coming holiday. Pioneer Fire managers are using a full-suppression firefighting strategy to protect private property, infrastructure, and resources, while minimizing risks to responders and the public. 

Firefighters continued work yesterday in the Stehekin valley along the Stehekin road. They focused on clearing vegetation and laying hose in areas along the road and behind private property. The rappel crew in Meadow Creek drainage near the north edge of the fire took advantage of the moderate fire behavior yesterday. They continued constructing hand line and improving a helicopter landing area near the fire’s edge. Firefighters continued to clear vegetation from Prince Creek yesterday near the south edge of the fire. They also worked in that area on the surrounding trail system, improving those lines as potential holding features. Down lake, crews made progress with the completion of contingency along Nelson Butte and Coyote Ridge. Firefighters also strengthened contingency lines with road improvements by removing brush and potentially hazardous trees, and grading the road. 

Today, firefighters in the Stehekin valley will continue laying hose and reopening hand line to protect homes and natural and recreation resources. The rappel crew will continue work today in the Meadow Creek drainage. Down lake, firefighters will further improve alternate and contingency hand and dozer lines. Helicopters assigned to the fire will continue dropping water to cool hot spots, especially in the Prince Creek drainage. 

WEATHER: Expect warmer temperatures and moderate humidity today, with a warming and drying trend toward the end of the week. Down lake winds will continue, with gusts on ridge tops between 20 to 30 mph. The changing weather conditions could prompt increased fire behavior and spread. The air quality outlook is at https://bit.ly/PioneerFireSmoke. Learn more about smoke at smokeready.org. 

EVACUATIONS: Evacuation levels have not changed. Visit https://t.ly/QoH9w for more information. 

CLOSURE: 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. 

Alaska State Troopers have released expanded evacuations along the Elliot Highway Corridor for the fires in the Grapefruit Complex. 
"Go"     Elliott Highway Milepost 30-50 (RED)
"Set"     Elliott Highway Milepost 50-60 (YELLOW)
"Ready" Elliott Highway Milepost 18-30 and 60-70 (GREEN)

There are no road closure per Alaska DOT, but expect significant delays and smoke impacts along the road.
Please visit 511.alaska.gov for the latest information on road closures. You can find out more information about the fire at AKfireinfo.com.

Public Information Map for the Grapefruit Complex July 2.jpg

Wed, 07/03/2024 - 16:48

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Public Information Map for the Grapefruit Complex July 2.jpg