News Release 

BLM Boise District Office

Media Contact: Chad Cline, 208-384-3444 or ccline@blm.gov

August 07, 2024

Paddock Fire Prompts Evacuations in Washington and Gem Counties

BOISE, Idaho – The Paddock Fire, located 20 miles north of Emmett, has grown to more than 118,000 acres, burning in grass and brush. The lightning caused fire remains uncontained, with no estimated containment or control at this time.

In response to the escalating situation, the Washington County Sheriff and the Gem County Sheriff have issued a “Ready, Set, Go” evacuation notice. Residents in the affected areas are urged to prepare for immediate evacuation.

For Washington County information visit: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064563945141, https://www.facebook.com/WCEMID,

For Gem County visit information: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064197575384

To bolster firefighting efforts, a Type 3 Incident Management Team from Nevada has been ordered. Team Three from Nevada will be in-briefing tonight at 8 p.m. and will assume command of the incident on Thursday, August 8th.

The fire, which started on August 5, 2024, has exhibited very active behavior, driven by strong winds and dry conditions. Numerous structures are threatened, and firefighting crews are working tirelessly to protect lives and property.

For the latest updates and evacuation information, residents are encouraged to monitor local news and official social media channels.

Contact: Fire Information Officer Bureau of Land Management Phone: 208-384-3378

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Follow BLM Idaho on X, Facebook and www.idahofireinfo.com

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

Public Information Officer, Vicki Shaffer, 970-823-4060

Bucktail Fire Update – August 7, 2024, 1:30 p.m. 

Nucla, Colorado 

Start Date: August 1, 2024

Cause: Unknown

Size: 4,155 acres 

Percent Contained: 10%

Resources Assigned: 193 personnel

Crews (5); Engines (4); Water tenders (2); Air Resources (4); Heavy Equipment (6)

Yesterday: Crews continued work on hand and dozer lines.  Gusting afternoon winds pushed fire beyond 614 Road but air resources responded with water drops to quickly secure the line.  New total fire growth was minimal.

Thank you to all who attended the community meeting in Nucla.  Additional questions can be directed to 970-823-4060.

Today: Newly arrived hotshot crews will be working on the Northeast side of the fire from the origin to 614 Road.  Helicopters, including a Type 1, will continue water drops on hot spots.  With the release of resources from other fires in the state, the Bucktail Fire received additional support, bringing the total personnel on scene to 193.

Weather: Afternoon and evening showers and thunderstorms continue.  Today’s temperatures will range between 73-83F with wind speeds up to 40 mph.  An uptick of monsoonal moisture moves into the region Friday through the weekend, increasing chances of widespread wetting rain.

Evacuations: None.

Closures:  Road and area closures are in place within the proximity of the fire for public and firefighter safety. This includes 25 Mesa Road to the northwest, as well as Houser Road, Cottonwood Trail, and Hwy 90 to the south. The closure area also includes all roads and trails within this boundary. For a complete list of closed roads and a map of the closure area, please visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/coupd-bucktail-fire. 

The BLM temporary Emergency Closure Order and map are posted to the BLM Southwest District Fire page under Current Fire Restrictions & Notices / Uncompahgre Field Office at: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-information/colorado/southwest-district. 

The Forest Service temporary Emergency Closure Order and map are posted on the Forest Service Website at: fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1198456.pdf. 

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If You Fly, We Can’t: https://knowbeforeyoufly.org/home

Smoke Information: Visit CDPHE - Colorado.gov/AirQuality to learn about protecting yourself from wildfire smoke. For more information on current air quality go to Fire and Smoke Map (airnow.gov) and zoom in on Southwest Colorado.

Fire Prevention: Fire managers would like to remind everyone to be attentive to their actions and surroundings, especially in areas with dry vegetation or dead/down trees. Preventing new fires is the most important thing anyone can do to help firefighters. Practice smart wildfire prevention behavior including never leaving a campfire unattended, and ensuring fires are completely out and cold. Make sure trailer chains don’t drag and dispose of smoking materials properly.  Every spark can start a fire!  

Pioneer Fire Daily Update       

August 7, 2024

Quick Facts

Size:  36898 (No updated II) | Start Date: June 8, 2024 | Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA

Containment: 13% | Personnel: 653 | Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

CURRENT SITUATION: Crews brought fire down to Stehekin Valley Road as they worked to tie-in with handlines along Little Boulder Creek in Stehekin. Operations will continue to improve those handlines as part of the effort to reduce risk to that community. The majority of fire activity remains on the upper portions of Purple and Imus Creeks.

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES:  Over the next 24 hours, incident meteorologists anticipate a slight reduction in fire activity as northwest winds ease, returning to normal flow patterns with morning up lake and afternoon down lake winds. The risk of rollout, single tree and group torching due to the steep terrain continue to be of concern for firefighters. Crews will continue to construct and improve handlines along Little Boulder Creek to the ridge ledge to Purple Mountain. Managers continue to seek opportunities to go direct on the fire with both land-based and aviation resources to halt the northern progression.

The Flat Creek Fire is located 15 miles northwest of Stehekin and is roughly 13 acres. A Wildland Fire Module will be inserted to start prepping potential control lines. The fire is in extremely steep terrain inaccessible to firefighters. A camera will be placed at a strategic location so incident management personnel can evaluate fire conditions on a 24-hour basis. Resources remain fully committed to operations within the Stehekin community.

WEATHER AND SMOKE:  Significant smoke impacts are expected in local communities south and east of the Pioneer Fire to include locations in the Methow Valley, Stehekin, Manson, and Chelan. Winds will be generally lighter over the next few days with continued warm and dry conditions. Expected temperatures will hover in the mid-90s range throughout the week with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Evening gusts along ridgetops are anticipated at 20 mph.

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.

NEW! Alexander Mountain Fire Disaster Assistance Center

Larimer County Office of Emergency Management is organizing the Disaster Assistance Center, a one-stop shop for anyone impacted by the Alexander Mountain Fire. The Disaster Assistance Center will provide information and resources from various organizations for those who had impacted properties by the Alexander Mountain Fire. Examples of Resources:

• Debris Removal
• Food Waste
• Flood After Fire
• Mental Health
• Homeowners and Renter Resources
• Land Rehabilitation and Restoration

The Ranch Event Complex, 5280 Arena Circle, South Hall, Loveland, CO, 80538

• Friday, August 9, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Saturday, August 10, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, August 11, 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday, August 7, 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
Acres: 59,340 | Containment: 79% | Total Personnel: 1,118

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SequoiaNF/ 
X: https://x.com/sequoiaforest

A Local Assistance Center will be opening for those affected by the Borel Fire from Saturday, August 10, through Tuesday, August 13, from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm at the Lake Isabella Senior Center, 6401 Lake Isabella Blvd. Lake Isabella, CA 93240. If you need assistance, please call 661-873-2660.

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

Current Situation: The Borel Fire remains at 59,340 acres with 79% containment. Last night the fire crossed over the line on the east side of the fire and was quickly caught at ¼ acre; crews held it in check with no further growth. Personnel increase containment lines and continue to mop up to greater depths behind the fire line. Interior fuels will continue to burn for several days and may produce additional smoke within the fire perimeter.

Borel Fire: Crews continue to monitor and patrol along the northern edge of the fire near Highway 178 and south of Bodfish. Both air and ground resources are available and working along Sunrise Highway/02 Road area to strengthen containment lines near Bald Peak on the northeastern portion of the fire. The area near Browns Meadows is still inaccessible, however, the fire is not expected to spread in this location. Crews are making progress working on handline on the eastern and southwest flanks of the fire to reduce the uncontained areas. Suppression repair (improving and restoring those areas have been damaged due to suppression efforts) has begun in the southern part of the fire and equipment that is no longer needed is being retrieved. Critical infrastructure needs in the affected communities continue to be assessed and repaired to ensure the area is safe from not only fire damage, but all other hazards.

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

Weather & Air Quality: The warming and drying trend will continue today and will begin cooling Thursday and continue through the weekend. Temperatures will range from 102-106 degrees in the fire area with westerly winds over the fire today 8-12 mph with gusts up to 28 mph tonight.

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).

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. Those that remain under an evacuation warning should be PREPARED to leave.

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.

Large-Animal Assistance: The rodeo grounds in Kernville (467 Scodie Ave., Kernville) are 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 also closed. Visit the Kern County Public Works Department website for the most up to date information on county road closures (tinyurl.com/z6crvp6t).

Update for Swawilla I and Bridge Creek Fires

• EVACUATION LEVELS: The town of Keller, the Highway 21 corridor, Mt. Tolman, Buffalo Lake and McGinnis Lake are now in Level 2 evacuation. 

• ROADS: All roads in evacuation level 2 areas are open, including Hwy 21, Peter Dan/Manilla and Cache Creek.

• The Keller Ferry is open and fully operational.

This will be the final update for the Swawilla I and Bridge Creek fires. The Southern Area Blue Complex Incident Management Team will be transferring management of the fires to a Type 3 organization at 0600 tomorrow, August 8th. Any fire updates moving forward will be posted to the Colville Tribal Broadcasts, News and Information and the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook pages. 

Swawilla I Fire

Firefighters will continue to identify and suppress smoking areas and residual pockets of heat, focusing on mopping up 100’ inside of containment lines. Suppression repair resources are rehabilitating control lines by installing water bars and spreading slash to control erosion. Crews will continue removing hose, pumps and other equipment from the fire area so it can be refurbished and utilized on other fires in the region. Firefighters are available to assist local resources with initial attack if needed. 

Bridge Creek Fire

The fire is 100 percent contained and suppression repair is complete. 

Fire Weather 

Temperatures will reach the mid-80s today, with similar highs through the rest of the week. Relative humidity will bottom out around 17% today with lows between 20 – 24% through Friday.                                                                                        

Safety Message

Due to the high temps and low relative humidity, unburned fuels in the interior of the fire will continue to ignite, resulting in visible smoke throughout the fire area. The persistent smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, especially in and around Keller. Visit airnow.gov for air quality in your area and take precautions for protecting your health. 

Please slow down when driving all roads leading to and from the fires. Firefighting traffic and slow-moving equipment along roads and the potential for poor visibility due to lingering smoke could pose potential hazards to motorists. 

No drones are allowed within our Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR).   Remember, if you fly, we can’t! 

Additional Information and Maps at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ 

Keller Ferry 

https://www.facebook.com/CCTENV

https://www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts 

Airnow.gov 

https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo/

Update for Swawilla I and Bridge Creek Fires

• EVACUATION LEVELS: The town of Keller, the Highway 21 corridor, Mt. Tolman, Buffalo Lake and McGinnis Lake are now in Level 2 evacuation. 

• ROADS: All roads in evacuation level 2 areas are open, including Hwy 21, Peter Dan/Manilla and Cache Creek.

• The Keller Ferry is open and fully operational.

This will be the final update for the Swawilla I and Bridge Creek fires. The Southern Area Blue Complex Incident Management Team will be transferring management of the fires to a Type 3 organization at 0600 tomorrow, August 8th. Any fire updates moving forward will be posted to the Colville Tribal Broadcasts, News and Information and the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook pages. 

Swawilla I Fire

Firefighters will continue to identify and suppress smoking areas and residual pockets of heat, focusing on mopping up 100’ inside of containment lines. Suppression repair resources are rehabilitating control lines by installing water bars and spreading slash to control erosion. Crews will continue removing hose, pumps and other equipment from the fire area so it can be refurbished and utilized on other fires in the region. Firefighters are available to assist local resources with initial attack if needed. 

Bridge Creek Fire

The fire is 100 percent contained and suppression repair is complete. 

Fire Weather 

Temperatures will reach the mid-80s today, with similar highs through the rest of the week. Relative humidity will bottom out around 17% today with lows between 20 – 24% through Friday.                                                                                          

Safety Message

Due to the high temps and low relative humidity, unburned fuels in the interior of the fire will continue to ignite, resulting in visible smoke throughout the fire area. The persistent smoke may be unhealthy for sensitive groups, especially in and around Keller. Visit airnow.gov for air quality in your area and take precautions for protecting your health. 

Please slow down when driving all roads leading to and from the fires. Firefighting traffic and slow-moving equipment along roads and the potential for poor visibility due to lingering smoke could pose potential hazards to motorists. 

No drones are allowed within our Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR).   Remember, if you fly, we can’t! 

Additional Information and Maps at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/ 

Keller Ferry 

https://www.facebook.com/CCTENV

https://www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts 

Airnow.gov 

https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo/

Porcupine Fire Update
August 9th, 2024

Reported date: August 5th, 2024 Cause: Lightning Strike Containment: 82% Size: 6491 Fuels: Tall grass, Brush & Timber litter/understory Strategy: Full Suppression Fire Behavior: Creeping, smoldering Resources: 93 Personnel
 

CRANE, Oregon: Forward progression of the fire has been halted as firefighters continue to make substantial progress toward containment. Aviation bucket drops were employed on the northern edge of the fire yesterday and will be available again today if required. Crews will continue to mop up along the fire’s edge, address additional heat threats near the containment line, and patrol areas with minimal heat to maintain control. A minor correction to the size of the fire is displayed due to more accurate mapping by fire officials.
 

Message from the Incident Commander, Lino Baca: "Drawing on decades of experience fighting fires across the country, our team is enthusiastic about serving the communities of East Oregon again. We are dedicated to forging, sustaining, and enhancing our relationships with incident partners. Our success is defined by achieving our goals safely, reducing firefighter exposure, and reinforcing support from stakeholders. Our commitment to success is guided by our core values of duty, respect, and integrity."
 

Location: Approximately 8.5 miles southeast of Crane, Oregon. 

Values at risk: Within the Temporary Flight Restriction radius of the Porcupine Fire, there are multiple values at risk (structures and miscellaneous infrastructure) including the Sage Grouse Habit and parts of HWY 78. 

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the top priority. Members of the public should avoid the Porcupine Fire area. A TFR (temporary flight restriction) is in effect around the fire. Unmanned aircraft such as drones pose a serious risk to firefighting and can cause air operations to cease. The public is reminded that “If you fly, we can’t!”. Temporary flight restriction: https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_3575.html 

Smoke: Minimal smoke may be visible from the towns of Burns, Hines, Crane, and Princeton. Smoke-sensitive individuals and people with respiratory problems or heart disease are encouraged to take precautionary measures. Information on air quality can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/ 

https://linktr.ee/porcupinefire

Red Fire

August 7, 2024

Daily Fire Update

Online: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: 2024 Red Fire Information https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/ 

YouTube Channel: EA CIMT

Fire Information Line: 541-208-1766, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Email: 2024.red@firenet.gov

Red Fire Quick Facts

• Size: 508 acres
• Start Date: July 17, 2024
• Origin: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR
• County: Klamath
• Cause: Lightning
• Total Staff: 283
• Containment: 0%
• Completed Fuel Break: 10.4 miles (includes 3.0 miles of Shaded Fuel Break)

Operations: Yesterday, a helicopter was used to drop water on the south side of the fire, which helped cool and slow down the fire’s activity. The shaded fuel break work between Crescent Lake and Odell Lake extended north from Crescent Lake Resort past Crescent Lake State Airport, with hand crews completing limbing and brushing. Crews resumed structure protection assessments around the Odell Lake Resort, Diamond Peak community, Willamette Ski Resort, and surrounding homes, preparing structure protection gear that can be deployed if needed. They also reduced ladder fuels between Forest Service Road 60 and the residential service road by removing grass, brush, small trees, and low-level limbs that can convey fire into tree canopies and have completed about 90 out of 100 acres. Road crews continued working on improving Forest Service Road 6010 to Summit Lake with a dozer, making it safer and more accessible for heavy equipment.

Helicopter operations will continue today along the south side of the fire. Firefighters will resume their efforts to protect homes, infrastructure, and natural resources; they will focus on structure assessments and protection planning. Hand crews and heavy equipment are working to expand the shaded fuel break west from Crescent Lake Resort along Forest Service Road 60. Crews will soon finish extending the northern section of the shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Odell Lake. The work on ladder fuel removal between Forest Service Road 60 and the service road is nearly complete, which will create defensible space for residences in the area. Resource advisors from the Deschutes National Forest continue working closely with firefighters to protect sensitive areas. The Eastern Area Team is preparing to transition the management of the Red Fire to the Southern Area Gray Team. The Gray Team will assume command at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning, August 8.  

Round Mountain & Wickiup Fires: Please be aware fire operations will continue around these fires. The Eastern Area Team will transition the management of both fires back to the Deschutes National Forest at 6:00 AM tomorrow morning, August 8. The Round Mountain Fire is 108 acres and 85% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol, mop-up, and complete repair work. The Wickiup Fire is 168 acres and 90% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop-up.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office lifted the evacuation order around the Wickiup Fire. Temporary emergency closures remain in effect for areas around the Wickiup Fire and Round Mountain Fire.

Closures: The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The public should note that Forest Service Road 60 is closed, and road guards have been posted for public safety. More closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091 

Evacuation Notices: The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for the Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction areas remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). For information, or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management 

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds, are in effect for the Deschutes National Forest.  Visit the Deschutes National Forest’s website fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level IV “General Shutdown”.

Weather: Sunny with a high of 83°, relative humidity 14%, and northwest winds gusting to 14 mph.

Smoke: Smoke may be more visible today as the Red Fire encounters heavier fuels. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.