Fire Update:

Boosted by additional resources, super scoopers, and helicopters, fire crews made good progress slowing fire spread and reinforcing containment lines on the lightning-caused fires across the Tonto National Forest. On Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, Southwest Incident Management Team 4 will assume command of the Clair, Bartlett and Sheep fires and will provide information on those fires in their daily update. 

The Forest is prioritizing the following incidents based on threats posed to communities and infrastructure. The main fires to highlight are: 

Cave Creek Ranger District
Clair Fire, about 25 miles north of Scottsdale and southwest of Horseshoe Lake Reservoir off Forest Road 205, estimated 2,170 acres and 0% containment, Maricopa County, Recreation sites at Horseshoe remain inaccessible due to fire proximity and road closures. Horseshoe Dam Road is closed. Activity slowed considerably today. 

Bartlett Fire, about 25 miles northeast of Scottsdale and north of Bartlett Flatts on the west side of Bartlett Lake, estimated 5,600 acres and 0% containment, Maricopa County. Progress was made on strengthening containment lines on the south side of the fire. Bartlett recreation sites remain inaccessible due to fire proximity and road closures. Bartlett Dam Road is closed. 

Sheep Fire, 2 miles northeast of Sheep Bridge on the Verde River, Yavapai County within Mazatzal wilderness. Approximately 1,000 acres. Crews are checking the fire closely and developing strategies to implement in case fire activity increases. 

Skeleton Fire, Agua Fria National Monument east of Highway 17, estimated 20,963 acres, has spread east onto the Tonto National Forest near Forest Road 14. The fire started on Bureau of Land Management land. More info: ow.ly/A2p050SQPCt 

Tonto Basin Ranger District
Wally Fire, 1 mile southwest of Tonto Basin and Hwy 188, estimated 685 acres with 30% containment, Gila County, 60 personnel. Scoopers were very effective helping slow fire spread toward Tonto Basin while crews took actions to provide point protection for the community. A fair amount of rain fell on the fire area around 6 p.m. Effective 7 p.m. Tuesday, Gila County lifted the SET status for all residents on the west side of Hwy 188 in Tonto Basin. 

Asher Fire, 4 miles north of Tonto Basin and 2 miles east of Hwy 188, estimated 183 acres and 0% containment, Gila County, 60 personnel. Crews continued to utilize helicopters to drop water on hot spots. A fair amount of rain fell on the fire area around 6 p.m. There is no immediate threat to communities this evening. 
More information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/

IDLEYLD PARK, Ore - The Sheriff's Office has downgraded a previous evacuation Level 2 - SET near Lemolo Lake to a Level 1 - BE READY evacuation notice due to a reduced safety risk to the public.

The area being downgraded to a LEVEL 1 - BE READY includes the following:

• Lemolo KOA Campground
• Poole Creek Campground/Boat Ramp
• East Lemolo Campground
• USFS 2614 Road south of Inlet Campground. This includes the Kelsay Valley, Pumice Flat and Elbow Butte Areas

The downgrade is effective on August 6, 2024, at 7:00 pm.

A LEVEL 1 - BE READY EVACUATION NOTICE means you should be aware of the danger that exists in the area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.

Although the evacuation level has been reduced in this area, it is important to know that the United States Forest Service has a significant forest closure in place, which may include the above campgrounds. This forest closure is independent of the Sheriff's Office evacuation notice process. For current information on the status of the campgrounds and associated forest closure, please contact the United States Forest Service.

A current interactive evacuation map can be found on our website at https://www.dcso.com/evacuations.

The trail on Long Gulch Creek, between Aspen Valley and White Wolf is closed to the public until further notice is given.

Quick Facts 

Size:  36763 (No updated IR) Start Date: June 8, 2024 Location: 31 miles NW of Chelan, WA 

Containment: 12% Personnel: 756 Cause: Human-caused, under investigation 

CURRENT SITUATION: Twenty-five to 30 MPH down lake winds expected around 3 p.m. 

“These are the sort of days fire makes big moves in Washington,” -- CAIMT 15 Fire Behavior Analyst, Dan O’Connor.    

YESTERDAY’S ACTIVITIES: A dry cold front moved in over the region increasing fire weather. Fire managers expected a dynamic fire day with potential noteworthy wind gusts over the area around 4 p.m. Those winds manifested and boots on the ground saw significant fire activity well into the evening. Crews continued prepping line on the Stehekin Ranch Valley Road up to High Bridge Camp. Overnight the fire moved into the community of Stehekin through the Purple and Imus Creek drainage. Crews were able to hold the fire to within 100 feet of several structures at the preestablished control lines. 

TODAY’S ACTIVITIES:  The fire remains mostly within older burn scars. The most significant activity is in the area of Purple Creek and above the community of Stehekin on the upper slopes toward the north end of the fire. Activity in the Prince Creek area is mostly confined to extremely steep headwater slopes with residual hotspots. Of concern for fire managers is the possibility of rollout developing to active flanking and backing in the Purple and Imus Creek drainage. Fish and Prince Creek contain pockets of scattered heat as residual fuels consume. Expected northerly winds around 3 p.m. will present significant challenges for the day’s firefighting operations and increase the potential for rollout, single and group tree torching and uphill runs.  

The Flat Creek Fire is located 20 miles northwest of Stehekin and is roughly 10 acres. The fire is in extremely steep terrain inaccessible to firefighters and is being patrolled by aircraft. Firefighters are developing strategies for future operations. 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: Today’s winds will be persistent throughout the day at 5 to 10 mph. During the early morning hours winds will decrease but come back down lake at a sustained 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 35 mph in channeled areas in the afternoon. The potential for scattered thunderstorms remain over the area.  

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. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect until August 19, 2024.

This morning Great Basin Incident Management Team #5 transferred management of the Homestead Complex to Northwest Incident Management Team #8. The Homestead Complex includes seven fires totaling 2,670 acres and are10% contained overall. There are 492 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.  

Yesterday, the No Man Fire (993 acres) remained active on the north and west flanks. Crews continued to prep and lay hose along roads serving as control lines.  Hotshot crews conducted strategic burnout operations with support from the Douglas Forest Protective Association; they also controlled known hotspots and searched for any others. On the Horse Heaven Fire (740 ac.), firefighters have completed direct hand line on most of the western flank.  Crews focused on fortifying indirect line along the 920 Road and continued constructing additional control lines.  Indirect line from the 920 Road to Horse Heaven Creek has been completed. On the Fuller Lake (141 ac.) and Bullpup fires (258 ac.), crews continued to install hose lays along the 300 Road to serve as an indirect control line.  Crews scouted for opportunities to establish additional direct and indirect lines. On the Reynolds Butte Fire (302 ac), crews strengthened completed control lines along the north, south, and western flanks. Crews also focused on establishing control lines along the eastern flank. On the Salmon Fire (205 ac.), crews continued to construct both direct and indirect control lines along the southern flank. Work to establish an indirect control line along the 3815 Road continued.  

Today, crews assigned to the No Man Fire will continue prepping and strengthening direct and indirect control lines and installing hose lays on the western flank ahead of potential strategic burnout operations. Other existing roads will continue to be prepped for use as control lines. On the Horse Heaven Creek Fire crews will continue work on hand line between Forest Road 3831 and the 920 road to the northeast, and strengthening indirect lines to the north, east and south. The north side of Bullpup Fire (258 ac.) is expected to continue to be active today. Crews will work to maintain and improve the line on the 300 Road. On the Fuller Lake Fire, crews and heavy equipment will continue to prepare the 200 Road to serve as indirect control line. On the Reynolds Butte Fire, resources will continue to mop up along the western flank and improve the line on the southern flank of the fire. On the Salmon 33 Fire, crews are continuing to patrol and improve containment lines. The Lost Bucket Fire was contained on July 29 and continues to show minimal fire activity.  The fire is in a patrol status. 

Today’s weather forecast includes smoke and hazy conditions in the valley and sheltered drainages. Temperatures will be slightly cooler compared to Monday with highs in the mid-70s to lower 80s at higher elevations and upper 80s in the lower elevations. The air will be drier resulting in lower humidity, and winds will remain terrain driven until the afternoon when they become west-northwest 7 to 11 mph with gusts to 16 mph.  

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 Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 remain in effect and can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. 

Firefighters are busy, you can help by remembering, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires”! Check your chains on your trailer to make sure they are not dragging and don’t park or idle on dry grass. It only takes one spark to cause the next accidental wildfire. #onlyyoucanpreventwildfires 

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Media Contact:

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

Bucktail Fire Update – August 6, 2024, 2:00 p.m. 

Nucla, Colorado 

Start Date: August 1, 2024

Cause: Unknown

Size: 3,788 acres 

Percent Contained: 10%

Resources Assigned: 134 personnel

Crews (3); Engines (2); Water tenders (2); Air Resources (2); Heavy Equipment (5)

Yesterday: Minimal new growth occurred, primarily along the south and east sides of the fire. Crews continued to work on hand lines while dozers completed a line from the fire origin along the fire’s west side. Afternoon storms brought increased wind and light rain to the area; however, it did not have a noticeable effect on fire activity. Three new fire starts in the region were reported on Monday afternoon.

Today: Ground crews and heavy equipment will continue to strengthen fire lines. Two additional hotshot crews have been ordered and are expected to arrive today. Expect to see more activity in the air as helicopters drop water on hotspots along the fire perimeter.

A community meeting will be held tonight at the Nucla Community Center, located at 1045 Main St., from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Fire managers will give a brief update on fire operations and be available to answer questions.

Weather: Temperatures will range between 75-95F, with above-average humidity due to monsoonal patterns that have developed over the area. Daily afternoon showers and storms are expected each day throughout the weekend. These storms will be capable of producing wetting rain and strong gusty winds between 30-50 mph. 

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 GMUG National Forest 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! 

Closures - The following roads and trails remain closed to public access.

• Forest Service Roads (FSR) 610 and FSR049 (Greens Draw Road)
• Segments of National Forest System (NFS) Trails: Lowline Trail 103, beginning at its junction with the Pipe Creek Trail, NFS Trail 003, and continuing to the trailhead at Hwy 191; NFS Trail 003, beginning at its junction with NFS Trail 103 and continuing to its junction with NFS Trail 004; and NFS Trail 004, beginning at the junction with NFS Trail and continuing its intersection with Greens Draw Road 049.
• For more information and to view the existing closures, please visit the Ashley National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices