Acres: 20,013 acres

Start Date: July 21st, 2024

Cause: Lightning

Fuels: Timber, grass, brush

Containment: 57%

Resources: 382

Southwest Incident Management Team 2 Takes Over Management 

MONUMENT, Ore. – Today, Southwest Incident Management Team 2 (SWIMT 2), Incident Commanders John Truett and Todd Abel, took command of the Courtrock Fire from ODF Team 1. Additional equipment and crews were moved to the Long Creek Camp to assist with fire suppression operations. A crew dedicated to attacking new fire starts is on standby and is ready to respond, if needed.

Overview: Firefighters have stopped forward progress on a 150-acre spot fire that started yesterday on the east side of the fire’s perimeter where available dry fuels are present. Work continues today to further reinforce fireline around the spot fire utilizing hoselays. Firefighters are closely monitoring the areas along the 538 road for potential hot spots. Night operations on the fire continue. The northern side of the fire is experiencing minimal to no heat on infrared detection.
 

Weather: The Courtrock Fire is still under an excessive heat warning with a red-flag warning in place and fire weather expecting to start around 2 p.m. until 7 a.m. Sunday morning. Today will be cloudy, with slightly cooler temperatures in the mid 80s to upper 90s with a 20 percent chance of lightning and relative humidity at 10 percent. Sunday will be hot with lingering moisture and a chance of lightning.

Evacuations: No Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in effect.

• For Grant County evacuation information, visit Grant County Emergency Management Office’s Facebook page, or sign up for the Grant County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/825462649520134/login. 
• For Morrow County evacuation information, visit the link below. 
   

Shelters: 

• Evacuation center is set up at Grant Union High School, 911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.
   

Closures:

• The U.S. Forest Service has issued closures for the Malheur National Forest. For Malheur National Forest closures information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events• 
• Information for Zone I of the Battle Mountain Complex, including the western portion of the Monkey Creek Fire (formerly Boneyard Fire) can be found at https://www.facebook.com/battlemountaincomplex2024
   

The recording of the August 2nd Durkee Fire Public Meeting is available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DurkeeFire/videos/1049744540054825/ 

Fire suppression efforts continue on the Ore Fire, which is burning 7 miles northeast of Blue River, Oregon.  Firefighters face a number of challenges which include steep and inaccessible terrain, falling rocks and rolling debris, fire-weakened trees, and extreme weather conditions. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority on the incident.

Yesterday, firefighter efforts were ongoing, monitoring and patrolling the fire perimeter along the FS 1509 and FS 15 Roads. Moderate fire behavior was observed with some creeping, backing and flanking.  There was small growth on the western edge of the fire as warmer conditions moved in during the day. Hose lays and sprinklers were positioned near areas of increased fire activity and strategically placed along the southern and western perimeter of the fire.  Hand and dozer line construction was completed connecting the newly created helicopter landing zone to FS 1509 Road adding another line of containment.

Today, heavy equipment operators will continue to remove woody debris and fuels on the northern end of the fire. Chipping of woody debris is ongoing along these roadways. Firefighters will be working closely with Resource Advisors to minimize the impact of fire suppression activities. Crews working both the day and night shifts will continue to hold the fire perimeter to the south, preventing fire spread into critical infrastructure and identified values at risk.

Weather: Yesterday some areas experienced temperatures near triple digits. Highs in the mountains were in the mid-80s. Today cloud coverage will ease temperatures in the valley to low 80s and high 70s in the mountains. As a result, fire activity will be moderate which may increase smoke conditions.

Smoke: Smoke from numerous wildfires burning throughout the state will affect air quality in many areas over the coming days, and can be a burden for many, especially those with respiratory issues. For information on air quality in your area go to: www.airnow.gov. 

Closures and Fire Restrictions: Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in place on the Willamette National Forest in the vicinity of many active fires. Temporary road barricades are in place to restrict traffic across the fire areas. For specific closure information follow this link: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Fire restrictions on the Willamette National Forest may be found at this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) remain in place over the Ore Fire. Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Falls and Telephone Fires Update for Aug 3, 2024

Telephone Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 50,863             Start Date: July 22, 2024                         Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR

Containment: 23%.  Total Personnel: 436 personnel          Cause: Lightning/Natural

Resources Assigned: 11 hand crews, 20 engines, 6 bulldozers, 7 water tenders, 4 skidders

Falls Fire Quick Facts: 

Size: 145,735              Start Date: July 10, 2024                    Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, OR

Containment: 73%     Total Personnel: 694                          Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

Structures Triaged: Residences: 386; Commercial: 119 Outbuildings: 760

Resources Assigned: 29 hand crews, 44 engines, 14 bulldozers, 24 water tenders, 7 masticators, 8 skidders

Sand Mountain Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 5,805               Start Date: July 25, 2024                        Location: 17 miles SW of Seneca, OR

Containment: 0%   Total Personnel: Staffed by Falls Fire personnel   Cause: Lightning/Natural

Ritter Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 461                  Start Date: July 23, 2024                        Location: Stinking Water Mountain NE of Crane, OR

Containment: 100%.  Total Personnel: 6 personnel            Cause: Lightning/Natural

Other Fires Quick Facts:

Whiskey Mountain: 4,345 acres; Cow Creek: 86 acres; Parasol: 485 acres; Poison: 1,042 acres. 

Total Personnel: Staffed by Falls Fire personnel.     

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning (in effect through 8/3 at 11:00pm) in the fire area.   

Aerial resources assigned: 2 Type 1 helicopters and One Type 1 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) assigned and available to all fires in the area. Air support also includes a lend/leasing system and additional aircraft will be pulled from different areas of the region to our fires today.

Community Meetings Scheduled:

Saturday, August 3 at 3 pm, at the Drewsey School Gymnasium, 7882 Drewsey Rd, Drewsey, OR

Leaders of the Alaska Incident Management Team will be in Drewsey for a community meeting to provide an update on the Telephone Fire, Falls Fire and several other fires we are working to suppress in the area. The meeting will also be shared on the Malheur National Forest Facebook page, as well as the Falls and Telephone Fires Facebook page.

Priorities for Saturday, August 3: 

*Weather and fuel conditions are in alignment for extreme fire behavior today.

1. Initial Attack: The potential for new fire starts in the area remains significant at this time, and firefighters remain vigilant and focused on initial attack (IA) and are ready to respond to any new threats.
2. Protect and prepare homes along the north and northwest portion of the Telephone Fire. Support wildland firing operations and line control along the north and northeast flank of the Telephone Fire.
3. Work to hold line and prevent spread toward King Mountain on the southwest side of the Telephone Fire.
4. Continue piecing together line along the northwest corner of the Falls Fire; look for contingency lines to prevent spread to the west. 
5. Hold, and improve existing line on the east and northeast sides of the Telephone Fire, and work to tie in the burned area along the upper side of the northeast corner of the east side.

Fire Summaries:

Critical fire weather conditions continue today, and fire plumes could be visible over parts of the fire areas. 

Telephone Fire: 

The Telephone Fire grew by 4,500 acres overnight, mainly in the northwest corner and the interior of the northeast  corner, within existing line. Small-scale ignition operations that crews have done to bring line towards the Upper Pine Fire footprint have made it possible to establish an anchor multiple times for this incident, which has been a huge success. With no more burnable vegetation, Upper Pine created an anchor point for crews. Anchor points are a safe place to put resources to add line, then small-scale ignition operations can be done off these areas to remove additional fuel. Friday, on the northeast side of the fire, crews completed a small-scale ignition operation of a piece of unburned vegetation between the Upper Pine area and another burnout. Crews will continue using the same tactics today if conditions allow. Crews on the east side will do the same, working towards the northeast. Some of the recent intense weather has helped with these operations, and crews have gained 3/4 of a mile of depth into the containment area. Crews worked the southwest corner of the fire on Friday to address a slopover, with help from air support. A new small slopover on the southern portion of the 2820 occurred Friday evening and crews are actively working to prevent its spread. They will continue this on Saturday with assistance from additional crews. A task force will monitor the southwest and the east sides of the Telephone Fire.

Friday, structural task forces, each consisting of five fire apparatus and approximately 15 firefighters, worked along the northwest corner of the fire. Fire crews made it up to King Mountain where they prepped and wrapped communication equipment with fire resistant materials. The communications equipment is a critical resource to emergency services operations in the region. The structural task force assigned to night shift worked along the northwest corner of the fire. Firefighters spent the evening prepping homes along Purdy Road and working near the 2820 Road.

Saturday, crews will continue to hold, improve, and mop up existing line on the east and northeast sides of the Telephone Fire, and work to tie in the burned area along the upper side of the northeast corner of the eastern perimeter, working towards achieving 100% containment in this area. 

Falls Fire: 

The Falls Fire grew by 1,400 acres. Growth for both the Falls and Sand fires was sandwiched between the two fires, in the vicinity of the southeast side of the Sand Fire. The Falls and Sand fires are now merged. The south end of the Falls Fire, as well as Whiskey Mountain on the northwest side and the east side, south of Myrtle Creek continue to look good; line in these areas withstood yesterday’s weather. On the northeast side of the fire, north of Myrtle Creek, crews continue making good progress on a fuel break. Where there are areas of open fireline along the northeast side of the fire, crews are strategically adding indirect line that can be monitored and patrolled, including a shaded fuel break along the 31 road, which is nearly complete. A shaded fuel break is when a majority of, but not all, trees are removed, with 75-foot separation between trees, and surface fuels are removed to the extent possible. These breaks are still aesthetically pleasing but have enough separation that fire won’t spread crown to crown. On the south and west end of Whisky Mountain, crews continue to make progress gaining depth into the containment area.

Saturday, crews will monitor the northwest corner of the Falls Fire, continuing work to piece together line along Gilbert Ridge. They will use direct tactics on the north side of the fire and look for contingency lines to prevent spread to the west. On the east side, south of Myrtle Creek, crews will work to hold the line where there was a recent slopover. This area is currently looking good, and crews from the Poison Fire will arrive to assist.

Sand Mountain Fire:

The Sand Fire is now merged with the Falls Fire. Yesterday, two hotshot crews and air resources worked on a recent slopover across dozer line near Gilbert Ridge and made good progress. Night shift crews put in indirect line along the southwest side of where Sand and Falls meet. Some small-scale ignition operations were done along the 3160 road on the south side of the fire. In the upper green pocket of unburned vegetation around the Falls and Sand fires, line has been holding to limit northwest spread and limit western progression. On Saturday, additional resources from the Telephone Fire will assist with efforts on the north side of Sand.

Parasol and Poison Fires: There was no movement on either the Poison or Parasol Fire despite yesterday’s weather. Crews are continuing to clean up pockets of fuel to more deeply secure the control line. In some areas of the containment along the Poison Fire, crews have begun cold trailing, feeling with the back of one’s hand along the ground near the fireline to make sure no heat remains.

Ritter Fire: Friday, the fire was checked; line had held, despite extreme weather. One area of smoke was found and addressed. Engine crews will continue to monitor on Saturday.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning is in effect for today. There is a potential for dry thunderstorms across the planning area today, with potential for dry lightning. Temperatures will be in the 90s with relative humidity in the teens; north and northwesterly winds with gusts of up to 25 mph. 

Evacuations: The Telephone Fire is pushing toward King Mountain and notifications have been made to the Trout Creek area, which remains in a LEVEL 3 evacuation zone. For the most accurate evacuation information, please visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map here: https://tinyurl.com/3zst4sjy, or the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423.

Closures: A closure is in effect for the two portions of the Malheur National Forest that run west of 395B, north of Mt. Vernon and south of Long Creek, in the Fox Valley area, including all roads, trails, and camping locations within the fire closure area. A detailed map of the closure if included and available on the Malheur National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/) and offices.

Investigation: U.S. Forest Service fire investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any tips or information pertinent to the start of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov.  

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFRs in the area have been changing; pilots should check the latest information on the Federal Aviation Administration TFR website prior to flying: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/index.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Falls-Fire-2024-61562126623985/

Falls Fire InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-falls-fire

Telephone Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-telephone-fire

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4370, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: 2024.Falls@firenet.gov

Harney County non-emergency evacuation questions: 541-589-5579

Air quality questions: 541-573-2271. Air quality information, searchable by zip code: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Smoke Outlooks: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook

Information: (541) 321-0369    

Email: imt2.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov

Incident Links: https://linktr.ee/WindingWatersComplex2024

Significant fire activity quenched as thunderstorms approach the Winding Waters Complex.

WALLOWA, Ore. – During the last operational period crews used drones with infrared cameras to locate hot spots inside the fire’s perimeter on the Courtney Creek and Charlie Brown fires. Infrared technology helps locate heat that isn’t otherwise visible, allowing crews to find and extinguish lingering hot spots.

The Water fire is in patrol status, which means that crews will patrol daily and respond to fire activity as needed. Elsewhere on the complex, crews will remove snags and hazard trees, mop up deeper into the interior and return supplies that are no longer needed back to camp. Suppression repair work is also underway to remove berms along dozer lines and install water bars to minimize erosion during rain. Air support is available to assist firefighters on the ground, and patrol for any fire spreading beyond the containment lines.

A Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning is in effect over the fire area from 2 PM this afternoon through 7 AM Sunday morning. A Heat Advisory is in effect for temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees. 

If gains to secure the fire’s perimeter proceed per plan, a Transfer of Command to a robust Type 4 Incident Command is projected for August 6, 2024.

The Winding Waters Complex is comprised of the following fires, listed by name and Acres:

Big Canyon: 288 Acres                    Mountain View: 318 Acres

Charlie Brown: 69 Acres                 Water: 18.5 Acres

Courtney Creek: 59 Acres

Public use and industrial restrictions remain in effect on both ODF and USFS jurisdictions.

Contact Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at (541) 963- 7171 or dial 9-1-1 to report a fire or smoke. Find Blue Mountains fire-updates at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Estimated Size: 752 Acres

Containment: 43% 

Cause: Lightning

Estimated Cost: $4.6 Million

Evacuations: None

Resources

Total Resources: 485

Hand Crews:  18

Engines:               21

Dozers:                    4

Water Tenders:  9

Masticators:        2

Skidgens:              2

Excavator:            1

Helicopters: 

Type 1 - 2

Type 2 - 2

Type 3 - 2

A community meeting will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 at the Wise River Community Foundation Center at 6:00 p.m. MDT to provide fire information.

Incident Commander:  R. Griffin, C. Olander, (T)
Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT
Start Date: 7/25/2024 
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 1,400 acres 
Resources on Site:  4 type 2 IA crews; 2 hotshot crews; 8 engines; 1 skidgen; and 3 helicopters available
Total Personnel:  268

KEY MESSAGES: 
A Community Meeting will be held on Monday, August 5, 2024 at the Wise River Community Foundation Building at 6:00 p.m. MDT. An Area/Road/Trail Closure is in effect for the vicinity of the fire perimeter on the west side of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway.

The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway remains OPEN. Those recreating or traveling in the fire area are encouraged to be aware of the situation and to pay attention to increased fire traffic. If traveling in the area please slow down, drive 35 MPH, and yield to firefighting equipment, engines, and vehicles.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
Once the morning smoke lifted yesterday, reconnaissance flights assisted in estimating a more accurate fire size.  
A four-person squad from the Flathead Interagency Hotshot Crew (IHC) is scouting for opportunities for a more direct (closer to the fire’s active edge) approach on the north flank of the fire by Stine Mountain.
Active fire behavior continues, with torching, flanking, and spotting. Smoke is still visible throughout the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway and Wise River vicinity. Crews continue firing operations to safely bring the fire down to  Forest Road 186 (Pettengill Rd). Once these firing operations are complete, crews will secure and “mop-up” all residual heat along the edges, working from the southeast side of the fire and progressing east towards the residences near Pettengill Road.
As hot, dry and increased temperatures persist, firefighters continue working with structure protection equipment (pumps, hoses, and sprinklers) near residences in the Pettengill Creek area. On the eastern edge of the fire perimeter, crews are using existing and improved control features (such as prepped firelines) to prevent fire spread to the north and east, to suppress spot fires, and extinguish hot spots to protect private property along Pettengill Creek. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
Critical fire weather is expected today, with continued hot and breezy conditions. With low pressure moving in, isolated thunderstorms may develop Saturday afternoon. Active fire behavior is expected to continue with movement primarily up the Grouse Creek drainage and sub-drainages.

Active fire movement on all flanks is expected, with spotting and fire backing downhill towards Pettengill Creek and to the north towards Grouse Creek and the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. 
Dead fuels along the ridges at the highest elevations are consuming completely. If winds align with terrain, in combination with the dry fuels, extreme fire behavior with active movement can be expected. These conditions may pose additional hazards to firefighters.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest has issued an Area/Road/Trail Closure (Closure #01-02-03-24-05) effective July 31, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Grouse Fire. Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-grouse.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.

The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device. 
 

Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires 

Fire Information 208-992-3032 

2024.limepoint@firenet.gov 

Limepoint: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-limepoint-fire 

Cliff Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-cliff-mountain 

https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest/ 

Saturday, August 3, 2024 

The Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires are burning in the Hells Canyon area, located on the Payette National Forest in west-central Idaho, east of the Snake River bordering Oregon. Yesterday under Red Flag conditions the fire crossed several firelines on the Limepoint Fire and grew 3,000 acres, mostly on the northern and eastern flanks. This morning, Adams County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation for residents in Wildhorse and Level 1 (Get Ready) for Mill Creek. Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations are still in effect for Cuprum and Bear, and Level 2 (Get Set - Be prepared to leave) are in effect for Ditch Creek and Paradise Flat. If you have evacuated areas under Level 3 evacuations, please do not go back.

Limepoint Fire 

The Limepoint Fire is north of Oxbow Dam in Adams County, Idaho and was started by lightning on July 24th, burning in tall grass, brush and timber. The southern part of the fire was once a smaller, separate fire named the Oxbow Fire, but both fires burned together and are now collectively known as the Limepoint Fire. It is now 22,377 acres with no containment. The fire threatens homes in several areas, including Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse, Paradise Flat and Ditch Creek. Idaho Power transmission lines to the south of the fire are threatened. 

The fire was very active yesterday and grew to the north and southeast. “The fire is moving across the landscape, and we’re doing our best to keep up with it,” said Josh Graham, Operations Section Chief. Aircraft, including three helicopters, multiple large air tankers, four single engine air tankers and two “super scoopers” worked throughout the fire to support ground crews and equipment. The large air tankers dropped retardant on areas on the southeastern flank, including the Bear Creek/Wildhorse areas to protect threatened structures. 

The southeast flank of the fire was a focus yesterday as it crossed firelines and threatened structures and high-tension powerlines to the south. It crossed firelines south of Forest Road 071 (Calf Pen Road) west of Bear Creek. Firefighters repositioned from Bear to Paradise Flat and Ditch Creek to protect structures threatened in these areas. Overnight, crews established firelines around the northern edge of new growth near Bear Creek, which moved south across Forest Road 581 into timber stringers near Flat Creek.  

On the east flank, the fire was also very active near Boulder Creek and made a run towards firelines on the eastern side. The fire spotted across a bulldozer line in one location, but crews were able to put fireline around it. They conducted tactical burning along Forest Road 071 to help stop further growth in this area.  

On the north flank, the fire grew in Allison Creek to within one mile of Horse Mountain Lookout. The fire has reached Kinney Creek to the north of the lookout.  

The southwest flank near Oxbow and west flank along Forest Road 454 (Hells Canyon Road) had minimal fire activity yesterday.  

Eight hand crews, 13 engines, five bulldozers, four helicopters and 405 people are working on the Limepoint Fire. Structure protection will expand to include newly threatened structures. Areas where structure protection specialist will work to assess and conduct structure protection include Bear, Cuprum, northeast of Cuprum, Paradise Flat, Ditch Creek, and around Horse Mountain Lookout. 

In the southeast flank, south of Forest Road 071 near Bear Creek, firefighters will improve new firelines established last night and will begin putting in lines directly at the southern edge of new growth to protect structures and powerlines.  

On the east flank, crews will improve the fireline north of Boulder Creek between Forest Road 71 and Indian Creek. They plan to construct handline from a bulldozer line off the ridge down to Indian Creek to complete fireline north of Boulder Creek. With anticipated north winds this evening, conditions may be favorable to conduct burning operations to consume unburned vegetation south of this line to secure it. Firefighters will improve fireline from Forest Road 071 to the Indian Creek/Huntley Gulch confluence, with anticipation of possible strategic burning operations in upcoming days. Crews will also improve a contingency line west of Bear.  

Firefighters will assess fire growth on the north flank near Kinney Creek to determine options for indirect firelines along defensible ridges and natural barriers.  

On the west flank, firefighters will continue to mop up and check for hot spots along the Snake River. 

Cliff Mountain Fire 

The Cliff Mountain Fire started on July 25th in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in wilderness just below Hells Canyon Dam 25 miles east of Joseph, Oregon in Adams and Idaho Counties, Idaho. It also was once two fires, the Muddy Fire and the Cliff Mountain Fire, which burned into each other. It is 1,108 acres with no containment, burning mostly in wilderness, with growth slowed in some areas due to steep rocks. Hells Canyon Dam and associated powerlines are threatened by the fire. Minimal fire activity was observed on the fire yesterday with only a few areas showing smoke. One ground personnel is assigned to the fire, and two field observers have been ordered. Firefighters are identifying values near the fire and planning future protection. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: Today will have another Red Flag Warning due to thunderstorms late Saturday evening until Sunday morning. Maximum temperatures will reach 97 and minimal relative humidity will be 20 percent. Winds were from the north this morning but will shift southwest 1 to 6 mph and upslope through the day. However, during the evening, winds will shift to out of the northeast increasing to 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph. Outflow winds from thunderstorms could gust up to 60 mph in any direction. 

Dead and down fuels will continue to dry, making all types of vegetation available to burn. In heavy grass, a new start could burn 550 acres in an hour if undetected. Unburned areas along the Snake River corridor could result in rapid uphill runs where fuels are available. Roll out of burning debris downslope along the northern flanks of the fire could cause fire spread into unburned fuels and result in rapid uphill runs. Steep terrain and dense stands of understory brush and timber on the northern flank could send embers half a mile or more into receptive fuels. On the east side of the fire near Cuprum, areas that have held heat for several days will become active as the day goes on. Spotting across eastern and southeastern firelines is possible as conditions warm throughout the day. Unburned fuel on the southern flank of the fire has potential to support rapid uphill spread if fire can get established. Steep and rugged terrain in the Cliff Mountain Fire pose challenges for firefighter access if the fire spots outside of its current footprint. 

Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov and www.wildlandfiresmoke.net.  

Evacuations: The communities of Cuprum and Bear and one residence south of Calf Pen Road and north of Wildhorse have been evacuated under a Level 3 evacuation (Go Now!) per Adams County Sheriff’s Department. Ditch Creek and Paradise Flat are under a Level 2 evacuation (Be prepared to leave). 

Closures and Restrictions: The Payette National Forest issued a Forest Closure to protect public safety during the Limepoint and Cliff Mountain wildfires. The closure includes, but is not limited to, the following recreation areas: Black Lake, Sheep Rock, Kinney Point and Horse Mountain Lookout. Big Bar is open. Huckleberry Campground is also closed. For more information, see the full closure order and map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/payette/fire. 

Kleinschmidt Grade (Forest Road 050), Calf Pen Road and Landore Roads are closed. The Council-Cuprum Road is closed at the Forest boundary at the snowmobile parking lot. Forest Road 454, which runs along the river, is open, but please drive with caution. You may see active fire, rolling debris, firefighting equipment and firefighters on and along the road. For your safety and the safety of firefighters, do not stop on the road. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area.  

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Payette National Forest and all state, private and BLM lands in the fire area. Prohibited: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on your own land, and only within a permanent landowner-provided structure; and smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials. 

DURKEE FIRE

• Size: 293,882 acres                             
• Containment: 68%                
• Location: 1 mile west of Durkee, OR
• Start Date: July 17, 2024                   
• Personnel: 439                       
• Cause: Lightning

DURKEE FIRE PUBLIC MEETING

The recording of the Durkee Fire Public Meeting is available on Facebook at www.facebook.com/DurkeeFire. 

Current Situation

Road safety is no accident. Be alert for firefighters and equipment in the fire area and please slow down. 

Yesterday as planned, firefighters used maps created from the previous night’s infrared flight to mop up heat. They also patrolled the interior fire area looking for and mopping up heat around structures and roads. Despite the dangerous fire conditions created by the high temperatures and dry air, however, there was very little active heat overall. Firefighters did find hotspots in areas that had not shown any heat in the past few days including Shirttail Creek and the I-84 corridor.

Today, pockets of fuel are expected to continue flaring up producing visible smoke. An infrared flight last night has given firefighters current information on where heat remains on the fire. Firefighters will use maps created from this data to search for heat, ground truthing the maps. Where they find hotspots, they will apply water to eliminate it. Firefighters will continue to secure and hold the fireline, mopping up and cold trailing the fire’s edge and in the interior especially around structures. Crews will begin to repair roads used as dozer lines on BLM and Forest Service managed lands in coordination with resource advisors. They will pull back berms and install water bars to reduce erosion. Crews will also remove excess equipment. 

Night shift will start working noon to midnight to ensure there is more staffing on the fire during peak burning conditions and resources available for initial attack later in the day. Structure protection will continue where needed and also be available for initial attack. Aircraft are available as needed and may fly reconnaissance missions for resource advisors and operations. An uncrewed aircraft system (UAS or drone) with infrared capability looking for heat on the north and west sides of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior

The incident meteorologist has issued a red flag warning today for dry lightning and gusty winds. The first round of thunderstorms is expected around 1 p.m. PDT bringing lightning and a potential for outflow winds of 40-55 mph. They are not likely to produce rain since the air is dry. Temperatures remain very hot and fire danger is well above normal. The higher relative humidity, with minimums around 30%, will reduce the chance of fire spread though there is a possibility of relative humidity dropping as low as 15%. Later in the day, thunderstorms developing from monsoonal and tropical moisture have a better chance of bringing rainfall, with brief periods of heavy rain possible Saturday night into Sunday afternoon.

Evacuations

The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069245917855) and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064434892363) have issued evacuation orders for multiple areas during the Durkee Fire. Please continue to be vigilant and stay tuned to their Facebook pages for the latest information as weather patterns and fire activity may change evacuation levels.

Residents in Level 3 Evacuations “GO NOW” should leave immediately and not return to their property until evacuation levels are lowered. Carry enough supplies to support you and your family for multiple days. A real-time map of fire evacuations is available on the State of Oregon Fire Dashboard (https://www.arcgis.com/apps/instant/portfolio/index.html?appid=22d04c007866419c91ccf00d097526c8).

Closures:

• The Baker County Sheriff's Office has closed Burnt River Canyon Road to non-local, non-emergency traffic.
• I-84 and other highways: Please go to tripcheck.com for current road closures as the situation is dynamic and subject to change.
• A burn ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County (https://www.malheurco.org/category/public-notices), and all Bureau of Land Management lands in Malheur and Baker counties.
• The temporary flight restriction has been reduced over the Durkee Fire. More information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_2285.html. Remember, if you fly we can’t! If a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aircraft will be grounded.

Additional Resources:

• For current air quality information, visit fire.airnow.gov.
• Weather and fire behavior could impact transportation, power transmission, cell service and other utilities. Monitor IdahoPower.com for information.
• Post-fire resources for eastern Oregon livestock and agricultural producers are available. For immediate assistance associated with livestock, forage, and crop losses contact your county’s USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. Learn more about these and other disaster relief programs at www.farmers.gov/protection-recovery/wildfire and contact your FSA Service Center.
• For technical expertise regarding livestock, post-fire rehabilitation and land management, call Eastern Oregon Agricultural Research Center at (541) 573-8900.
• Questions related to agriculture and natural resources, family and community health, and more may be directed to the OSU Extension Service office in your county (https://extension.oregonstate.edu/find-us).
• If you don’t have access to a computer and/or internet connection, Extension offices house Ag Disaster Relief Resource Computers, which are available to producers to access federal/state relief programs.
• Oregon Wildfire Response & Recovery website (wildfire.oregon.gov/recovery) provides guidance on topics including wildfire insurance, filing a homeowners claim after the fire, returning to a home that survived a fire, replacing lost or missing documents and next steps for people whose homes or businesses burned.
• For longer term management needs, contact the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) field office in your county to explore current funding/technical support available and inform future program offerings in your county. Go to www.nrcs.usda.gov/conservation-basics/conservation-by-state/oregon/whats-available-in-my-county.

Update for Swawilla and Bridge Creek Fires

• EVACUATIONS:  Please see the map for UPDATED (8/3/24) evacuation areas. The evacuation center located at the Republic Fairgrounds is closed for residents, but is still accepting animals.  For questions on evacuations contact the Colville Confederated Tribes EOC– (509) 634-7350.

• Closed/Open Roads (see Quick Facts charts for specifics):

  • Bridge Creek Road is open.

  • Peter Dan Road/Manilla Creek Road and Buffalo Lake Road are open to local resident traffic only. 

  • Keno Mine Road is closed

  • SanPoil Road is closed

  • 30 Mile Road is closed

  • All roads within the fire area are closed, except those that are listed as open to local resident traffic only.

Swawilla Fire

Burn operations were a success, and the fuel between containment lines and the fire edge have been consumed; adding depth to the northern perimeter. Controlled burning around Jack Creek will continue today to strengthen containment lines around more problematic areas. Extinguishing heat along control lines and mopping up around homes remains a top priority. Securing the perimeter along the Hwy 21 corridor will continue along with added tactical patrols to the northeastern portion of the fire.  A Type 2 helicopter arrived yesterday and will be in available for bucket work.

Bridge Creek Fire

Suppression repair plans, (seeding and erosion control) are under way on the Bridge Creek fire, and implementation will occur over the next few days. 

Fire Weather 

Yesterday, red flag conditions tested containment lines, but the fire lines held. Today will be a continuation of the hot and dry trend, however we have moved out of the red flag warning. The weather will be unstable for the next few days which should lift smoke and clear the air a bit this afternoon. Firefighters may see some crown fire and an uptick in overall fire behavior. 

Safety Message

With the low air stability, smoke should lift into the atmosphere, however ignition of pockets of unburned areas within the fire may put up some increased smoke in the next few days. The increased smoke may impact driving visibility. Visit airnow.govfor 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. There is a considerable amount of firefighting traffic and slow-moving equipment along roads and poor visibility. 

Boaters should avoid emergency firefighting aircraft using any waterbodies to acquire water to suppress fires. 

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/