HILL FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE

Date: August 1, 2024

Fire Information: 530-414-9056 

Hours: 08:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Email:2024.Hill@firenet.gov

Incident Website:

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casrf-hill-fire

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/16/hill-fire

Location: Humboldt County, CA

Size: 7224 acres

Cause: Under Investigation

Start Date: Monday July 15, 2023, at 5:40 PM

Percent contained: 77%

Personnel: 525

CURRENT SITUATION: 

Crews made significant progress on the Hill Fire yesterday, focusing on mopping up and repairing suppression efforts to restore the area. Infrared cameras identified hotspots in Mosquito Creek, prompting a swift response to address any potential threats. Despite the challenging and rugged terrain, the fire's footprint has remained stable for several days, thanks to the relentless efforts of the firefighters.

On Saturday, California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 will transition incident control to the North Coast Interagency IMT, ensuring the fire remains under expert management. Operations will continue until the fire is fully contained and extinguished. This will be the final written update on the fire’s status unless conditions change significantly. For ongoing updates, please visit the Hill Fire Facebook page, and check county-controlled websites for evacuation warnings.

WEATHER: 

Warming and drying will peak today with highs at low elevations above 90 and minimum RH just above 20 percent. A strengthening nighttime inversion will allow for poor RH recoveries and an extended burn period. Elevated mixing heights today combined with strong southeast winds aloft will create a complex wind environment. Southeast winds will start early in the morning, battling with the northwest sea breeze in the afternoon. Wind direction will be inconsistent with some enhanced gusts up to 20mp. Conditions will slightly ease Friday as moisture moves in aloft and high pressure weakens.

CLOSURES:

Forest Closure Order currently in effect for the area impacted by the Hill Fire. It is temporarily prohibited to be on any national forest system land, trail, or road within the closure area. To view the closure order and map of closure area visit the following link www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1191963.pdf.

Road closures are currently in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N01 and Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04. For updated road closure information, visit protect.genasys.com or humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 12th. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188610.pdf.

Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.

EVACUATIONS:

Humboldt County: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies. 

Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description. 

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications 

Trinity County: Evacuation warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064589806351 and https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES 

Evacuation Center:

For information on assistance available to those displaced by the Hill Fire, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS  (1-800-733-2767.)

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in coordination with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services and the American Red Cross-Gold Country Region established an Evacuation Center for those impacted by the Hill Fire to receive fire information. The Evacuation Center is located at Trinity Valley Elementary School, 730 CA-96 in Willow Creek. The center is not open to the public, however information on how to request assistance is posted at this location.

Speirs Fire Update
August 1, 2024

The Speirs Fire remains at 715 acres and is 97 percent contained. The Speirs Fire was caused by lightning. There are currently 81 people working on the fire. 

Updates

Despite warm temperatures and dry conditions, fire activity remains minimal. Suppression progress continues and containment lines are holding well. Firefighters continue to monitor the situation carefully, strengthening containment lines, extinguishing hot spots and completing mop up operations. Construction continues south of the fire to establish contingency line in the Greens Draw corridor.

Smoke may be visible as interior green pockets of fuel burn within the fire’s perimeter.

As conditions on the fire remain somewhat static, updates on the Speirs Fire may no longer be daily. Periodic updates will be provided and releases made as the fire situation changes.

Closures

The following roads and trails remain closed to public access.

• Forest Service Road (FSR) 610, FSR 689, FSR049 (Greens Draw Road), Lowline trail FST103 its junction with the Pipe Creek Trail, FST 003. Forest Service Trail 003 from the beginning at the junction with FST 103 to the junction of Forest Service Trail 004 and Forest Service Trail 004 to Greens Draw Road 049.
• For more information on existing closures, please visit the Ashley National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ashley/alerts-notices

For more information about the Speirs Fire visit the QR-Code below. Fire information is also available at 435-709-8209 (8am to 8pm).

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires Update – Thursday, August 1, 2024
The Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires are a total of 12,109 acres and are considered 7% contained. Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters. There are currently 829 personnel assigned to the incident.
Firefighters are improving and mopping up existing firelines on the northeast side. They continue to scout and establish contingency lines north of the fire. On the west side of the fire, they continue to construct fireline, mop-up the control lines and establish contingency lines. Scooper Planes may be operating out of Dorena Lake to support fire operations.
Informational Meeting: Friday Night August 2, 2024 @ 6:00 pm, Cottage Grove Faith Center
33761 Row River Rd, Cottage Grove, OR
Closures: Due to the wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest has issued Forest Order No. 06-15-24-03 and Forest Order No. 06-15-02-24-01 that can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/aler/umpqua/alerts-notices.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued the following emergency closure for Lane County: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/bureau-land-management-expands-emergency-fire-closure-due-cottage-grove-lane-1-fire
The following County roads are closed except to owners of private lands accessed from these roads: Brice Creek Road east of Umpqua National Forest Boundary, all of Sharps Creek Road. Evacuations: A “Level 2” evacuation notice is in effect for the Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak. Additionally, a “Level 1” evacuation notice has been issued by the Lane County Sheriff’s Department for areas east of Disston, starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south. An evacuation map is available at: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 8500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_4814.html. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below:
Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1
Adam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-adam-mountain
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024

Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires Update – Thursday, August 1, 2024
The Cottage Grove – Lane 1 Fires are a total of 12,109 acres and are considered 7% contained. Percent containment represents sections of fire line that pose no escape risk without further action from firefighters. There are currently 829 personnel assigned to the incident.
Firefighters are improving and mopping up existing firelines on the northeast side. They continue to scout and establish contingency lines north of the fire. On the west side of the fire, they continue to construct fireline, mop-up the control lines and establish contingency lines. Scooper Planes may be operating out of Dorena Lake to support fire operations.
Informational Meeting: Friday Night August 2, 2024 @ 6:00 pm, Cottage Grove Faith Center
33761 Row River Rd, Cottage Grove, OR
Closures: Due to the wildfires, the Umpqua National Forest has issued Forest Order No. 06-15-24-03 and Forest Order No. 06-15-02-24-01 that can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/aler/umpqua/alerts-notices.
The Bureau of Land Management has issued the following emergency closure for Lane County: https://www.blm.gov/announcement/bureau-land-management-expands-emergency-fire-closure-due-cottage-grove-lane-1-fire
The following County roads are closed except to owners of private lands accessed from these roads: Brice Creek Road east of Umpqua National Forest Boundary, all of Sharps Creek Road. Evacuations: A “Level 2” evacuation notice is in effect for the Bohemia Mining District and Fairview Peak. Additionally, a “Level 1” evacuation notice has been issued by the Lane County Sheriff’s Department for areas east of Disston, starting at Brice Creek Road milepost 0.7 and following Brice Creek Road south. An evacuation map is available at: www.LaneCountyOR.gov/Lane1Fire.
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 8500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_4814.html. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
For further information visit the Inciweb links for each Cottage Grove-Lane 1 fires below:
Lane 1: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or77s-Cottage-Grove-lane-1
Adam Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-adam-mountain
Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM E-mail: 2024.lane1@firenet.gov
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CottageGroveLane1Fires2024

Retreat Fire

Fire Information: 509-213-4890    Email: 2024.retreat@firenet.gov

inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-retreat

August 1, 2024

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 31,514 acres

Containment: 37%

Resources: 561 Total Personnel; 8 Dozers; 11 Hand Crews; 40 Engines

Key Message:  

Firing operations are complete on the east side of the fire.  Crews will work to mop-up and secure control lines on the south and east side of the fire.

Firing operations are planned over the next several days to secure indirect control lines on the north and west sides of the fire.  There will be an increase in smoke associated with these firing operations that will be visible from communities adjacent to the fire. 

The Highway 12 corridor remains closed to public travel for both firefighter and public safety. Fire affected large trees have been falling across the highway at unexpected times and firefighting crews and equipment continue to work in several locations. The highway is expected to remain closed for several more days.

Current Status:

The Retreat Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy prioritizing public and firefighter safety.

Firing operations were completed from Hatton Road north to French Road connecting control lines on the east side of the fire. Containment increased along the southeast and east sides of the fire as crews continued to mop up and secure the line. Firefighters will continue to patrol and extinguish hot spots along the lines working towards additional containment closest to the communities of Tieton and Cowiche. Warmer and drier conditions allowed for firing operations to begin on the north side of the fire working along the Bethel Ridge Road (325) as an indirect line from both the east and west directions with hotshot crews. The firing operations generated smoke from the fire area but are intended to build a strong control line along the entire north side of the fire with the long-range goal of additional containment. 

Firefighters continued to patrol and extinguish hot spots along the south side of the fire mostly working directly along the fire’s edge. Crews and equipment continued to construct a control line from Highway 12 south to Jump Off Lookout on the southwest corner of the fire. Late afternoon easterly winds caused some small spot fires to start in the area just west of the fire. Crews and a helicopter were nearby and able to respond and keep the spot fires in check. The night shift patrolled and monitored these spot fires overnight. 

Structure protection crews and engines continued to patrol and extinguish hotspots near homes and infrastructure along the fire impacted Highway 12 corridor as well as clear fallen trees and rocks. Structure crews also continued to assess and prepare pumps and sprinklers around the structures at Camp Ghormley and along the Lost Lake Road west of the fire area.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Warmer temperatures and drier conditions were observed over the fire area yesterday with terrain driven winds. The warming and drying trend will continue today. Temperatures will be in the mid 80s to 90s and relative humidities will decrease to the 20 to 30 percent range. Winds will primarily be surface heating driven and from the southeast around 8 to 14 mph with gusts to 15 to 20 mph.

Yesterday was the start of a significant warming and drying trend. Lower elevations with sagebrush and grass had surface fire spread with single tree and group torching. In the mixed conifer trees fire activity increased with ground fire movement and single tree torching with short range spotting. Three main fuel types exist in the fire area: sage/grass, oak bottoms, and ponderosa forests. Grass in the appropriate fuel types is fully cured and readily available for ignition. While the oak trees are not burning fully, intense grass fires below these trees could produce large embers capable of short-range spotting.

Closures and Evacuations:

For the most up-to-date information on evacuations, please visit Yakima County Emergency Management located at this link: Yakima Emergency Management website.

-US Hwy 12 remains closed between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.

-Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Closure: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=89192.

-The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southeast Region has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest due to increased activity from the adjacent Retreat Fire burning near Rimrock Lake. The public can access the most up-to-date closure information at www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum.

-Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the majority of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area to public access due to the Retreat Fire. The Oak Creek Wildlife Area is scheduled to remain closed until Aug. 23 to ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting efforts. More information can be found at Wildlife Areas | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

AIR QUALITY AND SMOKE

Air quality and smoke conditions and forecasts can be found at https://www.airnow.gov/.

Resident Resources Before, During, and After the Fire:

There are many online resources available for Washington residents who are affected by wildfire.

Support for residents being affected by wildfires: https://afterthefirewa.dreamhosters.com/ 

Washington DNR Homeowner programs:  https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/

https://www.dnr.wa.gov/cost-share

Sand Stone firefighting efforts allow for reopening of Highway 87

Daily Update – Thursday, August 1, 2024

Highlights: Superscooper planes effectively cooled the western and northern portions of the Sand Stone Fire yesterday. Aircraft will continue dropping water wherever needed to support ground operations. Due to decreased fire activity, State Route 87 has been reopened in both directions. Depending on fire activity and weather conditions, highway restrictions may be necessary at a moment’s notice. For real-time highway conditions, check https://az511.gov/. 

Total personnel on all incidents: 530   

Sand Stone Fire:          Acres: 27,390     Containment: 27%     Start Date: 7/25/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush        

Operations: Superscooper planes capable of drawing water from Bartlett Lake dropped over 80,000 gallons of water along the perimeter of the fire wherever heat was detected, focusing on the western side near critical powerline infrastructure. Aerial support operations will continue today. Ground crews and heavy equipment including masticators are securing the fire perimeter in Sycamore Creek, Indian Springs, and Quartz Canyon. Chipping operations will begin today near the Old Highway 87 as crews cut vegetation to create a more defensible area for firefighters. Preparations around the Sunflower community continue today as firefighters patrol structures and identify possible secondary lines along Forest Road 201. The interior of the fire is producing very little smoke, and control lines are holding across the fire area. Firefighters are beginning to identify suppression repair needs, including fence line reconstruction. 

Deer Fire:                 Acres: 308     Containment: 18%      Start Date: 7/17/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush, timber    

Operations: The Deer Fire experienced slow growth on the north side of the fire perimeter yesterday. Helicopter reconnaissance flights continue to monitor for any changes. Containment on the Deer Fire remains at 18%. 

Davenport Fire:           Acres: 447         Containment: 93%      Start Date: 7/19/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush        

Operations: Fire activity remains minimal. No change has been reported in acreage or containment for the Davenport Fire, located within the Mazatzal Wilderness. 

Weather: Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible today with additional wind gusts and lightning in the stronger storm cells. On the Sand Stone Fire, temperatures could reach 100 degrees, while the Deer and Davenport Fires will reach the upper 80s. 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Fountain Hills, Sunflower, Rio Verde, Goldfield, and unincorporated communities in the Rio Verde Foothills. An interactive smoke map is available at https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

A daily smoke forecast for the Sand Stone Fire is available at www.azdeq.gov/wildfire/forecast/sandstonefire. 

Evacuations: The community of Sunflower remains in “set” status. “Set” means residents should identify the closest shelter or safe space, prepare an emergency kit, listen to public health officials, and be ready to leave the area. The Ready, Set, Go! program is a nationwide program to educate residents about steps to take during an emergency. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at ready.maricopa.gov.

Closures: The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure order for the Sand Stone Fire. More information can be found on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/. Trail users should avoid using the Arizona National Scenic Trail near the fire area.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-sand-stone /

480-409-9683 / https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest / 2024.sandstone@firenet.gov 

PYRAMID FIRE:

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,193 Acres, 13 Percent Contained, Total Personnel 414, Lightning Caused

Yesterday, hand crews and dozers were able to make good progress improving control lines, aided by water-dropping helicopters. Along the eastern flank, hand crews will continue to increase direct control line today, aiming to complete the entire eastern flank in the coming days. On the southern and western flanks of the fire, crews used heavy equipment in steep terrain and installed water handling equipment, such as pumps and hoses. Today, the focus will be on maintaining and widening control lines, installing pumps and hoses, and extinguishing hot spots. 

SLATE FIRE:

5 miles SW of Detroit, OR, 91 Acres, 77 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 50, Under Investigation

The hard work by fire crews on the Slate Fire yesterday resulted in an increase in control line mop-up depth up to 125 feet into the fire’s perimeter and a substantial increase in containment. Today, crews will continue to work aggressively on increasing mop-up depth, particularly along the southern flank of the fire perimeter. Extinguishing smoldering material to secure control lines and increasing containment continues to be a priority today through this weekend.

WEATHER: Building high pressure brought a noticeably hotter and drier fire environment yesterday. Today, conditions are sunny, hot, dry and unstable with a high temperature of 90 to 95 °F and a minimum relative humidity of 25 to 28 percent. Predicted weather today and over the next several days will lead to a shift in fire behavior, including increased potential for spotting and fire growth and an increased probability of fire ignition.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Smoke and air quality conditions are available on: AirNow.gov

EVACUATIONS: On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map https://tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). 

AREA CLOSURES: Due to active fires, road, recreation site, and trail (including the PCT) closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest. Specific information is posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Fire restrictions are in effect for Willamette National Forest, including the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487. 

Beginning at 8:00 am this morning, evacuation levels for the Lower Granite Fire located Northeast of Pomeroy, WA will be downgraded.

Current Level 2 evacuations in and around the fire zone will be downgrade to Level 1 (Get Ready),

Current Level 1 evacuation levels will be removed.

Fire crews will work throughout the day and into the evening hours hand trailing along the fire line 100 feet checking structures for continued heat 300 feet round the perimeters. Helicopter crews will continue to assist ground operations.

The Lower Granite Fire currently has consumed 14,482 acres since its start on July 29 and is now 50% contained. Northeast Washington Incident Management Team Type 3 Team 1 is in command with 144 personnel assigned.

KEY MESSAGE
Lingering heat continues to remain in heavy and unburned fuels such as downed trees and stumps. The containment of the fire remains at 65% while crews worked to ensure residual heat stays within containment lines.

CURRENT STATUS
The crews out on the line continue work mopping up and securing the rugged eastern flank. Heat may remain in heavy fuels until weather conditions are suitable for ignition. Fire managers are calling the fire 65% contained. Achieving containment on the eastern flank will take time due to the spotty nature of the burn and the remaining unburned fuels in that area.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Temperatures continue a warming and drying trend as a ridge of high pressure strengthens through the end of the week. Winds will generally be terrain and diurnally driven until the afternoon when a slight increase in westerly winds is expected. Monsoon moisture will begin to enter the region on Saturday with increasing cloud cover and a slight chance for thunderstorms late Saturday.

CLOSURES
Lower Miller Creek Road is closed from debris due to storm damage. A temporary flight restriction is in effect over the fire area. An area and road closure around the fire is in effect due to hazardous conditions resulting from fire activity. Stage II fire restrictions are in effect in the area. Specific closure information and maps are posted on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-miller-peak-fire and https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lolo/alerts-notices as they are implemented.

Fire

Yesterday, interior fuels consumed on the Trout fire and the Borel Fire was active, mostly on the eastern edge, in the south fork of Erskine creek. The Borel fire has not moved significantly up the eastern side of Erskine creek. Expected fire behavior on the Borel includes possible crown fire runs and spotting.

Smoke

Yesterday, smoke transport was influenced by southerly winds and tracked to the north/northwest. The lower Owens Valley experienced less impact and evening pooling in Lone Pine was reduced. Today, southerly flow will continue under a ridging pattern, and we’ll see temperatures continue to increase. Western foothill communities will see generally MODERATE to USG conditions as smoke tracks north. The southern Owens Valley can expect a bit of a break with MODERATE conditions from Lone Pine south. The north valley should see generally GOOD to MODERATE conditions. Lake Isabella and Kernville can expect generally MODERATE conditions with periods of USG in the AM through early afternoon as smoke mixes down.