Information: (541) 321-0369
Email: imt2.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov
Incident Links: https://linktr.ee/WindingWatersComplex2024

Strategic firing operations are underway to secure the Winding Waters Complex
WALLOWA, Ore. – Strategic Firing operations along the Deer Creek drainage of the Big Canyon fire began this afternoon and will run into the evening.  The steep and rocky terrain, prone to rolling rocks and debris, has been a concern. “This is unforgiving country for firefighters” says Matt Howard, Incident Commander, “and I appreciate creative ideas and tactics that reduce firefighter exposure.” Instead of exposing crews to the risk of working below possible rolling debris, the firing operation and subsequent installation of a sprinkler system to secure the fire’s edge protects firefighters and the fire perimeter. There is a fire Weather Watch in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening, for hot dry and unstable conditions.
On the remaining fires in the complex, crews continue patrol and mop up efforts. The Winding Waters Complex is comprised of the following fires, listed by name and Acres:

Big Canyon: 288 Acres
Charlie Brown: 69 Acres
Courtney Creek: 59 Acres
Mountain View: 318 Acres
Water: 18.5 Acres
A community meeting will be held at the Wallowa High School commons adjacent to the gymnasium on Thursday (8/01) at 7pm. A live virtual attendance option will be available by using the Incident Links address above.

 
Public use and industrial restrictions remain in effect on both ODF and USFS jurisdictions. Above normal temperatures are forecast to return by Thursday.
Contact Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at (541) 963- 7171 or dial 9-1-1 to report a fire or smoke. Stay informed about current fire-related updates in the Blue Mountains by visiting http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (July 31, 2024) – Fire behavior continued to challenge ground and aerial resources. The fire is currently estimated at 7,648 acres with 1% containment. Fire growth was primarily on the northwest portion of the fire. With several fires active along the Front Range, resources were shared across multiple fires.

Smoke in the area impacted visibility around the fire, and there were times when aviation assets could not be utilized. When safe, resources dropped water and fire retardant to help secure the fire perimeter and protect values at risk. Firefighters successfully worked on securing the east perimeter near Sylvan Dale Ranch.

The fire will be staffed overnight and crews will continue to engage where safe tomorrow morning. Aircraft will continue to support suppression activities.

Weather forecast for the rest of the week remains hot, dry and windy over the area through Friday. A slight chance of scattered rain is expected over the weekend. 

At 6 a.m. tomorrow, August 1, 2024, Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 will take command of the fire. Larimer County Sheriff's Office will continue to operate the Joint Information Center and provide information about evacuation notices, animal evacuations and road closures. For evacuation information visit https://www.nocoalert.org/ or text LCEVAC to 888777. The Joint Information Center can be reached at (970) 980-2500. 

The cause of the Alexander Mountain Fire is under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the cause and origin of the Alexander Mountain fire is asked to call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at (303) 275-5266. Photographs and videos can be submitted via https://fs.us.evidence.com/axon/community-request/public/amountainfire.

For more information visit Inciweb, and for the latest updates, follow us on Facebook and Twitter. To receive email updates on this fire, join our email list and select Forest Health & Fire: North of Hwy 34 to Hwy 14 (Buckhorn Canyon, Glen Haven, Cedar Park).

Currant Creek Fire Update

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Size: 193 acres | Containment: 20%

Tuesday night just as the sun was setting, firefighters on the line noticed a flare-up of fire activity on the southeast finger of the fire area. It appeared a firebrand had blown into unburned vegetation along the perimeter of the fire. Firefighters quickly got to work building handline around the spot fire that was aggressively consuming oak, pinion, and juniper. They also utilized tactical firing operations to strengthen the dozer line that had been constructed earlier in the day. By applying fire strategically, firefighters can “fight fire with fire” by consuming available fuels in advance of a natural fire. This slows or halts the spread of natural fire when it meets the fireline, reducing the potential for it to jump or spot over the line. The operation was successful and firefighters successfully held the spot fire at the dozer line, working until it was sufficiently suppressed at approximately 3:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Crews were back on the fire by 8:00 a.m. Their primary objective today was to secure the spot fire and to ensure that no additional hotspots were created by the flare-up throwing firebrands over the line Tuesday night. The Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control Multi-Mission Aircraft (MMA) utilizing thermal cameras confirmed the fire was still confined to the west side of the ridge. The spot fire contributed to a 9-acre increase in size. Fire behavior was still fairly active throughout the day, so the helicopter was utilized to make water drops and cool troublesome hotspots enough that firefighters could work them. Other crews scoured the surrounding area for heat to eliminate any hotspots that might contribute to another flare-up.

A second bulldozer has been brought on to construct contingency lines in the Dry Creek drainage, while the first bulldozer continues improving and widening the line that was constructed yesterday. There is now dozer line from Currant Creek Road north of the fire area up to the ridge, from the ridge down to the burned area on the northernmost finger, continuing along the ridge and tied into the burned area on the southernmost finger. While firefighters are working hard to contain this fire, it is still active and there may be visible flames and smoke in the area until the fire is declared “out”.

Preparedness: It’s never too late to prepare and plan for the possibility of being impacted by wildfires. This includes having evacuation plans for yourself, your family, and your animals, having a “go-bag” ready, performing wildfire mitigation on and around your home, and even having a plan for creating clean indoor air when smoke gets thick outside. It’s also important to sign up for alerts, so you can immediately be notified if there is a fire or other emergency happening in your area. Visit DeltaCountyCO.gov/Alerts to sign up or learn more about Emergency Alerts in Delta County. For resources on planning for wildfire, visit ready.gov/wildfires.

Closures: Currant Creek Road remains closed to the public at the intersection with Cactus Park Road. Only residents on the lower portions of Currant Creek Road, south of the fire, will be permitted past the road closure. We ask that non-residents or anyone wanting to look at the fire please avoid the area. We need to maintain a clear access road for firefighter safety.

Fire Links:

West Slope Fire Info | https://www.westslopefireinfo.com

Delta County Sheriff's Office | Stage 1 Fire Restrictions - https://www.deltacountyco.gov/138/Burning-Restrictions

Currant Creek Fire Update | https://www.deltacountyco.gov/656/Issued-Alerts

Current Creek Inciweb Page | https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/inc.../coupd-currant-creek-fire

Sunshine and warmer temperatures returned Wednesday to the area of the Black Mountain Fire northwest of Lincoln, Mont. There was more smoke visible than there was Tuesday, which saw cooler and damper conditions. 

You can tell a lot about a wildfire from looking at the smoke it produces. Monday saw black smoke roiling above flames, the sign of a fire on the move and incompletely burning the available fuel in its path.

The smoke visible on Wednesday was mostly white. While it indicates there is still a lot of heat within the fire perimeter, the fire is now burning the available fuel within the perimeter more completely and exhibiting signs of little growth. It remains estimated at 65 acres with zero containment. 

The Lewis and Clark Hotshots are among the 85 or so people assigned to the Black Mountain Fire. You could see their handiwork along an ATV trail on the southern edge of the fire, where they used saws to brush out an area as they begin to establish a containment line. Not to be outdone were the heavy equipment operators. Feller bunchers are taking down larger trees, with other rigs hauling it a safe distance from the fire line.

Residents who had been evacuated are back in their homes, but remain under a warning as a precaution. A forest closure is now in place in order to facilitate firefighting efforts and keep the public out of harm’s way.

Area residents and visitors need to be aware of increased emergency vehicle traffic on area roads and highways.

Information will be updated on the Helena-Lewis and Clark Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/HLCNF and on InciWeb at 
https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mthlf-black-mountain

Summary: Storms moved through the area on July 24th which resulted in multiple lightning caused fires across the Boise National Forest. The fires are in steep and rugged terrain which makes access for ground resources challenging. A priority for both fires is to provide for firefighter and public safety.

Great Basin Team 7, a Complex Incident Management Team, under the command of Mike Johnston took command of the West Mountain Complex at 6:00 a.m. today which includes: Boulder, Wapiti and Bulltrout Fires on the Boise National Forest and the Wolf Creek Fire on the Payette National Forest. All fires are using a full suppression strategy to manage these lightning-caused fires.

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior:  Yesterday morning both fires received precipitation with temperatures in the 50’s and 60’s accompanied by high humidities. Today, temperatures will be in the 70’s with relative humidities in the in the 30% range with terrain driven winds. Both fires are burning in Lodgepole pine, spruce and subalpine fir with some short-range spotting and isolated torching of trees. Sagebrush and grasses in the higher elevations are still holding onto spring moisture and not yet receptive to fire. 

Actions: Numerous firefighting crews are in the area and providing support to both fires. Numerous aerial resources are assisting through water drops, and logistical missions aiding suppression and burnout operations. 

Wapiti Fire: Incident personnel have structure protection plans and equipment in place and the focus is to keep the fire from moving to the east.  

Bulltrout Fire: Resources are preparing to continue burnout operations along the north-west edge of the fire towards No Name Lake. This allows firefighters a good opportunity to engage the fire at strategic locations minimizing the risk for spotting. 

Important Information: For the Bulltrout Fire, the Boise and Salmon‐Challis National Forests have issued a closure order effective immediately for roads, trails and lands encompassing the Bulltrout Fire. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities. This closure includes Forest Roads 579, 582 and several others. There are no disruptions in access to the Boundary Creek Boat Launch.  NFS Road #579 is open in its entirety from Highway 21 to NFS Road #568 to the Boundary Creek Boat Launch. Risk to responders and public safety remain the highest priority for the incident management team. Additional information about these closures can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7 

For the Wapiti Fire, the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests have issued a closure order effective immediately for roads, trails and lands encompassing the Wapiti Fire. The closure was enacted to protect public safety and support fire suppression activities. The closure affects interior travel on several National Forest System (NFS) roads such as NFS Grandjean Road (FS 524) and the Warm Springs Air Strip. Additional information about these closures can be found at https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7  

The evacuation of the Grandjean area and the Sawtooth Lodge remains in place and incident management team is in close coordination with the Boise County Sheriff’s Office. 

Both fires are adjacent to Highway 21 which is a popular travel route in Central Idaho. With the influx of vehicles in the area from fire and support personnel, please use extreme caution when traveling along Highway 21. 

Order Number: # 01-02-03-24-05

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Wise-Wisdom Ranger District

Area/Road/Trail Closure – Grouse Fire

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a), (b), the following are prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) area, roads, and trails in the Butte Ranger District, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the “Described Area/Roads/Trails”):

1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health and safety 36 C.F.R. § 261.53 (e).

2. Being on the trail. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

3. Being on the road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Owners or lessees of land in the area.

2. Residents in the area.

3. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e)(1) or (2).

4. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting resource in the performance of an official duty.

DESCRIBED AREA/ROADS/TRAILS

The closure applies to the following National Forest System (NFS) lands, including roads and trails in the exterior boundary of the area closure, depicted on the attached map (Attachment A).  The boundary of the area closure is generally described as beginning at the corner of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF boundary found in T1N R12W Sec 4 and following said boundary easterly, then southerly to the southern junction of the FS boundary and FS Road 70663 at T1N R12W Sec 36, then continues easterly along FS boundary to southwest corner of T1N R12W section 31, then southerly and westerly to its junction with FS Road 2245 at T1S R12W Sec 2. The closure follows FS Road 2245 westerly to its northerly direction change to FS Trail 2135 at T1S R13W Sec 11 and continues north to Foolhen Mtn at T1S R13W Sec 15. The closure boundary continues northerly on FS Trail 2086, then continues northerly on FS Road 1213 where it meets the start of the closure in T1N R12W Sec 4.

1. Trail Closures. All miles of Forest Service System trails Wise-Wisdom Ranger District:

• 2135

• 2033

• 2086

2. Road Closures. Forest Service System roads Wise-Wisdom Ranger District:

• 70663

• 2245

• 1213

3. Area Closure. All of the National Forest System lands within:

• T1N R12W Sec 4
• T1N R12W Sec 36
• T1S R13W Sec 15
• T2S R13W Sec 11
• T2S R12W Sec 2

PURPOSE

The purpose of this Order is for public safety due to wildfire and active fire suppression activities.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order shall be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on July 31, 2024, through December 31, 2024, unless rescinded.

2. A map identifying the Described Area/Roads/Trails is attached and made part of this Order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this Order Exhibit A, go to Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest - Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)

3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this Order, the terms used in this Order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this Order that are not expressly defined in the Order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions. 

4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

5. Contact the Wisdom Ranger District in Wisdom, MT, (406) 689-3243, and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Supervisor's Office in Dillon, MT, (406) 683-3900, for more information about this Order.

6. This Order supersedes any previous Orders prohibiting the same or similar acts in the same Described Area/Roads/Trails.

Signed and issued on July 31, 2024.

ALFRED WATSON

Forest Supervisor

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

Order Number: # 0402-04-99 

U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service Boise National Forest Cascade Ranger District Road Closure 

PROHIBITIONS Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(b), the following is prohibited on the National Forest System (NFS) road in the Cascade Ranger District, Boise National Forest, described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this order as Exhibit A (the “Described Road”): 

1. Being on the Described Road. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e). EXEMPTIONS Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order: 1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this order or a written determination by a Forest Service authorized officer that a permit is not required under 36 C.F.R. § 251.50(e) (1) or (2). 

2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty. 

3. Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty. DESCRIBED ROAD The Described Road is the portion of NFS Road #435 (Anderson Creek Road), beginning at the section line of Section 38, Township 14 North, Range 3 East, and continuing to the Forest Boundary within Section 11, Township 14 North, Range 2 East. The Described Road is located within the Cascade Ranger District, Boise National Forest, Valley County, Idaho, Boise Meridian. 

PURPOSE The purpose of this order is to protect public safety during an active wildfire. Order Number: # 0402-04-99 IMPLEMENTATION 

1. This order shall be in effect from August 1, 2024, at 08:00 AM through September 30, 2024, at 06:00 PM, unless rescinded. 

2. A map identifying the Described Road is attached and made part of this order as Exhibit A. For a digital version of this order and Exhibit A, go to https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices. 

3. Unless otherwise expressly defined in this order, the terms used in this order are defined by the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture, 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299. If there are terms in this order that are not expressly defined in the order or 36 C.F.R. Chapter II, Parts 200-299, their meaning shall be determined by their plain language definitions. 

4. A violation of the above prohibitions is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581. 5. Contact the Cascade Ranger District in Cascade, Idaho, (208) 382-7400, or the Boise National Forest Supervisor’s Office in Boise, Idaho, (208) 373-4100, for more information about this order. 

6. This order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on the same Described Road. 

Valley County Sheriff's Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 31, 2024

Wolf Creek Fire 'READY" stage evacuation notice

CASCADE, Idaho- The Valley County Sheriff’s Office has issued a “ready” evacuation order for residents in Zone 7 and Zone 8 (noted in green on the included map) impacted by the Wolf Creek Fire near Cascade, Idaho. The evacuation notice applies to all homes south of Big Pine Drive to Gibson Creek. This information is being released today so residents can identify which zone their property is located in in order to provide adequate time to pre-plan.

While firefighters are making good progress, the record-high temperatures in the forecast for the next several days are cause for concern. “We take these evacuation orders very seriously,” says Valley County Sheriff Kevin Copperi. “Our goal is to ensure that our impacted residents have the time they need to make arrangements to move large animals and agricultural assets as well as secure their homes in the case the fire moves quickly.”

A “ready” evacuation order means:

• There is a threat/hazard in your local area.

• Monitor local social media, news channels and radio for emergency information.

• This is the time to prepare any family members with special needs, mobile property and pets and/or livestock.

• If conditions worsen, emergency services may contact you via an emergency notification system.

• Designate an out-of-area contact who can relay information.

• Plan how you’ll transport your pets.

• Keep the car fuel tank at least half full.

A CODE RED alert will be sent to all residents in Zone 7 and Zone 8.

In addition, a public meeting will be held on Thursday, August 1st at 7pm at the Cascade Fire Station.

The Wolf Creek Fire started on July 24, 2024, and was caused by lightning.

……

What can you do to prepare?

Know your zone! If you live near the fire area, review residential zones in the case of expanded evacuation orders.

Sign up for CODE RED emergency alerts: https://www.co.valley.id.us/.../CompleteEmergencyNotifica...

Review the READY, SET, GO evacuation procedure: https://www.co.valley.id.us/ReadySetGo

If you know anyone who has a home in this area, please be sure to reach out to them and let them know of the evacuation notice.

Size/Tamaño: 891 acres

Start Date / Fecha de inicio: July 20, 2024 / 20 de julio de 2024

Cause / Causa: Human - Under Investigation / Humana, a ser determinada

Location / Ubicación: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR / 6 millas al SE de Cascade Locks, OR

Containment / Contención: 0%

Fuels / Combustibles: Scrub oak, timber, and grass / Arbustos de roble, restos de madera y césped

Highlights / Aspectos destacados:

Crews took advantage of a break in fire activity brought on by cool, wet weather to continue work on contingency lines across the area south of the fire. Fire activity is expected to increase in the next few days as hot and dry conditions return to the area. Forest visitors are reminded to stay out of closure areas to allow crews to safely prepare protective barriers to the surrounding forest and local communities.

Las cuadrillas aprovecharon una pausa en la actividad del fuego provocada por el clima fresco y húmedo y trabajaron en las líneas de contingencia por toda el área al sur del incendio. En los próximos días, se espera que la actividad de los incendios aumentará a medida que las condiciones cálidas y secas regresan a la zona. Se recuerda a los visitantes del bosque que se mantengan alejados de las zonas cerradas para permitir que las cuadrillas preparen de manera segura barreras protectoras para el bosque cercano y las comunidades locales.

Operations / Operaciones:

Crews continue to strengthen planned containment lines and clear roads and trails to the south of the fire, working to connect the Pacific Crest Trail at the Eagle Creek Fire burn area to the west with Hood River County lands to the east. Crews have begun placing hose lays, a prearranged configuration of fire hose designed to be deployed quickly and safely, to add depth to anticipated firefighting efforts. 

Las cuadrillas continúan fortaleciendo las líneas de contención planificadas y limpiando los caminos y senderos al sur del incendio, y trabajan para conectar el Pacific Crest Trail en el área quemada por el incendio Eagle Creek al oeste con las tierras del condado de Hood River al este. Han comenzado ha  instalar mangueras, una configuración preestablecida de manguera contra incendios diseñada para usarse de manera rápida y segura, para añadir de manera más grande a los esfuerzos anticipados de extinción de incendios.

Fire Behavior and Weather / Clima e intensidad del incendio:

A warming and drying trend is forecasted to begin today and continue into next week. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Thursday as temperatures head towards near-record highs. Fire activity and smoke production is expected to increase as weather conditions become more conducive to combustion.

El día de hoy se prevé una tendencia de calentamiento y sequía comenzará y continuará hasta la próxima semana. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional emitió un aviso de calor para el jueves a medida que las temperaturas se acercan a máximos casi récord. A medida que las condiciones climáticas se vuelvan más propicias para la combustión, se espera que aumenten la actividad del fuego y la producción de humo.

Road and Trail Closures / Caminos y senderos cerrados:

The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area have expanded a joint emergency closure for the fire area to include the Pacific Crest Trail and areas south of I-84. Closure information can be found at: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Hood River County has closures in effect for Kingsley Campground, Kingsley Road, Dead Point Road, and Green Point Road viewable on their website.

El Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood y el área escénica nacional del río Columbia emitieron un cierre conjunto de emergencia sobre la zona del incendio e incluyeron el Pacific Crest Trail y las áreas al sur de la I-84. Puede encontrar más información sobre los cierres en: Cierres por el incendio Whisky Creek en los espacios naturales de Mark O. Hatfield. Puede ver los cierres vigentes en el condado Hood River para el área de acampar Kingsley Campground, Kingsley Road, Dead Point Road y Green Point Road en sus páginas web.

Total Fire Resources Assigned / Total de recursos asignados al incendio:  304 personnel/personal, 8 hand crews/equipos de obreros, 5 water tenders/tanques de agua, 3 dozers/topadoras, 5 masticators/trituradoras y 2 helicopters/helicópteros.

Contact Information / Información de contacto: 

Email / Correo electrónico: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov, 

Phone / teléfono: 514-208-1743, de 8 a.m. a 8 p.m.