Red Fire 

July 29, 2024 

Daily Fire Update 

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

Facebook – 2024 Red Fire Information  

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

Email: 2024.red@firenet.gov 

Red Fire Quick Facts 

Size: 428 acres Origin: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, Oregon   County: Klamath  

Start Date: July 17, 2024 Cause: Lightning Containment: 0% Total Personnel:  234 

Today’s Highlight: Thank you to the more than 200 people who attended the community meeting hosted at the Central Cascades Fire and EMS station and online last night.  

Operations: Yesterday, firefighters continued working on felling trees and removing snags along Forest Service Road 60 and Forest Service Road 6010. Fire crews also continued working on constructing the shaded fuel break along the boundary of the Diamond Peak Wilderness. These operations will continue today. 

Today, fire crews are scouting the area along the Union Pacific Railroad along Odell Lake and are looking for ways to prep the landscape around railroad structures in the fire area to protect railroad infrastructure. Hand crews will use leaf blowers and other tools to remove excessive pine needle build-up around the structures in the Crescent Lake area. Tree felling crews will continue to remove snags along Forest Service Roads 6010 and 6020. Fire crews are scouting the northwest side of the fire to develop a plan that will establish a fuel break. The planning will help provide additional protection from the nearby Homestead Complex and Diamond Complex wildfires. A remote weather station will be set up in the vicinity Crescent Lake. The Remote Automated Weather Station will provide timely weather updates to crews in remote areas of the fire. 

Round Mountain & Wickiup Fires:  

The Round Mountain Fire remains 108 acres and is 73% contained. 

The Wickiup Fire remains 168 acres and is 82% contained. 

Closures – The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness.  Closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091  

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

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

Weather: A weak front associated with low pressure will impact the fire area with increasing clouds at the front of the storm. Humidity levels will be 40% with possible light sprinkles in the afternoon and evening but will not be a wetting rain. Heavy smoke will continue to impact the fire area. Winds will remain very light in the morning hours with development of 20-25 mph northwest winds in the afternoon.  

Smoke: Smoke from the Red Fire and other area fires will continue to impact air quality.  Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/.  

Equipo 1 de Northern Rockies , Comandante del Incidente Brent Olson 

Ubicación: 14 millas al suroeste de Naches, WA 

Fecha de inicio: 23 de Julio de 2024 

Causa: Bajo investigación 

Tamaño: 24.629 acres 

Contención: 4% 

Recursos: 442 personas en total; 10 excavadoras; 7 cuadrilla de bomberos; 35 camiones de bomberos. 

Mensaje clave:   

Hoy habrá una reunión comunitaria que se llevará a cabo esta tarde a las 6:00 pm en la cafetería de la Escuela Primaria Naches Valley ubicada en 151 Bonlow Dr. Naches, WA 98939. Se dispondrá un componente virtual para la reunión y se compartirá en la página de Facebook de Retreat Fire. 

Situación actual: 

El Retreat Fire se está gestionando con arreglo a una estrategia de supresión total que da prioridad a la seguridad pública y de los bomberos. 

Ayer, los bomberos llevaron a cabo operaciones de extinción en los lados noreste y sureste de la zona del incendio, a lo largo de Cowiche Road, Hatton Road, Bethel Ridge Road y la Autopista 12. Estas actividades continuarán hoy.  Estas labores de extinción de fuego se están llevando a cabo para proteger a las comunidades de Tieton, Cowiche y las propiedades privadas situadas directamente al este de la zona del incendio.  

El incendio estaba activo en la esquina suroeste, cerca de Jump Off Lookout, y se utilizaron aviones cisterna grandes para evitar una mayor propagación hacia el oeste. En los lados norte y noroeste, las cuadrillas de bomberos continuaron a construir una línea de fuego indirecta trabajando a lo largo de la carretera Bethel Ridge Road, girando hacia el sur en dirección a la Autopista 12 utilizando el sistema de carreteras Pine Creek Road. Se prevén operaciones de fuego en las mismas zonas generales durante los próximos días.  Estos trabajos se realizan para evitar que el fuego se propague hacia el Lago Rimrock. 

Los equipos de bomberos para la protección de estructuras y los camiones de bomberos están extinguiendo puntos calientes cerca de viviendas e infraestructuras y retirando árboles peligrosos a lo largo del corredor de la Autopista 12 afectado por el incendio. El equipo de bomberos para la protección de estructuras también está llevando a cabo trabajos de evaluación y preparación en torno a las zonas de Camp Ghormley y Lost Lake Road, al oeste del incendio. 

Meteorología y comportamiento del fuego: 

Hoy seguirán observándose temperaturas estacionales sobre el incendio, con temperaturas máximas generalmente entre 60 y 70 grados, y valores mínimos de humedad relativa en torno al 44-50%. Los vientos soplarán del oeste a 8-12 mph con rachas de hasta 22 mph cambiando de dirección hacia el noroeste y aumentando por la tarde a 12-18 mph y rachas de hasta 30 mph. Una débil perturbación traerá lluvias leves a la zona del incendio esta noche y hasta la madrugada del Martes, y será posible que llueva unas centésimas de pulgada. Se espera que la humedad relativa tienda a aumentar hoy. 

Existen tres tipos principales de combustible: salvia/hierba, fondos de arboles de roble y bosques de ponderosa. La hierba en los tipos de combustible apropiados está completamente curada y fácilmente disponible para la ignición de fuego. Aunque los robles no se consumen, los incendios intensos de pastos bajo estos árboles podrían producir grandes brasas capaces de localizarse a un corto alcance. 

Cierres y evacuaciones: 

Aviso de evacuación de nivel 3 "IRSE AHORA " desde la US Autopista 12 en Bear Canyon Trailhead (NF 1301 Forest Service Road) hacia el noreste hasta la "Y" (Autopista 12/410).  Desde la "Y" (Autopista 12/410) hacia el sur a lo largo de los límites de los municipios de Cowiche y Tieton hasta Cowiche Mill Road. Cowiche Mill Road oeste hasta NF 641 Forest Service Road.NF 641 Forest Service Road norte hasta Autopista 12. 

Aviso de evacuación de nivel 2 "PREPARESE" para el área de la ciudad de Tieton, WA, incluyendo Cowiche Mill Road al este hasta Summitview Road, Summitview Road al norte hasta la parada de cuatro vías en West Tieton Road, en dirección oeste por West Tieton Road hasta el final de West Tieton Rd.  El límite oeste es el final de West Tieton Road en dirección sur hasta el perímetro 3600 de Cowiche Mill Road.  Para conocer los límites de la evacuación, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina de Emergencias del Condado de Yakima: www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM/. 

• La Autopista 12 permanece cerrada por varios motivos entre la Y de la Autopista 410 y la cumbre del paso en el punto kilométrico 151. 
• Cierre de la zona de incendios del Bosque Nacional Okanogan-Wenatchee: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=89192. 
• La Región Sureste del Departamento de Recursos Naturales del Estado de Washington (DNR) ha cerrado temporalmente el Bosque Estatal de Ahtanum debido al aumento de la actividad del incendio adyacente Retreat Fire que arde cerca de Rimrock Lake. El público puede acceder a la información más actualizada sobre cierres en 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. Encontrará más información en Áreas silvestres | Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de Washington. 

Las agencias federales, estatales y locales de gestión de incendios forestales y la Administración Federal de Aviación (FAA) instan a los ciudadanos a no volar "sistemas aéreos no tripulados (UAS)" o drones sobre la zona del Retreat Fire. Los vuelos no autorizados de drones representan un gran riesgos para la seguridad de los bomberos y de los ciudadanos, y para la eficacia de las operaciones de extinción de incendios forestales. Los incendios forestales son una "zona de exclusión aérea" para los drones. Si vuelas, ¡NO PODEMOS! 

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest is estimated at5,188 acres and 7% contained and Middle Fork is715 acres and 1% contained, within Crater Lake National Park. The park remains open. There are fire personnel in the area, so visitors should use caution when traveling within the park.  

Currently there are 27 fires and 610 personnel assigned to the two incidents. Two new starts were spotted yesterday, diverting resources to assess the locations and develop a strategy for containment 

There are a total of 79 miles of fire perimeter in which firefighters are implementing direct and indirect strategies that reduce risk to responders while protecting private residences and values at risk. Pacific Power and Light infrastructure within the complex continue to be a top priority for protection as crews attack fires that pose a threat to those resources.  

The Trail fire, east of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, is 826 acres and25% contained. Crews continue to meet the objective of protecting the resort, infrastructure, and campgrounds along Diamond Lake. Today, firefighters will secure and mop up along the north and south flanks and monitor fire in the wilderness.  

 The Lemolo fire, north of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, is 804 acres and 0% contained. Crews have been working to secure detected spot fires on the northeastern corner. Continued mop up will occur along the dozer line where they conducted burning in previous days.  Firefighters  have made good progress on the east flank and will continue to secure the dozer line and look for opportunities to implement control lines north of the fire to protect infrastructure and recreational values around Lemolo Lake. Crews will continue prepping indirect line along the western flank to prepare for a tactical burn when conditions allow. Firefighters will work to contain the fire north of the FS 700 road and hold the fire north of FS 2612 road. 

The Pine Bench fire, north of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, is 1,981 acres and 0% contained. The Prineville Hotshots completed a successful burn out operation along the FS 4775 road which was tied back into the Wilderness. Crews monitored the burn throughout the day and mopped up one new spot where the fire crossed the containment line. Firefighters will prep the boundary of the wilderness for future burnout operations. 

The Rough fire, two miles south of Hwy 138, is 11 acres and 0% contained. Firefighters repelled from a helicopter into the fire to establish hand line and assess for other needs prior to the warming and drying trend expected later this week.  

Both the Watson fire, 232 acres and 50% contained and Loafer fire, 34 acres and 50% contained are in mop up. 

There are smaller clusters of fires within the complex that consist of: Pig Iron, 27 acres and 95% contained, near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138; Brodie, 116acres and 0% contained,  about 5 miles south of Hwy 138 and south of Devils Canyon; Trep, 129 acres and 0% contained, about 4 miles south of Hwy 138; Garwood, 5 acres and 95% contained, about 3 miles southwest of Mt. Bailey; Slide,0.1 acres and 95% contained, northeast of Pine Bench; Potter, 690 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain; Ooya, 186 acres and 0% contained, north of Hwy 138 about 1 mile northeast of Bird Point; Clearwater, 0.7acre and 100% contained, south of Hwy 138 about 5 miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Elephant, 0.7 acres and 95% contained, 2 miles southwest of Lemolo Lake; Lost Bear, 0.1 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138;Lost, 22acres and 0% contained, 4 miles south of Hwy 138; Sheep, 0.3 acres and 95% contained,3 miles north of Diamond Lake; Thin, 0.6  acre and 90% contained, four miles northwest of Diamond Lake; Trap, 13acres and 0% contained, 1 mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain; Bear Trap, 64 acres and 10% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain; Campwood, 19 acres and 0% contained, 2 miles south of Hwy 138;  Birds, 0.1 acres and 100% contained; Wood, 23 acres and 0% contains, 2 miles south of Hwy 138, Mowich, 0.4 acre and 75% contained, 1 mile north of Hwy 138, Toolbox, 0.1 acres and 0% contained, and Canal, 1 acre and 0% contained. 

The Middle Fork fire is located in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park. Crews completed a hand line alongthe western flank and will continue to improve this line today by removing snags.  Firefighters will create a fuel break east from the Bert Creek Trail and west from the North Entrance Road to the Junction of the Bald Crater Loop Trail.   

Weather: Temperatures in the mid 70’s with increased relative humidity is forecast for today.  Ridgetops will see increased winds in the range of 20-26 mph but fire severity should remain moderate.  As the day progresses, cloud cover will increase with the possibility of light rain tomorrow evening. 

Fire Behavior: Fires will likely be active in the afternoon with backing, flanking, and short uphill runs through surface fuels. Single and group torching is possible mostly on south slopes.  As smoke and cloud cover changes throughout the day, fire behavior will change. 

Smoke Outlook: Smoke will remain the area and may reduce visibility and hinder air operations. For the most up to date information, please visit www.fire.airnow.gov  

Closures and Evacuations: Umpqua National Forest has issued two closures across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 impact all of the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District, and parts of the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The closure orders can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Fire danger is set at Very High and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 2: https://bit.ly/3xIZZdK.     

 The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the evacuation order for the Trail fire from a Level 2: BE SET to a Level 1: Get  Ready,but the Level 3: GO NOW remains in effect for the Trail fire east of Hwy 138. TheLevel 2: BE SETand Level 3: GO NOWevacuations for the Lemolo fire remain in place. There is still aLevel 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. For more information visit the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations.   

Currant Creek Fire 

Update

July 29, 2024

Size: 183 acres   Containment: 10% 

A Type 3 Incident Management Team was ordered for the Currant Creek Fire and they will assume command Tuesday morning at 0700 hours. Fire activity overnight was minimal. However, there is still a considerable amount of heat within the fire footprint and the forecast for several more days of Red Flag weather conditions leaves potential for the fire to become active again. Two helicopters, including one Type 2 (medium) Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) ship and one Type 1 (heavy) Skycrane remain committed to assist firefighters with the strategic placement of water. An ambulance from Delta County Ambulance District is staged nearby in case there are any medical needs on the incident. Additional crews from the DFPC arrived this morning and will help existing crews work towards containment.

The first step towards achieving containment on any fire is to build a fire line by implementing hand crews or heavy equipment. In steep, rugged terrain, heavy equipment can’t operate safely. So, hand crews with chainsaws and digging tools will cut out the vegetation and dig a line into the ground removing all matter down to mineral soil. Then, crews will go back over that line and “mop up,” a process that requires firefighters to line up in a grid formation on the hot side of the fire line, physically touch the ground and fuels lying on the ground to find heat, and then to extinguish that heat by chopping up the logs, digging out the stumps, mixing in cool soil, physically moving hot fuels further into the interior, and/or applying water when it's available. Once these steps are complete, then fire managers can consider a portion of the fire perimeter “contained.”

The Incident Commander assigned personnel to conduct structure assessments within and around the fire area yesterday. Those efforts confirmed that no structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire. The CO Multi Mission Aircraft (MMA) measured the fire area last night and found no significant growth. They observed that two fingers on the northeast side of the fire had grown together. Two images are included with this update, which were captured by the MMA last evening. The visible light image shows the fire area (darker), with red retardant lines surrounding the fire edge to the northeast and east. The infrared image (black and white) demonstrates areas of heat that remain within the fire area.

Currant Creek Road is currently closed, except to local residents, for the safety of the public and firefighting personnel. Drivers are urged to drive slowly on Rimrock Road and Cactus Park Road and watch for emergency vehicles. Firefighters will be setting up base camp at the Orchard City Town Park – Field of Dreams in Eckert. Please avoid the areas where the crews have set up so they can get the rest they need to continue working on this fire! The fire crews are self-sufficient and have a logistics unit providing food and water for firefighters. There is no need for community provided supplies, food or drink.  If you would like to make a financial contribution to support firefighters, we encourage you to donate directly to your local volunteer fire protection district so funds can be used for training and equipment.

Updates will be posted once daily. You can find up-to-date fire information on Inciweb. Evacuation information can be found on the Delta County Sheriff’s Office Facebook or on the Delta County Website.

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 24,629 acres

Containment: 4%

Resources: 442 Total Personnel; 10 Dozers; 7 Hand Crews; 35 Engines

Key Message:  

A community meeting is being held this evening at 6:00 p.m. at the Naches Valley Elementary School cafeteria located at 151 Bonlow Dr. Naches, WA 98939. A virtual component for the meeting will be available and the link shared on the Retreat Fire Facebook page.

Current Status:

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

Yesterday, firefighters conducted firing operations on the northeast and southeast sides of the fire area along the Cowiche Road, Hatton Road, Bethel Ridge Road and Highway 12. These activities will continue today.  These firefighting efforts are being done to protect the communities of Tieton, Cowiche, and private property located directly east of the fire area. 

The fire was active in the southwestern corner near Jump Off Lookout, and large air tankers were utilized to prevent further spread to the west. On the north and northwest sides, crews continued to construct indirect fire line working along the Bethel Ridge Road, turning south toward Highway 12 using the Pine Creek Road system. Firing operations are planned in the same general areas over the next several days.  This work is being done to prevent additional fire spread toward Rimrock Lake.

Structure protection crews and engines are extinguishing hotspots near homes and infrastructure and removing hazard trees along the fire impacted Highway 12 corridor. Structure protection is also conducting assessment and preparation work around the Camp Ghormley and Lost Lake Road areas west of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Today, seasonable temperatures will continue to be observed over the fire, with highs generally in the 60s to 70s, and minimum relative humidity values around 44-50%. Winds will be west at 8-12 mph with gusts up to 22 mph shifting to northwest and increasing in the afternoon to 12-18 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. A weak disturbance will bring shower chances to the fire area late tonight through early Tuesday, and a few hundredths of an inch of rain will be possible. Relative humidity is expected to trend higher today.

Three main fuel types exist: 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 consuming, intense grass fires below these trees could produce large embers capable of short-range spotting.

Closures and Evacuations:

Level 3 “GO NOW” Evacuation Advisory from US Hwy 12 at Bear Canyon Trailhead (NF 1301 Forest Service Road) northeast to the “Y” (Hwy 12/410).  From “Y” (Hwy 12/410) south along the borders of Town of Cowiche and Town of Tieton to Cowiche Mill Road. Cowiche Mill Road west to NF 641 Forest Service Road.NF 641 Forest Service Road North to Hwy 12.

Level 2 "GET SET" Evacuation Notice for the City of Tieton, WA area including Cowiche Mill Road east to Summitview Road, Summitview Road North to the four way stop on West Tieton Road, heading west on West Tieton Road to the end of West Tieton Rd.  The west boundary is the end of West Tieton Road going south to the 3600 block of Cowiche Mill Road.  For the evacuation boundary visit the Yakima County Office of Emergency Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM/.

• US Hwy 12 remains closed for several reasons between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.
• Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Area 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.

Federal, state, and local wildland fire management agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urge members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over the Retreat Fire area. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Wildland fires are a “no fly zone” for drones. If you fly, WE CAN’T!

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) Roads on the Payette National Forest, Council Ranger District,
described below and shown on the attached map incorporated into this Order as Exhibit A (the
“Described Roads”):
1. Being on the Described Roads. 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. Owners or lessees of land in the Described Area or who need to use the
Described Roads or Trails to access land they own or lease.
3. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting
force in the performance of an official duty.
4. Federal or State administrative personnel in the performance of an official duty.
DESCRIBED ROADS
The Described Roads are located within the Council Ranger District, Payette National Forest,
Boise Meridian, Adams and Valley Counties, Idaho.
NFS Road 1763 “West Mountain Jeep Trail” is closed from its junction with NFS Road 1899 in
Section 2, Township 15 N, Range 2 East, south ending at its junction with NFS Road 835 at
“Four Corners”, Section 11, Township 14N, Range 2E.
Order Number: # 0412-604
NFS Road 835 is closed beginning at its junction with NFS Road 1899 “Four Corners” in
Section 11, Township 14N, Range 2E, southwest ending at its junction with NFS Road 206,
Section 29, Township 14N, Range 2E.
NFS Road 206 is closed beginning at its junction with NFS Road 835 in Section 29, Township
14N, Range 2E, north ending at its junction with NFS Road 566, Section 9, Township 15N,
Range 2E.
NFS Road 326 is closed beginning at its junctions with NFS Road 206 in Section29, Township
14N, Range 2E, east ending at its junction with NFS Road 835 in Section 3, Township 14N,
Range 2E.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this Order is to protect public safety during an active wildfire.
IMPLEMENTATION
1. This Order shall be in effect from July 27th 2024, at 18:00 PM through September
30, 2024, at 06:00 PM, unless rescinded.
2. A map identifying the Described Roads is attached and made part of this Order as
Exhibit A. A copy of this closure order will be posted on the Payette National Forest
webpage at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/payette/fire, as well as social media
accounts for the Payette National Forest as appropriate.
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 Payette National Forest Supervisor’s Office at (208) 634-0700 and the
Council Ranger District in Council, Idaho at (208) 253-0100 for more information
about this Order.
6. This Order supersedes any previous orders prohibiting the same or similar acts on
the same Described Roads.

Update for Swawilla and Bridge Creek Fires

EVACUATIONS:  Please see the map for updated evacuation areas. An evacuation center located at the Republic Fairgrounds is still accepting evacuees. 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.A containment line of dozer and hand lines has been completed around the southern perimeter of the fire from the Peter Dan Road around to the Manilla Creek Road. This area is in patrol status.  As Firefighters continue to complete work along both sides of the fire they are being reassigned to more active fire areas.  In the area where the fire is most active, a dozer line has been constructed along the west side of Keller and Hwy 21 to enhance structure protection for homes and businesses along the roadway and in and around the town of Keller. Primary containment lines are mainly along Jack Creek Rd with secondary dozer lines in the Empire Creek Rd corridor as a contingency plan. 

Swawilla Fire

Yesterday, fire crews continued structure protection in and around Keller while primary and secondary control lines were prepped and refined. Primary containment lines are built along Jack Creek Road with a secondary dozer line in the Empire Creek Road corridor. A dozer line has been constructed from the west side of Keller to State Highway 21 which will support a controlled burn operation of approximately 3,000 acres to tie off the head of the fire around Keller. These operations will start today and continue into tonight and Wednesday night. Control lines along edges of the burnout will be ignited with drip torches, while an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS/drone) will be used for safe interior ignition. 

   Fire managers are taking advantage of better weather, and areas that have had previous fuel treatments, to conduct this operation before temperatures increase and good weather conditions decline mid-week. Structure protection remains a high priority around the Keller area.  

A containment line of dozer and hand lines has been completed around the southern perimeter of the fire from the Peter Dan Road around to the Manilla Creek Road. Crews are holding this line with mop up and patrol.  

Bridge Creek Wildfire

The 30 Mile Road remains closed where firefighters are conducting burning operations along the northern border of the fire. A UAS will be used this morning to pinpoint hot areas close to the fireline. 

Fire Weather 

The forecast for Tuesday is expected to bring cooler temperatures, substantial cloud-cover, increased humidity, possibly some light showers and a slight risk of a thunderstorm with a chance of 20 mph gusts. Fire activity will pick up around 6 pm today. Wednesday, and into the weekend, a warming trend with much warmer and drier conditions will develop. This shift in conditions may bring more active fire behavior again, especially on the north edge of the fire.  

 Safety Message

Smoke will increase in the area over the next few days due to the controlled  burning operation, impacting driving visibility. Please slow down and be extra cautious. Visit Airnow.gov for air quality in your area and take precautions for protecting your health. 

Please slow down when driving all roads leading to, or from, the fires. There is a considerable amount of firefighting traffic and equipment moving slowly along roads. 

Boaters should avoid emergency firefighting aircrafts using any waterbody to acquire water to suppress fires. 

Additional Information and Maps at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/, https://www.facebook.com/CCTENV, https://www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts

HOMESTEAD COMPLEX FIRE UPDATE

 Monday, July 29, 2024 

Fire Information                                                                                                                                    

Phone: 208-713-9693 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)

Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo

Inciweb: http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-homestead-complex

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d393fd74

Suppression Efforts Continue As Fire Activity Remains Moderated

The total acreage for all seven fires currently being overseen by Homestead Complex is 1,636 acres with 4% containment. Firefighters are utilizing both direct and indirect tactics in order to suppress the fire. Fires have been prioritized by threat to property, infrastructure, industry, and areas with the highest probability of success. There are currently 454 personnel assigned to the incident.

Temperatures today will be similar to yesterday with higher humidities in the upper elevations due to the incoming cloud systems. Cloud cover is expected to reach 100% by the end of the day, helping shade fuels and reduce fire activity and intensity. The increased humidity will also increase the drying time of fuels, helping reduce the fire’s rate of spread. Smoke will also be impacted by the cloud layer and dispersal will be poor. 

Yesterday fire activity increased on the Reynolds Butte Fire (212 acres). Torching trees caused the fire to spot over the dozer line. Two helicopters loaned by a nearby fire dropped five buckets of water on the spot fires to assist fire crews on the ground working to hold it within the dozer line.  An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) was used for aerial ignition to help widen control lines on the south side of the fire by burning, and therefore removing, fuels between the control line and the main body of the fire. 

Crews and cooperators continue to construct indirect fireline on the No Man Fire (591 acres). The fire has been active, with backing and short runs up the drainages towards the fireline. Hotshots have finished constructing fireline and hose lays around the Salmon 33 Fire (153 acres). Fire activity remains moderate to low, with only 11 acres of growth. Crews anticipate completing indirect fireline construction on the Horse Heaven Creek Fire (442 acres) today. Firefighters are also scouting for direct line opportunities.

Crews are improving fireline on the Bullpup Fire (133 acres) by clearing more brush. The fire increased in activity yesterday, due to lower humidities and greater windspeeds. The Fuller Lake Fire (71 acres) fire activity increased as it moved toward an area of down and dead vegetation, growing four acres.  This run is expected to be short lived as the fire works into an old burn scar. Crews continue to monitor and patrol the Lost Bucket Fire (34 acres), which remains within containment lines.

Current forest fire restrictions and danger ratings are: Fire Danger Rating: Very High. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs): 3. Public Use Fire Restrictions (PURs): 2. 

CLOSURES: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, has issued a closure order for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat. The closure order can be viewed here: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf. Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 remain in effect and can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices

Durkee Fire Update for Monday, July 29, 2024

DURKEE FIRE

• Size: 288,690 acres                             
• Containment: 49%                
• Location: 1 mile west of Durkee, OR
• Start Date: July 17, 2024                   
• Personnel: 483
• Cause: Lightning

DURKEE FIRE PUBLIC MEETING – MONDAY JULY 29, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. PDT

Today at 6:30 p.m. PDT a public meeting on the Durkee Fire will be held at the Churchill School, 3451 Broadway St., Baker City, OR.

Current Situation

Despite yesterday afternoon’s southwest winds, firefighters kept the fire in check. Supported by helicopters on the north side of the fire and in Dark Canyon, firefighters completed control lines and successfully conducted strategic firing operations to strengthen lines. Crews continued to patrol and mop up along the I-84 corridor where the fire has been flaring up occasionally, as well as around the Lime community. Crews also focused on the Shirttail Creek area where they are still finding heat, and on mopping up north of Bridgeport. In other areas, firefighters continued mopping up remaining heat, especially under junipers and in stump holes, and dropping snags that present significant hazards.

Today, with the support of helicopters performing bucket drops, firefighters will resume strategic firing operations on the north side of the fire to help strengthen containment lines. They also will use masticators and skidgines to help secure containment. Masticators cut up vegetation, helping to create a fire break by removing fuels. Skidgines, a cross between skidders and wildfire engines with much larger water tanks, can operate in rough terrain. Throughout the fire area firefighters will patrol to ensure that containment lines are holding and will continue mopping up remaining heat, specifically in the Shirttail Creek area, near Bridgeport and into Malheur.

Weather and Fire Behavior

This morning is noticeably more humid but another hot, dry and windy day is expected. Winds will switch in the late morning, coming out of the southwest and possibly pressuring containment lines on the north end of the fire before switching back to northwesterly winds tonight. A weak frontal system will bring a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon, with temperatures in the upper 80s and low 90s and a strong push of northwest Baker Valley winds gusting to 35 mph in the evening and early overnight hours. The chance of thunderstorms increases on Tuesday as an upper level trough moves from west to east. Temperatures are expected to return to triple digits by Thursday.

Evacuations

Yesterday, the Baker County Sheriff’s Office reduced evacuation levels to Level 2 (BE SET) for Rye Valley Lane and Mormon Basin Road south to the Baker County line. This area was previously a Level 3. All other evacuation levels remain the same.

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 stay tuned to their Facebook pages for the latest information.

Residents in Level 3 Evacuations “GO NOW” should leave immediately and not return to their property until evacuation levels are removed. 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.comfor 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.
• A Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect over the Durkee Fire (https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_6061.html). Please 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.

Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4 assumes command of the 
Sand Stone, Deer, and Davenport Fires

Daily Update – Monday, July 29, 2024

Highlights: The Southwest Area Complex Incident Management Team 4 assumed command of the Sand Stone, Deer, and Davenport Fires at 6:00 am this morning, Monday, July 29, 2024. A complex team brings additional resources and management capabilities to manage these incidents. Incident objectives include protecting values at risk, including adjacent Tribal and private lands, power and transportation infrastructure, cultural and natural resources including the Sonoran Desert ecosystem and Mazatzal Wilderness, threatened and endangered species, and range improvements.

Total personnel on all incidents: 200   

Sand Stone Fire:          Acres: 12,985     Containment: 0%     Start Date: 7/25/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush         

Operations: Yesterday, fire crews strategically ignited fuels around the Dos S Ranch and used a bulldozer to build dozerline around the community of Sunflower, removing vegetation ahead of the main fire as a measure to protect values at risk. Fire crews worked along the Arizona National Scenic Trail to provide additional protection against fire spread to the east. Today, crews will assess additional needs for point protection around the Sunflower area and plan to conduct a strategic firing operation along the old Highway 87 to prevent fire spread to the east of the highway. Additional personnel will look for secondary fire line opportunities to limit fire spread to the south and west to minimize effects to Tribal land and nearby communities. 

Deer Fire:                    Acres: 235     Containment: 0%      Start Date: 7/17/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush, timber

Operations: The Deer Fire is burning within the Mazatzal Wilderness. Activity increased slightly yesterday, leading to low severity impacts on the landscape. Firefighters observed the fire slowly backing downhill with low flames, consuming grasses and vegetation along the ground. 

Davenport Fire:           Acres: 447         Containment: 0%      Start Date: 7/19/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush          

Operations: The Davenport Fire was reported within the Mazatzal Wilderness and has not shown any fire activity for several days. Firefighters are continuing to monitor fire activity for any new heat sources or growth. 

Weather: Temperatures on the Sand Stone Fire will be just under 100°F today, with relative humidity levels near 20%. The Deer Fire will be about 10 degrees cooler. Chance of thunderstorms remains low.  

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Fountain Hills, Sunflower, Rio Verde, Goldfield, and unincorporated communities in the Rio Verde Foothills. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Closures: Southbound State Route 87 is closed between State Route 188 to Bush Highway. There is no estimated time to reopen the southbound lanes. See https://az511.gov/ for a map of the closure. A Tonto National Forest closure order for the Sand Stone Fire is anticipated in the near future. Trail users should avoid using the Arizona National Scenic Trail near the fire area. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts at ready.maricopa.gov.

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 on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground 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