Single Publication

Fire Location 

• Snag: 11 miles East of Cascade, Idaho
• Dollar: 18 mi. NE of Cascade, Idaho

Size 

• Snag: 1,451 acres 
• Dollar: 1060 acres 

Containment 

• Snag: 0% 
• Dollar: 0% 

Personnel 

• Snag/Dollar: 75 (personnel shared)
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Start Date 

• Both Fires:  08/05/2024

Cause 

• Both Fires: lightning 

Incident Commander:Mike Johnston, IC CIMT GBT7, Jeff Knudson, Deputy IC

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Summary: The Dollar and Snag Fires on the Boise National Forest started on the evening of August 5th after a storm system producing cloud-to-ground lightning moved through the area. Lightning has been determined as the cause of both fires. The Dollar and Snag Fires will be added to the West Mountain Complex which already includes Boulder, Wapiti, and Bulltrout Fires on the Boise National Forest, and the Wolf Creek Fire on the Payette National Forest. The team is using a full suppression strategy on these lightning-caused fires. 

Weather | Anticipated Fire Behavior: High clouds and temperatures in the 70s with light western winds during the day, switching to the east at night are expected tomorrow. These warm and dry conditions coupled with low humidities will continue to cure both live and dead fuels across the landscape.

Actions: Limited resources were available yesterday to address these fires, however significant preplanning was accomplished. Today, firefighters will be assigned to both the Dollar and Snag Fires.  Fire scars in the area may help slow the progression of these fires. A single Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) will be in place over both fire areas.

Dollar Fire: The fire is burning to the northeast towards high elevation peaks where there are less fuels. Fire growth is being pushed by upslope winds. To the east, a fire scar from 2007 has a significant change in fuel type and may moderate fire behavior and spread potential.  Fire managers will continue to capture information and develop a plan for this fire.

Snag Fire: The Snag Fire is burning is an area containing dead, down and standing dead fuels. It has the potential to spot out ½ mile in front of the fire’s edge. The fire continues to move to the north and east. The fire crossed the 433 Road yesterday and is headed in the direction of the 409 Road. Firefighters will be on the fire ground today to fully assess the situation.

Important Information: The Valley County Sheriff’s Office has issued a “ready” evacuation order for Warm Lake residents and the North Shore Lodge at Warm Lake due to increased fire activity on the Snag Fire.  The ready order was released yesterday so residents have adequate time to pre-plan. 

For timely information on evacuations, sign up for Valley County’s emergency alert: https://www.co.valley.id.us/CompleteEmergencyNotificationandAlerting. The public can review the READY, SET, GO evacuation procedure for Valley County at https://www.co.valley.id.us/ReadySetGo

The Boise National Forest has issued closure order # 0402-04-100 for the National Forest System (NFS) roads, trails and lands around the Snag Fire. For a map and a more detailed description of the closure please visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.  Note:  The closure order states the area, trail, and road closure is for the Dollar and Oro Fire area.  This closure includes the Snag Fire. 

 Ingress along the Warm Lake Highway on the east side of Scott Valley is closed. Currently, westbound traffic toward Cascade along the Warm Lake Highway is allowed. Residents and recreators in the area will be notified of the closure. Residents not currently at their homes will be granted one-time access into the Warm Lake area to retrieve animals and other property if they can provide a valid address. Anyone who remains in the area should be prepared for a full closure of the Warm Lake Highway and have enough fuel to exit the area via the Deadwood area or Lick Creek Road. As a reminder, the South Fork Road remains closed due to construction unrelated to the Snag Fire.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions have been issued for the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Area on the Boise National Forest.  For more information on the restrictions and a very helpful interactive map, visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/.