Single Publication

Incident Commander:  Rick Connell, Northern Rockies Team 5

Middle Fork Complex Location: 9 miles east of Garden Valley, ID   

Bulltrout Location: 15 miles WNW OF Stanley, ID                 Wapiti Location: 2 miles southwest of Grandjean, ID

Start Dates:  07/24/24 – 08/06/2024

Cause: Lightning

Size:                                       

Bulltrout: 271 acres                         Wapiti: 2,667 acres

Middle Fork Complex:                    Bulldog: 2,100 acres                        Nellie: 3,681 acres

Containment:                          Middle Fork Complex: 0%                Bulltrout: 92%           Wapiti: 0%

Resources on site:      

Middle Fork Complex: 1 hotshot crew; 5 type 2 hand crew; 9 engines; 3 bulldozers; 3 water tenders

Wapiti: 1 type 2 hand crew; 8 engines; 1 water tender

Bulltrout: 2 engines

Total Personnel:        Middle Fork Complex: 300           Bulltrout:20               Wapiti: 57

KEY MESSAGE:

Join us for a Middle Fork Complex, Bulltrout, and Wapiti Fire Community Meeting Today at 7pm for an in-person explanation of current fire activity and planned actions on these fires. The Community Meeting will be located at the Lowman Emergency Services Station 80, at 8000 HWY 21, Lowman, ID. Also, the Boise National Forest adjusted the fire closure areas. 

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 

Middle Fork Complex: The Middle Fork Complex is comprised of Bulldog, Nellie, and Anderson fires. 

On the Bulldog Fire, strategic overnight firing operations along the south side of the fire were successful in connecting with the historic Pioneer fire burn area. Firefighters continue to secure the edge of the fire. On the north side of the fire crews are working with terrain and fuels to create a fuel break.  The public is reminded that the Middle Fork Road is closed at the Forest Service boundary just south of Lightning Creek for firefighter and public safety as crews continue to work to protect private property and structures in the vicinity of Crouch.

On August 12th the Nellie and Anderson fires merged and will now be treated as one fire and retain the name Nellie. The current containment on the newly combined Nellie fire is 0%. The fire is burning in steep remote terrain and is backing into the 2016 Pioneer fire area. Crews plan to utilize unmanned aerial system (UAS) today to conduct strategic firing operations ahead of the fire to reduce fuels availability. The public is reminded that Forest Service Road #555 is closed at the intersection of Highway 17.

Wapiti Fire: Wapiti fire has been active in areas exposed to winds in upper elevations and ridges. Firefighters continue to ensure the structures in the vicinity of the fire are protected with improved defensible space, with an extensive sprinkler and water pumping system in communities near the fire. Crews are evaluating the Hanging Valley subdivision. Smoke may be visible from State Highway 21 please use caution while driving in the area. A predominant ridge on the west side of the fire is being assessed for opportunities to conduct strategic firing operations when conditions are favorable. On the south side of the fire is a historic fire area is adjacent to the fire and remains less receptive to fire activity. 

Bulltrout Fire: The fire is 92% contained and firefighters continue suppression repair in areas affected by the fire. The fire is smoldering and creeping through unburned areas within the interior of the fire and crews continue patrolling and extinguishing pockets of heat in the interior of the fire on the south side of the fire. 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

Yesterday the inversion lifted mid-afternoon as predicted, and the fires experienced west-southwest winds around 15 mph. Today a weak weather system is passing through the area and intermittent showers are expected and outflow winds may be possible. Thunderstorms in the morning will move out of the area around 1200 PM and conditions will remain cooler. An increase in fire activity is expected if outflow winds impact fire areas and when the sky clears. Fires are burning in timber and understory with group torching, spread will continue in all directions.

CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS, AND EVACUATIONS:

Middle Fork Complex: The Boise County Sheriff's Office continues to maintain the Level 2 evacuation notice for residents on and near the Middlefork Road between Stump Ranch Road up to Tie Creek Campground. The Boise National Forest issued areas closure for the fire area (Closure #0402-06-59 and Closure # 0402-05-93). Effective August 12, 2024. The purpose of these orders is to protect public safety during the fires.

Wapiti Fire: The evacuation order for Summer Homes and the Sawtooth Lodge remain in effect for the Wapiti Fire, as does the area closure issued by the Sawtooth and Boise National Forests (Closure #0402-05-94) Effective August 12, 2024. This Order is for public and firefighter safety during fire suppression efforts of the Wapiti Fire. 

Bulltrout Fire: The Bull Trout Fire Area Closure (Closure #0402-05-93) remains in effect for the roads, trails within the perimeter of the fire. Boise National Forest issued this order on August,12, 2024. It will be rescinded as soon as it is safe to do so. 

Closure information and maps are posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place. https://tinyurl.com/2u8v3pf7 

The Boise National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and Bureau of Land Management are in Stage 1 fire restrictions on state, endowment, private and federal lands within the West Central Mountains Fire Restrictions Zone. For more information on the restrictions and a map visit: 

https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/