Single Publication

Incident Commander:  Rick Connell, Northern Rockies Team 5
Middle Fork Complex Location: 9 miles east of Garden Valley, ID    
Bull Trout 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:                            
Bull Trout: 271 acres       Wapiti: 3,979 acres
Middle Fork Complex:   Bulldog: 3,407 acres   Nellie: 6,624 acres

Containment:      Middle Fork Complex: 0%    Wapiti: 0%     Bull Trout:  92%

Resources on site:      
Middle Fork Complex: 2 hotshot crews; 5 type 2 hand crews; 9 engines; 1 bulldozers; 2 water tenders; 
1 skidgen
Wapiti: 1 type 2 hand crew; 8 engines; 1 water tender
Bull Trout: 1 engine

Total Personnel:    Middle Fork Complex: 342             Wapiti: 82      Bull Trout: 17   

KEY MESSAGE:

Join us for a Middle Fork Complex, Bull Trout, and Wapiti Fire Community Meeting today, August 17, 2024, 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.

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS:

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

On the Bulldog Fire, firefighters successfully completed strategic firing operations yesterday. Crews will be holding, improving and securing lines around the fire. Firefighters will also utilize strategic firing, as needed, along the Forest Service Road 698 to prevent spread to the west. The public is reminded that the Middlefork Road is closed at the Forest Service boundary just north of Lightning Creek for firefighter and public safety as crews continue to work to protect private property and structures in the vicinity of Crouch.  The Nellie Fire is still slowly backing against the wind on the southern edge of the fire. Firefighters will continue point protection at lookouts and a communication tower. Smoke may be more visible from the highway. The public is reminded that Forest Service Road #555 is closed at the intersection of Highway 17 all the way to the Forest Service Road #579 intersection.

Wapiti Fire: The Wapiti Fire had a successful strategic firing operation on the northeast side yesterday. Crews were supported by an unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) capable of ignitions. Crews will be holding and securing lines throughout the day. The northwest side of the fire received more precipitation from passing storms and will be monitored for activity. 

Bull Trout Fire: The Bull Trout fire is still 92% contained. Due to falling dead and live trees, crews cannot safely access the interior of the fire and will continue to patrol the perimeter.  

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:

A red flag warning has been issued for this afternoon and into the evening. Southernly winds will increase by early afternoon along upper ridgelines and through wind aligned drainages, while most low-mid elevations remained sheltered. Hot, dry and unstable air will cause fire activity to increase. With higher temperatures and lower relative humidity, the fires will be experiencing a longer burn period. Backing, group tree torching, and short-range spotting
is expected. With the changing weather, small dead debris and live fuels are expected to dry and become more susceptible to ignition. 

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 an area closure for the fire (Closure #0402-06-59) effective August 12, 2024. The purpose of this order 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.

Bull Trout Fire: The Bull Trout Fire Area Closure (Closure #0402-05-93) remains in effect for the roads and trails within the perimeter of the fire. The 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 Forest’s 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/