Single Publication

Flat Fire Update

August 20, 2024

Email: 2024.flat@firenet.gov

Incident Information Phone Line: 208-923-1265 – daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Flat Fire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdahoDepartmentofLands

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idids-2024-flat

Smoke Report: https://www.airnow.gov

Flat Fire Facts

Location: Approximately one mile northeast of Pioneerville in Boise County, Idaho

Reported: August 5, 2024 

Cause: Lightning/Natural

Acres: 3,668

Containment: 24%

Fuels: Timber with grass and understory

Personnel: 488 (11 hand crews, 11 engines, 6 water tenders, 4 dozers, 1 masticator and 5 helicopters)

Highlights: Yesterday was again a very productive and successful day on the Flat Fire. Crews continue to monitor, patrol and mop-up the western and northern flanks of the fire, looking for hot spots and reinforcing the fire line to protect the town of Pioneerville. On the northeastern side of the fire, the 2016 Pioneer Fire burn scar has limited the rate of spread. However, snags and hazard trees continue to present unsafe working conditions for firefighters. As a result, dozers are constructing indirect fire lines to lessen hazardous working conditions and limit the exposure and risk to firefighters. 

A spot fire on the southeastern side of the fire area continues to be a priority. Firefighters were able to hike into the area and successfully establish a line around the spot with the support of aircraft and waterdrops. Overall, the Flat Fire continues to experience moderate activity and minimal growth, with unburned pockets of fuels burning primarily within the fire perimeter. Today, crews will continue to patrol, monitor and construct direct and indirect containment lines on the southern flank, burning out pockets of fuel along the line where necessary. Firefighters will secure and mop up the north and south side of the fire, constructing containment line to the south towards the Wilson Peak Roadless Area.

Fire Behavior and Weather: Warm and dry conditions experienced yesterday will continue through most of the week with daytime temperature to 73 degrees and relative humidity 17-24% through Wednesday. A fire weather watch is in effect from Thursday afternoon through Thursday evening for gusty winds, low relative humidities and unstable fire weather across the fire area. Much cooler and wetter weather will arrive this weekend with an upper-level low moving into the Pacific Northwest by Friday.

Road and Trail Closures and Restrictions: The Boise National Forest has implemented an Area Closure for the Flat Fire. See link for additional information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices. The Summit Flat Road (#380) between Pioneerville and Coulter Summit and FS Road 379 (Elk Creek Road) is closed for public and firefighter safety.

Fires Burning in the Vicinity: There are other fires burning north of the Flat Fire. See link for additional information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-middle-fork-complex-fire-bulldog-nellie-anderson.