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

Flat Fire Facts

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

Reported: August 5, 2024 

Cause: Lightning/Natural

Acres: 3,719

Containment: 43%

Fuels: Timber with grass and understory

Personnel: 443 (10 hand crews, 12 engines, 6 water tenders, 3 dozers, 3 masticators and 5 helicopters)

Highlights: Yesterday was another productive and effective day on the Flat Fire as firefighters continue adding containment or black line along the northern and southern edge of the fire area. On the northeastern flank, the 2016 Pioneer Fire burn scar has limited the rate-of-spread and lowered burn intensity. However, steep terrain, snags and hazard trees continue to present unsafe working conditions for firefighters in this area. Crews continued to monitor, patrol and mop-up the western and northern flanks of the fire, looking for hot spots and reinforcing the fireline to protect private lands and the town of Pioneerville. On the eastern flank, dozers continued constructing an indirect fireline to lessen hazardous working conditions and limit exposure and risk to firefighters. Firefighters have also been working the spot fire on the southeastern side of the fire near Wilson Peak. Crews now have the spot fire completely lined and it is currently in mop-up status. Overall, the Flat Fire continues to experience moderate activity and minimal growth, with unburned pockets of fuels burning primarily within the fire perimeter. Today, firefighters will continue to patrol the west side of the fire looking for hot spots and reinforcing firelines. They will continue to secure and mop-up the north and south side of the fire to stop fire spread and prevent negative impacts of fire to the Idaho City watershed and state, private, and federal lands. Crews will continue indirect line construction on the east side of the fire and monitor fire spread in the Pioneer Fire burn scar.

Fire Behavior and Weather: Warm and dry conditions experienced yesterday will continue through the rest of the week. A low pressure approaching central Idaho will bring an increase in southwesterly wind with gusts over 20 mph. This combined with low relative humidity in the mid-teens has brought elevated fire weather concerns and a Red Flag Warning is in effect Thursday afternoon and evening for gusty winds, increasing instability and low RHs. Much cooler temperatures with areas of rain are expected Friday night through Saturday.

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.

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