Single Publication

Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires

Fire Information 208-992-3032

2024.limepoint@firenet.gov

Limepoint: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-limepoint-fire

Cliff Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-cliff-mountain

https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest/

Friday, August 9, 2024

The Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires are burning in the Hells Canyon area, located on the Payette National Forest in west-central Idaho, east of the Snake River bordering Oregon.

Note: Yesterday Adams County Sheriff announced that residents of Bear, Calf Pen and Wildhorse may return to their homes at a Level 2 (Set) evacuation level. Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations are still in effect for Cuprum. If you have evacuated areas still under Level 3 evacuations, please do not go back. Fire personnel work closely with the sheriff’s office with recommendations to reenter evacuated areas when safe to do so.

Tonight, Friday August 9, a public update about the Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires will be held at 7:00 pm via Facebook Live (https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest/). 

Limepoint Fire

The Limepoint Fire is west of Cuprum and Bear communities to the Snake River in Adams County, Idaho and was started by lightning on July 24th, burning in tall grass, brush and timber. The southern part of the fire was once a smaller, separate fire named the Oxbow Fire, but both fires burned together and are now collectively known as the Limepoint Fire. It is now 28,115 acres (an increase of 1,320 acres) with 27 percent containment. The fire threatens homes in several areas, including Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse, Paradise Flat and Ditch Creek. Idaho Power transmission lines to the south of the fire are threatened. 

Yesterday, fire behavior was moderate, and firefighters held firelines with the help of helicopters. Firefighters continued to work overnight on the fire, mopping up and protecting structures. Structure protection remains in place in Bear, Cuprum, Paradise Flat, Ditch Creek, Wildhorse, Mill Creek and OX Ranch.

On the northern flank, heat was observed in scattered timber with active runs and crews improved fireline along Grassy Ridge. Favorable conditions allowed hotshot crews to begin tactical burning south of Horse Mountain Lookout. A drone (Unmanned Aircraft System) helped with aerial ignition and super scoopers and helicopters used water to prevent fire spotting over the line. 

On the eastern flank, crews conducted mop up and held a fireline north of Boulder Creek and along Forest Road 071. Firefighters observed heat and smoke in this area, where a pocket of green vegetation continues to burn. Engines mopped up areas of heat on the west side of Cuprum. Structure protection specialists finished protecting additional structures in Bear.

On the southeastern flank, firefighters continued to mop up in the Flat Creek and Elk Creek areas and much of the fireline in this area is considered contained. Masticators also improved contingency lines in Ditch Creek.

The southwestern flank near Oxbow and western flank along Forest Road 454 (Hells Canyon Road) south of Big Bar had minimal fire activity yesterday. Several areas along the Snake River on the western flank are contained.

Today, 14 hand crews, 26 engines, seven bulldozers, five helicopters, two skidders, four masticators, four feller-bunchers, one excavator and 672 people are on the Limepoint Fire. On the northern flank, crews will continue to maintain firelines and establish dozer line north to Sheep Rock. As conditions allow, firefighters will continue with strategic burning operations south of Horse Mountain Lookout and along Grassy Ridge, which may span several days. Masticators will work near Lockwood Saddle to reduce ladder fuels in subalpine fir stands to prevent torching. 

On the eastern flank, crews will continue mopping up and securing fireline north of Boulder Creek and along Forest Road 071. They will also continue improving a contingency fireline west of Bear and lengthening this contingency fireline north toward Black Lake Road using bulldozers, a feller buncher and other heavy equipment. Firefighters continue to monitor hot spots along Indian Creek up to Cuprum. 

On the southeastern flank, crews will continue to improve and mop up fireline to hold the fire in the Flat Creek and Bear Creek drainage. Masticators will also work to improve existing roads along Ditch Creek. 

No personnel are assigned to the western flank of the fire due to lack of fire activity along the Snake River, but firefighters will monitor the area by air. 

Cliff Mountain Fire

The Cliff Mountain Fire started by lightning on July 25th in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in wilderness just below Hells Canyon Dam 25 miles east of Joseph, Oregon in Adams and Idaho Counties, Idaho. It also was once two fires, the Muddy Fire and the Cliff Mountain Fire, which burned into each other. It is 1,108 acres with 20 percent containment, burning mostly in wilderness, with growth slowed in some areas due to steep rocks. Hells Canyon Dam and associated powerlines are threatened by the fire. No smoke was observed on this fire yesterday. No personnel are assigned to the fire. 

Weather/Fire Behavior: Today is forecasted to be warm and hazy, with a chance for thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs will be in the mid-90s, while relative humidity will be 15-19%. Downslope northeast winds in the morning will become north-northwest in the afternoon with gusts near 15 mph during the afternoon. 

Dead and down fuels remain extremely dry, making all types of vegetation available to burn. In heavy grass, a new start could burn 363 acres in an hour if undetected. Minimal fire activity is expected today along the Snake River north of Oxbow; however, material could continue to roll down onto Hells Canyon Road. In the northern, eastern, and southern flanks of the fire, interior burning and spotting is likely, although fire activity is expected to be minimal. The Cliff Mountain Fire is expected to have minimal fire activity.

Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov and www.wildlandfiresmoke.net. 

Evacuations: Per Adams County Sheriff, residents of Bear, Calf Pen and Wildhorse may return to their homes at a Level 2 (Set) evacuation level. Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations are still in effect for Cuprum. If you have evacuated areas under Level 3 evacuations, please do not go back. Fire personnel work closely with the sheriff’s office with recommendations to reenter evacuated areas when safe to do so.

Closures and Restrictions: The Payette National Forest issued a Forest Closure to protect public safety during the Limepoint and Cliff Mountain wildfires. The closure includes, but is not limited to, the following recreation areas: Big Bar, Black Lake, Sheep Rock, Kinney Point and Horse Mountain Lookout. Huckleberry Campground is also closed. For more information, see the full closure orderand map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/payette/fire.

Kleinschmidt Grade (Forest Road 050), Calf Pen Road, and Landore Road are closed. The Council-Cuprum Road is closed at the Black Lake turnoff. Reminder: the Forest Closure order is still in effect, therefore all roads within the order remain closed. Forest Road 454, which runs along the river is open, but please drive with caution due to rolling debris. Do not stop on the road. 

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Payette National Forest and all state, private and BLM lands in the fire area. Prohibited: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on your own land, and only within a permanent landowner-provided structure; and smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.