Single Publication

Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Contact Fire Information: 208-992-3032

or 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/

A Red Flag Warning is in effect through tonight at 9:00 p.m. Thunderstorms will bring wind gusts from the south to southwest at 20-28 miles per hour (mph) with possible gusts up to 50 mph and lightning this morning and afternoon. Thunderstorms will not produce significant rainfall. Yesterday, aviation assisted with initial attack on one new fire start in the Payette National Forest. Firefighters will check the fireline for hazards that may have appeared after last night’s wind. For safety, the firefighter camp to the north near Horse Mountain was temporarily combined with another camp in Bear with less exposure to lightning and erratic winds. 

Attention is focused on the northern portion of the fire, near Horse Mountain and Grassy Ridge, where there is more fire activity. Firefighters are keeping areas of heat within established fireline. To the east, firefighters worked overnight to keep gusty winds from pushing fire over the existing fireline, continuing to protect the communities of Bear and Cuprum. Crews are using heavy machinery, such as masticators and bulldozers, to finish a contingency line on the east side of the fire. Much of the fireline in the southern and western sides of the fire is considered contained. 

In the next several days, firefighters will begin repair of some dozer lines. Deputy Incident Commander Jeff Knudson said, “Firefighters will continue to be busy, as the team transitions into this phase of the fire.”

The Cliff Mountain Fire started by lightning on July 25th in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area just east of Hells Canyon Dam. It is 1,108 acres with 20 percent containment, burning mostly in wilderness. No smoke was observed yesterday, and no personnel are assigned. Aviation continues to actively assess the fire daily.

Evacuations: Cuprum is at a Level 2 (SET) evacuation level, per the Adams County Sheriff. Bear and Wildhorse are in a Level 1 (READY) evacuation. For your safety and the safety of firefighters, please stay away from the fire area. Only residents and property owners are allowed in the area until further notice.

Closures: The Payette National Forest issued a Forest Closure to protect public safety and 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 inaccessible due to county road restrictions. For more information, about the closure visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-limepoint-fire. County roads within the Forest Closure area are accessible to firefighters and local residents only. Forest Road 454, which runs along the Snake River is open, but please drive with caution due to rolling debris.

Restrictions: Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Payette National Forest and all state, private andBLM lands in the fire area. Under these restrictions, campfires are allowed only in recreation sites within metal fire pits. Fires of any kind are not allowed in any dispersed camping areas.