Wildfire Aware Situation Report: FRIDAY | AUGUST 18, 2023
Welcome to the Wildfire Aware Situation Report for FRIDAY | AUGUST 18, 2023, for the United States. Initial Attack activity continues to be MODERATE, with 233 NEW FIRES reported. There are 14 NEW LARGE FIRES in California, Montana, Washington, Idaho, Colorado, Alaska and Texas.
Happy Camp Complex (CA): Klamath NF, USFS. IMT 1 (CA Team 5). Includes the previously reported Head fire. Twenty-one miles west of Yreka, CA. Timber and brush. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing and single tree torching. Numerous structures threatened. Evacuations and road closures in effect. *
2023 SRF Lightning Complex (CA): Six Rivers NF, USFS. IMT 1 (CA Team 2) mobilizing. Includes the previously reported Lone Pine fire. Twenty-two miles north of Hoopa, CA. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with flanking, backing and spotting. Numerous structures threatened.
South Fork Complex (CA): Shasta-Trinity NF, USFS. IMT 2 (CA Team 11) mobilizing. Fifteen miles west of Hayfork, CA. Brush. Active fire behavior. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened.
Pilot (CA): Six Rivers NF, USFS. Eleven miles northwest of Hyampom, CA. Timber and brush. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing and torching.
Dome Peak (WA): Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF, USFS. Twenty-six miles northwest of Darrington, WA. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with backing and creeping. Trail closures in effect. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Doris Point (MT): Flathead NF, USFS. Sixteen miles northeast of Kalispell, MT. Brush and timber. Active fire behavior with creeping, smoldering and short crown runs. Road closures in effect.
Stadium Creek (MT): Flathead NF, USFS. Eighteen miles northeast of Condon, MT. Timber. Moderate fire behavior. Are and trail closures in effect. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Throng (MT): Bitterroot NF, USFS. Forty miles southwest of Darby, MT. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing and group torching. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
East (ID): Boise NF, USFS. IMT 2 (GB Team 6) mobilizing. Ten miles southeast of Cascade, ID. Timber. Active fire behavior with running, short-range spotting and flanking. Structures and communication infrastructure threatened.
Chilcoot (ID): Salmon-Challis NF, USFS. Thirty-six miles southeast of McCall, ID. Timber. Active fire behavior with group torching and short crown runs. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Noelke 3 (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Started on private land 12 miles southeast of Barnhart, TX. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior with group torching and wind-driven runs. Structures threatened.
Deserado (CO): Rio Blanco County. Nine miles northwest of Rangely, CO. Brush and grass. Active fire behavior with crowning and short crown runs. Road closures in effect.
Sunagun (AK)*: Upper Yukon Zone, BLM. Started on FWS land 87 miles northeast of Chalkyitsik, AK. Timber. Minimal fire behavior. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Canal (TX)
6 large fires were contained. There are a total of 42 UNCONTAINED LARGE FIRES currently.
Northern California Area (PL 4)
Smith River Complex (CA): (6 fires), Six Rivers NF, USFS. IMT 2 (CA Team 15). Seven miles northeast of Gasquet, CA. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with running and flanking. Communication and energy infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area, road and trail closures in effect.
Slide 1 (CA): Mendocino NF, USFS. Twenty-four miles northwest of Flournoy, CA. Chaparral, grass and timber. Moderate fire behavior with backing and flanking. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Deep (CA): Shasta-Trinity NF, USFS. IMT 2 (CA Team 10) mobilizing. Ten miles north of Weaverville, CA. Brush and timber. Active fire behavior with backing, torching and short-range spotting. Structures threatened. Evacuations, area and trail closures in effect.
SKU August Lightning Complex (CA): Siskiyou Unit, Cal Fire. Two miles south of Yreka, CA. Timber and brush. Energy infrastructure threatened.
Head (CA): Klamath NF, USFS. IMT 1 (CA Team 5). Twenty-one miles northwest of Yreka, CA. Timber and chaparral. Extreme fire behavior with short crown runs, long-range spotting and running. Several communities threatened. Evacuations, area and road closures in effect. Reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping.
Lahaina (HI): County of Maui. One mile northeast of Lahaina, HI. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Several communities threatened. Area and road closures in effect.
Upcountry (HI): County of Maui. Eight miles northeast of Wailea, HI. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Several communities threatened. Evacuations, area and road closures in effect.
Northwest Area (PL 4)
Lookout (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. IMT 2 (NW Team 6). Four miles north of McKenzie Bridge, OR. Timber. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, group torching and short-range spotting. Community of McKenzie Bridge and infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Bedrock (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. IMT 2 (NW Team 12). IMT is also managing the Salmon fire. Twelve miles south of Vida, OR. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with torching, uphill runs and short crown runs. Numerous structures threatened. Evacuations, area, road and trail closures in effect.Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Salmon (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. Four miles northeast of Oakridge, OR. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping. Several communities and infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Sourdough (WA): North Cascades NP, NPS. IMT 2 (NW Team 10). Six miles northeast of Newhalem, WA. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with flanking, backing and creeping. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area, road and trail closures in effect
Flat (OR): Rogue River-Siskiyou NF, USFS. CIMT (NR Team 2). Two miles southeast of Agness, OR. Brush, timber and chaparral. Minimal fire behavior with backing, creeping and flanking. Structures threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Wiley (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. Started on private land 10 miles southeast of Sweet Home, OR. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with isolated torching and backing. Residences threatened. Road closures in effect.
Trinity (WA): Spokane District, BLM. Seven miles north of Benton, WA. Short grass. No new information
Blue Lake (WA)*: Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, USFS. Twenty-three miles northwest of Winthrop, WA. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, spotting and backing. Structures threatened. Road and trail closures in effect. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Airplane Lake (WA)*
Northern Rockies Area (PL 3)
Ridge Creek (ID): Idaho Panhandle NF, USFS. IMT 2 (EA Silver Team). Nine miles northeast of Hayden, ID. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, short-range spotting and single tree torching. Residences and energy infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Ridge (MT): Flathead NF, USFS. IMT 1 (CA Team 4). Six miles east of Hungry Horse, MT. Timber and brush. Moderate fire behavior with backing, creeping and smoldering. Residences and communication infrastructure threatened. Area and road closures in effect.
Big Knife (MT)*:Flathead Agency, BIA. CIMT (NR Team 3). CIMT is also managing the Niarada and Mill Pocket fires. Five miles east of Arlee, MT. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with backing, flanking and single tree torching. Numerous structures threatened. Road closures in effect.
Niarada (MT): Flathead Agency, BIA. Twelve miles west of Elmo, MT. Timber, brush and grass. Moderate fire behavior with backing, isolated torching and creeping. Numerous residences threatened. Trail closures in effect.
Mill Pocket (MT): Flathead Agency, BIA. Fifteen miles west of Elmo, MT. Grass, brush and timber. Minimal fire behavior with backing, creeping and smoldering. Road closures in effect.
Colt (MT): Southwestern Land Office, Montana DNR. CIMT (NR Team 5). Twelve miles northwest of Seeley Lake, MT. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping, single tree torching and smoldering. Structures and communication infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
East Fork (MT): Kootenai NF, USFS. Twelve miles south of Trego, MT. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with isolated torching, backing and flanking. Road closures in effect.
Gravel Pit (MT): Northwest Land Office, Montana DNR. Twenty-five miles southeast of Libby, MT. Timber, brush and grass. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping.
Midnight (ID): Nez Perce-Clearwater NF, USFS. Thirteen miles east of Grangeville, ID. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering. Residences and communication infrastructure threatened.
Consalus (ID): Idaho Panhandle NF, USFS. Eight miles southwest of Lamb Creek, ID. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with creeping, backing and smoldering. Residences threatened. Road closures in effect.
Tin Soldier Complex (MT): (3 fires), Flathead NF, USFS. Previously reported incident. Seventeen miles west of Swan Lake, MT. Timber. Active fire behavior with short crown runs, group torching and spotting. Numerous structures and infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area and road closures in effect.
Bowles Creek (MT)
Buckskin 2 (ID)*
Snowden (ID)*
West Fork (ID)*
Little Bear (ID)*
Sawtooth (ID)*
Sidney (ID)*
Great Basin Area (PL 3)
Elkhorn (ID)*: Payette NF, USFS. CIMT (GB Team 2). Twenty-five miles northeast of Warren, ID. Timber and brush. Moderate fire behavior with backing, flanking and single tree torching. Structures threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Thompson Ridge (UT): Fishlake NF, USFS. IMT 2 (GB Team 5). Ten miles southeast of Beaver, UT. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping, smoldering and backing. Energy infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Hayden (ID)*
Southern Area (PL 3)
Black Lagoon (LA): Bayou Sauvage NWR, FWS. Sixteen miles northeast of New Orleans, LA. Grass. No new information. Last report unless new information is received.
Powerline Grade (FL)*: Florida Forest Service. Started on private land six miles southwest of Indiantown, FL. Grass. Moderate fire behavior with backing. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Dry (TX)
Hogpen (TZ)*
Alaska Area (PL 3)
Anderson Complex (AK)*: (5 fires), Fairbanks Area, Alaska DOF. IMT 2 (GB Team 3). Started on private land eight miles southwest of Anderson, AK. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering, creeping and torching. Numerous residences threatened. Evacuations in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Lost Horse Creek (AK)*: Fairbanks Area, Alaska DOF. IMT 2 (AK Green Team). Twenty-two miles north of Fairbanks, AK. Timber and brush. Moderate fire behavior with creeping, single tree torching and smoldering. Numerous structures threatened. Evacuations, area and trail closures in effect.
Pogo Mine Road (AK)*
Mount Hayes (AK)*
McCoy Creek (AK)*
Wood (AK)*
Cosna (AK)*
Mooseheart (AK)*
Chitsia (AK)*
Draanjik (AK)*
Waterfall (AK)*
Napoleon (AK)*
Clear Creek (AK)*
Delta (AK)*
Ponds (AK)*
Kevinjik (AK)*
Preacher (AK)*
Jordan (AK)*
Crooked (AK)*
Wickersham (AK)*
Hodzana (AK)*
Pick (AK)*
Browns (AK)*
Dagislakhna (AK)*
Holonada (AK)*
Rocky Mountain Area (PL 2)
Bear Creek (CO): San Juan NF, USFS. NIMO (NIMO Team 1). NIMO is also managing the Quartz Ridge incident. Twenty-three miles northwest of Pagosa Springs, CO. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with creeping, single tree torching and smoldering. Residences threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Quartz Ridge (CO): San Juan NF, USFS. Eleven miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, CO. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping. Road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Little Mesa (CO)*
Lowline (CO)*
Southwest Area (PL 3)
Black Feather (NM): Santa Fe NF, USFS. Transfer of command from IMT 1 (SW Team 2) back to the local unit will occur today. Ten miles northwest of Cuba, NM. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Several communities and infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Brady (AZ): Central District, Arizona DOF. Seven miles northeast of Pine, AZ. Timber, brush and grass. No new information.Area, road and trail closures in effect. Reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping
American Mesa (NM): Carson NF, USFS. Eighteen miles west of Dulce, NM. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Energy infrastructure threatened.
Kane (AZ): Kaibab NF, USFS. Forty miles southwest of Page, AZ. Timber, grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Diamond (AZ): Tonto NF, USFS. Eleven miles west of Tonto Basin, AZ. Grass, chaparral and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Hidden (AZ): Arizona Strip District, BLM. Twenty-seven miles southeast of Littlefield, AZ. Grass and brush. Moderate fire behavior with creeping, wind-driven runs and smoldering. Structures threatened.
Misdan (AZ)
Dark (NM)*
Prior (NM)*
Turkey (NM)*
Porcupine (NM)*
Wildcat (AZ)*
Dolan (NM)*
Black River Complex (AZ)*
Noonday (NM)*
Tub (NM)*
Carlota (AZ)*
Divide (NM)*
Pasture (NM)*
Davis (NM)*
Southern California Area (PL 3)
Pika (CA)*
*Nationally, 63 fires are being managed under a strategy other than full suppression.
We are at National Preparedness Level 4.
Wildfire Aware Situation Report: Weather Discussion
Provided by the National Interagency Fire Center
Slight cooling is expected over the Pacific Northwest, Northern Rockies, and much of the Great Basin. However, it will remain warm and dry, and winds will also increase through the Cascade Gaps and Northern Rockies. Minimum relative humidity will fall to 10% to 25% over a wide area, poor recoveries will continue for many mid-slope and higher locations, and temperatures will still reach 90 to 100°F in many of those areas. Another round of mixed wet and dry thunderstorms is expected over northern California, where it will remain dry and a little breezier, while a mainly dry day is expected in southern California. Isolated mixed wet and dry thunderstorms are also likely in portions of southern and eastern Oregon, southern and central Idaho, and southern Montana into western Wyoming. An active monsoon will lead to continued wet thunderstorms across the Four Corners states, minus New Mexico which will be mostly dry. Hot and dry weather will continue over Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Warming is also expected over the Plains states along with gusty south winds, while the Great Lakes area will be breezy but cooler. Showers and thunderstorms are likely for the Northeast, while the mid-Atlantic and Southeast will trend drier but also cooler. Temperatures will remain near to below normal in most of Alaska with showery weather in northern and western portions of the state.
Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather watches are in effect throughout the Pacific Northwest, spreading through Northern Montana. There is a Fire Weather Watch in Southeastern Texas. The Storm Prediction Center has issued Elevated and Extreme Fire Weather areas of concern throughout the Pacific Northwest spreading through Northern Montana as well.
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Link to the National Incident Management Situation Report.
Link to the National Weather Service Fire Weather Prediction Center.
Link to the National 7-Day Significant Fire Potential.
