Wildfire Aware Situation Report: SATURDAY | AUGUST 19, 2023
Welcome to the Wildfire Aware Situation Report for SATURDAY | AUGUST 19, 2023, for the United States. Initial Attack activity continues to be MODERATE, with 208 NEW FIRES reported. There are 11 NEW LARGE FIRES in California, Washington, and Texas.
Lake (CA): Klamath NF, USFS. Twelve miles northwest of Greenview, CA. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with group torching, short crown runs and short-range spotting. Structures threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Winona (WA): Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office. Twenty-one miles northwest of Colfax, WA. Grass and brush. Extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs. Numerous structures threatened. Evacuations, area and road closures in effect.
Gray (WA): Northeast Region-Department of Natural Resources. Three miles southwest of Medical Lake, WA. Timber, grass and brush. Extreme fire behavior with wind-driven runs, crowning and long-range spotting. Several communities and infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area and road closures in effect.
River Road East (MT): Lolo NF, USFS. CIMT (NR Team 1) mobilizing. Six miles southeast of Plains, MT. Timber and grass. Extreme fire behavior with uphill runs, long-range spotting and group torching. Community of Paradise and infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area and road closures in effect.
Electric Slide (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Started on private land 37 miles northwest of Raymondville, TX. Grass and chaparral. Active fire behavior with wind-driven runs and short-range spotting. Structures threatened. Evacuations and road closures in effect.
Hill Top (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Started on private land five miles east of Buffalo Gap, TX. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior with running and flanking.
Black Mountain (MT): Hot springs County. Twenty-four miles southeast of Worland, WY. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, wind-driven runs and running. Energy infrastructure threatened.
Coyote (CA): San Diego Unit, Cal Fire. Three miles northwest of Potrero, CA. Chaparral and grass. Moderate fire behavior. Community of Potrero threatened. Evacuations, area and road closures in effect.
M Carmel (TX)
Owl (TX)
3251 Mills Road (TX)
6 large fires were contained. There are a total of 42 UNCONTAINED LARGE FIRES currently.
Northern California Area (PL 4)
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): (7 fires), Six Rivers NF, USFS. IMT 1 (CA Team 2) mobilizing. Twenty-two miles north of Hoopa, CA. Timber and brush. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing and spotting. Numerous structures threatened.
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 backing, torching and spotting. Several communities, and infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area, road and trail closures in effect.
South Fork Complex (CA): (2 fires), Shasta-Trinity NF, USFS. IMT 2 (CA Team 11). Includes the previously reported Pilot fire. Fifteen miles west of Hayfork, CA. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with short crown runs, group torching and short-range spotting. Communities of Hyampom and Lake Mountain Ranch and infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Deep (CA): Shasta-Trinity NF, USFS. IMT 2 (CA Team 10). 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.
Slide 1 (CA): Mendocino NF, USFS. Twenty-four miles northwest of Flournoy, CA. Chaparral, grass and timber. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and flanking. Area, road and trail 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.
Bedrock (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. Transfer of command from IMT 2 (NW Team 12) to IMT 1 (NW Team 2) will occur tomorrow. 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
Salmon (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. Four miles northeast of Oakridge, OR. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Sourdough (WA): North Cascades NP, NPS. Transfer of command from IMT 2 (NW Team 10) to IMT 2 (NW Team 8) will occur tomorrow. Six miles northeast of Newhalem, WA. Timber and brush. Active fire behavior with uphill runs and torching. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area, road and trail closures in effect
Flat (OR): Rogue River-Siskiyou NF, USFS. IMT 2 (SW Team 3). Two miles southeast of Agness, OR. Brush, timber and chaparral. Moderate fire behavior with backing, isolated torching and smoldering. Structures threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Wiley (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. Started on private land 10 miles southeast of Sweet Home, OR. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping. Road closures in effect.
Blue Lake (WA)*
Dome Peak (WA)*
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.
East Fork (MT): Kootenai NF, USFS. CIMT (NR Team 6). Twelve miles south of Trego, MT. Timber. Active fire behavior with wind-driven runs, group torching and spotting. Numerous residences threatened. Evacuations and road 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.
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.
Doris Point (MT): Flathead NF, USFS. Sixteen miles northeast of Kalispell, MT. Brush and timber. Active fire behavior with spotting, smoldering and short crown runs. Structures threatened. Area and road closures in effect.
Colt (MT): Southwestern Land Office, Montana DNR. Transfer of command from CIMT (NR Team 5) back to the local unit will occur tomorrow. Twelve miles northwest of Seeley Lake, MT. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering. Structures and communication infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday. Reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping.
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.
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.
Bowles Creek (MT):Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF, USFS. Previously reported incident. Twenty-five miles southwest of Philipsburg, MT. Closed timber litter, timber and brush. Active fire behavior with short-range spotting, creeping and group torching. Road and trail closures in effect. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
Big Knife (MT)*
Buckskin 2 (ID)*
Snowden (ID)*
West Fork (ID)*
Little Bear (ID)*
Sawtooth (ID)*
Sidney (ID)*
Great Basin Area (PL 3)
East (ID): Boise NF, USFS. IMT 2 (GB Team 6). Ten miles southeast of Cascade, ID. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with group torching, short-range spotting and backing. Structures and communication infrastructure threatened.
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.
Hidden (AZ)
Chilcoot (ID)*
Hayden (ID)*
Southern Area (PL 3)
Noelke 3 (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Started on private land 12 miles southeast of Barnhart, TX. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping. Structures threatened.
Black Lagoon (LA): Bayou Sauvage NWR, FWS. Sixteen miles northeast of New Orleans, LA. Grass. Minimal fire behavior.
Dry (TX)
Powerline Grade (FL)*
Hogpen (TZ)*
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.
Deserado (CO)
Little Mesa (CO)*
Lowline (CO)*
Alaska Area (PL 3)
Anderson Complex (AK)*: (5 fires), Fairbanks Area, Alaska DOF. Transfer of command from IMT 2 (GB Team 3) back to the local unit will occur tomorrow. Started on private land eight miles southwest of Anderson, AK. Timber. Moderate fire behavior with backing, creeping and group torching. Numerous structures 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. Minimal fire behavior with creeping, single tree torching and smoldering. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Evacuations, area and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Pogo Mine Road (AK)*
Mount Hayes (AK)*
McCoy Creek (AK)*
Wood (AK)*
Mooseheart (AK)*
Chitsia (AK)*
Waterfall (AK)*
Napoleon (AK)*
Clear Creek (AK)*
Delta (AK)*
Ponds (AK)*
Kevinjik (AK)*
Preacher (AK)*
Crooked (AK)*
Wickersham (AK)*
Hodzana (AK)*
Pick (AK)*
Dagislakhna (AK)*
Holonada (AK)*
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.
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)
Diamond (AZ)
Misdan (AZ)
Dark (NM)*
Prior (NM)*
Turkey (NM)*
Porcupine (NM)*
Wildcat (AZ)*
Dolan (NM)*
Black River Complex (AZ)*
Noonday (NM)*
Tub (NM)*
Carlota (AZ)*
*Nationally, 65 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
Some moderation is expected in the West with more substantial cooling over the Northern Rockies and more widespread showers and wet thunderstorms over the Great Basin. It will remain warm and dry over North Ops and much of the Northwest, but winds will decrease. Minimum humidity will still fall to 15% to 25% over a wide area, with some poor recoveries continuing in the midslopes and higher. Another round of isolated mixed wet and dry thunderstorms is expected over northern California, interior Oregon, and Idaho. As Hurricane Hilary begins to move closer to the US, scattered to widespread showers and wet thunderstorms are expected across southern California and western portions of the Four Corners states. However, New Mexico and Colorado will trend hotter and drier, and southerly winds will start to pick up as well. Hot and dry weather will continue over Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana. Further warming is also expected over the Plains states, with hotter and windier weather for much of the Mississippi and lower Missouri Valleys. It will remain cooler and mainly dry over the eastern Great Lakes and Northeast, while the Southeast will turn warmer and mostly dry aside from thunderstorms in Florida. Temperatures will remain near to below normal in most of Alaska, with showery weather over some interior portions of the state and some areas of breezy conditions.
Red Flag Warnings remain in effect throughout the Pacific Northwest into Northern California; with Fire Weather Watches in Colorado and Texas. The Storm Prediction Center has issued an Elevated Fire Weather area for Central and west Texas.
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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.
