Welcome to the Wildfire Aware Situation Report for Sunday, August 13, 2023, for the United States.
We want to take a moment today to reflect on the tragic week within the Wildland Fire space:
On August 5, the Rouge River-Siskiyou National Forest lost firefighter Benjamin Charles Sapper in a vehicle accident;
On Sunday, August 6, CAL FIRE lost Assistant Chief John Bischof, Captain Tim Rodriguez, and Contract Pilot Tony Sausa in a midair collision,
On Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, the Hawaiian Islands were struck by fast-moving wildfires that have taken at least 93 lives, surpassing the 2018 Camp Fire in Northern California,
To the family, friends, and colleagues of everyone affected by this week's events, you remain in our throughs and prayers. May they all rest in peace.
Initial Attack activity continues to be LIGHT, with 99 NEW FIRES reported. There are 5 NEW LARGE FIRES in Oregon and Texas.
Ben Harison (OR): Umatilla NF, USFS. IMT 2 (NW Team 8) mobilizing. Thirty-eight miles west of Baker City, OR. Timber. Active fire behavior with creeping, group torching and spotting.
Santa Rosa Creek (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Fifteen miles south of Vernon, TX. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened.
Hill (TX): Hill, Texas A&M Forest Service. Twenty-nine miles southwest of Mineral Wells, TX. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened.
Burnett 109 (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Six miles southwest of Iowa Park, TX. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior. Structures threatened.
Hawkeye (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Five miles northeast of Iowa Park, TX. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior. Structures threatened.
Dry (TX): Texas Point NWR, FWS. Eleven miles northwest of Port Arthur, TX. Grass. Active fire behavior with running, flanking and backing. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Last narrative report unless significant activity occurs.
1 large fire was contained. There are a total of 41 UNCONTAINED LARGE FIRES currently.
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.
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. Residences threatened.
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.
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.
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.
Middle Ridge (MT): Flathead Agency, BIA. Fifteen miles west of Ronan, MT. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping, backing and smoldering. Structures and communication infrastructure threatened.
Buckskin 2 (ID)*
Tin Soldier Complex (MT)*
Bowles Creek (MT)*
Snowden (ID)*
West Fork (ID)*
Little Bear (ID)*
Sawtooth (ID)*
Sidney (ID)*
Northwest Area (PL 4)
Lookout (OR): Willamette NF, USFS. IMT 2 (NW Team 6). Four miles north of McKenzie Bridge, OR. Timber, chaparral and brush. Active fire behavior with single tree torching, flanking and creeping. Numerous structures and communication infrastructure 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. Moderate fire behavior with isolated torching and backing. Residences threatened. Road closures in effect.
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
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. Structures threatened. 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 and creeping. Several communities and infrastructure threatened. 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.
Airplane Lake (WA)*
High Range (OR)*
Southwest Area (PL 3)
Black Feather (NM): Santa Fe NF, USFS. IMT 1 (SW Team 2). Ten miles northwest of Cuba, NM. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Several communities and infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
Brady (AZ):Central District, Arizona DOF. Seven miles northeast of Pine, AZ. Timber, brush and grass. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering. Residences threatened. 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 creeping and smoldering. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping.
Kane (AZ): Kaibab NF, USFS. IMT 2 (SW Team 4). Forty miles southwest of Page, AZ. Timber, grass, and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering and creeping. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
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.
Cottonwood Ridge (AZ): Fort Apache Agency, BIA. Four miles southwest of Show Low, AZ. Timber, brush and grass. No new information.
Spoon (AZ): Fort Apache Agency, BIA. Twenty miles southwest of Whiteriver, AZ. Timber, brush and grass. No new information
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)*
Great Basin Area (PL 3)
Elkhorn (ID)*: Payette NF, USFS. CIMT (GB Team 2). Twenty-five miles northeast of Warren, ID. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering. 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 torching, smoldering and backing. Structures and energy infrastructure threatened. Area, road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Hayden (ID)*: Salmon-Challis NF, USFS. IMT 2 (GB Team 4). Eighteen miles west of Leadore, ID. Timber and brush. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering. Area, road and trail closures in effect.
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.
Sand Lake (AK): Tok Area, Alaska DOF. Forty-six miles northwest of Tok, AK. Timber and brush. No new information. Last report unless new information is received.
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)*
Southern Area (PL 3)
Campbell (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. CIMT (SA Gold Team). Three miles northeast of Olney, TX. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior. Structures threatened.
Boggy Creek (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Thirteen miles east of San Marcos, TX. Grass and brush. Moderate fire behavior. Residences threatened. Reduction in acreage due to more accurate mapping.
Monkey Creek (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Twelve miles northwest of Crowell, TX. Brush and grass. Active fire behavior
Granjeno (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Started on FWS land six miles northwest of Reynosa, TX. Grass. No new information.
Cedar Top (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Sixteen miles northwest of Seymour, TX. Brush and grass. No new information
Double Back (TX): Texas A&M Forest Service. Three miles southwest of Godley, TX. Timber and brush. No new information.
Black Lagoon (LA): Bayou Sauvage NWR, FWS. Sixteen miles northeast of New Orleans, LA. Grass. No new information.
Craft (TX)
Hogpen (TX)*
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. Thirteen miles northeast of Pagosa Springs, CO. Timber. Minimal fire behavior with isolated torching, creeping and backing. Structures threatened. Road and trail closures in effect. Precipitation occurred over the fire area yesterday.
Little Mesa (CO): Uncompahgre Field Office, BLM. Fifteen miles southwest of Delta, CO. Brush and timber. Active fire behavior with short-range spotting and wind-driven runs. Structures threatened. Road closures in effect
Dry Lake (CO)
Lowline (CO)*
Southern California Area (PL 3)
York (CA): Mojave National Preserve, NPS. Forty-seven miles northwest of Needles, CA. Brush, grass and timber. Minimal fire behavior. Residences threatened. Area and road closures in effect.
Pika (CA)*
*Nationally, 58 fires are being managed under a strategy other than full suppression.
We remain at National Preparedness Level 3.
Wildfire Aware Situation Report: Weather Discussion
Provided by the National Interagency Fire Center
Hot, dry, and breezy conditions will continue to impact portions of Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. Monsoonal moisture will remain over large portions of the Four Corners states and provide a mix of wet and dry thunderstorms. Remnants of Tropical Storm Eugene will continue to impact the southern two-thirds of California and Nevada, creating a scattered mix of wet and dry slow-moving storms. Heat wave conditions and a strengthening thermal trough will develop across portions of the Pacific Northwest and northern California and provide well above normal temperatures and locally breezy offshore winds along the Coastal and Cascade Ranges. Warming and drying will continue across the Northern Rockies. Unusually warm temperatures will prevail across the Alaskan interior with isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms. Heavier concentrations of wetting thunderstorms will be found across the northern and central Plains, upper Mississippi River Valley, and large portions of the Southeast.
Red Flag Warnings remain across most of Texas for another consecutive day, with Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches extended along the West Coast from Washington to Northern California. The Storm Prediction Center has issued Elevated Fire Weather areas for both Northwest and Central Texas, as well as the Northwest in southern Washington and Central Oregon.
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Link to the National Incident Management Situation Report.
Link to the National 7-Day Significant Fire Potential.
