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Structures threatened by Greer Fire
Lewiston Tribune, 7-28-23
GREER — A wildlife burning off Idaho State Highway 11 near here is threatening structures, including homes, according to a news release from the Idaho Department of Lands.
The 60-acre Greer Fire is burning near Mile Marker 5.5 of the twisting highway that connects Greer along the Clearwater River with Weippe, Pierce and Headquarters. The highway starts at Greer and climbs the breaks of the Clearwater to reach the Weippe Prairie.
The fire was discovered about 2 p.m. on Thursday and there are no containment lines around it.
More than 100 firefighters, five engines, a helicopter, multiple planes and other equipment have been deployed to fight the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to the news release.
Fire officials are reminding people never to fly drones near wildfires where the use of unmanned aircraft can threaten pilots working on the fires.
Fire Burning Near Greer Quickly Grows to 60 Acres in Size
Big Country News, 7-27-23
OROFINO – According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the Greer Fire was discovered around 2:00 p.m. Thursday. It is burning off Highway 11, near mile marker 5.5.
Officials said Thursday evening that multiple structures are threatened, and the cause is under investigation. The fire grew to 60 acres by 8:00 Thursday evening and was 0% contained.
Officials remind citizens to never fly drones near wildfires.
FIREWATCH: Multiple structures threatened due to Greer Fire burning south of Orofino
KXLY, 7-28-23
CLEARWATER COUNTY, Wash. -- The Idaho Department of Lands is battling the Greer Fire burning off Highway 11 south of Orofino. The fire has burned about 60 acres and is 0% contained.
The fire started July 28 around 2 p.m.
Approximately 100 personnel are on scene along with several engines and a fleet of aircraft.
The cause is under investigation.
Goldrun Fire in Gem County gets smoky
Star-News, 7-27-23
Smoky skies in Valley County are expected to clear up, at least temporarily, after the Goldrun Fire was declared 100% contained Tuesday.
The fire near the small community of Ola in Gem County, about 10 miles southwest of Smiths Ferry, caused a large smoke plume visible from Cascade. It was discovered July 18 before burning about 800 acres of grass and timber.
High winds were forecast to carry in smoke from fires across the region, according to an update from the Idaho Department of Lands.
There were 225 people, seven fire engines, and one excavator assigned to the fire as of Tuesday, but that number will draw down after full containment was reached, the fire update said.
The fire was “human caused,” but no specific cause was available as of Tuesday.
Fire crews that were focused on containing the fire will now focus on mop up, monitoring and repair, while others will be reassigned to other fires.
“The fire will be patrolled and monitored for the remainder of the summer to ensure that any lingering smoke is from sources located well within containment lines,” an IDL update said.
Central Idaho Fire Restrictions Area implements State 1 fire restrictions
KIFI, 7-26-23
SALMON, Idaho (KIFI) - The U.S. Forest Service, Idaho Department of Lands and Bureau of Land Management in east-central Idaho will begin Stage 1 fire restrictions, effective at just after midnight (12:01 am) on Friday, July 28, 2023.
Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to federal, state, state endowment, private forestland and rangelands within the designated area. Fire danger across east-central Idaho is very high. Rangelands and forested lands at all elevations are dry. Fire management officials are hopeful that by initiating Stage 1 fire restrictions, there will be fewer human-caused wildland fires.
The Central Idaho Fire Restrictions Area encompasses those portions of Custer County that are north and east of the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (excluding the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness) and that portion of Lemhi County that is not federal land designated as wilderness. Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to campfires and smoking. Under Stage 1 restrictions, the following acts are prohibited:
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Officials ask public to be diligent to prevent wildfire starts
Sandpoint Reader, 7-26-23
Officials continue to monitor wildfires burning in the region, with some showing increased fire activity due to high winds and low humidity.
“We just moved into ‘very high’ fire danger yesterday,” Idaho Department of Lands Fire Warden Brian Hicks told the Reader. “The mountains have been on ‘very high’ for several weeks, but now it’s including the valleys.”
Hicks said IDL is not issuing burn permits at this time except for crop residual burns in Boundary County. Campfires are still permitted in rings.
“They need to make sure their campfires are cold to the touch when they leave,” Hicks said. “Stir them and mix with water when they leave.”
A red flag warning July 24 called for high winds, which Hicks said had minimal effect on the handful of fires in our region.
“There was some scattered isolated lightning with that event, so we’re monitoring the locations of the strikes,” Hicks said.
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Goldrun fire in Ola reaches 100% containment: Mop up efforts underway
KBOI2, 7-26-23
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) announced the Goldrun Fire is now 100% contained as of Tuesday evening.
The fire began just north of Ola, Idaho, on July 18 and quickly grew, expanding from 50 to 450 acres overnight. Sporadic winds and above-average temperatures helped the fire reach 800 acres before containment.
Due to the location and imminent threat to properties, a type 3 incident management team from the Rocky Mountain division was called to lead the incident. The IDL reports that mop-up efforts have begun now that there is 100% containment on the fire.
Dozers and personnel remaining on site are tasked with mop-up and clean-up duties, including repairing fire and dozer lines used in the containment effort. IDL reports the fire site will be monitored throughout the rest of the summer.
Fire Near Fernwood Reaches 150 Acres, 20% Containment
Big Country News, 7-26-23
FERNWOOD, ID – Officials report the Tyson Fire, located five miles west of Fernwood, is now 20% contained. The fire has burned 150 acres.
Operations planned at the fire site on Wednesday will again focus on thoroughly mopping up the fire edge and progressing towards the interior of the blaze.
The fire erupted in logging slash around 4:30 p.m on July 21. The fire was first reported near mile marker 8.5 on Tyson Creek Road, approximately 5 miles west of Fernwood,
Control lines have been completed around 75% of the fire’s perimeter. The remaining uncontrolled fire edge is burning in a steep, heavily timbered area.
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Idaho Wildfires: Where we're currently at
KBOI2, 7-25-23
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Several fires have started burning throughout the Gem State in the last week due to hot temperatures and low humidity. While none of the fires get within an hour of Boise, some fires pose threats to vast amounts of land within several national forests.
The two closest (substantial) fires to Boise are the Goldrun Fire and the Dutch Fire, both of which are expected to be contained within the next 24 hours.
Goldrun Fire: 799 acres, 100% containment
Burning about an hour north of Boise, and approximately three miles northeast of Ola, Idaho, the Goldrun Fire was fully contained Tuesday, July 25. The near 800-acre fire was human-caused, first being reported one week ago, Tuesday the 18th. It crew quickly due to triple-digit temperatures and gusty wind conditions, but the 200+ person crew quickly surrounded the fire.
Now, the team plans to mop up the site and monitor it, which they will do for the remainder of the summer to ensure that lingering smoke is located well within containment lines. Repair efforts are also beginning to take place.
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Cause of fire north of Boise determined; mostly contained
Idaho Press, 7-25-23
The Goldrun Fire in Gem County was 85% contained as of Sunday, the Idaho Department of Lands announced.
The blaze, which grew to 799 acres near Ola — about an hour north of Boise — was determined to be caused by humans, the department of lands said. More than 200 fire personnel have been working on suppressing the fire.
Much of the suppression work was done during a multi-day heat advisory, the department noted.
"The fire area is dangerous. Please don’t enter burned areas," the department said in a news release. "There are hot ash pits concealed by a thin, surface crust, and unstable slopes can disintegrate suddenly. Fire-affected trees have weakened root systems and trunks, and they can violently collapse without warning."
The department did not expect the fire to produce significant smoke on Monday but noted that local haze may be present.
Gem County closed Holbrook Lane from its intersection with Sweet – Ola Highway (Montour Road) east to its intersection with High Valley Road due to tree falling operations.
Crews gain upper hand on Goldrun Fire in SW Idaho
Capital Press, 7-25-23
Work that crews fighting the Goldrun Fire completed in southwest Idaho paid off when cooler weather arrived several days later, according to the state Department of Lands.
Firefighters “turned the corner Sunday when their well-planned and executed work brought containment to 85%,” according to the department's update. “It is a remarkable achievement considering much of their work was conducted during a heat advisory lasting several days.”
The 799-acre fire is about three miles northeast of Ola in Gem County. Suppression of the fire — which was human-caused, according to the department — involves five crews, seven engines and 226 people.
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Tyson fire expands to 100 acres near Fernwood, Idaho
KIVI, 7-24-23
FERNWOOD, Idaho — Crews have continued work in the Tyson fire in Northern Idaho that began on Friday, July 21. Firefighters have been able to hold the fire to an estimated 134 acres reporting 15% containment. Control lines have increased to approximately 75% of the fire's perimeter as crews brace for strong, gusty winds that are in the forecast accompanying a cold front moving in.
The remaining uncontrolled fire edge is burning in a steep, heavily timbered area.
Suppression efforts from several fire engines, multiple helicopters and water scooping aircraft and ground crews continue.
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Wildfire above Ola nears containment as suppression efforts continue
Messinger-Index, 7-24-23
The man-caused wildfire that has consumed near 800 acres of vegetation just north of Ola is nearing containment, but fire suppression efforts are likely to continue for several more days.
The fire originated with a spark from a vehicle going off the road into grassy terrain on Tuesday evening, July18. The vehicle was consumed by flames but the occupants escaped unharmed according to witnesses in the area. Attempts to smother the blaze at its point of origin failed as it quickly spread through dry grass to hilly and wooded terrain nearby.
Gem County Fire District No. 2 was the first on the scene but unable to harness the flames as they progressed up steep terrain.
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Tyson Fire burning near Fernwood at 15% containment
KXLY, 7-24-23
FERNWOOD, ID. — Firefighters are still working on the Tyson Fire burning in Benewah County that has grown to about 134 acres over the weekend.
IDL says the fire mainly grew on the western edge of the fire, and active fire behavior in logging made it difficult for crews to put out the fire.
A control line has now been constructed around 75% of the perimeter of the fire with the fire about 15% contained.
IDL says crews are making excellent progress by Monday's forecast of dry gusty conditions could impact the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire Near Fernwood Reaches 134 Acres, 15% Contained
Big Country News, 7-24-23
FERNWOOD, ID – Multiple helicopters and water scooping aircraft supported crews fighting the Tyson Fire on Sunday. Firefighters made excellent progress, holding the fire to an estimated 134 acres. As of Monday morning, the fire is 15% contained.
The fire erupted in logging slash around 4:30 p.m on July 21. The fire was first reported near mile marker 8.5 on Tyson Creek Road, approximately 5 miles west of Fernwood,
Control lines have been completed around 75% of the fire’s perimeter. The remaining uncontrolled fire edge is burning in a steep, heavily timbered area.
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A small, special force of firefighters
Bonner County Daily Bee, 7-24-23
COEUR d'ALENE — When wildfires strike, there isn’t time to ponder who makes up the firefighting force on the frontlines of the blaze.
Wildland firefighters aren’t required to have a background in firefighting. Many new recruits are fresh out of high school or college, or looking to find a transitional job after serving in the military.
Josh Harvey, the fire management chief with the Idaho Department of Lands, said the agency always conducts a national search to find the right people for the job. Often, the agency relies on word of month for recruitment.
“It’s such a variety of folks working for us," Harvey said. "We take anybody and everybody and we invest a lot in our people. All of our crews have been hired. We’ve had a lot of new hires for this year, a lot of rookies. A lot of these kids are from here and live here.”
Training for wildland firefighting is completely separate from local fire departments that are trained to fight structure fires. Although the goals to prevent fire destruction are the same in many ways, that’s where the similarities end.
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Firefighters make significant progress on the Goldrun Fire
KBOI2, 7-23-23
Ola, ID (CBS2) — On Saturday, fire crews made significant progress to contain the Goldrun fire. A human-caused fire that started on July 18, that has burned 806 acres.
The Idaho Department of Lands says the Goldrun fire is now 65% contained as of Sunday morning.
Facing Hot, Dry And Windy Weather, Crews Continue To Battle Tyson Fire
Big Country News, 7-23-23
FERNWOOD, ID – Hot, dry, and windy weather fueled the flames of the Tyson Fire on Saturday. Although the fire escaped control lines along its westerly edge and burned into a heavy logging slash, crews were working hard to construct a new line around it.
The fire grew to 60 acres but remains 10% contained.
Resources on scene still include 3 Type 2 hand crews (total of 60 personnel), 5 engines, 3 water tenders, 2 dozers, and a feller buncher.
Fire officials remind citizens to never fly drones near wildfires. When your drone is in the air, our aircraft must be grounded, putting the lives of firefighters at risk.
View an interactive map of the incident on IDL’s Idaho Fire Map
UPDATE: Tyson Fire Grows To 100 Acres, Expected Weather To Bring Westerly Winds
DailyFLY, 7-23-23
FERNWOOD – The Tyson Fire grew to an estimated 100 acres yesterday, mainly on the western edge of the fire. Active fire behavior in piled logging slash complicated suppression efforts.
A night shift consisting of fire engines and locally contracted heavy equipment constructed a fireline throughout the night. A mechanical fireline has been completed on 50% of the perimeter of the fire.
The fire is 10% contained.
Existing fire crews will be joined by 2 additional fire engines, 1 water tender, and additional contracted heavy equipment.
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Tyson fire expands to 100 acres near Fernwood, Idaho
KIVI, 7-23-23
FERNWOOD, Idaho — Efforts to fight the Tyson fire in northern Idaho started on July 21, when flames were discovered in logging debris west of Fernwood, Idaho.
Though the fire swelled from 50 acres to 100 acres, a night fire crew was able to construct a fireline that now covers about 50% of the perimeter of the fire.
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Tyson Fire blazes through 60 acres, 10% contained
KHQ, 7-22-23
Last Updated: July 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Local firefighters constructed firelines around 95% of the perimeter of the Tyson Fire on Friday, leaving it 10% contained.
The fire is located five miles west of Fernwood and currently stands at 50 acres. Resources on scene include three Type 2 hand crews, five engines, three water tenders, two dozers and a feller buncher.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as it is provided.
Fire crews trying to contain wildfire burning west of Fernwood, Idaho
KXLY, 7-22-23
Fernwood, ID - Firelines are being constructed around a wildfire burning five miles west of Fernwood, Idaho.
According to the Idaho Department of Lands, the firelines were constructed around 95% of the fire, which is being called the Tyson Fire.
However, in an update sent by IDL on Sunday. IDL says the fire has grew to 100 acres on Saturday. The fire is 10% contained.
Firefighters Making Headway in Goldrun Fire, Boise: 65% Contained
Big Country News, 7-23-23
BOISE - Significant progress has been made by firefighters in the battle against the Goldrun Fire, with containment reaching 65% as of Saturday. While efforts are ongoing to improve lines and mop up hot spots, the public is still cautioned to expect smoke and a fire glow, particularly at night, as larger fuels continue to burn within the containment lines. The fire, discovered on July 18, 2023, is currently at 806 acres, and the cause is attributed to human activity.
The Goldrun Fire has a full suppression strategy in place, with a total of 212 personnel actively involved in its containment efforts. Currently, resources include 7 engines, 5 crews, and 1 dozer.
Firefighters are working diligently to reinforce existing fire lines and address smoldering hot spots, including stump holes, snags, and downed logs, which could reignite the flames. Crews are also actively monitoring pockets of mixed dead and live vegetation within containment lines. To enhance fire area recovery and public safety, selected fire-affected trees are being removed, as their weakened state poses a hazard.
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Final Tyson Fire Update
Posted July 28, 2023
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Final Incident Update: Tyson Fire Held to 155 Acres, Drone Mounted Thermal Camera Finds Hotspots
Fire officials report the final size of the Tyson fire, which burned five miles west of Fernwood, is 155 acres. The fire is 50% contained.
With the help of an unmanned aircraft equipped with thermal camera technology, crews have been locating and extinguishing hotspots. Firefighters have now completed mopping up a swath 50’ wide from the fire’s edge toward its interior.…
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Greer Fire
Posted July 28, 2023
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Incident Update: Greer Fire
Orofino, ID – There has been no change to the Greer fire overnight. The Greer Fire was discovered around 2:00 pm (PT) on Thursday. It is burning off HWY 11 near mile marker 5.5. Multiple structures are threatened, and the cause is under investigation.
The fire grew to 60 acres and is 0% contained.…
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