Containment grows to 74% on Rail Ridge Fire; blaze covers 165,000 acres
Published 11:02 am Friday, September 27, 2024
- Cows graze on freshly laid hay on Sept. 4, 2024, in a pasture scorched by the Rail Ridge Fire south of Dayville. More than 300,000 acres of public and private land have burned in Grant County so far in 2024.
DAYVILLE — After gusty winds fanned the flames, a change in the weather allowed crews to extend containment lines on the Rail Ridge Fire, fire managers said in an update issued Friday, Sept. 27.
The fire, burning just south of Dayville in southwestern Grant County and portions of neighboring Crook and Wheeler counties, has consumed an estimated 165,341 acres and is now 74% contained. A total of 1,189 personnel are assigned to battle the blaze.
Cooler temperatures, increased relative humidities and lighter winds gave firefighters relief during Thursday’s operations. Suppression efforts will remain a priority in the Black Canyon Wilderness and along the northeastern edge of the Rail Ridge Fire to protect values at risk.
Active fire behavior is expected again Friday on the south side of Black Canyon Creek, near the Coffee Pot Trailhead. Aircraft, including helicopters and single-engine air tankers, supported hotshot crews on the ground with water delivery.
Firefighters are working closely with resource advisors to ensure careful planning and execution of suppression efforts in the wilderness.
The northern and eastern portions of the fire’s footprint continue to gain containment along the South Fork Road, Aldrich Mountain, and Northeast Fields Creek.
Suppression repair efforts are ongoing on the southern end of the fire where containment is established. Smoke will continue to be visible today and is predominantly coming out of the Black Canyon Wilderness area in addition to the heavy fuels that continue to consume in the fire interior.
A weak high pressure system will move into the area later Friday. Winds will remain light and variable with moderate relative humidities across the fire area. Seasonally warm and dry conditions will continue to persist through the weekend with temperatures in the 80s.
Level 1 and 2 evacuation zones for the Rail Ridge Fire remain in Grant County.
For current evacuation levels in Wheeler, Crook and Grant counties, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.
The U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management have implemented closures for the Rail Ridge and Wiley Flat fires. For more details and closure maps, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.
Acres: 165,341
Containment: 74%
Detection Date: Sept 2, 2024
Cause: Lightning
Total resources: 1,189
