Waterman 2024

The lightning caused fire was discovered on July 24, 2024 at approximately 8pm The fire was burning in grass and brush approximately 15 miles northwest of Congress.

FINAL Update 7/31 at 1pm:  The fire is now 100% contained and the remaining resources have been made available for new fires.

Update 7/29 at 7pm:  This will be the final update unless significant activity occurs.  The fire remained at 3,059 acres today while containment was increased to 50% due to the hard work of crews that secured and mopped up along the fire's edge.  Minimal heat and smoke were observed, and no use of aircraft was required today.  Tomorrow, the incident will transition to a type 4 organization and release many of its resources to be available for initial attack.  

Update 7/28 at 8pm:  Fire is estimated at 3,059 acres with 35% containment.  Today, crews constructed direct fireline and utilized helicopter bucket drops and retardant drops from SEATs after fire activity increased on the North and West sides of the fire.  The two dozers worked to construct contingency lines on the North and South sides of the fire to connect the fireline to an existing road.  The dozers also constructed a helispot that can be utilized for helicopters conducting recon and mapping flights.

Update 7/27 at 9pm: Yesterday, the fire activity was minimal with light smoke near the ridge line. This activity was well away from the containment lines and posed no threat for further spread. A morning recon flight took place and crews worked most of the day to secure the fireline on the east and south sides. Firefighters worked to scout out future containment lines for the western portion of the fire.

Today, crews continued to secure the fireline and activity picked up in the late afternoon due to weather. A helicopter was utilized for water bucket drops to cool hot spots on the western edge. With weather becoming more conduce to active fire behavior, air attack and two SEATs with retardant were ordered to assist ground resources in slowing the fire spread. At this time, the fire is estimated at 2,954 acres and 10% containment.

Update 7/26 at 7am: Fire is estimated at 1,618 with 0% containment.  A recon flight has been ordered for this morning to map the fire area.  Crews were on the fire late into the evening yesterday, completing firing operations and securing the fireline. Firefighters have been briefed on today’s plan and are heading to the fireline. An additional crew and two dozers will join the Type 3 Organization today in suppression efforts. Aircraft remain available to assist and a TFR is in place.

Update 7/25 at 9pm: Fire estimated at 1,618 acres and crews are continuing with firing operations to secure fireline.

Update 7/25 at 5:30pm: Fire is estimated at 300 acres with 0% containment.

Crews assigned to the fire include engines, handcrews, a water tender, and miscellaneous overhead. The crews are working on full supression with multiple firing operations taking place to prevent the fire from crossing various roads.  Thunderstorms in the area are producing erratic, outflow winds that have changed the wind direction multiple times. Aircraft was over the fire in the morning with an original estimate of 17 acres. Multiple retardant drops were made with SEATs but were ineffective due to winds.  Aircraft was available in the afternoon due to weather.