September 17, 2021 10:10 a.m.
The Rough Patch Complex has grown by nearly 800 acres and is now listed at 49,031 acres.
The latest update from the Great Basin Incident Management Team 2 said rain is expected to arrive late Friday evening through early Saturday morning. Its arrival will be marked by a sharp wind shift from the southwest with wind gusts expected to be up to 25 miles per hour. Humidity recoveries will be poor, especially on the ridges. The update said this critical weather will increase fire behavior across active areas of the fire. Firefighters worked late into the evening on Thursday conducting firing operations with the emphasis on increasing and reinforcing containment lines along the northeast side of the fires. The actions will create additional reinforcement to the north and east side of the fire, providing the greatest defense for the expected southwest winds. Areas of the fire are expected to receive three quarters to one and a half inches of precipitation by the end of the weekend.
The Chaos Fire is 27,218 acres and the Little Bend Creek Fire is at 9,145 acres. Ignitions continued into Thursday night. The update said this tactic will help consume the unburned fuels in open pocket areas near the fire’s perimeter which will aid in securing the perimeter from northerly growth during Friday’s expected wind event. Crews were successful in conducting firing operations Thursday connecting the ground to the east between the fire’s edge and the 3829 Road. Firefighters continued to tie direct hand line into the road and Horse Heaven Creek. This area continues to be the focus with the forecasted winds. Blasting operations were successful Thursday in the southeast end of the Little Bend Fire.
The Jack Fire remains at 24,165 acres while the Buckhead Fire has grown slightly to 6,962 acres. Containment lines are holding on the west and north, and northeast perimeters. Firefighters continue to focus on the southeast side of the Buckhead Fire and keep a close eye on the active area that is burning within a previous fire scar.
The Near Minky Fire is at 4,869 acres.
There is no change on the containment levels for the Rough Patch Complex and the Jack Fire. They remain at 36 percent and 55 percent respectively.