FIRE UPDATE
Salmon, Idaho: Smoke is filtering into the city
of Salmon and surrounding valleys. Smoke
in the valley will continue to be an issue as there are many fires in the
Region that have recently started due to lightning.
In order to help
put the local fire situation into perspective, nationally, we are at a Planning
Level 5, which means there are many fires regionally and nationally which are
competing for available fire resources. This
has and will continue to challenge the Forest in obtaining resources for our
local fires.
Several
fires started over the last few days. Many fires were staffed and successfully
contained within the last 24 hours. Fire
activity will also continue and increase with predicted weather and winds.
Fire Summary:
NORTH FORK RANGER DISTRICT
Harbor Fire: Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
·
A three (3) acre fire adjacent to Harbor Lake which
will be permitted
to play, as nearly as possible, its natural ecological role within the
wilderness
Beartrap Fire:
·
A ½ acre fire which is currently staffed with
one Type 6 engine and a squad of five (5) firefighters. The fire is burning in the vicinity of Lick
Creek.
256 Fire:
·
A three (3) acre fire is out.
Elkhorn Fire: Frank Church River of No Return
Wilderness
·
The Elkhorn Fire, fire is estimated to be 50
acres with 90% containment. The fire is
located west of Clear Creek and north of Elkhorn Creek, approximately 3.5 miles
from the wilderness boundary. The fire
is burning in grass, brush, and timber with dead and down tree components. Although lightning caused fires should be permitted to play, as nearly as
possible, their natural ecological role within the Frank Church River of No
Return Wilderness, fire managers decided to suppress this fire due to its
proximity to the non-wilderness boundary and considering values at risk
within the Panther Creek drainage. Resources currently staffing the fire are 57
firefighters, and a helicopter. The
helicopters are supporting firefighters with bucket drops. The helicopters may be observed dipping out
of the main stem of the Salmon River.
SALMON-COBALT RANGER DISTRICT
Arnett Fire:
·
A 1/10 acre fire burning in timber which is
currently staffed with two rappellers is controlled. The fire is burning east of Panther Creek,
near Arnett Creek.
Alpine Fire:
Frank Church River of No Return
Wilderness
·
A 1/10 of an acre fire on the north side of
Wilson Creek drainage in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Currently, there is no smoke showing on this
fire, but fire managers will continue to monitor the fire for future fire
activity. The fire is at 8,500 feet
elevation and will be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, its natural
ecological role within the wilderness.
Roaring Fire:
Frank Church River of No Return
Wilderness
·
Fire was detected on August 5th and
is in monitor status. The fire is
located in the Bighorn Crags and is 14 acres in size burning in timber. This fire is lightning caused, and will continue
to be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, its natural ecological role
with the wilderness.
As we move forward with strategically trying to staff and address our fires, the upmost priority for us is to ensure firefighter and public safety. This is a difficult task with limited resources, yet we will balance to the extent possible without compromise to safety. Area residents may see fire equipment moving through the area. Not all of the resources are committed to fires on the Salmon-Challis National Forest but are moving through the area coming from or going to other fires.
Know before you go. Always check with your local Ranger Station prior to your trip to
get the most up to date information on current fire activity, closures, fire
danger, and fire restrictions for the area.
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August 16, 2015
BOBCAT FIRE UPDATE
Salmon, Idaho: The fire is estimated at 82 acres, burning in grass and light to heavy timber. The probable cause is lightning. It is located in the vicinity of Napoleon Gulch west of the Salmon River, approximately 15 miles north of Salmon Idaho.
The fire is visible from Highway 93 just south of North Fork Idaho. Fire managers are urging the public to use caution when traveling in this area due to traffic congestion and are urging the public to continue traveling past the fire and not stopping along the roadway. There may also be fire support vehicles in the area that will need efficient and safe access along Highway 93.
Fire managers are developing suppression strategies for this high priority fire emphasizing public and firefighter safety, property protection, livestock, and resource protection. The forest has received some resources and plan to use fire crews as well as helicopter bucket drops to suppress the fire. Nationally we are still at the highest fire planning level which means there are limited fire resources available.
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August 16, 2015
MIDDLE FORK COMPLEX UPDATE
Salmon, Idaho: Fire summary for the Middle Fork Complex. The Middle Fork Complex is comprised of the
Waterfall and Stoddard fires.
Date of Detection: Waterfall: August 11, 2015
Stoddard: August 12, 2015
Cause: Lightning
Size: Waterfall: 3,221 acres
Stoddard:
840 acres
Total: 4,061 acres
The change in acreage is due to more
accurate mapping.
Location:
Frank Church – River of No Return Wilderness;
North Fork Ranger District, about 40 air miles west of Salmon, ID.
Waterfall: East of the Middle Fork Salmon
River; North of Waterfall Creek
Stoddard: West of the Middle Fork Salmon
River; North of Cradle Creek
Fuels: Waterfall: open timber and grass
Stoddard:
open timber and grass
Managing Agency: U.S. Forest Service, Salmon-Challis National
Forest
A Type 3 incident management team
(IMT) led by Mike Smith has been assigned to this complex. Both fires are burning in steep, rocky,
inaccessible terrain. These fires will
be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological roles
with the wilderness. Today, members of a
Wildland Fire Module began patrolling the river corridor on foot and by boat. This afternoon, an additional Wildland Fire Module
arrived in Salmon. This module will
provide additional support for the Middle Fork Complex and will be assisting
with patrols along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Providing for firefighter and public safety is an objective of the Middle Fork Complex Fire Managers.
Know before you go. Always check with your local Ranger Station prior to your trip to
get the most up to date information on current fire activity, fire danger, and
fire restrictions for the area. Further
information on the Middle Fork Complex can be found at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4485/.
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