August 15, 2015
EVENING 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
Crone Fire:
·
A ¼ acre fire is out.
256 Fire:
·
A three (3) acre fire staffed with a squad of five
firefighters
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. The
fire is burning east of Panther Creek, near Arnett Creek.
Bobcat Fire:
·
The fire is estimated at 30 acres, is burning
in grass and fire, and is located north of Napoleon Gulch, west of the Salmon
River, approximately 15 miles north of Salmon.
The fire is visible from Highway 93.
Fire managers ask the public to be mindful of traffic congestion along Highway 93. Fire managers urge the public to continue
traveling past the fire area and not stopping along the roadway. Local fire officials are developing a plan to
manage this fire as a large incident.
Limited fire resources will continue to challenge any fire suppression
efforts.
Alpine Fire:
·
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 monitoring status. The fire is
located in the Bighorn Crags and is ten 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.
The weather is forecasted to be windy and dry. 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.
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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