Idaho
Falls, ID – Several large wildfires are currently burning throughout the
western states. Smoke from wildfires in
western Idaho and California is drifting east, mingling with smoke from fires
in western Wyoming. Smoke will likely
continue to impact eastern Idaho and western Wyoming in the coming days and
weeks, as no significant change in the weather pattern is forecast. Those with sensitivities to smoke should take
precautions, including limiting strenuous activities outdoors. Several links with information on smoke and
air quality, including Idaho DEQ’s Daily Air Quality Reports, are available in the lower right hand corner under the Smoke Information heading.
The Caribou-Targhee National Forest
(CTNF) currently has three active fires.
The South
Mink Fire was contained last night at 12 acres in size. Firefighters are now working on putting out
all hotspots within the fire area as well as looking for any spot fires that
may be outside of the fire perimeter. One
fire engine and the helicopter will be released at the end of today’s
shift. The remaining resources will
continue to monitor the fire through the day tomorrow and are expected to be released
at the end of the day pending any unexpected fire activity.
For photos and a video of the South Mink
Fire, visit the CTNF’s Idaho Fire Info Flickr album at www.flickr.com/photos/idahofireinfo/albums/72157651399185602.
As a reminder, a road closure is in
place for public and firefighter safety.
South Fork Mink Creek Road (Forest Road 163) is closed from the junction
of the Bannock Highway (South Mink Creek Road) to the Forest boundary. This closure will likely remain in place
until the fire is out.
Resources: 1 Helicopter, 1 Handcrew, 5 Engines, 1 Water
Tender, 60 Total Personnel
Start
Date: 7/25 Cause: Under Investigation
The
Big Elk Fire was detected last night
north of Palisades Reservoir. The fire
is currently 2 acres, burning on a south aspect in douglas fir and grass. The location of the fire presents a number of
hazards to firefighters, including snags, rolling material, steep terrain, and
cliffs. A number of natural fire
barriers lie adjacent to the fire, including rock scree slopes and the riparian
area near Big Elk Creek. Therefore, the
CTNF will be monitoring the fire to assess its potential for growth while
taking actions to protect values at risk, including nearby trails. When necessary or prudent, helicopters will
be used to drop water on the fire. A web
camera will be placed on a ridge near the fire to allow fire managers to
constantly view the fire behavior throughout the daylight hours. While the fire may have been
naturally-caused, the last recorded lightning in the fire area was about 10
days ago. Until firefighters can conclusively
identify the cause of the fire from the ground, it remains under investigation. Resources are now staged in Swan Valley to
assist with the fire as necessary.
Resources: 1 Helicopter, 1 Handcrew, 2 Engines, 30 Total
Personnel
Start
Date: 7/26 Cause: Under Investigation
The
Lanes Creek Fire continues to burn
about 9 air miles west of Freedom, Wyoming.
Fire staff on the CTNF are managing the fire to meet multiple
objectives, including allowing fire to play its natural role in the ecosystem
by removing dense conifers and encouraging aspen regeneration. A web camera allows fire personnel to monitor
the fire constantly, while firefighters on the ground have completed
pre-treatments to minimize the fire’s potential impact to state and private
lands. Currently the fire is 116 acres
and growing minimally each day. Limited
resources are assigned to the fire; however, managers are prepared to increase
the staffing to meet the needs of the incident.
Resources: 1 Engine, 5 Total Personnel
Start
Date: 6/30 Cause: Lightning
One less spark means
one less Idaho wildfire.
