The fire grew to the north and east yesterday for a total size of
50,237 acres. Containment is 29 percent. Resources are rotating out as they reach the
end of their assignment and are being replaced. There are currently 1,482
people on the fire. This includes 42
crews, 10 helicopters, 51 engines, 8 dozers, 18 watertenders, and 6
masticators.
Fire management continues to concentrate
resources near Lowman in the Rock Creek drainage, on the north end of the
fire. Taking advantage of the favorable
weather, additional personnel, equipment, and air resources will conduct a
synchronized operation on the east and west side of Rock Creek, burning from a
constructed dozer line. Both sides will
continue at the same rate, weather permitting or until both reach the Rock
Creek prescribed burn. The burn was
completed April 2016. Fire managers cite
steep terrain and unpredictable winds within the drainage as the biggest
challenge for firefighters today.
Gridding, mop-up, and patrols will continue on the southern flank. On the eastern flank, crews will continue to
use previous fire scars and natural features to check fire growth. Today, weather forecasts predict slightly
warmer temperatures and lower humidity with light winds from the south at 5-7
mph. A low pressure system is expected
to arrive Friday, bringing the chance of thunderstorms and dry lightning
towards the weekend.
IF YOU FLY, WE CAN’T. PLEASE DO
NOT FLY DRONES IN OR NEAR THE FIRE AREA.
The area closure order for the
fire can be viewed online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices and
at inciweb.nwcg.gov.
Information is also available at https://www.facebook.com/Pioneer-Fire-682201165260518/
or at pioneerfire2016@gmail.com