BOISE,
August 25, 2016 – The Pioneer Fire continued
slow growth to the northeast Wednesday but good progress was made on control
lines on the west and northwest perimeter. “It sounds like great news on the
fire line” said Incident Commander Beth Lund, but she warned fire fighters
against becoming complacent because the potential for significant fire activity
still exists. Great Basin Incident Management Team 1 is now managing the entire
fire area, which was previously handled by two separate management teams. Hot
shot crews and other personnel, with help from helicopter bucket drops, made
good gains toward securing the western part of the line in Charlotte Gulch. Elsewhere,
crews worked to check the fires’ spread into the Long Creek drainage, above the
Long Creek Summer Homes area.
Today’s
operational plan calls for completing the line near Charlotte Gulch, as well as
securing another portion of line along the South Fork Payette River between
Dodge and Black Bear Creeks. Crews will continue working the active edge
between Clear Creek and Long Creek. Helicopters will be used as needed, as soon
as the smoke clears and they are able to fly safely. Crews are also repairing older
fire lines and recovering fire equipment used during the past month of
firefighting.
Weather
forecasts are calling for a warming trend returning this weekend but winds are
expected to be favorable for firefighting operations today.
A Level 2 evacuation order
remains in effect for residents along the South Fork Road, east of the Grimes
Pass Road and along the South Fork Payette River. All properties in the Lowman area and
Pioneerville are under a Level 1 evacuation order. Homes along Forest Road 582 (Clear Creek Road) and the Long
Creek summer homes area are in Level 2 evacuation status. Highways 17 and 21 are open but the public is
reminded to use caution when encountering fire equipment and personnel and give
them adequate room when passing. Reduce
speeds but do not stop in the fire area.
Community
Meetings have been scheduled for Placerville tonight at 7:00 p.m. in the plaza,
at the Crouch Community Center tomorrow (Friday) night at 7:00 p.m. and in
Lowman on Saturday night at Fire Station #80 on State Route 21.
DETAILS — The Pioneer Fire Area Closure can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices and
information at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4866. Information is also available at facebook.com/Pioneer-Fire-682201165260518
or email questions to pioneerfire2016@gmail.com.
HUNT INFORMATION - https://idfg.idaho.gov/blog/2016/08/get-current-fire-information-here
SMOKE INFORMATION — Idaho
smoke information can be found at idsmoke.blogspot.com
FIRE RESTRICTIONS — Please check
fire restrictions at idahofireinfo.com
