Drone Incursions-- IF YOU FLY WE CAN’T. PLEASE DO NOT FLY
DRONES IN OR NEAR THE FIRE AREA.
YESTERDAY – Personnel on the
Pioneer Fire completed burnout operations along the Sunset Lookout Road that
began on Sunday. Dozer activities and aerial operations continued along the
north flank. New crews began arriving to replace crews who are gradually departing
after fighting the fire for fourteen days. Fire managers continued to shift
resources to optimize their effectiveness.
Firefighters built a containment line on the west flank and the area is
in patrol status. Favorable winds
enabled hand crews to complete a burnout operation from north of Mores Creek
Summit to Sunset Lookout. This successful operation secured the stretch of line
from Sunset Lookout to Pilot Peak and strengthened the south flank of the fire
line that protects Idaho City. The fire moved into the old scars of two
previous fires, which slowed the fire’s progress. The 1994 Rabbit Creek scar
along the southeast flank of the fire, and the 1989 Lowman scar to the northeast,
will slow the fire as it moves to the east.
Aerial slurry and water drops, combined with dozer and hand crew work,
minimized the fire’s spread toward Lowman. Firefighters conducted a burnout on
the east side of Burns Ridge and began plans to create a fire line to Highway
21. It has been confirmed that the Skyline yurt and an outbuilding of Stargazer
yurt have been destroyed by the fire.
TODAY — The highest priority
is to construct a fire line across Rock Creek to slow the north growth of the
fire. Numerous helicopters will support the firefighters there, along with
crews arriving from newly contained areas of the fire. Helitack operations will
assist the line-building. Along the east flank, mapping specialists will
conduct infrared flights to map the perimeter and locate any hot spots. Masticators
and dozers will continue to excavate a line toward Archie Mountain. Structure
protection crews are working in the Willow Creek area. There will be a
community meeting tomorrow at Lowman at 7 p.m.
The first of three upcoming weather fronts arrive this afternoon,
bringing strong winds that will shift unpredictably. No precipitation is
expected until Saturday, as hot and dry conditions continue. Fire managers will
create flexible plans that match firefighting techniques with the shifting
humidity, moisture and wind conditions. They also are coordinating long-term
contingency plans to ensure firefighter and public safety, while setting in
motion plans for the forest’s recovery.
The Boise National Forest has issued Order # 0402-00-41,
Stage 1 fire restrictions that limit the possibility of starting a wildfire. Smokey
the Bear says, “Make sure your fires are out.” The area closure order can be
viewed at fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices and
inciweb.nwcg.gov. Information
is available at facebook.com/Pioneer-Fire-682201165260518/ and
pioneerfire2016@gmail.com.
