The wind, heat, and low relative
humidity combined into perfect conditions for burning and produced increased
fire activity.
The fire size increased by 10, 655 acres
to a total of 38,072 acres. It remains
30 percent contained. Personnel totals increased to 1,282 people. Other resources remained relatively the same
with 32 crews, 10 helicopters, 48 engines, 8 dozers, 13 watertenders, and 5
masticators.
The fire made some significant gains
especially on the eastern flank in the area between Banner Creek and Willow
Creek. The increased fire activity pushed firefighters out of the area to
adjoining divisions where they engaged in suppression efforts. The fire also made a run to the
south/southeast into the Big Owl Creek area, which forced firefighters to use
the dozer line from Highway 21 to Sunset Lookout as a containment line. When
the wind shifted out of the southwest, firefighters took the opportunity to
conduct a burnout operation along the Sunset Lookout Road.
Crews took advantage of this favorable wind
to burn throughout the night simultaneously, north from the lookout and south
from Mores Creek Summit with the intent of meeting in the middle near Steep
Creek. Their effort was stalled when the wind stopped, but they plan to
complete the burnout operation today to secure the stretch of line from Pilot
Peak to Sunset Lookout and stop the southern progression of the fire.
The fire remained active along the
entire northern perimeter, but its slow movement north allowed firefighters to
continue preparing contingency lines for future use. Crews and heavy equipment moved north along
Burns Ridge constructing contingency line toward Lowman.
Crews also continued constructing
contingency lines along Hwy. 21 south from Lowman to the 385 road and east
toward Archie Mountain. Night crews supported burnout operations
through the night. Aircraft use was heavy and consistent
throughout the day and was instrumental in support of firefighters.
The west side of the fire remains calm
but resources on the ground and in the air are still monitoring and patrolling.
Firefighters will strengthen and hold
containment lines today and will evaluate possible courses of action for future
lines, including any roads, natural barriers and old burn scars that will aid
in slowing the fire’s progress.
As the fire approaches the Sloper Mine,
firefighters are planning burnout operations to strengthen the line along Burns
Ridge. Field observers are actively
looking for opportunities to cross Rock Creek to the east and begin corralling the
fire’s progress.
Hot and dry conditions will prevail
again today. Smoke will likely again be visible from great distances.
Fire personnel face additional hazards
on the fireline, including old mining sites. Long term contingency planning is
ongoing and managers are coordinating all actions in order to ensure
firefighter and public safety.
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/
