Twin Falls District Morning Fire Update

News Release

DATE: August 6, 2017; 10:20 a.m.

CONTACT: Kelsey Brizendine, (208) 308-5991

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Mammoth Fire

·         Located: 7 miles north of Shoshone  

·         Size: estimated 60,000 acres

·         Contain: unknown

·         Control: unknown

·         Resources: 20 engines, two type two initial attack hand crews,  one type one hot shot crew, 12 overhead, four dozers, three water tenders, one camp crew,  two air attacks, three helicopters, 12 air tankers

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: active fire behavior, with wind driven runs

·         Structures: yes- one primary residence and  two minor structures

·         Cause: undetermined

The Mammoth Fire burned aggressively throughout the night, pushing the northern flank to the Picabo Desert Road. Crews have been able to hold it on Picabo Road, and are working to put in containment lines. Resources continue to build line around the southern flank of the fire.

Lighter winds and higher relative humidity is predicated today over the fire area but thunderstorms are pushing in from Nevada, which could cause wind shifts.

The Mammoth Fire remains under Unified Command, with the Richfield Rural Fire Department.

Shoestring Fire

·         Located: 6 miles north of Wendell  

·         Size: estimated 30,000 acres

·         Contain: unknown

·         Control: unknown

·         Resources: Gooding Rural Fire Department, Notch Butte Rangeland Fire Protection Association, five engines, five overhead, two dozers, three helicopters, four water tender, one air attack, four Single Engine Air Tankers, one camp crew

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: running- wind driven

·         Structures: none

·         Cause: undetermined

Shoestring Fire pushed north last night, causing fire fighters to conducted burn out operations along Highway 26, between Gooding and Shoshone.  Gooding Rural Fire Department stationed engines at nearby structures as a precaution. Although these structures are not immediately threatened, engines are in place if a wind shift occurs.  Additional resources have been ordered, and will be arrived throughout the day.  

For More Information,

·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer

·         kbrizendine@blm.gov

·         208-308-5991

·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com