Keithly Fire Update
Friday,
July 27, 2018 9 p.m.
Fire
Information Line: (208) 414-0044 8a.m. - 8p.m.
Email address:
2018.keithly@firenet.gov
Twitter: @Idahofireinfo
Start Date
|
Cause
|
Size (ac.)
|
Containment
|
Helicopters
|
Engines
|
Crews
|
Personnel
|
7/25/18
|
Lightning
|
~13,000
|
10%
|
1
|
10
|
5
|
184
|
Evacuations/Closures: Evacuations remain in place for the area of Mann's Creek, including campgrounds. The Washington County Sheriff’s office lifted the mandatory evacuation in Deer Creek for residents only this afternoon, but remains closed to the general public. An evacuation center for residents is set up at Weiser Vendome Events Center, located at 309 State Street, Weiser, ID.
Road Closure: The Idaho Highway Patrol is working with
firefighters to manage traffic along the Hwy 95 corridor. When safe to allow
traffic through, the highway will be open to one lane traffic with a pilot car between
Mann’s Creek Road and Midvale. For firefighter and public safety, please
use caution when driving as firefighters are working along the highway. People are also encouraged to check the
Idaho Transportation Department’s 511 road closure website prior to traveling
on Hwy 95: https://511.idaho.gov/.
Summary: Firefighters estimate the fire size to be 13,000
acres and approximately 10% contained. Firefighters are using dozers and
handcrews to construct containment lines on the west flank of the fire to Hwy
95 up to Keithly Creek Road. Fire crews
burned out sections from the highway from 1000 Springs Road past Midvale Hill
Rest Area. Burning out is a firefighting
tactic used to remove unburned vegetation between the active fireline and
established control lines. They are
focusing suppression efforts to protect the communities of Midvale, Mann's
Creek and Deer Creek as well as the main Hwy 95 corridor between Weiser and
Midvale.
Firefighters will stay on the fire overnight
to patrol the fire along Keithly Creek Road, Deer Creek Road and Hwy 95. Where
safe to do so, they will extinguish hot spots and ensure the Hwy 95 corridor is
protected.
Great Basin Incident Management Team 5,
led by Evans Kuo, took command of the fire tonight at 6:00 p.m. and will
continue to work with Midvale and Weiser Fire Departments. The larger incident
management organization brings with them additional resources to support the
excellent work the local firefighters have done.
At 6:00 p.m. Saturday, July 28 Team 5 will
host a community meeting at the Weiser High School Gymnasium located at 690 W. Indianhead
Road. They will provide an update on the fire and answer questions from the
community.
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