NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: EIIFC Fire Information, 208-497-5934
Black Sand Fire burning adjacent to the St.
Anthony Sand Dunes
Facebook: Idaho Fire Info
(#BlackSand &
#BLMIFDFire & #CTNFFire)
IDAHO FALLS, ID – The lightning-caused
Black Sand Fire is burning approximately 6 miles northwest of St. Anthony,
adjacent to the St. Anthony Sand Dunes. The fire was reported around 4:00 in
the afternoon. An aggressive response from South Fremont, North Fremont, Hamer,
Idaho Dept. of Lands, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service
helped to halt fire spread by around 8:00 p.m. this evening. Several air
resources are providing support, including the VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker),
which can drop 9,000 gallons of retardant in one pass.
Dozers are currently
constructing fire line around the west, south and east perimeter of the fire.
The St. Anthony Sand Dunes are acting as a natural containment line to the
north. Firefighters are continuing to establish control lines and beginning mop
up operations on hot spots. Crews will burn out pockets of unburned vegetation
to prevent the fire from re-igniting and escaping containment lines.
“We had a great response
from our partners tonight,” said Austin Catlin, Incident Commander. “Crews will
remain on the fire this evening and well into tomorrow to continue bolstering
containment lines in preparation for the anticipated wind event on Sunday.”
Start Date: 08/28/2020
Cause: Lightning
Fire Size: Estimated at 120 acres
Percent Contained: 0%. Full containment anticipated for Saturday, Aug. 28 at 6:00
p.m.
Fire Behavior: Forward progression has stopped
Fuels and Terrain: Burning in grass and brush
Fire Crews/Resources: Four engines, 2 dozers, 2 helicopters, 2 Single Engine Air
Tankers (SEATs), Air Attack, 1 Lead Plan, 2 Heavy Air Tankers and 1 VLAT (Very
Large Air Tanker), North Fremont County (3 engines, 2 water tenders), South
Fremont County (2 engines, 1 water tender), Hamer (2 engines), Idaho Dept. of
Lands (1 water tender).
Evacuations: None in effect
Closures: None, but fire officials are asking the public to stay out of
the area due to high concentration of air and ground resources.
Summary: As a reminder, public lands in southeast Idaho are under Stage
One Fire Restrictions.
