Approximate Location
Incident Overview
Some Crews Released off South Barker Fire
Due to decreased fire activity over the last several days and a forecast of reduced fire behavior, some crews were released off the South Barker Fire on Wednesday. More resources will be released today.
On Wednesday, active fire burning was again limited to the interior of the fire perimeter. Fire activity included low intensity surface fire and individual tree torching in timber in upper Weeks Gulch, Burnt Log Creek, Big Water Creek, and the head of Willow Creek. Crews spent the day patrolling the western and southern fire perimeter and removing supplies and equipment from helispots.
Fire Use Management Team to Leave on Friday
The Fire Use Management Team that has been managing the fire since August 30 will depart on Friday. A Fire Use Manager will arrive to take over management of the fire in coordination with the Fairfield Ranger District. Additional fire resources will remain on the fire as needed. The fire will continue to be managed as wildland fire use with a focus on allowing fire to run its natural course within the area defined for its "use" while ensuring firefighter and public safety.
Fire Information Transitions to Ranger District
With the departure of the Fire Use Management Team, the Fairfield Ranger Station will update fire information as needed. This will be the last update unless there are significant changes. Please contact the Ranger Station at (208) 764-3202 for any questions regarding fire information.
Area Closure Remains in Effect
The area closure on the Fairfield Ranger District, Sawtooth National Forest, remains in effect. As soon as it's safe for people to reenter the area, Forest managers will reopen access. Forest Road 227 is closed from Featherville to Big Smoky junction. Forest Road 012 is closed above Big Smoky junction into the Upper South Fork Boise River residential area. (Private landowners can still access their property but not Forest Service land beyond their property.) The expanded closure includes Trail 070 along Paradise Creek and all trails to the west. These roads and trails lead into the area where fire activity continues. Contact the Fairfield Ranger District office for more specific details about the area closure and other areas that remain open for recreation.
View data from the air quality monitor in Pine at http://www.satguard.com/USFS/fleet.aspx.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Prescribed Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Thursday August 07th, 2008 approx. 01:02 PM |
| Location | East of Featherville, Idaho |
| Incident Commander | Larry Svalberg |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 132 |
|---|---|
| Size | 34,250 acres |
| Fuels Involved | Ponderosa Pine, Douglas Fir, mixed conifer, and sage grass vegetation |
| Fire Behavior | Fire activity today included creeping surface fire spread and individual tree torching in timber in upper Weeks Gulch, Burnt Log Creek and Big Water Creek. |
| Significant Events | Initiated the downsizing and demobilization of excess operational resources. Began preparations to close the existing base camp at Kelly Flat and establish a smaller scale base camp at the Methodist Camp. Patrolled fire edge on west, north and south/southeast fire perimeters. Backhauled supplies and equipment from helispots. Assessed the need for rehabilitation of management actions on the southeast fire edge. Monitored fire behavior, fire growth and maintained readiness to conduct checking actions as necessary. Continued to staff road guards to maintain the area closure and ensure public safety. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Continue downsizing and demobilization of excess resources. Close the Kelly Flat base camp and establish a smaller scale base camp at the Methodist Camp. Patrol fire edge on the west, north and south/southeast edges of fire. Continue to backhaul some supplies and equipment. Conduct rehabilitation of management actions on the south/southeast edge of fire. Monitor fire behavior, fire growth and implement checking actions as warranted to protect private structures and maintain fire within the maximum manageable area. Continue to staff road guards to maintain the area closure and ensure public safety. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | Medium |
| Terrain Difficulty | High |
| Remarks | Demobilization of resources will continue for the next couple of days. Svalberg's Fire Use Management Team is tentatively scheduled to demob on Friday, September 12. A Type 1 Fire Use Manager has been ordered, and a support organization will be left in place for future management of the the fires. There is currently a 71-mile fire perimeter. Of this, 15.4 miles of the fire perimeter has been secured, and 33.4 miles contains heat with potential for additional growth. Approximately 31% of the MMA has been "visited" by the South Barker Fire. The Fire Use Management Team managing the South Barker WFU (wildland fire use incident) is also managing the Old Sam, Johnson Creek, Johnson II and Two Point WFUs. |
Current Weather
| Temperature | 70 degrees |
|---|---|
| Humidity | 11% |
