Weather Is Making a Difference!
Incident: East Zone Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/19/2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Boise National Forest Fire Information Center: (208) 384-3266
Wednesday September 19, 2007 - 10 a.m.
The weather event area fire managers have been hoping for seems to be happening and is helping to slow, stop, and extinguish fires that have plagued the state since the middle of July, and is also significantly reducing the potential of new fires.
Recent rain and snow (in elevations over 6,500 feet) are changing the extreme burning conditions fire managers have been dealing with for the last three months. This is allowing managers of the 302,376 acre Cascade Complex to engage in more direct fire control measures and in some cases begin to close out this record making fire season.
These new conditions are also allowing fire managers to ease public access restrictions. For example, today, the Grays Creek Fire area closure has been reduced to only the area within the burn parameter. This latest storm system is creating opportunities to open additional areas. Please check with local Forest Service offices for the most accurate information in the area you are interested in (see numbers listed below).
The public is cautioned that roads in burned areas will continue to be hazardous, even though fires may be out. Intense fire significantly reduces soil ability to absorb moisture. As a result, even a little rain can cause significant runoff and cause floods. This fall's rains will carry debris (stumps, rocks, logs) onto roads, perhaps blocking them. Fire debris will clog culverts and could result in road washouts.
The public is encouraged to access the following web sites: www.inciweb.org, or www.fs.fed.us/idahofires. Maps of fires and information on road/trails and area closures, fire restrictions, and specific fire updates are accessible on these sites.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in effect on the Boise National Forest. If predicted amounts of rain occur, restrictions may be further reduced in the next few days. Please call the below phone numbers for local Forest Service information.
Payette National Forest: (208) 634-0447
Salmon-Challis National Forest: (208) 756-5145
Nez-Perce National Forest: (208) 983-5143
Sawtooth National Forest: (208) 737-3200
