Cabin Creek and Rush Creek Fires Updates
Incident: Cabin Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 8/5/2008
Payette National Forest
800 Lakside Avenue
McCall, ID 83638
Contact:
Fire Information: 208-634-0784
Recorded Information: 634-0798
FIRE INFORMATION SHEET
Today's Date & Time: 8/4/08, 12:15 p.m.
FIRE NAME: Cabin Creek Fire (& Rush Creek Fire)
DATE & TIME OF FIRE START: 7/30/08, 2:00 pm
LOCATION (including elevation):
21N 12E 24, Big Creek area of Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, between Horse Mountain and Vinegar Hill, junction of Cow Creek and Cabin Creek
KIND OF FIRE/FUELS: Grass & Brush
CAUSE: Human
SIZE: 4000 acres INITIAL SIZE: 2-3 acres
WEATHER CONDITIONS: Hot & dry
AGENGY JURISDICTION: USFS
COOPERATING AGENCIES: n/a
ESTIMATED CONTAINMENT: 0% contained, estimated containment not known
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Dennis McCoy, Smokejumper, USFS
EQUIPMENT & PERSONNEL: 11 Firefighters & 1 Resource Adviser
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL (if possible split firefighters & overhead): 12
VALUES AT RISK (structures, towns, roads): none immediately threatened
STRUCTURES DESTROYED: 0
INJURIES: 0
EVACUATION INFORMATION: n/a
SYNOPSIS OF WHAT THE FIRE IS DOING/WHAT THE CREWS ARE DOING: Taylor Ranch is not immediately threatened, but sprinklers and other equipment are being set up in case the fire threatens the facility in the future. The fire transitioned to a Type 3 organization. The fire is burning primarily in grass and this fuel type makes fires very fast moving. Weather conditions are expected to remain hot. The airstrips at Cabin Creek and Big Creek are now open for public use. The public may visit the area and use the Big Creek Trail but they should stay north/northwest west of the Cabin Creek area. People planning to travel to the area are strongly encouraged to use the Big Creek airstrip and may call 208-634-0400 for more information. 12 firefighters remain at Taylor Ranch and patrol to Cabin Creek as a precaution.
As a result of last month's rain, the Rush Creek Fire dwindled, but has begun to grow slowly and is now at 1,415 acres. Fire managers continue to monitor its progression, but there is no significant growth. The fire is located in an area characterized by extremely steep and rocky terrain not far from Shellrock Peak.
Fire management specialists from neighboring forests are assisting the Payette (PNF) to evaluate and develop a long-term strategy for the Rush Creek and Cabin Creek fires. Experts in long-term fire planning, mapping and wilderness resources flew over both fires and met with PNF fire managers over the weekend. Both fires are being closely monitored via periodic over-flights. Infrared photography is being used to accurately map the fires during night flights.
