08/14/2008 Daily Fire Update
Incident: Snow Hole Wildland Fire
Released: 8/14/2008
The Snow Hole Fire continues to be active and is now established in the Kylie Creek and Ruggles Creek drainages.
Wednesday, hand crews and aerial resources made good progress on a containment line along the western flank of the fire, west of Ruggles Gulch drainage, between Billy Point and the Salmon River. Crews also began expanding and strengthening portions of the line by igniting strips of unburned fuels just inside the lines.
Containment lines along the eastern flank of the fire in Burnt Creek drainage continued to hold, and late in the evening crews began a burnout operation on the southeastern flank of the fire to help secure that portion of line.
Dozer line construction at the top of the ridges between the headwaters of Home Sweet Home Creek and Billy Point is nearing completion. Thursday, firefighters will work to complete line construction on the western flank of the fire, and crews and engines will begin the process of strengthening the southern and western containment lines through the use of burnout operations. As a result, smoke will likely be visible in the area.
Due to the remote location of the fire, crews and equipment will continue to be "spiked" out south of the fire, near containment lines.
Gusty winds, increasing temperatures, and rugged terrain will continue to be a concern for firefighters and potential fire growth. Operations Section Chief Randy McKenzie affirmed that "We need to do a lot of good, hard work today to hold on to the progress we've made so far."
Heavy smoke along the Salmon River and active helicopter operations may impact recreational rafting in the area; however, river closures are not anticipated. BLM River Rangers will remain stationed at White House Bar to provide rafters current fire information.
