08/17/2008 Daily Fire Update
Incident: Snow Hole Wildland Fire
Released: 8/17/2008
Crews Begin Mop-Up on Snow Hole Fire
(Cottonwood, ID) Saturday, crews continued to secure containment lines around the Snow Hole Fire and made significant headway on mop up just inside firelines.
Large quantities of heavy, woody fuels are still unburned within the fire perimeter, particularly between the upper ends of the Home Sweet Home and Kylie Creek drainages. Previously unburned fuels continued to smolder, and as Saturday afternoon progressed, some individual and group tree torching also occurred. As a result, a small smoke column developed for a few hours late in the day.
Sunday, crews will keep working on mop up duties, including laying hose and watering down hot spots. Firefighters will mop up at least 200-300 feet inside the containment lines, as long as they can do it safely.
Several acres of unconsumed fuels within the fire's interior will likely continue to burn for many days, and such hot spots could result in the potential for spotting under windy conditions. Operations Section Chief Randy McKenzie warned crews to "keep their heads in the game because there is still a lot of fire out there."
Due to the remote location of the fire, crews and equipment will continue to camp just south of the fire on Joseph Plains, near containment lines.Because most of the containment lines around the fire are secure, plans are being made to return management of the fire back to the local Craig Mountain Area Idaho Department of Lands Office Tuesday morning.
Smoke along the Salmon River and helicopter operations may impact recreational rafting in the area; however, the Salmon River will remain open.
