East Slide Rock Ridge Fire Update - Aug. 25, 2008
Incident: East Slide Rock Ridge Wildland Fire
Released: 8/25/2008
Monday, August 25, 2008, 9:30 a.m.
For further Information visit: www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf or http://www.inciweb.org
Info Center (775) 778-6105 -- Hours of Operation: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
(Elko, NV) -- The East Slide Rock Ridge Fire actively burned throughout the night as well as during the daylight hours Sunday. Several significant runs occurred as the fire, pushed by southwest winds, ignited strings of sub-alpine fir on steep slopes. New fire growth occurred primarily on the northeast and northwest sides of the fire. On the northeast side, the fire burned into the Canyon Creek Pocket area. The fire did not burn across the Pole Creek Road. On the northwest side, fire activity was driven by the terrain and thick fuels. The fire burned out of North Fork Creek up to Sawmill Ridge, consuming most of the vegetation on the east side of the ridge. There are a couple very small spot fires over the ridge which aircraft took care of this morning with water and retardant drops. Retardant was used throughout the day Sunday to slow the spread of the fire, especially on the northwest side along Sawmill Ridge.
Crews worked late into the evening and began a burn-out operation along the Pole Creek Road on the northeast side of the fire to secure the road and strengthen control lines. A late-night infrared flight was conducted to detect heat from the fire and establish the fire perimeter. Control issues facing firefighters are steep terrain, spotting, extreme fire behavior, and snags or hazard trees.
On Friday, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest ordered a Type 1 National Incident Management. The Team arrived on Saturday and received an in-briefing from Forest managers and the existing Fire Use Management Team. On Sunday, the new team, led by Incident Commander Paul Summerfelt, interfaced with the Fire Use Team and then assumed management of the fire at 9:00 PM. Priorities for the team include: protection of the community of Jarbidge and nearby ranches; protection of Forest Service infrastructure including several guard stations and campgrounds; protection of cultural resources; and minimizing impacts to sage grouse habitat. An incident command post has been established at Cottonwood Ranch on the east side of the fire. Additional resources are continuing to arrive.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for Monday as a dry cold front pushes through the area. The front is expected to produce strong southwest winds and drive the fire primarily to the north and northeast. Fire managers will assess the potential for suppression action and begin to establish control lines in areas of sparse vegetation and near natural fuel breaks where the fire will not be as extreme. Aerial resources will be used to minimize fire spread toward the Jarbidge area. Structure protection has been initiated in the Pole Creek area. A high pressure system is expected to return to the area by Tuesday and remain for several days.
The East Slide Rock Ridge fire started August 8 when a lightning storm moved through the area. The fire is located primarily within the Jarbidge Wilderness approximately 50 miles northwest of Wells, Nevada. It is burning patches of dead, diseased, or dying trees while leaving unburned "islands" of vegetation on the landscape.
The safety of firefighters and the public remains the top priority. An area closure established for public safety remains in effect. For a description of the closure area check the Humboldt-Toiyabe website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf . For additional information call 775-778-6105.
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