Trailhead Fire News Release
Incident:
Released: 8/30/2006
Trailhead Firefighters achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday. Their hard work during the last week prevented growth of a large fire despite the high winds associated with a "Red Flag" day. Several areas within the fire were fanned into greater activity and put up plumes of smoke, but the perimeter held. "Hot Shot" fire crews made aggressive use of 100,000 feet (nearly 20 miles) of fire hose and dozens of pumps to quench flames and hotspots. Much of the hose is in subdivisions that also have 12 structural fire engines poised to defend homes and private property if the perimeter did not hold. Aerial observation planes kept track of the fire, checking for spot fires otside the lines. Helicopters delivered water drops on hotspots that flared up in the winds. This integration of air and ground team elements made for a successful day. Fire suppression forces are working in very steep and rocky mountain areas. High winds allowed only intermittent use of helicopters during the day to fly crews, equipment and supplies to the spike camps that are nearly 8000 feet in elevation. The fire is near Mt. Regan, Observation Peak and McGown Peak. Among the values threatened are the headwaters of Iron Creek, Goat Creek, Stanley Lake Creek and Trail Creek five miles west of Stanley Idaho. The Incident Command Team has staged contingency forces to respond if problems arise from expected winds. Local governments have been active in planning operations. There will be a community meeting tonight at the Stanley Community Center at 7:00 p.m.. Representatives from the Trailhead, Red Mountain and Middlefork Complex will be present to update area residents. Fire information inquiries may be directed to the Fire Information Center in Stanley Idaho at 208-774-2358. Fire information is available on the internet at: http://www.inciweb.org. Media Contacts: 208-774-3872. Fire Statistics: Start Date: 7/19/2006 Contained: 50% Cause: Under Investigation Size: 4252 Acres Cost To Date: $3,000,000 Injuries: 0 Personnel Assigned 374 CLOSURES: There is an Area, Road and Trail Closure Order in effect with a boundary of the Sawtooth National Forest, on the west, Hwy 21 on the North, The Baron Creek, North Fork of Baron Creek and Goat Lake Trails on the South and West side of Sections 8 and 17 of T10N, R13E. Hwy 21 is open. Forest Roads FR203, FR304 and FR661 are closed due to Fire Camp safety concerns. Call 1800-632-8000 or visit www.511.idaho.gov for road closures.
