Citadel Fire, July 5, 2007 Update
Incident: Citadel Wildland Fire
Released: 7/5/2007
Citadel Fire Update, Shoshone National Forest
Thursday July 5, 2007 8:00 am
There will be a public meeting for North Fork residents and others about current fire conditions and control efforts at 7:30 p.m. TODAY at the Wapiti Elementary School.
Wednesday's Fire Activity: The fire is on very steep, loose slopes in spruce and pine. Fifty percent of the trees are dead due to bark beetles. For the second straight day higher humidities and moderate winds aided firefighters as they constructed line on the north sides of the fire. A structure protection group completed defensible space around a historic lodge and outbuildings about a mile ahead of the fire.
Helicopters and air tankers dropped water that cooled hot spots directly. The water drops also raised humidity nearby, moderating fire near crews working. Night infrared flights have been very useful for pinpointing heat within the perimeter so that daytime work can be more effective - and less expensive.
Today's Planned Actions: Crews will continue to work directly on the fire's north edges. On the south side of the fire they will continue to hold and cool the fire's edge. Today two large helicopters have arrived to replace the air tankers. The helicopters can put water more precisely on their targets.
Fire danger on the Shoshone National Forest is extreme. The Shoshone National Forest expects to implement Stage I fire restrictions, limiting campfires to fire rings or grates in developed campsites. Fireworks are illegal on public land except in designated locations.
Closures: For public safety the Bobcat, Houlihan and Hardpan Creeks drainages are closed. The closure includes all trails in the drainages, and Hardpan Lake.
Acres burned: 1,975
Percent contained: 25%
Cause: Lightning started the fire on 6/25.
Expected containment: July 20, 2007
Incident Commander: Bill Hahnenberg
Cost to date: $1,010,000
142 people are working on the Citadel fire. There have been no injuries.
