Crews Holding The Tongue
Incident: Tongue Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 7/20/2007
Friday, July 20, 2007 @ 10:00 a.m.
Public Information Officer - Debbie Santiago
Incident Command Post - Jordan Valley, Oregon
Fire Info Line (541) 586-2141 or Website: http://www.inciweb.org/
BLM Boise District's Boulder Creek and Tongue Complex wildfires are being managed under the incident command of Allen Johnson's Type II Team. The Boulder Creek fire considered controlled; the fire burned a total of 4,350 acres and is now in patrol status.
Firefighting efforts on the stubborn Tongue Complex continue today. The fire complex is extremely large and poor access continues to hamper suppression efforts in many places. A total of 48,658 acres is involved and is currently 45% contained. Interior torching continues in Juniper stands with very little fire movement through grass and sagebrush. Fuels remain extremely dry with topographic and weather conditions driving fire behavior. There was no increase in fire size yesterday.
Today, Firefighters will continue to construct direct fireline where terrain allows access. Difficulty of terrain, poor access, and dry fuels persist. A total of 493 fire personnel are assigned to the Tongue Complex. Most resources, hand crews, overhead operational staff, and heavy equipment are now located at the Boni Ranch spike camp in order to facilitate easier access to the fire.
The main Incident Command Post (ICP) is located in Jordan Valley, Oregon, at the Jordan Valley High School. Intense logistical support is provided daily to the Boni Spike Camp in order to supply crews with fresh food and water. Fire-related supplies and fuel are shuttled throughout the day. Resources assigned to the fire include 2 Type I Hotshot crews, 11 Type II crews, 2 camp crews, 3 helicopters, 16 engines, 6 dozers, 11 water tenders and 115 overhead personnel.
Wildfire danger is high to extreme across Idaho and many states! Therefore, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Idaho State Director has instituted Stage I Fire Restrictions on all BLM land in the State of Idaho. The following acts are prohibited on the public land, roads, and trails:
·1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, and only within a fire structure provided by the administrative agency.
·2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
Before recreating on any public lands please remember to know before you go! Visit http://www.nifc.gov/
Wildland fire season is severe! Protect your property and make it defensible!
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