9-13-07 East Zone Complex Update
Incident: East Zone Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/13/2007
Current Status
Management of the East Zone Complex is under the under the command of Paul Broyles' Type 1 Great Basin National Incident Management Team (IMT).
Yesterday, moderate to heavy fire activity occurred in the northeast portion of the Profile Fire as well as along the South Fork Salmon River near the Pilot Peak area. The Profile Fire spotted across Forest Road 340, north of the Missouri Ridge Trailhead and Lotspiech Mine area. Firefighters continued to secure active fireline around Yellowjacket Ranch. The Zena-Loon Fire burned actively in the Wellington Ranch area west of Yellow Pine. Lick Creek Road toward Yellow Pine and Big Creek is closed to all but emergency traffic. Crews conducted protection measures for the culverts and retaining walls on forest roads in the Krassel area. Rehabilitation efforts continued around structures on several areas of the fire that have been adequately protected. Structure protection remains in place in the Warren, Secesh, Burgdorf, Fritser Ranch, Copenhaver Subdivision, Upper and Lower Badley Ranches, Big Creek, Edwardsburg, Crater Lake and South Fork areas, which include Hettinger Ranch, Trails End Subdivision, Elk Creek Ranch and Yellowjacket Ranch.
Fire activity is expected to decrease slightly over the next few days due to lower temperatures, higher relative humidities and light winds. However, extremely low fuel moistures continue to pose a threat to the area. Smoke inversions have hampered aerial firefighting operations over the last few days.
Part of the Warren Wagon Road (FR 21) is now open to the public. The road block is at Burgdorf Junction which allows the public access to the Burgdorf area, including the Hot Springs, and areas north on Forest Road (FR) 246. Also open is the area east of the junction of FR 246 and FR 318 and north of FR 318 into the Kimberley Mine area and then north along the eastern boundary of Bureau of Land Management lands to the Salmon River. Access beyond Burgdorf Junction to the east on Warren Wagon Road will remain open to residents and property owners only. The public should be cautioned that this road opening could be rescinded at any time due to fire conditions. A detailed map of the reopened area is available at www.fs.fed.us/idahofires and www.inciweb.org.
Acreage/Containment
Total complex: 276,526 acres. Horton Fire: 1,408 acres, Zena/Loon Fire: 195,855 acres, Raines Fire: 76,335 acres and Profile Fire 2,928 acres. Containment is expected for September 30.
Values at Risk/Structures Lost
Values at risk include the watersheds for the communities of Warren, Secesh, South Fork and McCall, historical and cultural sites in Crater Lake and Burgdorf, and endangered species. Currently, 150 structures remain threatened on the East Zone Complex; 85 are residences. A total of 13 structures have been lost (6 residences and 7 outbuildings)
Resources on the Fire/Costs
These numbers are updated daily at 6:30 p.m. Crews: 11 Helicopters: 6 Engines: 26 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 10 Personnel: 588 Reportable Injuries: 13 Costs to Date: $29,879,992
Cooperators
Forest Service, Valley and Idaho County Sheriffs Department, McCall Fire and EMS, Idaho County, Valley County, and Donnelly Fire and Rescue.
Closures and Restrictions
The Boise, Payette, and Salmon-Challis National Forests have implemented road and area closures to provide for firefighter and public safety within the fire areas. Specific closure information and maps are available for viewing at the following websites: www.fs.fed.us/idahofires/, www.fs.fed.us/r4/boise/ and www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/.
For specific road closure information on the Payette National Forest, please call 208-634-0447.
For general additional information on Payette National Forest please call 208-634-2493.
Today's Plan
·Structure protection at Burgdorf Hot Springs, South Fork Salmon River Road, Crater Lake, Hettinger Ranch, Big Creek, Edwardsburg, Elk Creek Ranch, Yellowjacket Ranch, Copenhaver Subdivision, Trails End, Pilot Peak Lookout and Upper and Lower Badley Ranches.
·Continue chipping of removed fuel along road near Secesh.
·Monitor the Profile Fire from air and ground.
·Assess structure protection at Big Creek and Crater Lake and institute protection measures if needed.
·Mop-up and rehabilitation efforts on areas of the fire where it is warranted.
·Continue to work along forest roads clearing debris and hazard trees to make them safe once they reopen.
·Monitor fire spread through aerial observation and detect and suppress any new fire starts.
·Locate and suppress hot spots along Warren Wagon Road.
·Conduct suppression activities in the Ruby Mountain area, south of Burgdorf.
Fire Weather
Thursday is expected to be sunny, with smoke inversions in the valleys until mid afternoon. Temperature highs will be in the 70s to low 80s with minimum relative humidity 13-19%. Winds will be light and variable from the north. Cooler weather is expected the rest of the week with some potential moisture for early next week.
Fire Behavior
Low fire spread is expected in the morning, increasing slightly as the inversion lifts. With light and variable winds expected, fires will be influenced predominantly by topography and slope.
Fire and other Information
Further information on the East Zone Complex can be obtained by calling (208) 634-1890 between 8 a.m. and
9 p.m. or by going to http://www.inciweb.org/. For information on other fires in the area go to www.fs.fed.us/idahofires/.
