9-15-07 East Zone Complex Fire Update
Incident: East Zone Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/15/2007
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).
Fire activity was minimal yesterday due to overcast skies and higher relative humidity. Areas in the eastern and southeastern portions of the complex have been smoked in over the last few days. While this has hampered air operations, it has also reduced fire activity in these areas. The Profile Fire is still burning on both sides of Forest Road 340, and has reached the Middle Lake area, south of Crater Lake. Crews have made good progress in constructing fire line in the Ruby Meadows area, southeast of Burgdorf. 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, including Hettinger Ranch, Trails End Subdivision, Elk Creek Ranch and Yellowjacket Ranch.
The Lick Creek Road (FR 48) is now open from 5 a.m. to 12 noon to residents and property owners of Yellow Pine and Johnson Creek, north of Wapiti Ranch only. This opening will continue every day at the above mentioned times as long as fire conditions allow. Access will be to Yellow Pine and lower Johnson Creek only and only via Lick Creek Road. No other roads in the area will be accessible, including the Big Creek Road (FR 340). For more detail information visit http://www.inciweb.org/ or call 208-634-1890.
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 The public should be cautioned that this road opening could be rescinded at any time due to fire conditions.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: 289,232 acres. Horton Fire: 1,408 acres, Zena/Loon Fire: 207,466 acres, Raines Fire: 76,335 acres and Profile Fire 4,042 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: 13 Helicopters: 6 Engines: 19 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 12 Personnel: 617 Reportable Injuries: 13 Costs to Date: $31,024,604
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, Horton and Raines Fires from the air.
·Assess structure protection at Big Creek and Crater Lake and institute protection measures if needed.
·Continue to suppress spots north of the Secesh River and hold the fire south of the river.
·Continue to work along forest roads clearing debris and hazard trees to make them safe once they reopen.
·Locate and suppress hot spots along Warren Wagon Road from Warren to Warren Summit.
·Conduct suppression activities in the Ruby Mountain area south of Burgdorf.
Fire Weather
Saturday is expected to be partly cloudy, with a chance of dry thunderstorms. Smoke inversions in the valleys may once again persist until mid afternoon. Temperatures will be in the 70s to low 80s with minimum relative humidity 17-22%. Winds will be light and variable from northwest at 5 mph, with gusts to 15 mph. Cooler weather is expected over the next few days with some potential moisture early next week.
Fire Behavior
Low to moderate fire activity is expected today with runs toward the east. Fires will be mainly influenced by topography and fuels, with only moderate perimeter growth expected. However, strong winds from thunderstorms could push the fire in any direction with extreme fire behavior. Extremely low fuel moistures continue to hinder firefighting efforts.
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/.
