9-19-2007 East Zone Complex Update
Incident: East Zone Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/19/2007
Current Status:
East Zone Complex is being managed by Aaron Gelobter's National Incident Management Organization (NIMO).
The Lick Creek Road and the Big Creek Road (FS 340) is now open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. to residents and property owners of Yellow Pine, Johnson Creek, and Big Creek only. This opening will continue every day at the above mentioned times as long as fire conditions allow. No other roads in the area will be accessible. For more detail information visit http://www.inciweb.org/ or call 208-634-1890.
With recent and forecasted precipitation in the Payette National Forest, as well as in the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests, fire restrictions are now at Stage 1 - campfires are allowed within designated metal or concrete fire structures. A flash flood watch for the East Zone Complex fire area has been issued from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. today due to possible heavy rains. Fire behavior was very light yesterday on the East Zone Complex, and structure protection objectives are now 95% of being accomplished. Firefighters will continue to monitor fire behavior and use suppression tactics as wetting and drying trends alternate, but crews will now be focusing on rehabilitation efforts in areas suffering the effects of post-fire erosion.
Part of the Warren Wagon Road (FR 21) is open to the public. The road block is at Burgdorf Junction , allowing 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 The public should be cautioned that this road opening could be rescinded at any time due to fire conditions.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: 300,022 acres. Horton Fire: 1,408 acres, Zena/Loon Fire: 215,454 acres, Raines Fire: 78,604 acres and Profile Fire 4,556 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, erosion control structures along the South Fork of the Salmon River, and endangered species. Currently, no structures remain threatened on the East Zone Complex. 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: 7 Helicopters: 6 Engines: 13 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 10 Personnel: 427 Reportable Injuries: 13 Costs to Date: $31,951,152
Cooperators:
Forest Service, Valley and Idaho County Sheriff Departments, 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 Plans:
·Patrol roads to Burgdorf, South Fork, Elk Creek, and Big Creek; install equipment as needed to keep roads open.
·Pull fire hoses and rehab suppression lines near Warren and Hettinger.
·Monitor fire movement toward Miner's Peak Lookout
·Continue to work along forest roads clearing debris and hazard trees to make them safe once they reopen.
·Continue to assess structure protection measures at Big Creek.
·Monitor the Profile, Raines, and Horton fires by air.
·Rehab any intrusions into the wilderness area.
Fire Weather:
Rain and snow will continue Wednesday morning with low temperatures, 37-47, and a minimum relative humidity of 80%. Rainfall is expected to be .12 inches to .35 inches; snowfall, at 6500 feet in the morning and lifting to 8000 feet in the afternoon, is expected to be 2-4 inches. Valley winds will be variable 1-5 mph with gusts to 12, while ridgetop winds will be east to southeast 10 mph with gusts to 20. Thursday and Friday should see a temporary warming and drying trend before another cold front moves in over the weekend, bringing additional wetting rains to the fire complex.
Fire Behavior:
With recent precipitation, expect to see little fire behavior today. Smoldering logs, snags, and stumps will be the only trace of fire behavior today, though the larger fuels will continue to hold heat. No perimeter growth is expected.
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/.
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/.
