9-18-2007 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).
With wetter conditions and lower temperatures in the Payette National Forest outside of the wilderness areas, as well as in the Boise and Sawtooth National Forests, fire restrictions have been lowered from Stage II to Stage I. There was one flare-up from a holdover spot fire near War Eagle yesterday, but fire activity overall remains minimal. Crews on the west side of the fire have removed hoses and pumps in the Burgdorf area, and firefighters continue to patrol and mop up any remaining hotspots. Structure protection assessment continues in the Big Creek community. The Profile Fire is still burning on both sides of Forest Road 340 and has reached the Middle Lake area, south of Crater Lake. 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 9 p.m. 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 The public should be cautioned that this road opening could be rescinded at any time due to fire conditions.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: 300,022 acres. Horton Fire: 1,408 acres, Zena/Loon Fire: 209,891 acres, Raines Fire: 78,296 acres and Profile Fire 4,117 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, 155 structures remain threatened on the East Zone Complex; 56 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: 9 Helicopters: 6 Engines: 12 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 9 Personnel: 503 Reportable Injuries: 13 Costs to Date: $31,618,720
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:
·Monitor the Profile, Horton, and Raines fires from the air.
·Continue to construct a saw line up Profile Ridge.
·Patrol Burgdorf, Warren, and Hettinger areas.
·Protect Miner's Peak Lookout with retardant as 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.
·Continue 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.
Fire Weather:
Lower temperatures, 47-62, will continue today with a 40% chance of light rain. Minimum relative humidity will be about the same as yesterday, 30-40%, and a cold front is expected this evening to bring snow at 7,000 feet. Valley winds will be upslope 4-8 mph becoming south 6-10 with gusts up to 25 mph; ridgetop winds will be southwest 10-15 with gusts 30 mph. Expect moisture to continue through Wednesday as another cold front moves in.
Fire Behavior:
With moisture, clouds, low temperatures, and high humidity, fire behavior will be to low to moderate today. Expect to see smoldering with possible torching in isolated areas; little to no perimeter growth is expected today. Thousand-hour fuels remain abnormally dry, and rolling debris remains a concern.
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/.
