9-17-2007 East Zone Complex
Incident: East Zone Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/17/2007
Management of the East Zone Complex was transferred this morning from Paul Broyles' National Incident Management Team to command under Aaron Gelobter's National Incident Management Organization (NIMO).
Fire activity overall continues to be minimal due to overcast skies and higher relative humidity. However, some increased activity occurred in the Pilot Peak area due to strong, gusty winds yesterday. Crews on the west side of the fire have begun to remove hoses and pumps in the Burgdorf area, as 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. Crews continue to make 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 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 The public should be cautioned that this road opening could be rescinded at any time due to fire conditions.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 http://www.inciweb.org/.
Acreage/ containment: Total complex: 293,713 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: 12 Helicopters: 5 Engines: 19 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 9 Personnel: 582 Reportable Injuries: 13 Costs to Date: $32,036,396
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.
·· Construct a saw line up Profile Ridge.
·· Mop up and patrol the ridge east of Ruby Meadows.
·· Continue to mop up, rehab fire line, and backhaul pumps and hoses around Secesh and Warren.
·· 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.
·· 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.
Work to keep Lick Creek Road open for Yellow Pine and Johnson Creek residents
Fire Weather: Temperatures are expected to drop significantly and humidity to rise on Monday as a cold front moves in from the north. Predicted highs are 50-61 with minimum relative humidity 35-45%, with a 30% chance of rain, cloudy morning, possible rainfall amounts up to .10 inches, with the snow level around 8,000 feet. Becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon with 40% cloud cover. Winds west 15mph in the morning becoming northwest 10 mph gusting to 20 mph in the afternoon on the ridges.
Fire Behavior: With moisture, clouds, low temperatures and high humidity expect fire behavior diminish to low to moderate today.
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
