9-20-2007 East Zone Complex
Incident: East Zone Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/20/2007
The Lick Creek Road and the Big Creek Roads (FS 340) are 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 have been lifted. There was minimal fire growth on the East Zone Complex throughout the day due to lower temperatures, wetting rains, and light snow. Firefighters will continue to remove hoses and pumps and patrol the fire area mopping up any hotspots. Some firefighting resources are being released as work is completed. Rehabilitation of fire lines continue in the Copenhaver, Warren, and Big Creek areas. Crews also continue to monitor the Lick Creek and Warren Wagon Roads removing any hazards such as fallen trees and debris.
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 The public should be cautioned that this road opening could be rescinded at any time due to fire conditions.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 http://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: 1 Engines: 13 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 3 Personnel: 390 Reportable Injuries: 13 Costs to Date: $31,928,003
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.
Pull fire hoses and rehab suppression lines near Warren, Hettinger, Big Creek and Copenhaver.
Continue to work along forest roads clearing debris and hazard trees to make them safe once they reopen.
Rehab any intrusions into the wilderness area.
Fire Weather: High pressure temporarily building through Friday will bring warming and drying. A low pressure system over California is expected to more northward this weekend and bring additional wetting rains to the East Zone Complex. Temporary clearing again on Monday, followed by another chance of rain Tuesday and next Thursday and Friday. Temperatures today are 52-65 degrees, humidity 33-49 percent, winds north at 5 mph becoming southwest 10-15 mph in the afternoon.
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.
Fire and Other Information: Further information on the East Zone Complex can be obtained by calling (208) 634-1890 between 8 a.m. and9 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/.
