9-21-07 East Zone Revised Closure Updates
Incident: East Zone Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/21/2007
East Zone Complex is being managed by Incident Commander Aaron Gelobter and the Boise National Incident Management Team.
Fire and forest managers have revised the Area and Road Closures for the East Zone Complex Fires. The following roads will be open to the general public effective at 5:00 a.m. Friday, September 21, 2007:
- Lick Creek Road is now open to Yellow Pine and Big Creek.
- Warren Wagon Road is open up to Warren Summit. Forest Road #355 is open from Warren Summit to Burgdorf Summit and Smith Knob.
- Warren Wagon Road is still closed from Warren Summit to Big Creek. Only property owners may enter this part of the area closure.
- A part of the Payette National Forest is still closed south from Smith Knob to Yellow Pine and east from Warren Summit to Big Creek.
- The public should be cautioned that these road openings could be rescinded at any time should there be any change in fire conditions.
- These changes are effective at 5:00 a.m. on Friday, September 21, 2007.or more detail information or a detailed map of the reopened area visit http://www.inciweb.org/ or http://www.fs.fed.us/idahofires%20or%20call%20208-634-1890.
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 and higher humidity. Firefighters will continue to locate and remove hoses and pumps and patrol the fire area mopping up any hotspots. Firefighting resources are being released as work is completed. Rehabilitation of fire lines continues in the Copenhaver 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.
Acreage/ containment: Total complex: 300,022 acres. Horton Fire: 1,408 acres, Zena/Loon Fire: 215,454 acres, Rains 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: 2 Engines: 13 Dozers: 0 Water tenders: 3 Personnel: 390 Reportable Injuries: 13 Costs to Date: $32,509,008
Cooperators: U.S. 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, Hettinger, Big Creek and Copenhaver.
Continue to work along forest roads clearing debris and hazard trees to make them safe once they reopen.
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 will 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. Mostly sunny today with increasing high clouds late in the afternoon. Temperatures 59-73 degrees, humidity 17-25 percent, winds southwest 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph on the ridgetop and 4-8 mph in the valley becoming south 8-12 mph with gusts 25 mph.
Fire Behavior: With drying and warming expected today we expect to see a slight increase in fire activity in interior islands. The public should be aware of potentially hazardous and smoky conditions, especially inside the closure area. No perimeter growth is expected.
Fire and Other InformationFurther 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/.
