Morning Update August 12, 2007, 8:00 AM
Incident: Cascade Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/12/2007
Current Status
Management of the Cascade Complex is under the command of Paul Broyles' Type 1 Great Basin National Incident Management Team (IMT). The complex is composed of two fires: North Fork (13,968 acres; 35% contained) and Monumental (37,887 acres; 16% contained).
Crews continued their burnout on the eastern flank of the North Fork Fire to protect the Incident Command Post (ICP), structures near Warm Lake and to secure the east flank of the fire. This burnout is expected to last for three to five days. The fire also made a run across the South Fork Salmon River and Forest Road 474 into the 2003 South Fork Fire. Powerlines located between the communities of Cascade and Yellow Pine may be temporarily shut down during burnout operations over the next few days for firefighter safety.
The Monumental Fire was very active during the late afternoon making advances on its northern and eastern flanks driven by plume and wind dominated behavior. Crews continued structure protection in the Warm Lake area setting up sprinkler systems around structures and thinning vegetation when necessary. Crews conducted a burnout operation and constructed a dozer line south of Warm Lake to help protect that area if the fire advances to that point. The fire is now approximately 2-3 miles south of the lake. The fire also made a run to the northeast to Rock Creek, along the southeast edge of the 1989 Warm Lake Fire.
The Valley County Sheriff's Department, consulting with the IMT and Boise National Forest staff, has closed Warm Lake Road until further notice to all but emergency traffic. This is necessary to meet operational purposes and to ensure public safety due to the extreme fire behavior that has been observed. Lick Creek Road remains open to only residents and those working in the Yellow Pine and Johnson Creek areas. No escort will be necessary.
Estimated Acreage/ Containment
Complex Acreage: Estimated at 50,393 acres. Containment is now estimated at 21% for the entire complex. No containment or control dates have been established.
Values at Risk/Structures Lost
Structures and areas that remain threatened include the Meadow Creek and Rice Peak Lookouts, Landmark Historic Guard Station, Walker Peak Communications Site, Stolle Meadows Guard Station, commercial buildings in Stolle Meadows, the Warm Lake, Paradise and Stibnite areas, Deadwood Outfitters, two organizational camps and the Cascade Complex Incident Command Post at Knox Ranch. There are 233 structures threatened. One structure (Snowshoe Cabin) was lost earlier in the incident.
Resources on the Fire/Costs
These numbers are updated daily at 6:30 p.m. Crews: 35 Helicopters: 6 Engines: 39 Water tenders: 10 Dozers: 2 Personnel: 1,103 Reportable Injuries: 4 Costs to Date: $8,204,731
Cooperators
Cooperators include: Valley County Sheriff's Office, Valley County government, Southern Idaho Timber Protection Association, Boise National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho Power and Idaho Division of Land & Forestry.
Closures and Restrictions
The Boise, Payette and Salmon-Challis National Forests have implemented road and area closures to provide for public safety within the fire areas. Please contact the Boise National Forest Information Center for more information at (208) 384-3266, or visit their website at www.fs.fed.us/r4/boise/.
Today's Plan
Crews will again focus on burnout operations along the eastern flank of the North Fork Fire between Two Bit and Six Bit Creeks. Crews will continue to prepare containment lines along the Warm Lake Road towards Big Creek Summit. Structure protection remains in place in the Warm Lake, Stolle Meadow and Knox Ranch areas. This includes thinning vegetation and maintaining sprinkler systems to reduce approaching fire intensity and reduce chances for embers to ignite roofs. Flanking operations on both fires will continue supported by aerial resources. Additionally, crews will continue mop-up operations where containment lines have held.
Fire Weather
A Red Flag Warning is forecasted for today for dry and windy conditions, with temperatures in the mid-80s and minimum relative humidity 8-12%. Winds will be south at 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 40 mph. The outlook for Monday is continued warm and dry with decreased winds.
Fire Behavior
Fire behavior conditions remain at record levels for this area of Idaho. The fires will become very active mid-afternoon today, with crowning, torching and long-range spotting probable pushed by strong southwest winds. Topography and winds will influence fire activity and movement.
Fire and Other Information
Further information on the Cascade Complex can be obtained by calling (208) 632-2810 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. or by going to http://www.inciweb.org/. For information on other fires elsewhere in the area, contact the Boise National Forest Information Center for more information at (208) 384-3266 or go to www.fs.fed.us/idahofires/.
