Boise NF Fire Update 8-28-07
Incident: Cascade Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/28/2007
News
United States
Department of
Agriculture
Boise National Forest
1249 S. Vinnell Way
Suite 200
Boise, Idaho 83709
208-373-4100
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Boise NF Fire Info Center: 208-384-3266
Tuesday morning, August 28, 2007 Websites: www.fs.fed.us/idahofires
www.inciweb.org
No Help from Weather in Sight
Boise, ID - Warmer and drier is just the start of predicted worsening weather conditions for the rest of this week. Fire weather forecasters at the Cascade Complex on the Boise National Forest are warning firefighters that dry thunderstorms are possible tomorrow through Friday. Also, strong, gusty winds could make a return to the fire area on Friday and Saturday. All this is in addition to increasing temperatures and lower relative humidities that could drop into the single digits. "The positive effects of last week's rains are gone," states Fire Behavior Analyst Gayle Sorenson, "a lightning strike now has an 80% chance of igniting a fire in this extremely dry vegetation."
A community meeting is planned for Yellow Pine area residents today at 2 p.m. in the Community Center. Representatives from the Valley County Sheriffs Office, Boise National Forest and the Type 1 Incident Management Team working on the Cascade Complex will attend.
Cascade Complex Total: 232,584 acres, 25% contained
Monumental Fire 184,509-acres, Riordan Fire - 48,075 acres
Fire activity increased yesterday due to lower humidity. A defensive strategy remains in place to protect structures and critical infrastructure. Crews continued to remove hazardous trees damaged by fire. Chippers are being used to handle excess slash resulting from structure protection efforts in Landmark and along Johnson Creek Road.
Resources: 841 personnel, 18 crews, 16 aircraft, 29 engines
Contact: Cascade Complex Fire Info: 208-382-3202
Only property owners in Yellow Pine, Johnson Creek and Big Creek will be allowed to access their property via Warm Lake Road. Yellow Pine remains under a Level 2 Evacuation Order, but should be prepared for a higher level evacuation at any time.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions remain in effect on the Boise, Sawtooth and Payette National Forest lands as well as all Boise and Twin Falls District BLM lands
For a complete listing of open recreation areas, please go to www.fs.fed.us/idahofires.
