August 29, 2007 Cascade Complex Update
Incident: Cascade Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 8/29/2007
August 29, 2007, 8:00 am Fire Information Center: 1-208-382-3202 1-208-382-3203
Fire Facts
Date Started: July 17, 2007 Cause of Ignition: Lightning
Location: 27 miles east of Cascade Idaho Size: 236,282acres
Percent Contained: 26 % Time of Containment: No Estimation
Number of Personnel: 776 Aircraft: 5 Type 1, 5 Type 2, 4 Type 3 (Helicopters)
Equipment: 26 Engines, 7 Water Tenders, 1 Dozers Crews: 4 Type 1 and 15 Type 2
Cost to date: 37.8 M Structures Lost: 3 out buildings
Yesterdays Fire Activity
There was significant activity on the Zena-Loon fire. Heavy helicopters were used to take direct action.
The Johnson Creek area continues to have fire on the eastern ridge and is backing slowly to the west. Suppression resources continue to strengthen point protection areas and prepare for contingency actions.
The northeastern corner of the Cascade Complex formally known as the Monumental fire is burning in a northeasterly direction and may connect with the fire formally known as the Riordan fire around the Springfield Mine area.
The Landmark area continues to have significant activity east of the guard station and resources continued to prepare for a possible burn out operation to secure the area from further fire threat.
Forces in the Warm Lake and Paradise areas continue to mop up to a 300' foot standard and are clearing hazard trees from roadways. This area is still closed to all but fire personnel.
A fire update meeting was held in Yellow Pine at the community center and was attended by residents of Yellow Pine Johnson Creek, the Cascade Complex IC, the Krassel and Cascade District Rangers as well representatives of the Valley County Sheriff Office. It was a productive information sharing discussion.
Yellow Pine remains in a Level 2 evacuation status and residents are still advised to be prepared for the possibility of a higher level evacuation. Only property owners in Yellow Pine, Big Creek and Johnson Creek will be allowed to access their property.
Crews continued to removed snags along secondary roads and secure a large portion of the southern boundary of the fire.
Today's Planned Activity
Crews will continue to take action on identified point protection objectives at Yellow Pine, Johnson Creek, Deadwood, Warm Lake, Stolle Meadows, Paradise Valley and Landmark.
A burn out operation to secure the area around the Landmark Guard station is tentatively scheduled for today.
Work on road clearing is progressing from major routes to the rest of the road network. Road buffer improvements are expected to take 3-4 more days.
Other Important Messages
Area, road, and trail closures are in effect around the Cascade Complex. More specific information may be obtained at the local Forest Service offices.
