Cascade Complex Update September 3, 2007
Incident: Cascade Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/3/2007
September 03, 2007 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: 251,892 acres
Percent Contained: 30 % Time of Containment: No Estimation
Number of Personnel: 666 Aircraft: 4 Type 1, 3 Type 2, 3 Type 3 (Helicopters)
3 fixed wing platforms
Equipment: 33 Engines, 5 Water Tenders, 0 Dozers Crews: 3 Type 1 and 10 Type 2
Cost to date: 40.6 M Structures Lost: 3 out buildings
Yesterdays Fire Activity
---Temperatures increased however the fire was not active until early afternoon. Increasing winds caused several areas of the fire to become more active later in the day and into the late evening.
---There was no appreciable movement on the southeast corner of the Zena-Loon reported. It remains on the ridge above Reegan Creek west of the Eurigan Ranch.
---The fire on the east side of Johnson Creek area has backed down to the containment lines and is burning under the powerline. This necessitated de-energizing the lines and cutting power to Yellow Pine for a short time. Crews used hose lays to suppress the fire and power was restored.
--- The fire on the west side near Wapiti Ranch and Ice Hole campground is also coming down slope. The Johnson Creek Road is intermittently closed because of fire behavior and smokey conditions. The road is expected to be closed off and on for the near future. Suppression resources continue to strengthen point protection areas and prepare for contingency actions.
--- The fire was also very active in the Loos um Creek area south and west of Yellow Pine. 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.
---The fire in the Profile Creek area moved slowly north/northeast and is not threatening the Big Creek road at this time. The Profile Group has been re-deployed to road clearing.
---Hose and other equipment is being gathered from the Deadwood area and will be back-hauled.
---The Landmark area was quiet most of the day but activity picked up late in the afternoon and is burning adjacent to the road in the Lunch Creek area. Crews focused on mop-up operations and hazard reduction in order to secure the area.
---Forces in the Warm Lake and Paradise areas continue to mop up a 300' foot standard. Work also included; clearing hazard trees from area roadways and rehabilitation of dozer lines in the area. This area is still closed to all but fire personnel.
---A new fire was detected and initial attacked in the Curtiss Creek area. Crews will be working in that area.
--Crews walked into the Fools Hen Trailhead reinforced the North Fork Group. A spike camp will be established to facilitate securing that area.
---Operations flew the eastern perimeter of the fire and assessed threats to prepared Management Action Points in the wilderness that may need personnel reinserted for structure protection. The fire is burning along the Middle Fork into the wilderness.
Today's Planned Activity
---A Haines Index of 5 out of 6 is predicted today. This index predicts instability in the atmosphere which directly relates to fire behavior, ;the more unstable the air the more chance for high fire activity. Fire behavior is expected to increase in and around the Johnson Creek area and access to Yellow Pine, Big Creek, and Johnson Creek may be intermittently compromised.
---Crews will continue to take action on identified point protection objectives at Yellow Pine, Johnson Creek, Warm Lake, Stolle Meadows, Paradise Valley and Landmark.
---Progress is being made to open routes and remove snags.
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.
The weather will be warming and drying.
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