Boise NF Fire Update 9-19-07
Incident: Cascade Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/19/2007
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
Wednesday September 19, 2007 - 10 a.m. Websites:www.fs.fed.us/idahofires
www.inciweb.org
Weather is making a Difference!
The weather event area fire managers have been hoping for seems to be happening and is helping slow, stop, and extinguish fires that have plagued the state since the middle of July, and is also significantly reducing the potential of new fires.
Recent rain, and snow (in elevations over 6500 feet), are changing the extreme burning conditions fire managers have been dealing with for the last three months. This is allowing managers of the 302,376 acre Cascade Complex to engage in more direct fire control measures and in some cases begin to close out this record making fire season.
These new conditions are also allowing fire managers to ease public access restrictions. For example, today, the Grays Creek Fire area closure has been reduced to only the area within the burn parameter. This latest storm surge is creating opportunities to open additional areas. Please check with local Forest Service offices for the most accurate information in the area you are interested in (see numbers listed below).
The public is cautioned that roads in burned areas will continue to be hazardous, even though fires may be out. Intense fire significantly reduces soil ability to absorb moisture. As a result, even a little rain can cause significant runoff and cause floods. This fall's rains will carry debris (stumps, rocks, logs) onto roads, perhaps blocking them. Fire debris will clog culverts and could result in road washouts.
The public is encouraged to access the following web sites: http://www.inciweb.org/, or www.fs.fed.us/idahofires . Maps of fires and information on road/trail and area closures, fire restrictions, and specific fire updates are accessible on these sites.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions remain in effect on the Boise National Forest. If predicted amounts of rain occur, restrictions may be further reduced in the next few days.
Other Central Idaho National Forest Fire Information Offices:
Payette NF: 208-634-0447 Nez-Perce NF: 208-983-5143
Salmon-Challis NF: 208-756-5145 Sawtooth NF: 208-737-3200
