Wet Weather Will Aid Firefighting Efforts
Incident: Cascade Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/22/2007
Expected colder, wetter weather will lower the fire intensity over the 300,000 acre Cascade Complex today and tomorrow.
Tom Suwyn, Incident Commander, said; "Although we welcome the rain it's going to make the firefighter's job a lot more miserable and potentially dangerous. Most of the effort of moping up the fire, picking up hose and driving engines is in steep country that will get slick with rain; also we worry about the possibility of hypothermia."
As Suwyn indicated the main effort for the firefighters will be patrolling for hot spots near the communities of Yellow Pine and Johnson Creek and protecting against rolling rocks, burned logs, and other debris along the Johnson Creek and Warm Lake roads.
Securing road access along Warm Lake and Johnson Creek roads is a priority so the Forest can safely allow public access to these popular recreational areas. The Forest did reduce the size of the closed area yesterday and is planning to reduce it further as soon as it can be done safely.
The Warm Lake Road is now open to the public from Hwy 55 at Cascade to near the Big Creek Summit area. Road Construction is underway so travelers can expect heavy truck traffic on that road. Forest 409 Road is also open to Railroad Pass.
A map of the Closure is posted on http://www.inciweb.org/, and www.fs.fed.us/idahofires, Additional information is available at Cascade Fire Information (208) 382-3202, Cascade Ranger District (208) 382-7400.
More than 615 firefighters continue to manage the 302,376 acre wildfire burning 27 miles east of Cascade, ID. The fire remains at 28% containment.
Resources
Hand Crews
14
Helicopters
8
Water Tenders
6
Engines
21
