Halstead Fire Update 9-16-12
Incident: Halstead Wildfire
Released: 9/16/2012
Start Date: July 27, 2012 Cause: Lightning
Current Size: 167,366 acres Containment: 50%
Location: Approx.18 miles north of Stanley, Idaho
Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Salmon-Challis National Forest
Resources on the fire: 299 personnel - 5 hand crews, 11 engines, and 2 helicopters
HALSTEAD FIRE INCREASES BY 4500 ACRES ON SATURDAY
Strong winds over the fire area yesterday drove active fire behavior with spotting and sustained crown runs. The fire made a significant run to the north into the Seafoam bubble and into Sulphur Creek, across Rapid River, crossing into Lime Creek. Fire crews conducted a burnout to protect structures around Seafoam Guard Station, resulting in a large smoke column visible from the valley. In Marsh Creek, the fire burned within 100 yards of the trailhead. Water drops from the helicopters assisted in halting its progression towards Collie Lake. Crews conducted burnout operations to prevent damage around Lola Campground. On the eastern perimeter, the fire grew over the ridgeline at Lightning Creek and established in the head of the China Creek drainage.
The Plan for Today: Two engines and two hand crews will work in the Marsh Creek area, aided by aerial water drops to establish containment lines. The Cherokee Hot Shots will work to reinforce protection in the Seafoam Guard Station area and remain there overnight in order to get an early start again Monday morning. Monitoring will continue at Lost Packer Mine. Crews remain stationed at Loon Guard Station. Aerial monitoring on the eastern side of the fire will be done and be supported by helicopter water drops to help check fire progression further east. Suppression repair operations are underway on the southern flank of the fire, including rehabilitation of dozer lines.
Fire Weather: A cold front will enter the area Sunday which is expected to bring thunderstorms with lightning but very little moisture. Gusty and erratic winds from this storm may test fire lines again today. Smoke continues to drift into the valleys from other fires burning in Oregon and Washington. Air quality in Stanley and Challis will be good during the day but is expected to deteriorate at night. The Stage I air quality advisory for Lemhi and Custer Counties remains in effect.
River Closure: The Salmon River is closed to floating from Buckhorn Bridge to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area eastern boundary from September 3-22 during salmon spawning. Bank fishing is open. The river will be open to all user groups as of September 23.
Closures: Along the Highway 75 Salmon River Corridor from Stanley to the Sawtooth NRA boundary, the following campgrounds are open and will be managed by the Sawtooth National Recreation Area through the end of hunting season: Casino, Mormon Bend, Upper O'Brien, Holman, and Whiskey Flat. For information and maps of the closure area visit: www.fs.usda.gov/sawtooth and www.fs.usda.gov/scnf . For a high resolution map of the closure area go to the Flickr site www.flickr.com/salmonchallisnf.
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