Trinity Ridge Fire Update August 16, 8:30pm
Incident: Trinity Ridge Fire Wildfire
Released: 8/16/2012
Fire Facts:
Date started: August 3, 2012
Number of Personnel: 1,022
Location: Featherville, Idaho
Crews: 1 Type 1, 21 Type 2
Size: 69,216 acres
Engines: 56 Dozers: 2
Percent Contained: 3%
Water Tenders: 19
Estimated Containment: 10/01/12
Helicopters: 3 Type 1, 1 Type 2 and 1 Type 3
Cause: Human
Injuries to Date: 4
Structures Lost: 4 Outbuildings Lost: 4
Cost to Date: $7,870,836
There will be a community meeting at 10:30am tomorrow at the Pine Senior Center.
There will be a community meeting in Idaho City tomorrow, at 6:00 p.m. at the Idaho City Community Hall. Fire managers will be present to give an overview of the fire and answer questions.
Residents will have another opportunity tomorrow, Thursday, August 16, 2012, to access their property between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. The Elmore County Sheriff re-evaluated the mandatory road closure and has extended the window of opportunity for residents to access their property. Residents wishing to access their property should do so early in the day. The road closure status will be re-evaluated throughout the day as fire conditions change.
Roads to Atlanta remain closed to all traffic except for fire support personnel.
Today's Events:
Persistent hot and dry weather and increased winds made it difficult for firefighters to work on the perimeter over much of the fire today. The fire backed down close to the community of Rock Bar from the north; however no structures have been damaged and firefighters remain in place.
Tactics remained focused on structure protection in the Featherville and Pine as well as in other areas in of the fire. Structure protection engines from around Southern Idaho arrived in Featherville today to familiarize themselves with the community. A fire simulation exercise was conducted to prepare these firefighters in the event they are needed.
On the west flank of the fire, firefighters are working to complete structure protection efforts in Alexander Flats and Barber Flat. The fire has moved to the northwest near Barber Flat and is nearing the North Fork of the Boise River. To the north, crews will continue to address protection needs in Atlanta and Swanholm Lookout. Two additional Type 1 helicopters were assigned to the fire today which will aid firefighters as they strive to keep the fire out of Featherville.
Closures and Public Safety:
Evacuations: Dutch Creek, Swanholm, Weatherby and Queen River Campground have all been evacuated. Those with respiratory health conditions in Atlanta are advised to evacuate the area. Many roads are currently closed as outlined in the Boise National Forest Trinity Ridge Fire Road Closure Order Number 0402-00-21 signed by Boise Forest Supervisors on August 10th, 2012.
The road closure is in effect at the following locations:
-Intersection of Highway 20 and FH 61 (Pine-Featherville Rd)
-Intersection of Lester Creek Rd and Lake Creek Rd
- Forest Service road to the Shake Creek Guard Station East of Featherville, ID.
The roads, as described above, enter into areas with ongoing wildfire activity. The area is closed for public safety and protection from hazards associated with wildfire.
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