8-31 AM Trinity Ridge Fire Update
Incident: Trinity Ridge Fire Wildfire
Released: 8/31/2012
Along the western flank of the fire, crews are working today to prepare the Middle Fork Road for the approaching flames. The focus will be an area within the 1994 Rabbit Creek Fire southwest toward Sheep Rock drainage. Crews will also begin line construction from Forest Road 357 to Rabbit Creek Summit and south to Thorn Creek Butte as they prepare for possible burnout operations. Good progress has been made on containing the now 30-acre spot fire north of the North Fork Boise River. Firefighters will continue to contain and mop up the spot fire today.
In the southern region, crews will initiate line construction from Green Creek Lake east to the completed containment line in the Wagontown drainage. This will help stem the spread of the fire to the south. The burnout operations in the Wagontown drainage have been completed, which have successfully corralled the fire at the ridge west of Paradise Hot Springs.
There is a slight chance for thunderstorms across the fire area today. These storms could produce dry lightning and gusty winds. The chance for storms increases tomorrow.
The Elmore County Sheriff evacuation order continues for the area from Featherville to Paradise. An Evacuation Center is being operated at the Pine Senior Center by the Salvation Army with support from the Red Cross. The Elmore County Sheriff's office has asked that evacuees with a critical need to access their properties contact the Sheriff's Incident Command Post at 208-590-3845. The decision to allow access will be made on a case-by-case basis.
There is a large closure area around the fire. Details are outlined in the Boise National Forest Trinity Ridge Fire Area Closure Order Number 0402-00-23 signed by Boise and Sawtooth Forest Supervisors on August 29th, 2012.
