Sheep Fire Daily Update - September 13, 8:00a.m.
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/13/2012
Start Date: September 6, 2012 Issue date: September 13, 2012
Cause: Human, under investigation Location: 7 miles north of Riggins, near Lucile, ID
Current Size: Approximately 23,105 acres Containment: 15%
Sheep Fire Information Phone Number: 1-877-599-7716 and 1-877-608-4027
Community Meeting: A joint community meeting with the Wesley Fire will be held Thursday September, 13 at 7:00 p.m. (MDT) in Riggins, ID in the Salmon River High School multi-purpose room. Next White Bird Community Meeting will be on Friday September, 14 at 6:00 p.m. (PDT)
Resources Assigned: The Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team lead by Doug Turman is managing the incident. Assigned resources include: 50 engines, 7 helicopters, 14 crews, 6 dozers, and 10 water tenders (approximately 609 personnel). Additional resources are being ordered as needed. The Incident Command Post is located at the White Bird Rodeo Grounds.
Current Status: Firefighters continued to construct hand and dozer lines to secure the perimeters. The southwest boundary along Highway 95 is in patrol status. Favorable weather helped crews make progress in securing the northwest perimeter near John Day Creek. Hand crews, helicopters and a dozer worked to surround a 25 acre spot fire about 6 miles northeast of the perimeter in Pete Ready Creek area. Night operations focused on patrol and mop up, and provided point to point structure protection.
Planned Actions: Crews will continue to patrol, mop up hot spots and construct fire lines to secure the perimeter. Structure protection plan is in place for threatened areas. Work will continue to isolate and contain the 25 acre spot fire in Pete Ready Creek. Building a fire line from the Nut Basin Road (FS 441) north to the Slate Creek drainage is a priority, and some back burning along that fire break may take place if weather conditions are favorable. Firefighters will continue to fall dangerous snags and mitigate other hazardous situations. Moderate growth is expected on the northeast perimeter towards Slate Creek road, east towards Deadhorse Creek to Nut Basin Lake, and southeast towards Keating Ridge. Fire officials are working with logging personnel to protect their equipment and ranchers to locate and remove livestock scattered throughout the area.
Closures: Current road closures are as follows on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest: Starting at the Forest Service boundary for all roads: Road 2025- Delmedge Ridge to road 243 and further to 221. From Four Corners Road 221- south to Salmon River Road. Road 354 - closed. Road 441 starting at Mile Post 5, just above the last residence is closed. Road 309 - closed from Buck Meadows to Road 221. Rocky Bluff campground to Salmon River road.
The BLM has issued a closure to all boating on the Salmon River from the Lucile boat ramp downriver to Twin Bridges for public health and safety.
Weather: A high pressure system dominates the area keeping conditions stable. The temperature will range from the mid-80s in the valleys to the mid-70s in the higher elevations. The warming trend will continue, and by Friday temperatures will reach 90 degrees. At higher elevation this trend will be delayed by few hours. Slight west/southwest winds are expected for today, with wind speed on ridgelines topping out at 15mph. Relative humidity is very low and no precipitation is forecast for next few days.
Remarks: Motorists are urged to use caution, resist stopping at pull-outs and drive slowly along Highway 95 from Lucile, ID north to the Incident Command Post (ICP) near the Slate Creek Ranger Station. Heavy fire and aircraft traffic will be working along the river corridor near Lucile. River recreationists are asked to avoid using the Lucile boat pull-outs after 4:00 p.m. to reduce congestion and interference with fire suppression operations.
Cooperating Agencies: Bureau of Land Management Cottonwood Field Office, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands Payette Lakes Area, Idaho County Sheriff, USFS Salmon River Ranger District and several local volunteer Fire Departments
The fire is listed on Inciweb: www.inciweb.org
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