Sheep Fire Daily Update - September 16, 8:00 AM
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/16/2012
Start Date: September 6, 2012 Issue date: September 16, 2012
Cause: Human, under investigation Location: 7 miles north of Riggins, near Lucile, ID
Current Size: Approximately 29,171 acres Containment: 24%
Sheep Fire Information Phone Number: 1-877-599-7716 and 1-877-608-4027
Community Meeting: Next Community Meeting is on Sunday, September 16 6:00 p.m.
at White Bird IOOF Hall.
Resources Assigned: The Northern Rockies Type 1 Incident Management Team lead by Doug Turman is managing the incident. Assigned resources include: 33 engines, 7 helicopters, 16 crews, 5 dozers, and 10 water tenders (approximately 652 personnel). The Incident Command Post is located at the White Bird Rodeo Grounds.
Current Status: Some Slate Creek residents were given a voluntary evacuation notice due to increased fire activity and heavy firefighter traffic along their access road. Slate Point Lookout was surrounded by fire but the structure was not harmed. There was active surface fire with group tree torching in the Slate Creek Drainage. The Deadhourse and Van Buren drainages had fire backing into them.
Planned Actions: Crews will continue to patrol the western side of the fire. On the north and south side of the fire, fireline construction continues; if needed burnout will be conducted in these areas. On the eastern side of the fire, safe access is being located. Structure protection continues. Firefighter and public safety remains the priority.
Closures: Current road closures are as follows on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest: The restricted area begins at the Forest Boundary at Forest Road 2025, east to Forest Road 243, and east along Forest Road 243 to the junction of Forest Road 221 at Four Corners. From the junction of Forest Road 221 and 243 south to Rocky Bluff Campground. From Rocky Bluff Campground south along the Wilderness Boundary to the Salmon River (T24N, R4E, NE ¼ Section 3). From Carey Creek west along the Salmon River and Forest Road 1614 to the Forest Boundary near Island Bar (T24N, R2E NW ¼ Section 18), and north along the Forest Boundary to Forest Road 243.
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 short, very light rain fell on portions of the fire last night. Today's wind will be from the north at 5 to 10 mph, the temperature about 83 and the average relative humidity at about 13%.
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
