Sheep Fire Daily Update - September 17, 8:00 AM
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/17/2012
Start Date: September 6, 2012 Issue date: September 17, 2012
Cause: Human, under investigation Location: 7 miles north of Riggins, near Lucile, ID
Current Size: Approximately 32,577 acres Containment: 24%
Sheep Fire Information Phone Number: 1-877-599-7716 and 1-877-608-4027
Community Meeting: Next Community Meeting is on Tuesday, September 18, at 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: 36 engines, 7 helicopters, 16 crews, 5 dozers, and 13 water tenders (approximately 657 personnel). The Incident Command Post is located at the White Bird Rodeo Grounds.
Current Status: Slight weather change brought more fire behavior today. Firefighters are working on a spot fire on the north side of Slate Creek. Crews assigned to the Peter Ready spot fire were pulled off and reassigned. Efforts are underway to set up a spike camp at Allison Creek picnic area along the Salmon River east of Riggins to minimize travel to the fire's southern boundary.
Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue to patrol the western side of the fire. On the north side of the fire, fireline construction continues; if needed burnout will be conducted in these areas. Crews will continue constructing line north of Slate Creek along Dairy Ridge. Containment efforts on the southern edge will continue. Firefighter and public safety remains the priority.
Closures: The restricted area begins at the Forest Service Boundary at Forest Road 243, then 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, NE1/4 Section 3) at Carey Creek. From Carey Creek west along the Salmon River and Forest Road 1614 to the Forest Boundary near Island Bar (T24N, R2E NW1/4 Section 18), and north along the Forest Boundary to Forest Road 243. Forest Road 309 (Hungry Ridge Road) is closed starting at T28N, R4E, NE1/4 Section 16 south to junction at Forest Road 221 at T27N, R3E, SE1/4, Section 26. Forest road 2025 (Skookumchuck Road) is closed at the Forest boundary. Forest Road 444 (Gospel Road) is closed starting at T27N, R3E, SE, section 24, southeasterly to Square Mountain Historical Lookout at T26N, R5E, SE, Section 8.
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 average relative humidity will be about 13%.
Remarks: Motorists are urged to use caution, resist stopping at pull-outs and drive slowly along H 5 to 10mph, the 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
