Sheep Fire Daily Update - September 18, 8:00am
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/18/2012
Start Date: September 6, 2012 Issue date: September 18, 2012
Cause: Human, under investigation Location:7 miles north of Riggins, near Lucile, ID
Current Size: Approximately 34,858 acres Containment: 24%
Sheep Fire Information Phone Number: 1-877-599-7716 and 1-877-608-4027
Community Meeting: The next White Bird Community Meeting will be on Tuesday September 18th (today) at 6:00 p.m. (PDT).
A joint community meeting with the Wesley Fire will be held Wednesday September, 19 at 5:00 p.m. PDT (6:00 PM MDT) in Riggins, ID in the Salmon River High School multi-purpose room.
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, 8 dozers, and 13 water tenders (approximately 659 personnel). Additional resources are being ordered as needed. The Incident Command Post is located at the White Bird Rodeo Grounds.
Current Status: On the north side of the fire, the spot fire that started beside Slate Creek yesterday has grown into the main fire and is now part of the fire's north flank. The line building that has been done on Dairy Ridge as a contingency line is now the primary containment line. Burnout operations were conducted along Dairy Ridge and Slate Creek Road. On the south side of the fire a spike camp was established at the mouth of Allison Creek. Fire growth continued in a southerly direction along the 221 road.
Planned Actions: The mostly contained western flank will be patrolled. On the southern side of the fire crews will continue to build and strengthen indirect line. On the northern side of the fire, line strengthening and burnout operations will continue along Dairy Ridge. Fire personnel on the eastern side of the fire continue to locate potential fire lines. Structure Protection continues around the entire perimeter of the fire with personnel from this group also assisting in livestock roundup.
Closures: 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, NE ¼ 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 NW ¼ Section 18), and north along the Forest Boundary to Forest Road 243. Forest Road 309 (Hungry Ridge Road) is closed starting at T28N, R4E, NE Section 16 south to junction at Forest Road 221 at T27N, R3E, SE, 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: Tomorrows winds will be from the north with peak gusts of about 7 mph; the relative humidity will be about 10%; and the temperature will clime to about 89 degrees.
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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