Sheep Fire Daily Update - September 19, 8:00 AM
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/19/2012
Start Date: September 6, 2012 Issue date: September 19, 2012
Cause: Human, under investigation Location: On the east side of Highway 95 near Lucile, ID
Current Size: Approximately 36,938 acres Containment: 21%
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 Thursday, September 20th at 6:00 p.m. (PDT).
A joint community meeting with the Wesley Fire will be held Wednesday September, 19 TODAY 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, 13 crews, 12 dozers, and 14 water tenders (approximately 617 personnel). Additional resources are being ordered as needed. The Incident Command Post is located at the White Bird Rodeo Grounds.
Current Status: Northern portion of the fire was quite active today, with short crown runs, group tree torching and short range spotting. Spotting occurred both at the north and south flanks of the fire, more specifically on the north side of Slate Creek and in the upper reaches and portions of Fiddle Creek. Aggressive backing and flanking on west side of Allison Creek was observed.
Planned Actions: The mostly contained western flank will be patrolled. In other areas where fires remain active, crews will continue to construct direct and indirect line: if needed burnout operations will be conducted in these areas. Structure protection continues. Crews will continue to conduct burn out operations in Dairy Ridge area and construct contingency line along the north side of the ridge to secure the perimeter. Along Allison Creek Road, firefighters are continuing to secure lines and look for both direct and indirect opportunities for successful containment efforts.
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 northwest with peak gusts of about 6 mph; the relative humidity will be about 12%; and the temperature will climb 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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