Sheep Fire Daily Update - September 21, 8:00 Am
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/21/2012
Start Date: September 6, 2012 Issue date: September 21, 2012
Cause: Human, under investigation Location: On the east side of Highway 95 near Lucile, ID
Current Size: Approximately 43,760 acres Containment: 23%
Sheep Fire Information Phone Number: 1-877-599-7716 and 1-877-608-4027
Community Meeting: White Bird Community Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, September 22th, 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: 34 engines, 7 helicopters, 14 crews, 14 dozers, and 14 water tenders (approximately 635 personnel). Additional resources are being ordered as needed. The Incident Command Post is located at the White Bird Rodeo Grounds.
Current Status: The firing operations in the northern portion went well last night. The contingency line off of Dairy Mountain is making progress to the east past Skookumchuck Work Center area up to Forest Road 243. That contingency line will develop a good defensible space in case the fire moves to the north. Fire activity increased on the south end yesterday moving south close to Forest Road 263, but the fire stayed west of Allison Creek. Riggins and Salmon River Road had a heavy smoke inversion all day Thursday. This afternoon a light south wind should push the smoke to the north.
Planned Actions: Crews will continue to patrol secured containment areas. Direct and indirect line construction will continue. Firefighters are continuing to secure the containment line on Dairy Ridge, while also constructing a contingency line north of the ridge with feller/buncher equipment to open 8-10 feet on each side of the road. Along the southern portion of the fire, crews will continue to build contingency lines. Structure protection will continue in all areas.
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: The daily wind pattern along the axis of the valley will continue with up valley winds during the day and down valley winds at night. Combined with stable atmosphere, the inversion will continue to hold the smoke at lower elevations. Tomorrows winds will be from the northwest with peak gusts of about 5-10 mph; the relative humidity will be about 10%; and the temperature will climb to about 90 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. 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, Idaho County Emergency Services, USFS Salmon River Ranger District and several local volunteer Fire Departments.
The fire is listed on Inciweb: www.inciweb.org
