Sheep Fire Update September 28, 2012
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/28/2012
Current Size: 47,562 acres Containment: 41%Resources Assigned: Northern Rockies Incident Management Team, Doug Turman, Incident CommanderPersonnel- 438, Engines- 16, Helicopters- 4, Crews- 6, Dozers- 3, Water tenders- 13Start Date: September 6, 2012 Cause: Human, under investigationLocation: On the east side of Highway 95 near Lucile, IDCurrent Status: Yesterday, moderate surface fire with occasional single and group tree torching, and short range spotting were observed. In the upper end of Fiddle Creek, two spot fires kept firefighters busy. A small burnout operation was completed and mopped up to contain the spot fire in the north fork of Fiddle Creek. In the south fork of Fiddle Creek, helicopter bucket drops cooled down the spot fire, and it was partially lined. Patrol and mop up continued along Allison Creek. Fire backed into the bottom of upper West Fork of Allison Creek, but did not cross the drainage. North of Patrol Point, chipping crews worked along FR 463 and FR 2028. Most of the east side remained in monitoring status, and good progress was made by suppression crews.Planned Actions: Today, crews will continue mopping up a spot fire in the north fork of Fiddle Creek near FR 263E, and complete a hand line around the spot fire in the south fork of Fiddle Creek near FR 263B. Mop up and patrol will continue along Allison Creek and along FR 263 to West Fork of Allison Creek. The entire north side will be patrolled, and fire line near Patrol Point will be mopped up. Northeast of Skookumchuck Work Center, indirect line will be constructed from FR 9320 to FR 2025. Chipping continues along FR 2028 and FR 293, and tree and slash removal will continue along roads and dozer lines. Between FR 398 and FR 221, processing of felled trees will be resumed. Fire in Slate Creek drainage will be monitored. Helicopters will be used to drop water where necessary.Private landowners who have suffered damage from the Sheep Fire may contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service at (208)983-1046 ext. 109 for assistance. The Idaho Department of Lands can provide reforestation technical assistance (208-924-5571). Businesses impacted by wildfires may contact the SBA (Small Business Administration) to apply for Economic Injury Disaster loans at (800)659-2955, or www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.Attention hunters: For current fire closure perimeters and units, see Idaho Game & Fish website: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/article/do-fire-closures-leave-you-hunting-spot-hunt.Closures: Forest Service- The restricted area begins at the Forest Boundary at CR/FR 243, then east along FR 243 to the junction of FR 221 at Four Corners, from the junction of FR 221 and FR 243 south to Rocky Bluff Campground, from the Rocky Bluff Campground south along the Wilderness Boundary to the Salmon River at Carey Creek, from Carey Creek west along the Salmon River and CR 1614 to the Forest Boundary near Island Bar, and then north along the Forest Boundary to CR/FR 243. In addition, FR 309 (Hungry Ridge Road) is closed starting at T28N, R4E, NE ¼ Section 16 south to junction with FR 221 at T27N, R3E, SE ¼ Section 26, Boise Meridian. Also, FR 444 (Gospel Road) is closed starting at T27N, R3E, SE ¼ Section 24, southeasterly to Square Mountain Historical Lookout at T26N, R5E, SE ¼ Section 8, BM.Weather: Today's winds will be from the west at 15-18 mph. The lowest relative humidity will be about 20%, and the predicted temperatures 70-80 degrees. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms and gusty winds are possible.This is the last update from Turman's Northern Rockies National Incident Management Team for this fire. Effective 6 a.m., Saturday, September 29, 2012, Kusicko's Northern Rockies Regional Incident Management Team will assume management of the Sheep Fire. Kusicko's team will continue to provide daily updates, and post Inciweb.Additional fire information can be found at: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3240/###Sheep Fire UpdateFriday, September 28, 2012Nez Perce National ForestFire Information: 1 877-599-7716 and 1 877-608-4027
