Sheep Fire Update September 30, 2012
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 9/30/2012
Current Size: 47,648 acres Containment: 41%Resources: Personnel-314, Engines-16, Helicopters-4, Crews-4, Dozers-3, Water Tenders-12Start Date: September 6, 2012 Cause: Human, under investigationLocation: East side of US 95 near Lucile, ID - Nez Perce NF and other landsCurrent Status: Yesterday, a partly cloudy, cool morning changed to warm, mostly sunny sky by mid-afternoon. Fire activity increased in North Fork of Slate Creek, with isolated torching. Despite more active fire behavior, very little smoke was visible, as the atmosphere allowed smoke to rise and dissipate. Fire on the remainder of the incident was smoldering and creeping. North of Patrol Point, a good understory burn is the result of yesterday's fire behavior. Helicopter bucket drops cooled off isolated torching activity around Patrol Point, and on the south end in Fiddle Creek and Allison Creek drainages. Northeast of Patrol Point, a few more days of work remain to finish the fuel breaks.Planned Actions: Today's plan is to continue the work already in progress around the fire. Mop up and patrol will be ongoing on most fronts, while direct attack on hot spots, with the aid of aircraft support, will be employed wherever necessary. There is currently a need for more felling crews, water tenders, and dump trucks. These resources are on order.Weather: Today's temperatures will range into the 80s, with relative humidity 20% to 25%, and wind northwest at 5 mph. Firefighters will take advantage of today's favorable weather to make progress in anticipation of a change of weather beginning Monday. As a cold front approaches, dry air and stronger wind will challenge firefighters. Wind is predicted to be northwest at 30 to 40 mph by Tuesday and will likely contribute to increased fire activity.Private landowners who have suffered damage from the Sheep Fire may contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service at (208)983-1046 ext. 109. The NRCS may be able to provide some services for you. Also, 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 ServiceThe 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 t T28N, R4E, NE � Section 16 south to junction with FR 221 at T27N, R3E, SE � Section 26, Boise Meridian. Also, FR 444 (Gospel Road) is closed starting at T27N, R3E, SE � Section 24, southeasterly to Square Mountain Historical Lookout at T26N, R5E, SE � Section 8, BM.For more information on the Sheep Fire: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3240/###Fire UpdateSShheeeepp FFiirree887777 559999 77771166Sunday, September 30, 2012 8 a.m.
