Sheep Fire News Update
Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 10/12/2012
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
NEWS RELEASE
Nez Perce National Forest
Clearwater National Forest
104 Airport Road
Grangeville, ID 83530
(208)983-1950
http://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperce
12730 Highway 12
Orofino, Idaho 83544
(208)476-4541
http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/
Contact: Laura A. Smith
for immediate release Date: October 12, 2012
Sheep Fire
208 839-2129
Current Size: 48,626 acres Containment: 68%
Resources: Personnel-120, Engines-1, Helicopters-1, Crews-2, Dozers-2,Water Tenders-3
Start Date: September 6, 2012 Cause: Human; under investigation
Location: East side of US 95 near Lucile, ID - Nez Perce NF and other lands
Weather: This morning was clear and calm, with temperatures above freezing. Warmer temperatures with increased winds are forecasted; relative humidity of 13% to 23%, high temperatures of 70-80 degrees in valleys and 60-65 degrees on ridges, with ridge top winds west up to 20 mph is forecasted for today.
Current Status: Yesterday, active surface fire with single tree torching was observed in North Fork of the Slate Creek drainage. Fire spread was held in check with the assistance of helicopters dropping water throughout the day. Along the east flank, and in deep draws, fire continued to creep and smolder. Road repair continued, and sawyers completed the felling of snags along FR 9300, FR 9303, and FR 2038. Monitoring, patrolling and mop up occupied firefighters on the remainder of the fire.
Planned Actions: Rehab crews will continue to repair damaged roads, and rehab control lines. Crews will continue to work the fire edge between Patrol Point and North Fork, with the support of helicopter water drops. Air support will be used to cool off hot spots on the east flank, if necessary. The remainder of the fire will be in patrol and mop up status.
Attention hunters: For current fire closure perimeters and units hunting unit boundaries, see Idaho Game & Fish website: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/article/do-fire-closures-leave-you-hunting-spot-hunt.
Closures: 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. Wet Gulch road will be closed. In addition, FR 309 (Hungry Ridge Road) is closed starting 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.
Owners of property within the closure area who need access to their property may obtain an access permit by contacting the Sheep Fire Information Officer (208 839-2129).
For more information on the Sheep Fire: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3240/
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