September 18, 2012 - Wesley Fire Update
Incident: Wesley Wildfire
Released: 9/18/2012
Fire Update
For Immediate Release
wesleyfireinformation@gmail.com
Wesley Fire
Payette National Forest
Date: Tuesday, September 18, 2012 9 a.m. Fire Information: 208-253-3112
www.inciweb.org
WESLEY FIRE UPDATE
The Wesley Fire spread yesterday on the southwest portion of the fire moving into Cold Spring Creek and on the west side into the head waters of Wesley Creek. The fire is working its way down into heavier fuel types. The fire held in the north and northwest portion of the fire above North Star Butte and down to Ant Butte. Firefighters continue to guard against spot fires.
Projected fire growth today is expected in the headwaters of the Rapid River drainage burning in timber litter and understory. There is a continued movement south and west toward Bear and Wesley Creeks, with a spread in the Rapid River headwaters. The fire continues to grow slowly on the east portion of the fire to forest road 079 and fire crews are utilizing this road to hold and reduce the spread of fire to the east. Contingency plans continue to be developed with resources are staged to protect the Highway 95 corridor
Crews continue to work on the southwest side of the fire where fire movement has been greatest, using extensive hose lays to hold the line along the south and working their way up the east side of the fire.
Weather forecast for today includes west to northwest winds of 3-8 mph along ridge tops, 3-5 in the valleys, with gusts at 10 mph. Temperatures of 74-80 degrees and relative humidity of 10-20% in the fire area.
Closures and Public Safety:
The closure area has expanded west and includes the Huckleberry Campground, and south to Butterfield Gulch to the Lick Creek/Grouse Creek junction. To the North the closure has expanded from Huckleberry Campground to Black Lake Road to the Wallawa-Whitman and Nez Perce National Forests boundaries. Due to imminent fire danger all hunting camps, including outfitter guides, need to remove all personal property from National Forest managed lands, within the closure area. Depending on future weather patterns and fire behavior, fire activity has the potential to impact residential structures in the communities of Boulder Creek, Rapid River, and Bear, the historic Pollock Lookout, anadromous (trout) fish habitats and could significantly impact air quality to local communities.
The area closure remains in effect and is posted at information boards, local businesses and post offices.
Community Fire Information Meetings
Wesley Fire Information - Tuesday, September 18th - Bear, Idaho - Bear Community Center - 7 p.m.
Sheep and Wesley Fire Information - Wednesday, September 19th - Riggins, Idaho - 6 p.m.
Fire Statistics:
Start Date: September 9, 2012
Size - 10,091 acres
Lightning Caused
Contained: 8%
Cost $4,029,159
Injuries to date - 0
Number of helicopters - 4
Number of engines - 12
Number of crews - 14
Number of personnel- 553
Structures Lost: 0
Out Buildings Lost: 0
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