Wesley Fire Update September 20, 2012
Incident: Wesley Wildfire
Released: 9/20/2012
Date: Thursday, September 20, 2012 Fire Information:208-347-3799
www.inciweb.org
WESLEY FIRE UPDATE
The Wesley Fire continues to burn in the headwaters of upper Lick Creek, upper Rapid River and the headwaters of upper Boulder Creek, encompassing the Lick Creek lookout, which is still intact. The fire is estimated at 11,429 acres moving southwest in recent days along Bear Saddle into Spring Creek.
Active fire behavior continued overnight. On the west side, the fire continues to back into the Rapid River drainage with occasional upslope runs. On the north and east sides towards Ant Butte and the old North Star Butte burn scar firefighters are holding the fire west of FR 079. Fire lines on the south side of the fire near Lick Creek are holding. Firefighters will continue to guard against fire spotting across fire lines and extinguish them when found.
Objectives today include holding and mopping up the east flank allowing the fire to back downhill to roads used as containment features. Fire managers are also preparing indirect line in the southwestern areas of the fire and monitoring and scouting portions of other divisions for containment.
The forecast for Thursday calls for temperatures in the 70s with winds out of the North to Northwest with tree torching and spotting predicted along the fire perimeter. Air resources will continue to assist fire fighters with water drops as needed.
The move to the new Incident Command Post six miles west of New Meadows along Hwy 95 at Tamarack and the helibase near Zim's hot springs are complete. A community meeting was held Wednesday night in Riggins with three more community meetings set in the next two days. See schedule below.
An area closure remains in effect. Maps are posted at information boards, local businesses and post offices.
Community Fire Information Meeting
Fri., Sept. 21 Pinehurst Pinehurst Café 9 a.m.
New Meadows High School 7 p.m.
Sat., Sept. 22 Bear Community Center 6:30 p.m.
Fire Statistics
Start Date: September 9, 2012
Size - 11,429 acres
Lightning Caused
Contained: 8%
Cost $5,336,174
Injuries to date - 0
Number of helicopters - 6
Number of engines - 11
Number of crews - 16
Number of personnel - 586
Structures Lost - 0
Out Buildings Lost - 0
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