September 24, 2012 - Wesley Fire Update
Incident: Wesley Wildfire
Released: 9/24/2012
Fire Update
For Immediate Release
wesleyfireinformation@gmail.com
WesleyFire
Payette National Forest
Date: Monday, September 24, 2012 Fire Information: 208-347-3799
Wesley Fire Receives Some Rain
The Wesley Fire is burning in the headwaters of upper Lick Creek, upper Rapid River and the headwaters of upper Boulder Creek. It crossed Twin Lakes Creek and Echols Creek and into the northeast slope of Echols Mountain to Lake Fork Creek. The fire is currently 15,203 acres.
Cooler temperatures and rainfall over the fire area yesterday decreased fire activity and enabled crews to gain an additional foothold in suppression activities. Fire crews worked the edge extinguishing hot spots and were able to improve existing containment lines. Additional resources have arrived on the southwest edge of the fire between Lick Creek and Wesley Creek to help construct hand line and extinguish remaining heat along the line. Feller buncher machines are removing trees to widen existing roads and removing hazard trees for firefighter safety and as potential fire breaks if needed.
Although the fire received rainfall, the weather is predicted to become warmer and drier by midweek. Objectives today are to continue building fire line to the west and north toward Smith Mountain. On the eastern area of the fire, crews will continue to hold and improve line along the 079 road and capture spot fires and extinguish them. On the southeastern edge crews will continue constructing line and extinguishing hot spots. Air resources are assisting fire fighters with helicopter water drops. Additional crews and engines arrived on the fire yesterday to reinforce existing crews.
The forecast for Monday is partly cloudy with a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to be 60-70 degrees, with north to northeast winds 6 to 12 mph and gusts to 20 on the ridges.
An area closure remains in effect. Maps are posted at information boards, Ranger Districts, local businesses and post offices.
Fire Statistics
Start Date: September 9, 2012
Size - 15,203 acres
Lightning Caused
Contained: 29%
Cost $8,674,717
Injuries to date - 0
Number of helicopters -7
Number of engines -21
Number of crews - 26
Number ofpersonnel- 885
Structures Lost - 0
Out Buildings Lost - 0
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