Help prevent the spread of wildfires this holiday weekend

BOISE - Hot and dry weather is predicted for the upcoming holiday weekend, and firefighters are asking for your help to prevent human-caused wildfires from spreading in Idaho.  The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) works to promote safety and reminds everyone that this summer there is an abundance of tall and thick grass, creating extreme burning conditions for the wildfire community.

“We are asking the public to be extremely vigilant when out recreating this holiday weekend, and to take all safety precautions to keep from igniting a wildfire,” said BLM Idaho State Fire Management Officer Michael Morcom.

On May 20, Idaho State Director Timothy Murphy issued a Fire Prevention Order making it a misdemeanor to carry, discharge or otherwise use fireworks on BLM-managed lands.  Violations of the order can result in fines and more severe penalties, and offenders who start wildfires can also be held liable for damage and suppression costs. The safest way to enjoy fireworks this holiday weekend is to attend a public display sponsored by your local community.

In addition to fireworks, the use of incendiary/tracer/steel-core ammunition and exploding targets are prohibited.  In general, please be proactive and take precautionary measures while shooting. Clear all flammable materials and rocks away from the target area, and be sure to have fire safety equipment  (shovel, fire extinguisher and/or water) on hand. Sparks from steel core/steel jacketed fragments have been found to cause vegetation fires as much as lead core/copper-jacketed and solid copper jackets fragments.

During the summer, Kongming lanterns, wish lanterns, sky candles, fire balloons and sky lanterns are used at a variety of celebrations. Although they are not specifically prohibited, they are a fire hazard when they come into contact with dry vegetation. 

Before you depart, make sure your vehicle and trailers are properly maintained by ensuring the safety chain is not dragging, wheel bearings are well greased and tires are inflated to the proper level to help prevent a blown tire. Sparks can be thrown from a vehicle or trailer that is not properly maintained, potentially causing roadside fires without knowledge of the driver.

The devastating effects from an escaped campfire can last for many years, so please completely extinguish your campfire before you leave. Currently, there are no fire restrictions in effect but in the future please KNOW BEFORE YOU GO!

For more information on current area wildfires and fire prevention information visit www.idahofireinfo.com and follow @BLMIdahoFire on Twitter!

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2017, 10 a.m.

Contact: Kelsey Brizendine, 208-732-7315

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

This will be the final update. For more information, please visit www.idahofireinfo.com or follow us on Twitter.

MM 271 Fire

• ·         Located off Interstate 84, near mile marker 271, BLM land
• ·         Size: 3,522 acres
• ·         Contain: 6/28/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Control: 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Resources: five engines, five overhead, one dozer
• ·         Fuel type: grass, brush and juniper 
• ·         Fire behavior: none
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: lightning

Centennial Fire

• ·         Located approximately 10 miles south of Hammett  
• ·         Size: 18,660
• ·         Contain: 6/29/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Control: 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Resources: six engines, one overhead
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: none
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: lightning

Sand Point Fire

• ·         Located approximately 3 miles south of Hammett 
• ·         Size: 7,800 acres
• ·         Contain: 6/29/2017 at 9 p.m.
• ·         Control: 6/30/2017 at 6 p.m.
• ·         Resources: two engines, one overhead, one type one crew (hotshot),  one type two crew (hand crew), one dozer
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: none
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: lightning
•  

For More Information,

• ·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer, kbrizendine@blm.gov
• ·         208-308-5991
• ·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Crews continue to improve containment lines on the Centennial and Sand Point Fires. Resources will remain on scene, secure the perimeter and monitoring.

MM 271 Fire

·         Located off Interstate 84, near mile marker 271, BLM land

·         Size: 3,522 acres

·         Contain: 6/28/2017 at 8 p.m.

·         Control: 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.

·         Resources: five engines, five overhead, one dozer

·         Fuel type: grass, brush and juniper 

·         Fire behavior: smoldering and creeping

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: lightning

Centennial Fire

·         Located approximately 10 miles south of Hammett  

·         Size: 18,660

·         Contain: estimated today (6/29/2017) at 8 p.m.

·         Control: estimated tomorrow 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.

·         Resources: four engines, one dozers, one water tender, one overhead

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: smoldering

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: lightning

Sand Point Fire

·         Located approximately 3 miles south of Hammett 

·         Size: 7,844 acres

·         Contain: estimated today (6/29/2017) at 8 p.m.

·         Control: estimated tomorrow (6/30/2017) at 9 p.m.

·         Resources: five engines, three overhead, one type one crew (hotshot),  one type two crew (hand crew), one water tender

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: smoldering

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: lightning

For More Information,

·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer, kbrizendine@blm.gov

·         208-308-5991

·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Calm winds throughout the night gave fire fighters the upper hand on the Centennial and Sand Point Fires. Containment lines held and resources are mopping up hot spots.

MM 271 Fire

• ·         Located off Interstate 84, near mile marker 271, BLM land
• ·         Size: 3,522 acres
• ·         Contain: 6/28/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Control: 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Resources: five engines, five overhead, one dozer
• ·         Fuel type: grass, brush and juniper 
• ·         Fire behavior: smoldering and creeping
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: lightning

Resources have stopped the progression of the fire. Crews remain on scene, improving containment lines, working to mop up hot spots and remove hazardous juniper trees.

Indian Springs 2 Fire (last update)

• ·         Located approximately 7 miles south of Kimberly, near Indian Springs Recreation Area
• ·         Size: 134 acres
• ·         Contain: 6/27/2017 at midnight
• ·         Control: today 6/29/2017 at 6 p.m.
• ·         Resources: two engines
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: none
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: undetermined

Centennial Fire

• ·         Located approximately 10 miles south of Hammett  
• ·         Size: estimated 12,000 acres
• ·         Contain: estimated today (6/29/2017) at 8 p.m.
• ·         Control: estimated tomorrow 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Resources: six engines, three dozers, one water tender, one overhead, one helicopter
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: smoldering
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: lightning

Sand Point Fire

• ·         Located approximately 3 miles south of Hammett 
• ·         Size: 7,844 acres
• ·         Contain: estimated today (6/29/2017) at 8 p.m.
• ·         Control: estimated tomorrow (6/30/2017) at 9 p.m.
• ·         Resources: five engines, three overhead, one type one crew (hotshot),  one type two crew (hand crew), one water tender
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: smoldering
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: lightning
• 
  

For More Information,

• ·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer, kbrizendine@blm.gov
• ·         208-308-5991
• ·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com

For Immediate Release: June 28, 2017, 9:00 p.m.

Contact: Kelsey Brizendine, 208-732-7315

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Twin Falls District BLM experienced a Red Flag Warning- for high winds and low relative humidity throughout the district today. Due to these adverse conditions, fire fighters struggled to gain the upper hand on several fires. Resources will continue to work through the evening and into the night to secure the blazes.

MM 271 Fire

·         Located off Interstate 84, near mile marker 271, BLM land

·         Size: estimated at 3,700 acres

·         Contain: estimated 6/28/2017 at 8 p.m.

·         Control: estimated 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.

·         Resources: nine engines, five overhead, one dozer

·         Fuel type: grass, brush and juniper 

·         Fire behavior: smoldering and creeping

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: lightning

Resources have stopped the progression of the fire. Crews remain on scene, improving containment lines, working to mop up hot spots and remove hazardous juniper trees.

Indian Springs 2 Fire

·         Located approximately 7 miles south of Kimberly, near Indian Springs Recreation Area

·         Size: 134 acres- size change due to more accurate mapping

·         Contain: 6/27/2017 at midnight

·         Control: today (6/28/2017) at 6 p.m.

·         Resources: two engines, two overhead and one dozer

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: none

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: undetermined

Resources expect to have the fire controlled and resources released by the end of shift tomorrow.

Vineyard Lake Fire (last updated)

·         Located at Vineyard Lake Recreation area, 7 miles west of Eden.

·         Size: 2 acres

·         Contain: today (6/28/2017) at 11 a.m.

·         Control: today (6/28/2017) at noon

·         Resources: one engine

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: out

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: undetermined

Centennial Fire

·         Located approximately 10 miles south of Hammett  

·         Size: estimated 12,000 acres

·         Contain: unknown

·         Control: unknown

·         Resources: Saylor Creek Rangeland Fire Protect Association, six engines, two overhead, and three dozers

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: very active, wind driven

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: undetermined

Sand Point Fire

·         Located approximately 3 miles south of Hammett 

·         Size: estimated 7,800 acres

·         Contain: unknown

·         Control: unknown

·         Resources: four engines, three overhead, one type one crew (hotshot), and one type two crew (hand crew)

·         Fuel type: grass and brush

·         Fire behavior: very active, wind driven

·         No structures threatened

·         Cause: undetermined

For More Information,

·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer, kbrizendine@blm.gov

·         208-308-5991

·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com

Visitors are reminded: fireworks are not allowed on the Boise National Forest

        BOISE, Idaho, June 28, 2017 -- Boise National Forest land managers are reminding visitors and campers             that all fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices are prohibited on National Forests lands regardless of              weather conditions or holidays. The forest hosts large numbers of visitors over the Fourth of July weekend         and this increased activity could lead to human caused fires.

        Recent lightning storms moved across the forest and fire officials are monitoring for new starts. With the           warmer weather and changing conditions, finer fuels like grasses are beginning to dry out and the                       potential for wildfires is escalating.

        Forest visitors should take precautions to ensure they do   not accidentally start a wildfire.

·          Be especially careful when towing trailers or boats as    dragging safety chains can cause sparks
  and ignite roadside vegetation.

·        When building campfires, use designated campfire    rings or look for a place at least 15 feet from trees,      shrubs, tents or other flammable objects; be aware of  low hanging branches.

·       Don't leave campfires unattended and make sure they  are dead out when you leave.

·       All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and motorcycles, should  have properly installed and maintained spark-arresters.

·        Exploding targets and tracer or incendiary bullets are prohibited on National Forest lands.

So  me National Forest System roads and trails may still be impassible or closed due to damage from recent spr ing runoff. For all forest closures visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Three new fires sparked on the Twin Falls District BLM last night. First Segregation Rural Fire Department, King Hill Rural Fire Department, Saylor Creek Rangeland Fire Protection Association, Sawtooth National Forest and Twin Falls District Fire Management crews responded to the reported smokes.  

MM 271 Fire

• ·         Located off Interstate 84, near mile marker 271, BLM land
• ·         Size: currently estimated at 3,700 acres
• ·         Contain: unknown
• ·         Control: unknown
• ·         Resources: nine engines, five overhead, one dozer
• ·         Fuel type: grass, brush and juniper 
• ·         Fire behavior: smoldering and creeping
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: undetermined, but lightning is suspected

Resources have stopped the progression of the fire. Crews remain on scene, improving containment lines, working to mop up hot spots and remove hazardous juniper trees.

Indian Springs 2 Fire

• ·         Located approximately 7 miles south of Kimberly, near Indian Springs Recreation Area
• ·         Size: 150 acres
• ·         Contain: 6/27/2017 at midnight
• ·         Control: today (6/28/2017) at 6 p.m.
• ·         Resources: two engines, two overhead and one dozer
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: smoldering
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: undetermined

Vineyard Lake Fire

• ·         Located at Vineyard Lake Recreation area, 7 miles west of Eden.
• ·         Size: 2 acres
• ·         Contain: today(6/28/2017) at noon
• ·         Control: today (6/28/2017) at 6 p.m.
• ·         Resources: one engine
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: smoldering
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: undetermined
• 
  

Centennial Fire

• ·         Located approximately 10 miles south of Hammett  
• ·         Size: estimated 3,500 acres
• ·         Contain: estimated 6/29/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Control: estimated 6/30/2017 at 8 p.m.
• ·         Resources: three engines and one overhead
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: currently smoldering, creeping
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: undetermined

Sand Point Fire

• ·         Located approximately 3 miles south of Hammett 
• ·         Size: unknown
• ·         Contain: unknown
• ·         Control: unknown
• ·         Resources: three engines, one overhead, one dozer responding
• ·         Fuel type: grass and brush
• ·         Fire behavior: unknown
• ·         No structures threatened
• ·         Cause: undetermined

The Sand Point Fire is currently being staffed, and more information will be released as additional resources arrive on scene.

For More Information,

• ·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer, kbrizendine@blm.gov
• ·         208-308-5991
• ·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com