Idaho Falls District Fire Updates

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2017, 4 p.m.

Contact: Kelsey Griffee, kgriffee@blm.gov, 208-521-8709

Idaho Falls District Fire Updates

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#WildhorseFire & #BLMIFDFire)

Wildhorse Fire

Start Date: 07/30/2017, reported 3:30 p.m.

Location and Jurisdiction: 6 miles South of Big Southern Butte about 35 miles west of Blackfoot, ID, BLM

Cause: Lightning

Fire Size: 26,848 acres, growth mainly due to accurate mapping

Percent Contained:  Containment estimated for 7/31 at 10 p.m., dozer line is around a most of the fire

Fire Behavior: The fire was active this afternoon when 20 mph wind gusts stirred up heat within the fire perimeter, which then burned islands of unburned vegetation within the fire perimeter

Structures Threatened:  No immediate threat to structures.

Fuels and Terrain:  Burning in grass and sage brush. 

Fire Crews/Resources: 8 engines, 4 dozers, 1 water tender, 10 air tankers

Evacuations:  None in effect at this time.

Closures:  None.

Summary: Minimal fire activity this morning helped firefighters secure the large fire perimeter. Fire growth is due in part to wind gusts of 20 mph this afternoon and more accurate mapping. Active fire behavior was seen this afternoon in areas within the fire perimeter that contained unburned vegetation. Retardant drops were made to keep fire activity within the fire perimeter that is mostly surrounded by dozer line. Retardant drops were made by seven single engine air tankers and three heavy air tankers.

Mine Canyon

Start Date: 07/30/2017, reported 3:30 p.m.

Location and Jurisdiction: Mine Canyon, 8 miles SW of Hawkins Reservoir, BLM

Cause: Lightning

Fire Size: 10 acres

Percent Contained:  No estimated containment at this time

Fire Behavior: Minimal fire behavior, difficult terrain is slowing firefighters

Structures Threatened:  No immediate threat to structures.

Fuels and Terrain:  Burning in grass and sage brush. 

Fire Crews/Resources: 8 smokejumpers, 2 Type-1 handcrews, Type-3 helicopter (assisting with crew shuttles and supply needs)

Evacuations:  None in effect at this time.

Closures:  None.

Summary: Smokejumpers and two hotshot crews, Snake River and Fort Apache, were brought in due to the difficult terrain. There has not been any fire growth as of this release.

Deer Creek II

Start Date: 07/31/2017, reported 3:30 p.m.

Location and Jurisdiction: 3 miles NW of Thayne, WY, Caribou-Targhee NF

Cause: Lightning

Fire Size: 1/10 acre

Percent Contained:  Contained at 3:30 p.m., expected control for 4 p.m.

Fire Behavior: No active fire behavior

Coe Fire

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Coe Fire

·         Located: five miles north west of Malta

·         Size: estimated 1,500 acres

·         Contain: estimated 8/01/2017, 6 p.m.

·         Control: estimated 8/3/2017, 6 p.m.

·         Resources: Albion Rural Fire Department, five Twin Falls District BLM engines, one Sawtooth National Forest Engine, three dozers, Sawtooth Hotshots type one hand crew, two type two hand crews, one camp crew, four overhead, several aircraft

·         Fuel type: grass, brush, and juniper

·         Fire behavior: smoldering and creeping with interior torching

·         Structures: no

·         Cause: undetermined

Crews conducted a burn out operation last night, on the southern flank of the fire, slowing progression. This burnout secured the most active flank of the fire, and gave crews the ability to create containment lines with hand tools and dozers.  Today, crews will continue to work with dozers, and aircraft to create fire line and mop up hot spots. Interior torching is expected to last through the burn period, due to thick juniper trees and brush.

For More Information,

·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer

·          kbrizendine@blm.gov

·         208-308-5991

·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com

Wildhorse Fire

News Release

For Immediate Release: July 31, 2017, 9 a.m.

Contact: Kelsey Griffee, kgriffee@blm.gov, 208-521-8709

Wildhorse Fire

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire(#WildhorseFire & #BLMIFDFire)

Start Date: 07/30/2017

Location and Jurisdiction: 6 miles South of Big Southern Butte about 35 miles west of Blackfoot, ID, BLM

Cause: Lightning

Fire Size: 25,000 acres

Percent Contained:  Containment estimated for 7/31 at 8 p.m.

Fire Behavior: Minimal fire activity at the time of this release.

Structures Threatened:  No immediate threat to structures.

Fuels and Terrain:  Burning in grass and sage brush. 

Fire Crews/Resources: 8 engines, 4 dozers, 1 water tender

Evacuations:  None in effect at this time.

Closures:  None.

Summary: The fire was reported on 7/30 around 3:30 p.m. and was caused by lightning from a storm that moved over the area with erratic, gusty winds. Crews estimated the fire at 2,000 acres an hour after it was reported. Multiple fire retardant drops were made on the fire last evening. The fire grew quickly due to wind and made large runs through the night due to extreme fire behavior. Fire activity is now minimal and resources will spend the day working to secure the fire perimeter.

Images taken yesterday, 7/30, by Engine Captain Austin Catlin 

Twin Falls District BLM: Fire Update

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Lagoon Fire

·         Located two miles west of Shoshone

·         Size: 1,412 acres

·         Contain: 7/28/2017, 8:25 p.m.

·         Control: 7/30/2017, 8 p.m.

·         Resources: six engines, three hand crews, two dozers, two overhead, one camp crew

·         Fuel type: grass, brush

·         Fire behavior: none

·         Structures: a lumberyard and one outbuilding were burned by the fire.

·         Cause: lightning

Crews are monitoring and mopping up hotspots.  

Martin Canyon Fire

·         Located three miles east of Bellevue

·         Size: 4,024 acres

·         Contain: 7/26/2017, 6 p.m.

·         Control: 7/30/2017, 6 p.m.

·         Resources:  one Twin Falls District BLM engines, one Sawtooth National Forest engines, four hand crews, one camp crew, four overhead, one dozer

·         Fuel type: grass, mountain shrub, Douglas fir, aspen

·         Fire behavior: none

·         Structures threatened: no

Closures         

·         Muldoon Canyon is closed to recreation and camping

·         Cause: human - target shooting

Access to the Muldoon Canyon Road is being restricted and the area is closed to recreation and camping. Please do your part to prevent human caused wildfires by restricting target practice to within approved ranges and remember to always clear the area around your target before taking aim.

For More Information,

·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer

·          kbrizendine@blm.gov

·         208-308-5991

·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com

Payette Fire Update - Missouri Fire, July 29th

Saturday, 29 July 2017 Contact Fire Information:  208.634.0820 PayetteFireInformation@gmail.com www.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5373/ Start Date Cause Size Crews Helicopters Engines Total Personnel July 15 Lightning 1,277 acres 5 3 2 256 Tomorrow the management of the Missouri Fire will be transitioned from Great Basin Type 2 Team 4 over to a Type 3 Incident Management Team out of Wyoming.  The Incident Command Post at Cox Ranch on Johnson Creek Road will be dismantled and a new camp will be established at the Krassel Work Center on the South Fork of the Salmon.  The incoming team is smaller and is more appropriate for the size and complexity of the incident at this time.  The Type 3 Team will take over all aspects of the management of the fire while still working with the Payette National Forest to ensure that all objectives are being met, including restoring forest health by enabling fire to play its natural role in the landscape. Yesterday started out clear and clouds quickly developed by mid-day, culminating in a light rain on the fire.  Today drier air is moving into the area; however, there is still a 20% chance for afternoon thunderstorms.  Temperatures will top out in the low 80s with humidity in the high teens to low 20s.  Winds will be light. Crews are still working on fuel reduction on the Warren-Profile Gap Road and around Forest Service sites and structures in Edwardsburg and Big Creek.  A large chipping operation is taking place on the Warren-Profile Gap Road, and in turn, is blocking the road.  Because of this, the road closure will continue at a minimum through the weekend.  With the decreased threat to Edwardsburg, Valley County will no longer serve in Unified Command with the Incident Management Team. Evacuation Status:  Level 1 evacuations are still in place for Edwardsburg/Big Creek, primarily due to the work taking place along the principal access route into the community.  To the north, the road is passable with high-clearance vehicles, UTVs, and motorcycles; trailers are not recommended.  Anyone who lives in the wildland urban interface should take time to consider what they would take in the event they did need to evacuate.  The Ready, Set, Go Program (www.wildlandfirersg.org) has helpful tips for preparation.  Closures:  The Payette National Forest implemented an area closure surrounding the fire area.  Areas east of the Warren-Profile Road, north of Stibnite Road, and south of Lick Creek are closed.  Maps and complete details of the closure can be found by visiting InciWeb.  The Warren-Profile Gap Road remains closed.  For more information:  Follow the Payette National Forest on Twitter at @Payette Forest, and on Facebook at U.S. Forest Service - Payette National Forest.  Subscribe to email updates via GovDelivery at https://goo.gl/R2fDJr.  Updates are emailed daily during times of heightened fire activity on the forest.  Visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ for more information on this and other fires throughout the nation.  And visit www.idahofireinfo.com for information on fires throughout the state of Idaho.

Twin Falls District Fire Update

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Lagoon Fire

·         Located two miles west of Shoshone

·         Size: estimated 1,412 acres

·         Contain: 7/28/2017, 8 p.m.

·         Control: 7/30/2017, 8 p.m.

·         Resources: ten engines, one Sawtooth National Forest initial attack crew, one hotshot crew, four handcrews, three dozers, six overhead, one air attack, one camp crew, one water tender

·         Fuel type: grass, brush

·         Fire behavior: smoldering

·         Structures: a lumberyard and one outbuilding were burned by the fire.

·         Cause: lightning

Crews are monitoring and mopping up hotspots.  

Martin Canyon Fire

·         Located three miles east of Bellevue

·         Size: 4,024 acres

·         Contain: 7/26/2017, 6 p.m.

·         Control: 7/30/2017, 6 p.m.

·         Resources:  two Twin Falls District BLM engines, one Sawtooth National Forest engines, one type two hand crews, one type one hand crews, one camp crew, four overhead
·         Fuel type: grass, mountain shrub, Douglas fir, aspen

·         Fire behavior: smoldering

·         Structures threatened: no

Closures         

·         Muldoon Canyon is closed to recreation and camping

·         Cause: human - target shooting

Access to the Muldoon Canyon Road is being restricted and the area is closed to recreation and camping. Please do your part to prevent human caused wildfires by restricting target practice to within approved ranges and remember to always clear the area around your target before taking aim.

For More Information,

·         Kelsey Brizendine, Fire Information and Prevention Officer

·          kbrizendine@blm.gov

·         208-308-5991

·         Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com