Grassy Ridge Fire 7/31/2018 PM Update

Inciweb address Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6047/

Current Fire Information:  970-316-0000​E-Mail address: gbimt3rohrer@gmail.com

Start Date:  July 26, 2018​Cause:  Lightning​Fuels:  Grass, sage brush & scattered Pinion Juniper stands

Acres: 99,502 ​Percent Contained: 97% Total number of personnel: 243

We are getting close to the goal of 100% containment.  Containment is now 97%.  Acreages decreased due to more accurate mappings of interior islands.  The final piece of fire-line that needs to be secured is on the south end of the fire, where crews had to deal with significant amounts of sand and cinder material.  These conditions made it difficult to move vehicles around and resulted in replacing a few tires and pulling vehicles out of the sand.  

On the Northern section of the fire, crews got a good start on suppression repair work. Such as repairing dozer lines and building water bars for erosion control. This work will be one of the main ongoing focuses for the next 2-3 operational periods.

While suppression and repair activities have been going well, there are concerns with the potential for dry lightning and dry, windy conditions that are predicted to begin tonight and tomorrow in Eastern Idaho.  New starts will compete for suppression resources that are currently being utilized on this incident.   

Air Quality:  For information on wildfire smoke the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has a fact sheet that can be found at: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/wildland-fires/  

Resources:  Crews 5, Engines 14, Dozers 6, Water Tenders 7, Helicopters 3 and Total Personnel 243.

Please check the Grassy Ridge Fire on Inciweb for updated information, the latest maps and photos.

​​​Next update scheduled for 8 A.M. tomorrow morning

Sharps Fire Morning Update - July 31st

Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of the Sharps fire at 6:00 a.m. today. The Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at the Carey School, Carey Idaho.

Last night the fire moved north on to the Sawtooth National Forest. Today, firefighters will concentrate on building fireline and securing the south end of the fire. Fire lines are holding on the southwest portion of the fire; crews are working to improve firelines around the southeast corner and scouting the east flank to prepare for dozer lines to be constructed. Aviation assets will be utilized to support ground resources as necessary.

Weather: A high pressure will continue to dominate the incident area with a slight chance of dry thunderstorms. Relative humidity will be between 10 and 17 percent with temperatures in the mid 80’s to mid 90’s.

Closures: Muldoon Canyon road is closed from EE-DA-HO Ranch (east of Bellevue) to Hunt Road. Little Wood Reservoir road is closed at the reservoir. High Five, Baugh Creek, Bay Horse and Hunt roads are also closed. The public is asked to stay out of these areas to allow for fire fighter and public safety. More closures are being evaluated as the fire progresses to the north.

Evacuations: mandatory evacuations are in place for the Little Wood Recreation Area campground and all residences on Little Wood Reservoir Road and Flat Top Road north of the reservoir. High Five Recreation sites are evacuated and closed to the public.

Pre-Evacuation Notice: Fish Creek Road is under a pre-evacuation notice. Residents should prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. Gather critical documents, medications, children, and pets and be ready to go.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a TFR over the Sharp fire.

http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/notam_actual_8_7132.html

Air Quality Information: http://airquality.deq.idaho.gov/

Wildland Fire Aircraft

Aircraft play a huge part in fighting wildfires on the Twin Falls District and across the West. The following aircraft a major players in helping to suppress wildland fires.

Large Air Tanker (LAT) C-130- can hold up to 4,000 gallons of retardant each load. This plane can drop up to six times on a fire before it needs to refuel.

Large Air Tanker (LAT) BA 146- can hold up to 3,000 gallons of retardant each load and can drop two times before refueling.

The Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATS)- can hold 725-750 gallons of retardant and can drop up to nine times before refueling.

The Fire Boss, a scooper plane, can also hold up to 725-750 gallons of water and drop up to nine times before refueling.

Fun Fact: the Fire Boss planes have dropped 27 loads on the Sharps Fire since it started on Sunday.All of these aircraft are being managed out of the Twin Falls BLM Fire Airbase, which to date has pumped nearly 1 million gallons this summer.

*note- These are averages. These numbers change depending on distant to the fire, altitude and several other factors.

#BLMTFDFire Airbase is supporting the following aircraft which include 23 helicopters, 3 single engine air tankers (SEAT), 2 heavy air tankers, 2 scooper planes, 1 lead plane and 2 air attacks. These aircraft are responding to fires locally and supporting our neighboring districts.

Grassy Ridge Fire - Morning Update, July 31st

The focus for fire resources today is to continue to reinforce containment lines around the perimeter of the fire and also around the many large unburned vegetative islands within the fire perimeter. The weather will be hot and dry today with an increasing chance of thunderstorms later this evening and into Wednesday.

Another task today will be to map the dozer line and assess the suppression repair work. The intent of suppression repair is to return the area disturbed during suppression actions to a more natural condition.

Constructing water diversion structures to prevent erosion of the fireline is one common item involved in the repair, as is pulling berms over the line.

The A-2 and the Red Roads are now open for traffic. Please drive slowly and cautiously if traveling on these roads, as fire crews are still working along the roads.

Air Quality: For information on wildfire smoke the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has a fact sheet that can be found at: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/wildland-fires/

Inciweb address Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6047/

Rattlesnake Creek Fire - Update

Grassy Ridge Fire Evening Update for July 30

Fire resources continued to reinforce containment lines by cold-trailing the perimeter of the fire. Crews are also protecting the remaining green islands within the perimeter of the fire, although it was noted that one island was burning in the interior of the fire. There has been no increase in fire size since the 8 a.m. update.

The official National Wildfire Coordinating Group’s Glossary of Wildland Fire Terminology defines “Contained” as: “The status of a wildfire suppression action signifying that a control line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.”

Based on the current situation, there will not be a night-shift assigned. All night-shift resources will be utilized on day-shift when they become available. Local resources will be released back to their units when no longer
needed.

The road closures on A-2 and the Red Road were lifted. County Law Enforcement check point resources have been removed but a roving patrol will be present to assure that anyone using these roads travel at a safe rate of
speed for current conditions to ensure the safety of our firefighters. Please drive slowly and cautiously if traveling on these roads, as fire crews are still working along the roads.

Air Quality: For information on wildfire smoke the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has a fact sheet that can be found at: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/wildland-fires/

Inciweb address Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6047/

Lodgepole Fire management team ramping down

Emmett, Idaho, July 30, 2018 -- As firefighting crews successfully mop-up remaining hot spots and secure containment lines around the Lodgepole Fire, located about 14 miles north of Crouch, resources are being scaled back. On July 26, a local Type 4 Incident Management Team took over fire suppression efforts and are currently overseeing 36 firefighters being supported by one helicopter and two engines.

The fire remains at 1,616 acres and is 80 percent contained. Full containment expected around Aug. 20.

An area closure remains in place for public and firefighter safety. The road to Silver Creek Plunge remains open, as does the Plunge itself and area Forest Service campgrounds.

“Firefighters are feeling good about the progress made and that the fire will remain in the box we have around it, but predicted temperature increases and winds associated with passing storm cells will test our containment lines,” said Emmett District Ranger Richard Newton. “Although resources have been reduced to match our progress, fire personnel will continue to patrol and monitor the fireline. I anticipate that we will be monitoring this incident until we receive enough moisture to completely extinguish the fire.”

The Lodgepole Fire originally was a prescribed fire ignited April 24. Pockets of smoldering heat in heavy fuels, combined with hot and dry weather, resulted in a creeping fire causing smoke to settle into nearby Crouch and threatened to grow outside the project boundary. It was declared a wildfire July 14.

To view closure area maps online, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5929/

For more information contact Mike Williamson, Acting Public Affairs Officer, 208-373-4105.

Grassy Ridge Fire Update for July 30th

Yesterday afternoon into early evening fire crews completed firing/burning operations and completion of containment lines in the northwest section of the fire. Fire crews continued to secure and patrol the lines until midnight. A contingent of engines remained the rest of the night to patrol the lines to ensure they were holding.

Along the rest of the fire, crews walked and “cold-trailed” many miles of containment line and the numerous active fingers of fire activity. Cold-Trailing is where fire fighters physically walk the containment lines and search for pockets of heat and put them out for a depth towards the interior of the fire to ensure that it is cold and black in depth to ensure that no errant sparks can be fanned to life by the wind and tossed across containment lines to start a new fire.

The weather picture for today and tomorrow can be summed up in three words, “hotter and drier”. Temperatures are forecast to be fix to six degrees warmer today with humidity down to 10%. This may result in a little stronger than normal afternoon winds out of the south at 10-12 mph. The impact on the light, flashy fuels may result in numerous flareups and the appearance of interior smoke columns as islands of unburnt fuels are consumed.

These “islands” are one of the priorities as efforts to secure and “cold-trail” fire containment lines continue. As the containment lines are ensured firefighters will be turning their efforts towards construction of containment lines and cold-trailing them around the multiple islands or pockets of unburnt fuels which are not only existing portions of the cattle allotments as well as habitat for Sage Grouse and winter forage/habitat for big game.

SAFETY: Drivers, please help in assuring that “Every firefighter goes home” by slowing down when driving by fire crews and engines. Especially on the A2 & Red Roads.

Air Quality: For information on wildfire smoke the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has a fact sheet that can be found at: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/wildland-fires/

Inciweb address Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6047/

FINAL Update - Keithly Fire

FINAL Keithly Fire Update

Monday, July 30, 2018   9 a.m.

Fire Information Line: (208) 414-0044 8a.m. - 8p.m.

Email address: 2018.keithly@firenet.gov

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6038/

Start Date	Cause	Size (ac.)	Containment	Helicopters	Engines	Crews	Personnel
7/25/18	Lightning	17,600	84%	1	11	7	259

FINAL UPDATE

Summary: Several days of hard work by firefighters have increased containment to 84% July 30. The fire has not grown in three days. It remains 17,600 acres with most of the fire area cold.

The northeastern corner of the fire in Keithly Creek remains uncontained. Three handcrews are working to cold trail the area to ensure there is no remaining heat in the fire area. A resource adviser has spent several days with firefighters identifying fences and dozer lines to repair. There is extensive repair work in Keithly Creek area that requires a couple more shifts for heavy equipment to repair. As they complete this work, containment will increase with full containment expected by the end of the week.

This is the final update for the Keithly Fire unless significant activity occurs. As of Tuesday July 31, please direct questions about the Keithly Fire to the Payette National Forest Information Line at 208-634-0820.   

Outlook: Operations staff are diverting resources to the Mesa and other area fires in greater need of equipment and supplies. The remaining resources assigned to the Keithly Fire will focus on repairing containment lines, repairing fences and monitoring the fire to ensure dust devils do not reignite the fire.

Due to the decrease in operational tempo and resource demands, a transfer of command from Great Basin Incident Management Team 5 to a smaller incident management organization will occur Tuesday, July 31. This organization will manage the repair work necessary to complete repair work. Tuesday, the Incident Command Post in Weiser will break down, freeing resources and other supplies for other area fires. The Team extends our appreciation to the community for their hospitality and support the past four days while working from the Weiser High School.

Weather: Incident meteorologists are forecasting hot, dry conditions through the week. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms Monday evening that may bring erratic winds. If new fire starts occur, these conditions will promote very aggressive fire growth.

National Forest Closure: For public safety and protection from hazards associated with wildfire, the Payette National Forest issued a forest closure in the area of Mann’s Creek and Keithly Creek.  The following roads entering the area are closed at the National Forest Boundary: White Pine Creek, Keithly Creek, Mann’s Creek, and Jenkins Creek on the East and South boundaries; Dennett Creek on the West boundary; Middle Fork and Brownlee on the north boundary. The closure includes all roads and trails within the area.  For a full description and map of the closure, go to the Keithly Fire on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6038/

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Grassy Ridge Fire

#GrassyRidgeFire 7/29/18 PM Update
Inciweb address Information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6047/

Current Fire Information: 970-316-0000​
Mail address: gbimt3rohrer@gmail.com

Start Date: July 26, 2018​
Cause: Lightning​
Fuels: Grass, sage brush & scattered Pinion Juniper stands
Acres: 97,000 (151 square miles)
Percent Contained: 20%
Total number of personnel: 183

What happened today: Yesterday’s shift in wind direction resulted in a quick change of direction for the fire putting the Town of Dubois in serious threat. Local and Federal firefighting resources worked together to prevent the fire from reaching town including a number of firing or burning out operations along the A2 Road and direct attack when fire activity diminished. Crews worked throughout the night to ensure that the firelines held.

The mandatory evacuation ordered for Dubois was lifted this morning.

Fire activity remained active this afternoon in the northwest sector of the fire along the A2 Road as firefighters continued firing operations to remove unburnt fuel between fire containment lines and the active main body of the fire. These operations were supported with the aerial application of fire retardant to reinforce the containment lines.

Sharps Fire Evacuations

PRE-EVACUATION NOTICE 

Several Residences on Fish Creek Rd are now on Pre-Evacuation Notice. This fire is active and running. Prepare yourself to leave on a moments notice. Gather critical documents, medications, children, and pets. Be ready to GO

This is not a drill.

MANDATORY EVACUATIONS-

The Blaine County Sheriff has ordered the immediate Mandatory Evacuation of the Little Wood Recreation Area campground and All residences on Little Wood Reservoir Rd. / Flat Top Rd. north of the reservoir.

Last Update: Check InciWeb for further updates

For Immediate Release: July 29, 2018

Contact: Kelsey Brizendine, 208-732-7315

Twin Falls District BLM Fire Update

Facebook: Idaho Fire Info

Twitter: @BLMIdahoFire
(#BLMTFDFire)

Sharps Fire

●       Location: six miles east of Bellevue on Sharps Canyon Road

●       Size: estimated 3,000 acres

●       Contain: unknown

●       Control: unknown

●       Resources: eight engines, two water tenders, two dozers, Bellevue Rural Fire Department, Woodriver Rural Fire Department, Hailey Rural Fire Department, Carey Rural Fire Department, Sawtooth National Forest

●       Fuel type: grass and timber

●       Fire behavior: running, torching, spotting

●       Structures threatened: yes

●       Cause: under investigation

The Sharps Fire was reported to South Idaho dispatch at 11:15 this morning. The fire is burning grass and heavy timber in steep difficult terrain. Firefighters are experiencing extreme fire behavior with running, spotting and torching. Gusty winds, low humidity, high temperatures and passing thunderstorms are of concern. Structures are threatened. Muldoon Canyon Road is closed from EE-DA-HO Ranch entrance to Baugh Creek Road.  Both the Little Wood River Reservoir and the High 5 Creek Recreation area have been evacuated and are closed to the public.

For More Information-

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

●       208-308-5991

●       Idaho Wildfires visit www.IdahoFireInfo.com