Smoke fills skies across eastern Idaho
Smoke from fires in central and western Idaho is filling the skies of eastern Idaho Saturday.
The BLM’s Twin Falls District responded to four fires Friday afternoon. Another fire was also discovered Friday afternoon in the Salmon-Challis National Forest in the Salmon-Cobalt district. That fire adds to the fires already burning called the Middle Fork complex. Details of these fires are listed below from each agency Saturday evening.
SALMON-CHALLIS NATIONAL FOREST:
Smoke is filtering into the city of Salmon and surrounding valleys. Smoke in the valley will continue to be an issue as there are many fires in the Region that have recently started due to lightning.
In order to help put the local fire situation into perspective, nationally, we are at a Planning Level 5, which means there are many fires regionally and nationally which are competing for available fire resources. This has and will continue to challenge the Forest in obtaining resources for our local fires.
Several fires started over the last few days. Many fires were staffed and successfully contained within the last 24 hours. Fire activity will also continue and increase with predicted weather and winds.
Fire Summary:
NORTH FORK RANGER DISTRICT
Crone Fire:
• A acre fire is out.
256 Fire:
• A three (3) acre fire staffed with a squad of five firefighters
Elkhorn Fire: Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
• The Elkhorn Fire, fire is estimated to be 50 acres with 90% containment. The fire is located west of Clear Creek and north of Elkhorn Creek, approximately 3.5 miles from the wilderness boundary. The fire is burning in grass, brush, and timber with dead and down tree components. Although lightning caused fires should be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological role within the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, fire managers decided to suppress this fire due to its proximity to the non-wilderness boundary and considering values at risk within the Panther Creek drainage. Resources currently staffing the fire are 57 firefighters, and a helicopter. The helicopters are supporting firefighters with bucket drops. The helicopters may be observed dipping out of the main stem of the Salmon River.
SALMON-COBALT RANGER DISTRICT
Arnett Fire:
• A 1/10 acre fire burning in timber which is currently staffed with two rappellers. The fire is burning east of Panther Creek, near Arnett Creek.
Bobcat Fire:
• The fire is estimated at 30 acres, is burning in grass and fire, and is located north of Napoleon Gulch, west of the Salmon River, approximately 15 miles north of Salmon. The fire is visible from Highway 93. Fire managers ask the public to be mindful of traffic congestion along Highway 93. Fire managers urge the public to continue traveling past the fire area and not stopping along the roadway. Local fire officials are developing a plan to manage this fire as a large incident. Limited fire resources will continue to challenge any fire suppression efforts.
Alpine Fire:
• A 1/10 of an acre fire on the north side of Wilson Creek drainage in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. Currently, there is no smoke showing on this fire, but fire managers will continue to monitor the fire for future fire activity. The fire is at 8,500 feet elevation and will be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, its natural ecological role within the wilderness.
Roaring Fire: Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
• Fire was detected on August 5th and is in monitoring status. The fire is located in the Bighorn Crags and is ten acres in size burning in timber. This fire is lightning caused, and will continue to be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, its natural ecological role with the wilderness.
The weather is forecasted to be windy and dry. As we move forward with strategically trying to staff and address our fires, the upmost priority for us is to ensure firefighter and public safety. This is a difficult task with limited resources, yet we will balance to the extent possible without compromise to safety.
Middle Fork Complex: Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The Waterfall and Stoddard Fires are lightning caused fires and will be permitted to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological roles with the wilderness. A Type 3 incident management team led by Mike Smith is assigned to this complex as of August 13, 2015.
The Waterfall Fire was detected late in the day on August 11th. The fire is estimated to be 756 acres in size and is located east of the Middle Fork Salmon River and north of Waterfall Creek. The fire is burning in open timber and grass.
The Stoddard Fire was detected on August 12th. The fire is estimated to be approximately 348 acres in size and is located west of the Middle Fork Salmon River and north of Cradle Creek. The fire is burning in open timber and grass
TWIN FALLS BLM DISTRICT:
SHOSHONE, Id. — Twin Falls BLM District fire crews get the upper hand on Magic Valley fires, despite yesterday’s wind shifts and thunderstorms.
The 900 Fire, 7 miles south of Shoshone, is approximately 75% contained at this time. The Incident Commander says that crews started early this morning to improve containment lines and work hot spots. Due to more accurate mapping, the fire is currently 2,245 acres. The cause of this fire is still under investigation.
The Coonskin Fire, near Coonskin Butte, south of Balanced Rock was contained last night at 8:30. The fire is mapped at 400 acres, and the Incident Commander estimates the fire will be controlled at 11:30 p.m. The Coonskin Fire was determined to be caused by lightning.
The 20 Mile Butte Fire, located about 10 miles south of Bliss, is currently 300 acres. The fire was contained last night at 10:00, and is expected to be controlled tonight at 8:00. The cause of this fire was determined to be lightning.
The Saylor Fire, 20 miles west of Hagerman, is currently 375 acres. The fire is expected to be contained this morning at 10:00, with an estimated control time of 7:00 p.m. The cause of this fire was determined to be lightning.
