It’s official: Sheep Fire was INL’s largest
The Idaho National Laboratory has completed its final report on the 112,107 acre Sheep Fire. It was declared fully extinguished on July 28 and became, officially, the largest fire in INL history.
Although a number of power poles were destroyed, Rocky Mountain Power and INL crews are currently working to replace damaged lines. No commercial power to INL facilities was lost during the fire.
In total, 115 firefighters and 17 supervisors responded to the fire, using 23 engines, 9 water tenders, 7 bulldozers or patrols, air attack, and multiple air tankers.
No buildings or structures were burned.
There were a large number of fire fighting agencies that helped manage the fire. That list includes the Idaho Falls District Bureau of Land Management, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Custer-Gallatin National Forests, Inkom Fire Department, Teton Fire Department, Madison Fire Department, Ammon Fire Department, Ucon Fire Department, Idaho Department of Lands, Roberts Fire Department, Hamer Fire Department, West Jefferson Fire District, South Fremont Fire District, Idaho Falls Fire Department, Central Fire District, CJL (a private contractor), Mud Lake Oil, and Rocky Mountain Power.
“In addition to the outside agencies who lent their support during the Sheep Fire, I would also like to personally thank the firefighters who worked around the clock in harsh conditions to contain the fire,” said INL Chief Operations Officer Juan Alvarez. “I’d also like to extend my gratitude to all those behind the scenes who provided their support.”
