Sheep Fire Update October 6, 2012

Incident: Sheep Fire Wildfire
Released: 1:55 hrs. ago

Current Size: 48,167 acres Containment: 50%Resources: Personnel-305, Engines-16, Helicopters-3, Crews-4, Dozers-4, Water Tenders-10Start

Date: September 6, 2012 Cause: Human; under investigation Location: East side of US 95 near Lucile, ID – Nez Perce NF and other lands Weather: Clear, calm conditions and below freezing temperatures ushered in the day. Relative humidity of 20% to 35%, temperatures from 55 to 65 degrees in valleys and 40 to 50 degrees on ridges, and north wind at 10 mph is forecasted for today.

Current Status: Yesterday, fire burned primarily in heavy fuel concentrations, and was creeping along uncontrolled fire edges. Uncontrolled fire east of Patrol Point has burned up against a rock face, and with the help of bucket drops, was held in place.  On the north side along FR 243, chipping was completed. Helicopters continued to drop water on the eastern flank, and on uncontained fire edge east of Patrol Point. Between FR 9300 and FR 9303, sawyers continued to fell snags, and mop up continued in upper Fiddle Creek. North of Chair Point Lookout, containment line construction continued east toward West Fork of Allison Creek.

Planned Actions: Today on the south side, containment line construction will continue on the ridge from West Fork of Allison Creek to north of Chair Point Lookout, and hot spots will be lined. The remainder of the south side will be in patrol and mop up status. The inactive western flank will be monitored, while woody debris removal will continue on the north and northeast sides. Crews will patrol and hold active fire east of Patrol Point. Crews will be cooling off hot spots around North Fork of Slate Creek campground, and snag felling will continue between FR 9300 and Fr 9303. Helicopters will drop water wherever needed. Repair crews will continue placing gravel on roads where appropriate.

Attention hunters: For current fire closure perimeters and units, see Idaho Game & Fish website: https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/content/article/do-fire-closures-leave-you-hunting-spot-hunt.Closures: Forest ServiceThe restricted area begins at the Forest Boundary at CR/FR 243, then east along FR 243 to the junction of FR 221 at Four Corners, from the junction of FR 221 and FR 243 south to Rocky Bluff Campground, from the Rocky Bluff Campground south along the Wilderness Boundary to the Salmon River at Carey Creek, from Carey Creek west along the Salmon River and CR 1614 to the Forest Boundary near Island Bar, and then north along the Forest Boundary to CR/FR 243. In addition, FR 309 (Hungry Ridge Road) is closed starting t T28N, R4E, NE 1/4 Section 16 south to junction with FR 221 at T27N, R3E, SE 1/4 Section 26, Boise Meridian. Also, FR 444 (Gospel Road) is closed starting at T27N, R3E, SE1/4 Section 24, southeasterly to Square Mountain Historical Lookout at T26N, R5E, SE 1/4 Section 8, BM.

Owners of property within the closure area who need access to their property may obtain an access permit by contacting the Sheep Fire Liaison Officer (877-608-4027) or the Information Officer (877-599-7716).For more information on the Sheep Fire: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3240/###Fire UpdateSShheeeepp FFiirree887777 559999 77771166Saturday, October 6, 2012 8 a.m.
Unit Information
Nez Perce National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
104 Airport Road
Grangeville, ID 83530
Incident Contact
Sheep Fire Information
Phone: 1-877-599-7716

REPOSTED 10/6/12 0949

Source: InciWeb