| For
Immediate Release
Date: August 4, 2008
FIRE INFORMATION SHEET
New Information in Bold
Today’s Date & Time: 8/4/08, 12:15 p.m.
FIRE NAME: Cabin Creek Fire (& Rush Creek Fire)
DATE & TIME OF FIRE START: 7/30/08, 2:00 pm
LOCATION (including elevation):
21N 12E 24, Big Creek area of Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, between Horse Mountain and Vinegar Hill, junction of Cow Creek and Cabin Creek
KIND OF FIRE/FUELS: Grass & Brush
CAUSE: Human (Rush Creek - Unknown)
SIZE: 4000 acres INITIAL SIZE: 2-3 acres
WEATHER CONDITIONS: Hot & dry
AGENGY JURISDICTION: USFS
COOPERATING AGENCIES: n/a
ESTIMATED CONTAINMENT: 0% contained, estimated containment not known
INCIDENT COMMANDER: Dennis McCoy, Smokejumper, USFS
EQUIPMENT & PERSONNEL: 11 Firefighters & 1 Resource Adviser
TOTAL NUMBER OF PERSONNEL (if possible split firefighters & overhead): 12
VALUES AT RISK (structures, towns, roads): none immediately threatened
STRUCTURES DESTROYED: 0
INJURIES: 0
EVACUATION INFORMATION: n/a
SYNOPSIS OF WHAT THE FIRE IS DOING/WHAT THE CREWS ARE DOING: The fire continues to carry in the grass but stops when it hits heavy timber. Today the Helitack crew will continue to make bucket drops on the fire and a smokejumper crew has been dispatched along with a structure protection kit to provide structure protection to Taylor Ranch as a long-term risk reduction measure. Taylor Ranch is not immediately threatened, but sprinklers and other equipment are being set up in case the fire threatens the facility in the future. The fire transitioned to a Type 3 organization today. No closures are in place at this time but it is strongly recommended that non-fire personnel stay away from the fire area and the Big Creek Trail. The Cabin Creek airstrip will be closed through tomorrow and the closure will be re-evaluated at day’s end. The fire is burning primarily in grass and this fuel type makes fires very fast moving. Weather conditions are expected to remain hot. Two firefighters will remain at Cabin Creek to monitor the fire there. All other resources will be at Taylor Ranch. The airstrips at Cabin Creek and Big Creek are now open for public use. The public may visit the area and use the Big Creek Trail but they should stay north/northwest west of the Cabin Creek area. People planning to travel to the area are strongly encouraged to use the Big Creek airstrip and may call 208-634-0400 for more information.
The Helitack crew has been called back from the Cabin Creek area and bucket drops have ceased. The fire is now moving to the west and has crossed over Cave Creek. Taylor Ranch is no longer threatened but 11 firefighters remain there as a precaution.
As a result of last month’s rain, the Rush Creek Fire dwindled, but has begun to grow slowly and is now at 1500 acres. Fire managers continue to monitor its progression, but there is no significant growth. The fire is located in an area characterized by extremely steep and rocky terrain not far from Shellrock Peak.
Fire management specialists from neighboring forests are assisting the Payette (PNF) to evaluate and develop a long-term strategy for the Rush Creek and Cabin Creek fires. Experts in long-term fire planning, mapping and wilderness resources flew over both fires and met with PNF fire managers over the weekend. Both fires are being closely monitored via periodic over-flights. Infrared photography is being used to accurately map the fires during night flights.
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