News Release:
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US Forest Service
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Contact: |
Eureka, June 28, 2008
Information on the Ukonom, Hells Half and Mad Complexes.
Ukonom Complex
- Community Relations:
The Ukonom Incident Management Team (IMT), along with local cooperating agencies and tribal representatives, is working to establish a community outreach network to facilitate a better flow of information between impacted residents and the team. A core group of volunteers is being recruited to spearhead the organization of that network. That group will meet on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 pm to discuss strategy. - Public Meeting
The IMT will hold a second public meeting on Sunday night, June 29 at 6:00 pm to brief community members on incident updates and management plans. The meeting will be held at the Junction School in Somes Bar. Everyone is invited to attend. - Fire Information:
The team is currently managing the following fires. All acreage is from June 27 evening information:- Jake Fire: 1,051 acres
- Merrill Fire: 2,788 acres
- Blue Fire: 271 acres
- Major Concerns and Issues:
Crews will be monitoring the Blue Fire. All other resources currently assigned are being reassigned to the Merrill Fire. The Merrill Fire continues to threaten important cultural resources and fisheries.
The team will contract with a local rafting company to provide transportation and mitigation support in the Salmon River corridor impacted by the Jake Fire.
An archeologist will assist Heritage Resource Advisors in the identification of cultural resources for protection. The team is working closely with area Native American tribes and is mindful of the sensitive cultural issues surrounding these sites in our planning process.
The team is working on the development of a Long Term Implementation Plan for the Ukonom Complex Incident. For more information contact Tom McCampbell, Public Information Officer at 530-627-3981.
Hells Half Complex
- Jess Secrest's Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team assumed command of the Hells Half Complex on June 26, 2008. Progress has been made with dozer line construction and burnout operations (removal of unburned vegetation between the active fire and constructed fireline) on the southwest side of the Grouse fire. Ground reconnaissance of the Half fire continues and construction of hand built fireline has begun. Dangerous terrain, heavy fuels, dense smoke, and limited access to many areas continue to hamper fire suppression. No structures have been lost and no evacuation orders have been issued.
The total acreage is estimated at 1500 acres and 20% contained. Today’s planned activities include: continue burnout operations along the completed dozer built fireline on the western perimeter of the Grouse fire, stem fire spread on the north and south perimeter of the Grouse fire, and continue assessing operational opportunities on the Half fire. Firefighting crews are staged at the Salyer Guard Station for responding to new fire starts.
The Complex currently has 8 hand crews, 9 fire engines, and 3 dozers. A total of 311 personnel are assigned to the complex.
Mad Complex
- Fires on the Mad River Ranger District have been combined into the Mad Complex. Fireline construction continues on the Bonanza Fire. Mop up operations continue on the Neilson, Swim, North/Van Horn and Travis fires.
- Total acres: 2,250
- 25 fires are 100% contained
- 323 personnel are assigned to the fire
- Bonanza Fire – 200-300 acres and is 5% contained.
- Swim Fire – 400 acres and is 100% contained
- Travis Fires – 1,700 acres (acreage increase due to more accurate mapping) and is 100% contained
- Five fires are not staffed
- According to Mad River District Ranger Tom Hudson, some fire fighting resources are being held in readiness to attack fires that may result from the lightning predicted this weekend.
Closures
Until further notice, some areas, roads and trails are closed due to the fires or fire fighting activities. Information on closure orders can be found at the website www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers/conditions/.
Fire Information: 707-441-3623