Idaho 2003

[NJFFSA16]

(Boise, Idaho-AP) -- Idaho fire crews are protecting homes in
the face of a wind-driven wildfire near the Montana border.
Salmon-Challis National Forest officials say the Tobias fire is
burning in the Hayden Creek drainage, 30 miles southeast of Salmon.
Smoke obscures the blaze, which could be between two-thousand
and ten-thousand acres. Overflights are anticipated to map the
fire. Its cause is unknown.
At least 20 structures were threatened and homeowners were asked
to leave yesterday.
Meanwhile, the Blackwall fire has now burned about 370 acres
near the Continental Divide, between the Big Hole area in Montana
and Gibbonsville, Idaho. The Forest Service says the blaze could
reach heavy timber in Montana, and would be hard to stop.


(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

LEADORE, Idaho (AP) - Fire crews had the Tobias fire 40 percent
contained late Wednesday and officials expected better weather to
aid the fight later this week.
The blaze, burning actively in mixed fir forest on the western
front of the Lemhi Mountains, was estimated at 14,500 acres, said
fire information officer Julian Rhinehart. Earlier this week
officials estimated the blaze at more than 16,000 acres, but recent
GPS satellite imaging provided a more accurate estimate, Rhinehart
said.
More than 320 workers were fighting the fire on Wednesday.
"There are a lot of dead trees and snags on this fire,"
Incident Commander Bill Van Bruggen said. "And we certainly
wouldn't want to risk any kind of injury to save a few acres."
Officials have said it would take at least another week to fully
contain the blaze 30 miles south of Salmon.
Crews were looking forward to higher humidity and precipitation
levels predicted this week, Rhinehart said.
Salmon-Challis National Forest spokesman Nick Zufelt said no
structures were being threatened. Fire protection was still in
place at some locations after the fire claimed a vacation cabin and
at least 10 outbuildings earlier in the week.
That forced rancher Rick Snyder, who also sits on the Lemhi
County Commission, to cut fences to get 300 head of cattle clear of
the flames.
"I'll have to stay off that burned allotment for two years,"
Snyder said. "But that grass will heal up in a year or two. What
I'm thinking about is what kind of impact this fire will have on
recreation. Nobody wants to recreate in the black soot."
Fire crews are using the small town of Leadore as their base
camp, dramatically boosting the economy of the community of 90.
Seventy miles north, just below Lost Trail Pass, more than 150
firefighters battled the 280-acre Blackwell fire burning in
roadless forest near the Continental Divide.
Fire officials had no target for containment of that blaze,
which air reconnaissance showed was not as large as originally
believed.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

LEADORE, Idaho (AP) - Fire bosses hoped the prevailing winds
would continue to help them Thursday as they worked to gain the
upper hand on the 14,500-acre Tobias fire churning through heavy
timber near the Montana border.
"We're still chasing it," Salmon-Challis National Forest
spokesman Nick Zufelt said. "Yesterday was a good day, though. The
winds didn't last as long and they pushed the fire upslope and back
into itself."
The fire, which started over the weekend, is burning actively in
fir forest on the western front of the Lemhi Mountains.
Zufelt said 325 firefighters had contained portions of the north
and east sides of the blaze, or about 40 percent of the perimeter.
More crews have been ordered.
Fire protection was still in place at some locations after the
blaze claimed a vacation cabin and at least 10 outbuildings earlier
in the week.
Zufelt said the thick timber and deadfall precluded most night
work on the fire line.
"It has lots of debris," he said. "There are too many snags
falling and we're not going to risk somebody."
Seventy miles north, just below Lost Trail Pass, more than 150
firefighters battled the 325-acre Blackwall fire straddling the
Continental Divide.
The winds blowing from the southwest helped firefighters scratch
out containment lines on the Idaho side. But the blaze is largely
unstaffed on the Montana side, which is a remote roadless area. The
Blackwall was 10 percent contained.
State and federal firefighters were dispatched to 14 fires in
the Panhandle after a storm rolled through late Tuesday, putting
down more than 100 strikes.
Idaho Department of Lands workers were dropped in by helicopter
outside of St. Maries to begin containing the small blazes. Other
fires were reported near Cataldo.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

Crews battle fire along middle fork of the Boise River

(Atlanta, Idaho-AP) -- Firefighters are battling a 15-acre blaze
that was reported yesterday afternoon along the Middle Fork of the
Boise River 12 miles west of Atlanta.
More than 80 firefighters are on the scene, including crews from
the Southern Idaho Correctional Institute, the U-S Fish and
Wildlife Service and the Boise National Forest. Four helicopters
and two water tenders are also assisting.
Fire bosses have requested seven additional crews to fight the
blaze that is burning along steep terrain in heavy downed timber.
Winds are predicted to range from 15 to 20 miles per hour in the
fire's vicinity, making the crews' job even harder.
The cause of the fire is unknown.


(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

Fire crews take advantage of good weather to battle blazes

(Leadore-AP) -- Interagency firefighters used cool weather and
low winds this weekend to get a jump on the Tobias fire southeast
of Salmon.
Crews have the fire 75 percent contained and steady at
14-thousand-500 acres. Fire bosses are concentrating on holding the
fire lines and making sure flare-ups don't occur.
Officials hope to begin releasing some of the more than 700
firefighters assigned to the blaze as early as today and plan to
meet their Tuesday full containment target.
Crews also took advantage of good weather to tackle the
one-thousand-440 acre Blackwall fire north of Salmon. Crews have
the fire ten percent contained but have no target for full
containment.
The Eightmile and Sleeping Deer lightning fires north and west
of Challis were burning at less than one acre apiece today.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Huge plumes of smoke rose into the air
Tuesday evening as the Hot Creek fire in the Boise National Forest
exploded from 40 acres to 4,000 acres.
David Olson, a spokesman with the Boise National Forest, said
high temperatures and low humidity levels, along with a breeze
along the canyon floor, contributed to the fire's spread.
"We're trying to regroup and restrategize, and we're basically
starting over," he said.
Olson said a new management team was to arrive on Wednesday, and
additional firefighters, engines and helicopters would be
requested.
The Hot Creek fire is actively burning in steep, rugged terrain
about 10 miles west of Atlanta, Olson said, but no buildings were
threatened by the blaze.
Meanwhile, firefighters in eastern Idaho continued to work on
the 4,500-acre Harkness range fire near McCammon.
Interagency Dispatch Center Manager Kevin Conran said the blaze
burned two homes, two barns and a handful of smaller buildings
Monday. By Tuesday evening, the fire was about 80 percent contained
and was no longer threatening any structures.
Residents who had been evacuated from about 40 homes were
allowed to return on Tuesday morning, and Idaho 30 was reopened at
the same time.
The blaze was started by a transient, authorities said.
Dale Takeo, 41, was arrested after he told deputies that he
started the fire, Bannock County Sheriff Lorin Nielsen said. Takeo
was being held at the county jail on suspicion of third-degree
arson.
More than 600 firefighters were mopping up the 14,500-acre
Tobias fire, burning rangelands 18 miles north of Leadore. The fire
was estimated to be about 95 percent contained with full
containment expected Wednesday.
The Crystal Creek fire was burning 300 acres 18 miles north of
Stanley in central Idaho. Heavy air tankers were working the fire
and a larger contingent of firefighters was expected to arrive
sometime Tuesday. A 20-person crew was also fighting the nearby
Dutch Creek fire, estimated at about 10 acres.
The Cramer fire, burning in steep terrain about 34 miles west of
Salmon, expanded to 220 acres. Several crews were expected to
supplement the team assigned to the fire. Air tankers were
assisting.
In north-central Idaho, fire crews were pulled back from the
Slims fire while helicopters dropped water. The blaze 35 miles east
of Grangeville grew to about 610 acres by Tuesday afternoon.
Starting Saturday, campfires and cigarettes will be restricted
on the Targhee-Caribou National Forest and nearby desert lands.
Similar fire restrictions already are in place in Yellowstone
National Park. Smoking is prohibited unless inside an enclosed car
or building.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The two helitack firefighters who died while
battling a blaze in the Salmon-Challis national forest probably
died very quickly, the Lemhi County coroner said Thursday.
Jeff Allen, 24, of Salmon and Shane Heath, 22, of Melba, were
killed in the Cramer fire Tuesday night about 17 miles west of
Shoup. After rappelling from a helicopter, the two were preparing a
landing zone when the blaze exploded around them.
"They got caught in a fireball," Coroner Mike Mitchell said.
"It was very quick."
The remains of both men have been released to their families,
Mitchell said.
The deaths of the two firefighters drew sympathy from the Bush
Administration, Idaho's congressional delegation and Gov. Dirk
Kempthorne, who ordered state flags flown at half-staff on
Thursday.
"We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy," U.S. Department
of Agriculture Secretary Ann M. Veneman said in a prepared
statement.
Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo said Allen and Heath died as heroes.
"These men are heroes of battle, just as the men and women
fighting overseas, and they fought a faceless, terrifying enemy
with bravery, heroism, and selfless dedication to the families and
communities of central Idaho," Crapo said.
Allen began working as a seasonal firefighter in 1999, when he
joined the Indianola Helitack Crew. He was a business student at
Boise State University.
Heath, also a Boise State student, was in his second year as an
Indianola Helitack Crew member and had been a wildland firefighter
for four years.
A national fire team was sent Wednesday to take command of the
fire, which had blown across more than 5,400 acres by Thursday
morning. It was not threatening any structures.
After taking Wednesday off to regroup, the 170 firefighters
already fighting the fire resumed operations Thursday. More than
300 reinforcements are expected to begin arriving in the next few
days, said fire information officer Jennifer Rabuck.
Meanwhile, other fires continued to burn.
Crews returned to the Hot Creek blaze on Thursday after they
driven away from the fire line Wednesday by extremely heavy smoke.
The blaze spread across 15,360 acres and was burning 40 miles
northeast of Boise.
Fire information officer Cyd Weiland said more than 400
firefighters would concentrate on building an east-west line on the
south end of the fire.
The fire was burning about three miles from Atlanta, but the
historic mining town was not considered to be in danger, Weiland
said. Still, the Elmore County Sheriff's Office decided Thursday
afternoon that no additional visitors or residents would be allowed
into the Atlanta area for now.
Some of Thursday's weather conditions were working in
firefighters' favor.
Temperatures in southwestern Idaho were expected to be 10
degrees cooler and relative humidity was rising from bone-dry
levels earlier in the week. However, the possibility of
thunderstorms presented a higher potential for lightning strikes,
Weiland said.
It was not known when the fire would be contained and roads to
the area remained closed Thursday.
In north-central Idaho, the Slims fire burning 35 miles east of
Grangeville continued to grow, reaching 1,400 acres by Thursday
evening. More than 250 firefighters were attempting to burn behind
the fire to create a fire line. But three helicopters assigned to
the blaze were unable to fly Thursday afternoon because an
inversion was causing poor visibility.
In central Idaho, 157 firefighters were working to contain the
Crystal Creek fire, burning on about 1,000 acres. That fire also
continued to spread.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

More than 1,700 firefighters spread across Idaho

(Salmon-AP) -- Heavy rainstorms, higher humidity and lower
temperatures have helped the more than 17-hundred firefighters
battling four major wildfires across the state.
Crews held nearly all the major fires in place, even bumping up
some containment percentages.
A series of landslides blocking the Salmon River Road are still
being cleared for access to the Cramer fire site and officials
expect a route will be open in about four days.
Crews held the 19-thousand-acre Hot Creek Fire 50 miles
northeast of Boise at five percent containment while firefighters
reported reduced activity at the more than one thousand-acre
Crystal Fire outside Stanley.
Rain and substantial increases in equipment and personnel kept
the 22 hundred-acre Slims Fire from growing any further and allowed
crews to bump containment up to 15 percent.
A 250-acre fire near Coolin in northern Idaho may pick up speed
if weather conditions dry out. Fire bosses at the Hunt Creek Fire
expect reinforcements as early as tomorrow.


(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

(Boise-AP) -- The Cramer fire is still burning on about
56-hundred acres near Salmon this evening.
It's about 80 percent contained, and fire bosses predict that it
will be fully contained by Thursday.
Meanwhile, a half dozen large wildfires continued to burn on a
combined 37-thousand acres throughout the state.
The Hot Creek fire northeast of Boise is still the largest fire
in Idaho. It's burning on nearly 19,500 acres west of Atlanta. It's
about 15 percent contained.
In northern Idaho, firefighters are trying to get a jump on the
new Hunt Creek fire. It's burning on about 300 acres eight miles
northwest of Coolin.
And the Slims fire has consumed 22-hundred acres about 35 miles
east of Grangeville.


(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

By CHUCK OXLEY
Associated Press Writer
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - The two firefighters who died battling the
Cramer fire last week did not use their portable fire shelter,
investigators said.
Investigative Team Leader Linda Donoghue released the
preliminary investigative report Monday afternoon. The full
investigation could take up to six weeks to complete.
According to the report, Jeff Allen, 24, of Salmon and Shane
Heath, 22, of Melba both rappelled onto a ridgeline above the fire
last Tuesday morning.
The blaze was then 220 acres, burning about 30 miles northwest
of Salmon. The men intended to clear an area where helicopters
could land.
By midafternoon, other handcrew members who had been flown into
the fire were pulled away because of increasing danger, and Allen
and Heath called a helicopter to get them out, saying it was
becoming very smoky in their area.
But the helicopter sent to pick up the men was unable to land
because of extremely poor visibility, Donoghue said.
Radio contact with the rappellers was lost, and helicopters
continued to search for Allen and Heath. Later that day, two more
rappellers were sent into the fire area to search on foot for the
men, and the helicopter pilots were able to guide the searchers to
the bodies.
Neither Allen nor Heath was in a fire shelter, Donoghue said.
Fire shelters are small tent-like fire-resistant sheaths that
firefighters can use for protection if they cannot escape flames.
Services for Allen were held in Salmon on Saturday. Heath's
funeral was Monday in Nampa. He was buried in Melba.
The Cramer fire, still burning on about 5,614 acres, was 80
percent contained Monday evening. Fire bosses predict that the 367
firefighters on the lines should have if fully contained by
Thursday.
Meanwhile, fire restrictions are increasing in western and
central Idaho as the wildfire season continues.
Cigarette smoking and camp fires anywhere except designated
sites are already prohibited in eastern Idaho.
As of Friday, those restrictions will also apply to the Sawtooth
National Forest, as well as nearby lands managed by the National
Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the state.
"We are experiencing `extreme' fire danger on the entire
Sawtooth National Forest," said Randy Richter, Sawtooth National
Forest fire and aviation management officer.
"Fuels are the driest they have been in the past 20 years" and
could surpass all records in some portions of the forest, he added.
Throughout the state on Monday, a half dozen large wildfires
continued to burn on a combined 37,000 acres.
-The Hot Creek fire northeast of Boise is still the largest fire
in the state. It's burning on 19,489 acres west of Atlanta. About
800 firefighters backed by nine helicopters and 18 fire engines are
battling the blaze, which is about 15 percent contained. Fire
bosses have been trying to steer the blaze into the area that was
burned in the Trail Creek fire three years ago.
So far, the Hot Creek fire has cost nearly $2.3 million and has
burned one outbuilding. It is estimated to be 15 percent contained.
-In northern Idaho, firefighters were trying to get a quick jump
on the new Hunt Creek fire, burning on about 300 acres of mostly
logging slash about eight miles northwest of Coolin. The 190
firefighters are backed up with three helicopters and have the
blaze about 20 percent contained. Full containment expected by
Wednesday.
-In north-central Idaho, wind continues to push the Slims fire
up numerous new canyons. So far, the blaze has consumed 2,200 acres
of forest 35 miles east of Grangeville. About 380 firefighters were
working with four helicopters. The blaze was 15 percent contained
Monday.
-The combined Black Frog Complex in north-central Idaho and
southwestern Montana, straddling the Continental Divide in several
national forests roughly 30 miles north of Salmon. Together, the
two fires have burned about 8,000 acres. The 783 firefighters have
the fire about 27 percent contained.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Wildland firefighters were called to two new
Idaho blazes Tuesday.
In southern Idaho, the Wilkins Fire quickly burned through 4,500
acres of juniper, brush and grass fuels about a mile west of Murphy
Hot Springs near the Nevada state line.
The fire was burning in extremely steep and rugged canyon
terrain along the Jarbidge River's East Fork, officials said, and
crews worked Tuesday to save bull trout habitat threatened by the
flames.
Sixty-six firefighters and two helicopters were battling the
blaze, which was considered 10 percent contained Tuesday. Fire
bosses predicted it would be fully contained by Wednesday.
In northern Idaho, the Hunt Creek fire was burning on about 350
acres eight miles northwest of Coolin in heavy logging slash; 244
firefighters were assigned to the blaze, which was considered 25
percent contained. Full containment was expected by the weekend.
Elsewhere in Idaho, firefighters continued to gain ground on
other large blazes:
-The Hot Creek fire on the Boise National Forest grew to 20,042
acres and was reported 20 percent contained. Eight helicopters and
827 firefighters were attacking the blaze, which was burning in
heavy forest about eight miles west of Atlanta. Active burns
continued overnight and evacuations of summer cabins and camping
areas remained in effect. The Hot Creek is currently Idaho's
largest wildfire and has cost an estimated $2.8 million to fight.
-There was no significant increase in the size of the Black Frog
complex, which is actually two fires that straddle the
Idaho-Montana state line and cover parts of several national
forests.
The Blackwall fire has burned 4,740 acres and the Frog Pond fire
has burned 2,091 acres. Including spot fires inside the complex, a
total of about 7,500 acres have burned.
About 790 workers are fighting the complex, which is about 30
percent contained.
The intensity of burning is likely to increase in the coming
days, Byron Bonny, the fire team's fire behavior analyst said.
"We're right back into the hot and dry period," Bonny said.
-The Crystal Creek fire, burning on the Frank Church River of No
Return Wilderness Area, was winding down. The fire consumed 1,319
acres of mixed brush, fir and grasslands but was considered 75
percent contained. Some of the 301 firefighters were expected to be
reassigned. The fire is 18 miles northwest of Stanley.
-Also in central Idaho, the Cramer fire continued to burn on
5,614 acres 20 miles west of North Fork with only minimal fire
activity overnight. Firefighters were still protecting 38
residences in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. The blaze was
reportedly 85 percent contained, with full containment expected
Thursday.
-In northern Idaho, a national firefighting team has been called
to the Slims fire, burning on the Nez Perce National Forest 35
miles east of Grangeville. Fourteen crews with 467 firefighters
were battling the blaze, which has charred 2,650 acres of ponderosa
and mixed conifer trees. It is considered 20 percent contained but
no target date has been set for full containment.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

VIOLA, Idaho (AP) - Four homes and several outbuildings were
destroyed and nearly 40 more were evacuated after a fire started
Wednesday afternoon.
The Flannagan fire in northern Idaho may have begun in one home
before spreading to another and jumping across a road to endanger
more structures, Latah County sheriff's public information officer
Darla Buckley said.
By Wednesday night, the blaze was burning on about 110 acres in
a wooded area four miles east of Viola, Linda McFaddan, an
information officer with the Coeur d'Alene Dispatch Center said.
About 40 firefighters were battling the flames.
More than a half dozen major fires continued to burn across the
state on Wednesday, and the nation's wildfire fighting strategists
believe conditions are worsening throughout the west.
Kathy Jo Pollock at the Interagency Fire Center says the experts
believe the likelihood for fire now "is higher that what we had in
2000 and in 1988, when we had the big Yellowstone fires.
"The danger of fire is extremely high for the next three to
four weeks," she said. "That's our peak season."
Fire restrictions remained in place across the state as two new
fires were reported on separate sides of the state.
More than 100 firefighters were fighting the 800-acre Andy fire
burning in range near Weiser in western Idaho and expected to
contain it quickly despite its remote location.
Another 100 firefighters were in the sage and juniper terrain
east of Franklin in southeastern Idaho battling the Oxkiller fire.
They had containment line on 10 percent of the 350-acre fire.
In other Idaho fires:
-Crews had the upper hand on the Wilkins fire on the southern
Idaho range near Murphy Hot Springs. Despite rolling debris in
steep, rugged canyons, more than 80 percent of the 4,500-acre blaze
was contained.
-The Hot Creek fire burning about three miles west of Atlanta
remained the state's largest at over 22,000 acres in the Boise
National Forest. More than 800 firefighters had the blaze about 30
percent contained, but fire bosses have yet to set a target for
full containment.
-The Cramer fire in the Salmon-Challis National Forest was 80
percent contained and fire bosses expected full containment of the
5,600-acre blaze by Thursday. Two firefighters were recovering from
injuries suffered earlier in the week on the fire that claimed the
lives of two smoke jumpers last week.
-Nearly 500 firefighters had the 4,000-acre Slims fire burning
35 miles east of Grangeville only 20 percent contained. A national
fire management team has been requested. Crews were trying to
protect the Horse Creek area southwest of the fire where ecological
research has been conducted for a number of years.
-The Crystal Creek fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest
about 18 miles north of Stanley remained at just over 1,300 acres,
and limited manpower had it 75 percent contained.
-The Frog Pond fire north of Salmon was burning on the Idaho
side of the Continental Divide at about 2,100 acres. It was being
fought in conjunction with a bigger fire on the Montana side of the
Divide.
-Over 250 firefighters remained on the lines around the Hunt
Creek fire that continued to burn actively burning on the west side
of Priest Lake in the Idaho Panhandle. Although the fire was 25
percent contained at 432 acres, fire bosses expected full
containment by week's end.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

MOSCOW, Idaho (AP) - A northern Idaho wildfire destroyed four
homes and damaged two others as hot temperatures, low humidity and
increasing winds fed flames throughout the state.
Firefighters quickly contained the 200-acre blaze near Viola,
Idaho. It started about 1 p.m. but was fully contained by 10 p.m.
The cause has not been determined.
"I came out of my house, and there was a roar - and the rest is
history," said Dean Panttaja, who lost his home in the blaze.
Dee Acuff said her cedar home was devoured in what seemed to be
a matter of moments.
"There was fire on both sides of our driveway," she said.
Tanker planes from Missoula and Grangeville swept in to drop
water and retardant. Three helicopters dipped buckets into farm
ponds and doused the flames.
"I was in Moscow and a friend called me and said there's a fire
out our way," said Ann Armstrong, who arrived home to find her
husband, Bruce, on top of their house watering down the roof with a
hose.
At Rockin' Heart Ranch farther east along the Rock Creek Road,
owners Loren and Nancy Wight evacuated 15 Arabian show horses with
the help of neighbors and friends.
In addition to local and rural fire departments, area farmers,
ranchers and loggers stormed into the area with full water tanks
and heavy equipment.
"This was a priority fire," said Linda McFaddan of the Coeur
d'Alene Interagency Dispatch Center.
Elsewhere in Idaho, two new fires flared just as firefighters
were close to containing some that have been burning for weeks.
The new fires include:
-Toboggan fire, Idaho Panhandle National Forest. This fire is
burning on 200 acres 12 miles north of Wallace. The fire was
burning freely with 87 firefighters on the scene. The fire was
exhibiting extreme behavior with flames rushing through tree
crowns.
-Shasta fire, Nez Perce National Forest. The fire was burning on
139 acres 50 miles northeast of Grangeville. The fire also was
burning freely and eight firefighters were monitoring the blaze.
Continuing fires in Idaho include:
-Oxkiller fire, Caribou-Targhee National Forest. The fire was
burning on 474 acres 3 miles east of Franklin in southeastern
Idaho. The fire was 90 percent contained and estimated to be fully
contained by Thursday. More than 110 firefighters were battling the
blaze.
-Black Frog Complex: Burning on 7,500 acres 32 miles north of
Salmon, the fire is 35 percent contained with 819 firefighters
working on the fire lines. Higher temperatures, lower humidity and
increased winds have increased fire activity. Defenses have been
set up around 75 homes and one commercial building. Highway 93 is
open with a pilot car from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
-Hot Creek fire, Boise National forest. The fire is burning on
23,761 acres about three miles west of Atlanta. It was 40 percent
contained with 814 firefighters on the ground assisted by nine
helicopters. The Hot Creek fire remained the state's largest blaze.
Cabin evacuations and structure defenses remain in place. There is
no estimated containment date.
-Cramer fire, Salmon-Challis National Forest. The fire was
burning on 5,614 acres of timberland. It was 90 percent contained
with 414 firefighters on the fire line. Fire behavior was minimal
and full containment is expected by Thursday.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

(Boise-AP) -- Firefighters on the Hot Creek fire near Atlanta
are making progress on Idaho's largest wildfire. It's burning on
more than 26-thousand acres in the backcountry 55 miles northeast
of Boise.
Rain showers caused mudslides and temporarily trapped a number
of firefighters yesterday. But today they returned to the lines and
managed to achieve 60 percent containment.
All roads to Atlanta are still closed. Residents of Atlanta may
travel with an escort.
Including the Hot Creek fire, six other wildfires were burning
in Idaho on today for a total of 38-thousand acres. Much of Idaho's
public lands remained under fire restrictions, especially regarding
campfires and cigarette smoking.
---
Also in west-central Idaho:
- The North Fork Lick fire on the Payette National Forest was
burning on 625 acres and was 20 percent contained. The fire is 18
miles northeast of McCall. Minimal fire activity was reported
today.
---
Here's a look at the fires in northern Idaho:
- The Slims fire on Nez Perce National Forest was burning 8,400
acres and was 20 percent contained. The fire is 35 miles east of
Grangeville. Favorable weather has limited fire spread. Crews were
securing the west side of the Meadow Creek drainage. Full
containment is expected by August 20th.
- The Shasta fire on the Nez Perce National Forest was burning
on 325 acres. The fire is burning 50 miles northeast of Grangeville
and was being monitored. The assigned fire management team was
expected to disband Tuesday.
- The Toboggan fire on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest was
burning about 318 acres and was 50 percent contained. This fire is
12 miles northeast of Wallace. Full containment is expected by
Wednesday.
---
Here's a look at the wildfires burning in Central Idaho:
- The Crystal Creek fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest
was burning 1,319 acres at 90 percent contained. The fire is 18
miles north and northwest of Stanley. No new information was
reported on this fire today.
- The Lost Packer Complex on Salmon-Challis National Forest was
burning freely on 625 acres while fire managers monitored its
progress. Minimal fire behavior was observed today. This fire
complex is 36 miles northwest of Salmon.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

DUBOIS, Idaho (AP) - A new large rangefire lit up the skies of
eastern Idaho Wednesday night, causing the evacuation of a local
dude ranch.
The Deep Fire was burning about ten to 15 miles west of Dubois
and five miles south of the Montana state line.
The blaze began as a 500-acre brush fire at noon when the winds
picked up and spread it to an estimated 23,000 acres by 8 p.m.,
Bureau of Land Management Fire information officer David Howell
said.
Thirteen engines and about 70 firefighters were trying to take
advantage of dying winds overnight to halt the fire's progress.
The fire is burning in rangeland, mostly sage and grass, but
Howell said it has the potential to burn into timber. A Type-II
firefighting team is expected to begin arriving Thursday.
Meanwhile Wednesday, a wildfire burning near Elk City calmed
Wednesday with favorable weather. But environmentalists were
calling on fire crews to stop using heavy equipment to cut
containment lines.
The 8,920-acre Slims fire in north-central Idaho was slowed by
rain and was burning only within its perimeter. It is about 6 miles
away from Elk City and its 140 residents.
"It is not moving in any direction. It hasn't in several
days," Forest Service spokeswoman Tricia Humpherys said.
Gary Macfarlane of the Friends of the Clearwater group
complained that fire lines being constructed with heavy equipment
could cause environmental damage in the Meadow Creek roadless area,
which is proposed for wilderness protection.
He said the work could harm water quality in Meadow Creek, where
wild steelhead spawn, and cause visual scars to the land.
"If there is any place on the Nez Perce National Forest they
should be using their minimum-impact suppression techniques, it
needs to be in the Meadow Creek roadless area," he said.
He contends the fire should not be fought, but managed like the
smaller fires in the wilderness area.
"If the fire were to come up out of Meadow Creek we would need
that fire line to contain it and keep the fire out of Elk City,"
Humpherys replied.
More than 800 firefighters were working on the blaze. It was 35
percent contained with full containment predicted on Aug. 20. Cost
was estimated at $7.4 million dollars.
On other Idaho fires, the Hot Creek fire, Idaho's largest
wildfire so far this season, was held at 26,560 acres Wednesday and
firefighters were making better than expected progress.
Estimated full containment was moved up to Thursday evening
after fire bosses reported the fire was 90 percent contained
Wednesday night.
After a one-day delay, crews will begin blasting debris dams in
the Middle Fork of the Boise River Thursday between Weatherby's Air
Strip and Queen's River.
The Middle Fork Road was flooded last weekend when mudslides
changed the flow of the river. Heavy equipment will begin moving
earth and debris after the river is returned to its normal channel.
More than 540 firefighters were battling the blaze. Structure
protection remained in place for 80 residences and 10 commercial
properties.
The North Fork Lick fire on the Payette National Forest
continued to burn 625 acres and was 35 percent contained Wednesday.
Firefighters were expected to continue to secure fire lines on
the east side of the fire with the help of helicopter water drops.
On the south side of the fire, crews were be mopping up hot spots.
The fire is 18 miles northeast of McCall with 290 firefighters
assigned.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

DUBOIS, Idaho (AP) - Bureau of Land Management crews brought the
Deep fire to 65 percent containment Sunday morning and sending some
of their firefighters to other blazes in Idaho and Utah.
Crews from local fire departments will take responsibility for
the blaze over the week.
Fire bosses said Saturday that heavy night air helped crews gain
the upper hand. They are estimating full containment for Monday or
Tuesday.
A 25-mile stretch of trail beginning at Beaverhead Deer Lodge
remains closed and officials say will not reopen until full
containment has been reached.
Activity on the eastern side of the 9,420-acre Slims fire near
Elk City picked up Sunday as temperatures reached into the low 90s.
Fire bosses are still estimating full containment for Aug. 20.
About 700 people were on the fire, which has already cost nearly
$9 million to fight. Crews held the fire Sunday at 50 percent
containment.
Other activity in the Clearwater and Nez Perce National Forests
included the Clear/Nez Fire Use Complex that includes the Toboggan,
Rock Garden, Divide, Ranger Lake, McConnell, McConnell Northeast,
Freeze Out and 62 Creek fires.
The fires are located on the Powell, Lochsa and North Fork
Ranger Districts of the Clearwater National Forest and the Moose
Creek Ranger District on the Nez Perce National Forest.
All eight fires together are less than 100 acres and officials
are developing a plan to use them for natural resource benefits.
Farther south crews continued to work toward confining the
625-acre North Fork Lick fire in the Payette National Forest. The
fire 18 miles northeast of McCall remained at 75 percent
containment. Nearly 200 firefighters are on the scene and fire
bosses estimate full containment would be reached Monday.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - As investigators continue their inquiry into
the deaths of firefighters Jeff Allen and Shane Heath last month,
some specialists suggest the strategy of structure protection may
have contributed to their deaths.
The investigation's early findings indicate that Allen and Heath
did not call for assistance at the helicopter landing area they
were clearing until shortly before they reportedly died - a fact
that has lead some to believe the fire was moving explosively fast.
"This thing hit them quick and hit them fast," said Camille
Hayes, a 14-year firefighting veteran and member of the Allen and
Heath's Indianola helitack crew.
Some specialists argue that a century of forest management
emphasizing structure protection as the top priority helped
fostered development of dense undergrowth on steep slopes -
undergrowth that before the past century would have been cleared by
periodic wildfire.
Historically, fire ran through the Salmon National Forest as
frequently as every seven years.
The smaller foliage is prime fuel for rapid fire growth. For
some it could explain why Allen and Heath - overwhelmingly
considered by co-workers to be safety conscious and highly
competent firefighters - were so quickly overcome by the Cramer
Fire south of Long Tom Lookout.
Some experts think individual landowners should take more
responsibility for structure protection. But changing the current
policy would unleash a political firestorm in its own right.
"It's just too hard politically. We have over-promised people
that we can protect their property from forest fires," said Steve
Arno, a retired U.S. Forest Service fire scientist. "That's such
an incredible entitlement. Many of these homes are really
undefendable from any practical standpoint."
Investigators have issued no formal conclusions and hope to
complete their examination into Allen and Heath's deaths in the
next three to five weeks.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

CASCADE, Idaho (AP) - Firefighters protected summer cabins near
west-central Idaho's Warm Lake on Monday as more crews moved onto
the line of the South Fork fire.
The blaze, 25 miles northeast of Cascade, reached 750 acres as
it raced along ridges, torching dry timber. Air tankers pelted the
flames with retardant while about 190 people tried to steer it away
from the Paradise Valley summer home area.
Fire bosses ordered eight 20-person fire crews and engines. The
cause of the South Fork fire was under investigation since no
lightning strikes were reported over the weekend.
Thunderbolt Lookout was evacuated as a safety precaution.
In the same area, crews continued to confine the 700-acre North
Fork Lick fire on the Payette National Forest. The fire - 18 miles
northeast of McCall - remained at 50 percent containment.
Seventy-fire firefighters were on the scene.
The Hall fire on the Payette north of Council had burned 850
acres seven miles north of Council and destroyed two outbuildings.
U.S. Highway 95 between Council and New Meadows was closed to all
but local and emergency traffic because smoke obscured visibility.
To the north, the Slims fire grew to 9,700 acres, torching
timber within its own perimeter. It was still burning near the
remote community of Elk City. About 630 people were on the blaze,
and nearly $9 million has been spent on its suppression.
Containment was not predicted until Aug. 20.
The rugged Lolo Motorway trail which follows the Lewis and Clark
expedition's route over the Bitterroot Mountains was closed down
and evacuated because of the 2,000-acre Beaver Lake blaze near the
Montana border. There was no estimate on containment.
A guard camp was evacuated in the face of the 580-acre
Falconberry fire on the Salmon-Challis National Forest east of
Stanley. Containment was anticipated for Friday. The Lost Packer
complex on the forest was just creeping, having burned 680 acres.
It was not being actively fought.
The Deep fire burning near the Montana border and northwest of
Dubois was contained at 37,682 acres.
Two range fires burned about 4,000 acres in south-central Idaho.
The 1,500-acre Foothills blaze two miles south of Picabo was
contained last Sunday before it could damage several threatened
structures. The Timmerman fire scorched 2,500 acres and containment
was expected by Tuesday.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

[NJFFSA16]

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Tinder dry forest and rangeland conditions
have prompted fire managers to impose tighter restrictions on
nearly all public lands in southern Idaho this week.
Stage 2 fire restrictions will begin Friday, the Boise
Interagency Logistics Center announced on Monday.
The new rules will prohibit campfires at all locations,
including developed campsites, and will prohibit cigarette smoking
anywhere except within designated campsites, inside vehicles or
buildings or within a cleared space at least three feet wide.
Additionally, between 1 p.m. and 1 a.m., motorized vehicle use
off designated roads or trails will not be allowed; nor will the
use of chain saws or other engine-powered logging or timber
equipment.
"We are at record-setting dry conditions with no real relief in
sight," said Gail Baer, Fire Information officer for the
Salmon-Challis National Forest. "Given these conditions combined
with the extreme fire behavior on recent fires and the increase of
human caused fires, these restrictions are an important tool to
help reduce the chance of new ignitions."
The restrictions will effect the Boise and Payette national
forests, the Sawtooth National Forest north of Interstate 84, the
Salmon Challis National Forest west of Highway 93, along with
numerous southern Idaho lands managed by the Bureau of Land
Management and the State of Idaho.
Throughout the state, 17 wildfires were reported burning on more
than 80,000 acres Monday.
Highway 21, a major route between southwestern and eastern
Idaho, was reopened after the Canyon Creek forest fire forced its
closure a week before.
Departing firefighters also left the remote communities of Elk
City and Red River with a new plan to keep them safe should the
Slim's fire or future blazes race to their doorsteps.
Fire officials at the Boise National Forest hoped to contain the
5,475-acre Canyon Creek fire 20 miles northeast of Lowman by Aug.
28. Nearly 720 firefighters remained on the lines Monday, and had
the blaze 55 percent contained.
Highway 21 between Grandjean and Banner Creek was reopened, but
motorists should plan on waiting for a pilot car between 6 a.m. and
9 p.m. Traffic is open the rest of the day.
To the north on the Boise forest, crews continued efforts to
secure the north end of the 5,385-acre South Fork fire 25 miles
northeast of Cascade. The blaze was reported to be 60 percent
contained Monday evening. Idaho Power Co. is also working to
restore power to the community of Yellow Pine.
In north-central Idaho, U.S. Highway 12 was closed between Greer
and Kamiah. The Milepost 59 blaze was reportedly causing burning
trees and rocks to roll across the roadway.
The fire on state forestry land grew to 5,500 acres by Monday
and was 55 percent contained.
The closure on Highway 12 between Lolo, Mont., and Lowell by the
9,700-acre Beaver Lake complex has been lifted. The fire has
moderated with cooler temperatures and light rain.
The 12,250-acre Slim's fire complex on the Nez Perce National
Forest east of Grangeville grew after the Poet Branch fire
expanded. Fire information officer Mike Cody said the blaze was 20
percent contained, but a red flag warning was expected Tuesday,
along with high winds.
"We could be in for some trouble. We're going to tighten it up
and hope for the best," Cody said.
The departing California Interagency Incident Management Team
that has managed suppression on the Slim's complex presented plan
which concentrates on protecting structures and identifying
evacuation routes.
"All the information is transferable and durable, so we can use
that at any time," Nez Perce Forest Supervisor Bruce Bernhardt
said.
The document includes an assessment of fire danger and notes
where water pumps can be placed.
Each of the homes and buildings around Elk City and Red River
were entered into a global positioning system so any firefighting
team can pick up the plan and find them.
In eastern Idaho, residents evacuated from the Sunset Heights
subdivision near Salmon had the choice of going home as the
10,500-acre Withington fire on the Salmon-Challis forest retreated
to a less threatening position.
Authorities warned that further evacuations could be announced
at any time. But officials reopened U.S. Highway 93, the main
north-south road connecting Idaho to Montana.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)