Ross Fork Fire Daily Update
September 12, 2022

Fire Information: Email: 2022.rossfork@firenet.gov

Phone:208-329-6044 daily from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Sawtooth National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest

YouTube:https://youtu.be/Ll7iJz55hnIInciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8375

Containment: 13%

Cause: Lightning

 Acres: 37,233

Location: Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Fuel Type: Timber Litter/Timber/Short Grass

Containment of the Ross Fork Fire increased to 13 percent Sunday after firefighters worked for several days to secure portions of the fire line in the Highway 75 corridor near Smiley Creek. Fire managers are optimistic they will add to that containment percentage as resources shift south along the highway and move down Forest Road 215. Day and night shift resources continue to patrol and “mop up” hot spots along the perimeter. The Galena Lodge, as well as many other public and private structures, are being “prepped” in case the fire moves towards them. Prepping can include installing water sources, hoses, and sprinklers, as well as vegetation thinning.

A temperature inversion that had trapped smoke in the Stanley Valley lifted late Sunday afternoon. As expected, fire activity did pick up after the smoke cleared but helicopters were also able to fly in the clear air. Water buckets were dropped near Vienna Creek and the Headwaters of the Salmon River to decrease the fire’s intensity and slow its rate of spread. A drone incursion was reported at Smiley Creek Sunday and air operations had to briefly shut down as a result. Residents and travelers are reminded that there is a temporary flight restriction in place over the fire area and neither drones nor aircraft are permitted within that restricted area.

The Incident Meteorologist is predicting a good chance that moisture will begin moving into the area Tuesday afternoon with rain possible at times through the end of the week. Fire managers are hopeful the rain will arrive but will continue structure protection, fire suppression and planning to be ready in case the rain does not arrive.

The USDA Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands has initiated Stage 1 fire restrictions on the Sawtooth North Zone, effective Sunday, September 11. The full order, which encompasses lands north of Highway 20 to the northern most Sawtooth National Forest boundary situated in Blaine, Camas, and portions of Custer, Elmore, and Boise counties, can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1059189.pdf. Stage 1 fire restrictions apply to all state, state endowment, and private land in the North Zone that lie within the boundary of the Sawtooth National Forest.

TRAFFIC AND DRIVING CONDITIONS: Highway 75 has been open continuously for the past four days but still may be subject to intermittent safety closures. Updated road information is at https://511.idaho.gov/.

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: Closure order 0414-05-059 has been issued by the Sawtooth National Forest for areas surrounding the #RossForkFire on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area AND Fairfield Ranger District. Visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices, for more information.

AIR QUALITY: Wildfire smoke can be hazardous to your health. For more information, please visit: https://www.airnow.gov

EVACUATIONS: The Galena area is in “SET” evacuation status, meaning residents should be ready to leave on short notice. Pettit Lake Road, Cabin Creek Road, Smiley Creek, Sawtooth City and Alturas Lake remain in “GO” evacuation status, which means evacuate now. Updates from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office are at https://www.blainesheriff.com/152/Sheriff or on the Blaine County Sheriff Facebook page.

TOTAL FIRE RESOURCES ASSIGNED:

Personnel

712,

Hand Crews

14,

Engines

52,

Helicopters

9

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/Sawtooth and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest