Ross Fork Fire Daily Update, September 7, 2022

Fire Information: Email: 2022.rossfork@firenet.gov Phone: 208-329-6044 daily from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

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

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8375

Containment: 2%

Cause: Lightning

Acreage: 28,874

Location: Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Fuel type: Timber Litter/Timber/Short Grass

A community meeting will be held for the Ross Fork Fire at the Stanley Ranger Station, on Wednesday, September 7 at 6:00 p.m. 442 Ranger Station Rd., Stanley, ID 83278. If you would like to attend virtually, please use the following Zoom link:

https://www.zoomgov.com/j/1608517516?pwd=OTU4NGxxd1l2dDdUdDNSZGZYdWc5Zz09     No password is required.

The fire grew over 4000 acres in the past 24 hours as measured by an infrared mapping flight overnight. The fire is 2% contained, and that number is lower because of the growth in the size of the overall perimeter. A red flag warning has been issued today, this could result in extreme and erratic fire behavior due to strong winds, high temperatures and very dry fuel conditions. Today, firefighters will continue to protect structures in the Smiley Creek subdivision as well as prepare firelines across the area to protect homes, campgrounds and other structures and to increase containment where possible. Yesterday the fire did jump across Highway 75 south of Smiley Creek but the wind died down and firefighters, with the help of aircraft, worked to contain this 800 acre “spot” fire. They will be working today to secure that area and prevent further spread in that area.

At 6:00 a.m. this morning, Great Basin Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the firefighting efforts. The Type 3 team which had been managing the fire will continue to assist the new team. “Firefighting resources are at a premium across the region because of multiple large fires,” says Great Basin Incident Commander Marty Adell. “We appreciate the strong work from the many cooperating local agencies and the Type 3 team and, with their help, we will continue the work to protect this valuable national resource and the private properties around it.”

TRAFFIC AND SMOKE CONDITIONS: Highway 75 reopened last night but please be aware that conditions can change rapidly. Heavy smoke may also be an issue across the area. The latest updates on road closures can be found at https://511.idaho.gov/ Information on smoke conditions is at airnow.gov

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: Closure order 0414-05-059 has been issued by the Sawtooth National Forest for the areas surrounding the #RossForkFire on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area AND Fairfield Ranger District to protect public safety and natural resources on roads and trails. For more information, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1058641.pdf.

EVACUATIONS: The Blaine County Sheriff has placed Smiley Creek, Sawtooth City and Alturas Lake in a “GO” evacuation status, which means evacuate now. The latest updates from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office can be found at https://www.blainesheriff.com/152/Sheriff. The fire remains very active and all residents in proximity of the fire should follow local emergency information sources and be prepared to evacuate, if asked to do so. 

TOTAL FIRE RESOURCES ASSIGNED:
 

Personnel

366
 

Hand Crews

7
 

Engines

23
 

Helicopters

10

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/Sawtooth and on Facebook at: #RossForkFire