By Phil Davidscon
Idaho Falls Post Register (Idaho)
Copyright 2006 The Post Register
All Rights Reserved
Fire officials have quit fighting a cluster of fires near Challis, but they are monitoring the situation closely.
The fires, which are known as the Middle Fork Complex, have charred more than 4,000 acres in the Salmon-Challis National Forest, about 30 miles west of Challis.
The complex is being allowed to burn because it’s tearing through a remote area. Letting it burn also reduces the fuel available for future fires, said Jean Schaeppi, a spokeswoman for the National Park Service. Suppression efforts will reconvene if necessary, she said.
One of the fires in the complex, the Trail Creek Fire, threatens the Loon Creek Guard Station and Diamond D Ranch north of Stanley, but crews are setting burnout fires in hopes that the fire will burn itself out.
The lightning-caused Trail Creek Fire, which erupted Aug. 9, has burned 2,350 acres. Lightning also caused a 3.5-acre fire about 12 miles northeast of Shelley on Tuesday.
The Hells Fire, in the lava flow area, is being contained by 14 firefighters who hiked into the area.
Here’s a look at other fires burning in the area:
Magpie Fire in Yellowstone National Park
Origin: July 17, by lightning
Location: seven miles east of Madison Junction
Size: 1,815 acres
Resources: seven personnel, a helitack crew and a helicopter
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: Nearby hiking trails
Notes: The fire is being monitored on the ground, from lookout towers and by flyovers. The fire poses no threat to park visitors.
Jim Creek Fire in Bridger-Teton National Forest
Origin: June 26, by lightning
Location: 24 miles north of Pinedale, Wyo.
Size: 2,050 acres
Resources: 12 personnel
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: Jim Creek drainage starting at Forest Road 710
Notes: Fire activity is increasing on the south end of the fire with intermittent torching of trees. Minimal resources continue to monitor the fire, as it has not grown and is not threatening private property or facilities.
Potato Fire in Salmon-Challis National Forest
Origin: July 27, by lightning
Location: seven miles north of Stanley
Size: 18,363 acres
Resources: 690 personnel, 18 crews, seven helicopters, 12 engines, eight water tenders and two dozers
Containment: 60 percent
Closures: Yankee Fork Road is closed between Sunbeam on Highway 75 to the intersection of Jordan Creek Road. Only people owning property in the area are being allowed access. Portions of Basin Creek and Hardin Creek roads, and Basin Creek and Sawmill are closed, too.
Notes: The road and trail closures will be re-evaluated on a daily basis and reopened when the fire danger diminishes. Crews are continuing operations to strengthen containment lines in this area. Containment is expected Aug. 28.
Boundary Fire in Salmon-Challis National Forest
Origin: Aug. 7, by lightning
Location: 14 miles southeast of Landmark, two miles south of the Boundary Creek launch site on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
Size: 1,175 acres
Resources: 85 personnel
Containment: 10 percent
Closures: Boundary Creek Road is closed from Poker Meadows to the Middle Fork boat launch site and to Dagger Falls. Also, the area between Boundary Creek Road and the Beaver Creek and Seafoam roads to the east are closed. The Soldier Lakes area is also closed.
Notes: Steep, dense terrain is hampering relief efforts. A mine, cultural resources and fisheries are threatened.
Trail Creek Fire in Salmon-Challis National Forest
Origin: Aug. 9, by lightning
Location: 21 miles north of Stanley
Size: 2,350 acres
Resources: 94 personnel
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: The Beaver Creek Road - No. 008 and No. 172 - is closed between Cape Horn on Highway 21 to Feltham Creek Point, where the road meets the area closure for the Potato and Trail Creek fires.
Notes: The Loon Creek Guard Station and Diamond D Ranch are threatened. Burnout operations continued around the guard station and ranch Wednesday.
Hells Fire
Origin: Wednesday, by lightning
Location: 12 miles northeast of Shelley
Size: 3.5 acres
Resources: 14 firefighters
Containment: 0 percent
Closures: None