#BeaverCreekFire update: -- Good Progress on All Fronts Lower Temperatures and Higher Humidity on the Way On Zone 1 today, crews made good progress north of Dollarhide Mountain where approximately 500 acres burned into the East Fork drainage of Big Peak Creek. An additional crew was scheduled to be delivered to that section of fireline Monday via helicopter; however, personnel transport was hindered by mechanical issues with the helicopters. Food and other supplies from the Incident Command Post in Fairfield are being delivered either by vehicle or helicopter to firefighters camping in remote locations. Incident Commander John Kidd praised the crews – many of whom have come directly from other fires – for their excellent safety record while working in very challenging terrain. Rehabilitation of fire suppression actions began on the southernmost portion of the fire between Beaver Creek and Willow Creek. Crews are extinguishing hotspots within 100 feet of the containment lines in the areas of Lightning Creek and Wine Creek to reduce the threat of additional fire spread. On Zone 2 moderate fire behavior and hard work by fire fighters on the ground, air resources, local cooperators and support personnel, fire managers reported good progress across all areas of the Beaver Creek Fire Monday. Hotshot crews have been directly attacking the fire in Timber Gulch between Ketchum and Hailey. At the same time other crews have been strengthening a bulldozer line which runs from near Highway 75 to the top of the Bald Mountain Ski area. Large “Type 1” helicopters were used again today to place fire retardant along the bulldozer line. These important actions, and others, are being taken to prevent the fire’s further spread toward Ketchum and Sun Valley,from the south. A variety of aircraft, including a DC-10, were used on the southern portion of the fire to attack trouble spots in the Wolftone Creek area west of Hailey and north of the Croy Creek Road. Others worked the base of Carbonate Mountain to prevent any fire rolling off the steep face, which could threaten the town of Hailey. Meanwhile, hand crews and aircraft were working difficult terrain near Dollarhide Summit. There was little movement of the fire northwest of Ketchum in the Baker Creek area. That is allowing fire fighters to prepare plans and strategies which may prevent the fire from reaching the many homes which line the Highway 75 corridor, north of Ketchum. “We got some great work done out there today” says Operations Chief Jeff Surber. As a result of that work, the Blaine County Sheriff was able to lift mandatory evacuations in some areas today. The fire does, however, still pose a serious threat and all area residents should remain vigilant. Current evacuation information can also be found at blainesheriff. The fire’s meteorologists are predicting that we will see somewhat lower temperatures and higher humidity beginning Tuesday afternoon, which should moderate the fire’s behavior. At the same time the increasing possibility of thunderstorms late Tuesday and Wednesday, can produce erratic and gusty winds, which can lead to extreme fire behavior. An estimated 300 people attended a public meeting in Hailey Monday night to get a fire update. The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in Sun Valley, at the Sun Valley Lodge. Details about the fire are available at inciweb.org/incident/3635/. Residents can register for the Everbridge emergency alert system at BlaineCounty.org by clicking on the Emergency Alert Program tab on the left hand side of the page. Fire information lines are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at 877-647-0663, 877-711-1333 and 877-640-3904.
Posted on: Tue, 20 Aug 2013 09:28:35 +0000
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