JOSEPH, OR - The Freezeout Ridge Fire east of Joseph in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is now 3,525 acres and remains 0% contained. UPDATE from Incident Command: John Kidd’s Type 2 Incident Management Team took control of the Freezeout Ridge Fire last night at 9 o’clock. The majority of the fire is burning on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest but on the Idaho side of the Snake River. The northeastern portion of the fire has burned on to the Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forest. The team has set up a command post located southwest of New Meadows; the location offers close proximity to a large helibase from which multiple helicopters can operate. Due to the inaccessible nature of the fire area, helicopters will be the primary method used to deliver personnel and supplies to the fire. Fire activity was minimal yesterday. Local crews who have been monitoring the fire will be relieved by members of the Incident Management Team who will be assessing the current fire perimeter and looking for areas where firefighters can work safely. Within predetermined boundaries, the fire is being allowed to play its natural role in the wilderness under close observation. The primary concern of the team is to keep the public and the firefighters safe. A concentrated effort will be made to minimize the effects of fire on the Nez-Perce Clearwater National Forest, the Hells Canyon Recreation Area, and wildlife habitat – including that of salmon and steelhead – in the area. Firefighters have and will continue to limit the impacts to private property. The weather today will be very similar to yesterday. It will be the warmest and driest day of the upcoming week. By Wednesday, southwesterly flow is predicted to cause an increase in winds and relative humidity. Precipitation is possible by the weekend, though how much has yet to be determined. There is currently no area closure; however, several trails in the vicinity of the fire have been closed for the safety of the public and firefighters. Be sure to check current closures before entering the area as conditions can change rapidly near any fire.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 22:14:28 +0000
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