Out of State News: Thousands Ordered to Flee Idaho Fire - Forbes.com
Forbes.com: BOISE, Idaho -
A mandatory evacuation was ordered Saturday for residents of more than 1,000 homes south of Ketchum, where a massive wildfire raged and high winds grounded firefighting air tankers.
After three days of relative calm, the 39-square-mile fire was 38 percent contained, but embers blew ahead of the blaze and increased the threat of spot fires, fire spokesman Bob Beanblossom said.
"At this point in the mandatory evacuation, we're giving people the opportunity to get out during the daylight and to keep the highways clear for emergency response vehicles," said Kim Rogers, public information officer with the city of Ketchum.
Another 100 homes remained under a mandatory evacuation order from last weekend, including some worth millions of dollars in the resort area of central Idaho. A shelter was set up at a former high school in the town of Hailey, said Dick Rush, CEO of the American Red Cross for Idaho.
No structures had been reported lost to the lightning-sparked blaze, although winds were gusting to 25 mph, Beanblossom said.
Inciweb: - IDAHO : Castle Rock Wildland Fire - 25,960 acres - 38%
Castle Rock Wildland Fire
MANDATORY EVACUATION
MANDATORY EVACUATION
Mandatory Evacuation Press Release
- August 25, 2007 at 7:20pm
Incident: Castle Rock
Released: 6 hrs. ago
Castle Rock Fire Status Update -
MANDATORY EVACUATION -
Due to the heavy wind conditions and high possibilities for spot fires later this evening, County officials, in conjunction with the Forest Service, are issuing a mandatory evacuation order for all residents north of Ohio Gulch to the bridge at St. Lukes Hospital - both east and west sides of Highway 75. This is a mandatory evacuation because this is the prudent thing to do under current weather conditions. Residents will see fire apparatus in their neighborhoods to provide structure protection. This mandatory evacuation area includes the following neighborhoods:
- Heatherlands
- Sundance
- All of East Fork
- Greenhorn Gulch
- Golden Eagle
- Gimlet
- Starweather
- Meadows Mobile Home Park
- Clear Creek Canyon
- Clear Creek Light Industrial
- Cold Springs
- McHanville
- Broadway Run
- Timber Gulch
- River's Edge
- Audubon Road
- Gypsy Trailer Park
- Sun Hollow
Residents in these neighborhoods are required to evacuate as soon as possible. Please drive south to Hailey. The Red Cross is operating a shelter at the Community Campus (the location of the old high school at 1050 Fox Acres Road).
This is a very fluid situation. All Blaine County residents should check the website frequently tonight for updates on evacuations and the fire status.
For complete fire information check out the Forest Service web site at www.inciweb.org/incident/952/.
Current information is available at:
- Message and Notice board located at Ketchum City Hall
- Fire updates- www.blainecounty.org and www.inciweb.org/incident/952/.
- Health updates- www.stlukesonline.org
- Fire prevention information- www.bcfirewise.com
- General information-208-726-7811
Summary
Todays observed fire behavior
Fire activity increased significantly with crown runs and spotting. The fire pushed to the southeast up towards Mahoney Butte. Fire on the northwest corner was pushing to the west of Fox Peak and backing to the west. Several interior pockets of fuel burned.
Significant events today
A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all residences north of Ohio Gulch to the bridge at St. Lukes Hospital, both east and west sides of Highway 75. A spot fire established on Mahoney Butte along with multiple spot fires in Cow Creek Drainage and Limekiln Gulch. Strong west winds pushed the southerly portion of the fire toward the west. Spotting occurred up to 2 miles ahead of the main fire. Crews patrolled, held line and mopped up on the northeast perimeter along Big Wood River.
Actions planned for the night of August 25
Crews to continue direct and indirect line construction, burnout where necessary in small pockets and scout for potential line to the east. Crews to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets, and scout for holding fire from moving to the north. North along Big Wood River, and across the north perimeter crews to continue to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets and mop-up.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildland Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | 08/16/2007 at 1612 hrs. |
| Location | 3 miles West of Ketchum, Idaho |
| Incident Commander | Jeanne Pincha - Tulley |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 1,401 |
|---|---|
| Size | 25,960 acres |
| Percent Contained | 38% |
| Fuels Involved | Heavy timber with a lot of dead standing and down, brush, grass and aspen stands. Sagebrush and grass on south-facing slopes. Douglas fir and subalpine fir on north facing slopes. Rolling terrain with discontinous timber on both north and south slopes. |
| Fire Behavior | Fire activity increased significantly with crown runs and spotting. The fire pushed to the southeast up towards Mahoney Butte. Fire on the northwest corner was pushing to the west of Fox Peak and backing to the west. Several interior pockets of fuel burned. |
| Significant Events | A mandatory evacuation order is in effect for all residences north of Ohio Gulch to the bridge at St. Lukes Hospital, both east and west sides of Highway 75. A spot fire established on Mahoney Butte along with multiple spot fires in Cow Creek Drainage and Limekiln Gulch. Strong west winds pushed the southerly portion of the fire toward the west. Spotting occurred up to 2 miles ahead of the main fire. Crews patrolled, held line and mopped up on the northeast perimeter along Big Wood River. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Crews to continue direct and indirect line construction, burnout where necessary in small pockets and scout for potential line to the east. Crews to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets, and scout for holding fire from moving to the north. North along Big Wood River, and across the north perimeter crews to continue to hold line, burnout where necessary in small pockets and mop-up. |
|---|---|
| Projected Movement | Evening of August 25: Up to 1.5 miles to the northeast towards Bald Mountain and 1.5 miles to the east towards Greenhorn Gulch. |
| Growth Potential | Extreme |
| Terrain Difficulty | Extreme |
| Remarks | Increase in structures threatened is due to mandatory evacuations of Greenhorn Gulch, Golden Eagle, Clear Creek, Heatherlands, Sundance, East Fork, Gimlet, Starweather, Meadows Mobile Home Park, Clear Creek Light Industrial, Cold Springs, McHanville, Broadway Run, Timber Gulch, River's edge, Audubon Road, Gypsy Trailer Park and Sun Hollow. Tomorrow morning another significant wind event is expected. Resources responded to a possible new start on the forest north of Ketchum; Crews were unable to locate. |
Weather
| Current Wind Conditions | Not available |
|---|---|
| Current Temperature | Not available |
| Current Humidity | Not available |
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