Ross Fork Fire Daily Update 

September 18, 2022

Fire Information: Email: 2022.rossfork@firenet.gov 
Phone: 208-329-6044 daily from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. 
Sawtooth National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest

YouTube:https://youtu.be/Ll7iJz55hnIInciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8375

Containment: 44%

Cause: Lightning

Acreage: 37,792 acres

Location: Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Fuel Type: Timber Litter/Timber/Short Grass

The Ross Fork Fire will continue downsizing resources today. As containment increases and fire behavior continues to be moderated by cool, wet weather, personnel and equipment will be released to assist with other wildfires. Helicopters will continue patrolling remote locations by air, as conditions allow. Structure protection measures will be evaluated by crews and if properties are no longer at risk, equipment will be broken down and prepared for use on other fires.

Forest closure orders have reduced in size and the public is allowed back into areas north of Cabin Creek and all public lands east of Highway 75, including Pole Creek. There will be extra traffic into and out of the area for the next few days and firefighters are still working along roadways, so please drive carefully.

Yesterday, brief rain, gusty winds and isolated hailstorms were reported on the fireline. A front coming into the area today will bring strong and gusty southern winds, mainly in the afternoon. Similar to Saturday, there is a chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Fire-weakened trees are a constant threat to firefighters, and the public, in recently burned areas. Please stay out of closed areas.

Crews will continue to evaluate and eliminate hazardous trees and snags and complete chipping operations along road systems near the fire’s edge. In addition, a Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is now at work. BAER teams are resource specialists who determine the need for emergency treatments to prevent more costly damage to public lands, infrastructure, or natural and cultural resources.

Near the Salmon River headwaters, the goal remains to keep the fire west of the Salmon River drainage. Yesterday, gusty winds prompted crews to withdraw from the edge of the fireline. They will return today and deepen containment lines if it is safe to do so.

Several areas, such as Jake's Gulch, still have burning hot spots and smoke will continue to be seen in those areas. Smoldering of heavy fuels, such as large logs and trees, will likely persist and finer fuels will continue to dry. Fire spread is possible in certain areas within the fire perimeter. Incident Commander Marty Adell reminds us, “this fire is not out yet.”

A new incident management team will take over the Ross Fork Fire on Tuesday, September 20 at 7:00 a.m.

STAGE 1 FIRE RESTRICTIONS: The US Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands implemented fire restrictions for the Sawtooth North Zone. Check https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices for new updates.

EVACUATIONS:  All areas that had evacuation warnings have been reduced to “READY” status. Any areas within the forest closure are not open to the public, unless private property can be accessed without using forest roads inside the closure. Visit https://www.blainesheriff.com/152/Sheriff for more information. 98ew0 for more information.

TOTAL FIRE RESOURCES ASSIGNED:

Personnel

507,

Hand Crews

13,

Engines

19,

Helicopters

4

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/Sawtooth and on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest