Ross Fork Fire Daily Update September 8, 2022

Fire Information: Email: 2022.rossfork@firenet.gov    Phone: 208-329-6044 daily from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. 
Sawtooth National Forest Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sawtoothnationalforest
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8375

Containment: 2%

Cause: Lightning

 Acreage: 28,874 Acres

Location: Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho

Fuel Type: Timber Litter/Timber/Short Grass

Another red flag warning is in effect today, which could result in more extreme fire behavior. Wednesday’s fire activity forced the closure of Highway 75 (between mile markers 146 to 172) because of the fire’s proximity to the road and heavy smoke. The fire was very active near Alturas Lake and in the Smiley and Beaver Creek drainages. There are no reports currently of additional structures lost, but fire activity was so intense in some areas that firefighters had to withdraw to their safety zones. There was one small spot fire north of the road to Alturas Lake near Perkins but firefighters, with the help of helicopters dropping water, were able to contain it. With gusts over 25 mph predicted today, embers could spot ahead of the main fire at distances up to 4500 feet.

Additional firefighting resources continue to arrive to support suppression efforts. However, with numerous large fires in the region, not all requested resources are available. Ten helicopters as well as four scooper planes have been flying as often as conditions permit and will be available again today. Firefighters will continue to directly engage the fire when and where it is safe to do so. Deputy Incident Commander Sam Hicks says, “We will continue to work in the right place, at the right time, giving us the most opportunity for success. We understand the importance of the Highway 75 corridor to the residents of this area and we will work to keep it open, when it is safe for both firefighters and the public to do so.”

TRAFFIC AND DRIVING CONDITIONS: HWY 75 may be closed intermittently for public and firefighter safety. The latest updates on road closures can be found at https://511.idaho.gov/

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS: Closure order 0414-05-059 has been issued by the Sawtooth National Forest for the areas surrounding the #RossForkFire on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area AND Fairfield Ranger District to protect public safety and natural resources on roads and trails. For more information, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/sawtooth/alerts-notices.

EVACUATIONS: The Blaine County Sheriff has placed Petitt Lake Road, Cabin Creek Road, Smiley Creek, Sawtooth City and Alturas Lake in a “GO” evacuation status, which means evacuate now. Updates from the Blaine County Sheriff’s Office can be found at https://www.blainesheriff.com/152/Sheriff or on the Blaine County Sheriff Facebook page. The fire remains very active and all residents in proximity of the fire should follow local emergency information sources and be prepared to evacuate, if asked to do so. 

TOTAL FIRE RESOURCES ASSIGNED:

Personnel

493, 

Hand Crews

11, 

Engines

30, 

Helicopters

10

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