Day 8: Big Rock fire reaches over 50% containment; active fire activity decreased
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HEISE — Firefighters have made strides towards containment of the Big Rock Fire, achieving 54% containment as of Friday morning.
On Thursday, the U.S. Wildfire Service-Great Basin said the Big Rock fire had burned 2,149 acres. That has been reduced to 2,142 acres due to more accurate mapping. 260 personnel are working the fire, a reduction from Thursday’s 305.
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“An aggressive full-suppression strategy is in place for the Big Rock Fire to protect communities, structures, critical infrastructure, and other valuable resources at risk,” a release from USWFS states. “Operational decisions prioritize firefighter and public safety, selecting actions that maximize success while minimizing risk. To date, there have been no injuries to firefighters or the public on the Big Rock Fire, and no residences have been lost. The acreage has been reduced slightly because of more accurate mapping.”
Crews are working to achieve containment along the Heise and Kelly Canyon roads to re-establish public access to the area. On Thursday night containment reached 54%, with increases on the northeast flank of the fire and portions of Heise Road.
USWFS said overall fire activity had decreased, but heat and smoldering materials still remained throughout the burned area, with the occasional torching juniper tree.
“To call the line contained, crews grid the burned area looking for any heat, smoke or smoldering material, removing all heat above ground and below ground for over 100 feet inward from the perimeter. They use their bare hand to check for heat – called cold trailing – to determine that all heat is out of the burn,” the release explains.
Crews moved farther in from containment lines to search for hot spots, burning snags and burning root systems, supported by engine crews.
In addition, crews have reinforced and widened the containment lines on the hill north of Kelly Canyon. Crews are working to secure South Snake River Road and Heise Road.
“Firefighters also continued to focus on expanding the perimeters around the residences where smoldering fuels continue to threaten structures. As of (Friday) morning, none of the southern flank around the roads is contained,” the release states.
For Friday, firefighters plan to continue using aircraft, hand crews and engine crews to keep the fire within the established containment lines “and gain additional depth where opportunities exist,” the release states. Resources will be assigned to mitigate snag hazards to improve firefighter safety and strengthen containment lines.
Friday’s weather forecast is sunny with temperatures in the mid-90s and humidity down to 12%, USWFS says. Light winds will blow from the southeast this morning, switching to the west this afternoon. There is 0% chance of rain, and temperatures are expected to increase this weekend.
Evacuations
The roads in Cress Creek, Heise, Kelly Canyon, Stinking Springs, Wolf Flats and Table Rock remain closed. Officials ask that the public continue to avoid the area.
Area closures
Several closures remain in place to ensure the safety of the public and firefighters at the Big Rock Fire. You can reference the following websites for specific information:
- BLM-managed public lands in Idaho, Public Input & Actions page at Idaho | Bureau of Land Management
- Idaho Department of Lands Recent Wildfire Alerts here/
- Caribou-Targhee National Forest alerts here
“As of Aug. 5, the BLM’s closure for river camping at designated camp sites within the South Fork of the Snake River Canyon, from Conant Boat Access to Byington Boat Access, has been lifted,” the release states. “The BLM closures for camping at Kelly Island Campground, Wolf Flats, Warm Springs, and all dispersed sites along the River Road remain in effect. Area closures related to Cress Creek Nature Trail and Stinking Springs trail, and all other hiking and biking trails in the Kelly Canyon and Heise areas remain in effect.”