Day 10: Big Rock Fire 72% contained, but hot spots remain near Heise
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HEISE – The Big Rock Fire near Heise is now 72% contained as firefighters continue the 10th day of fire operations.
The 2,142-acre blaze started on July 31 after a lightning strike caused a brush fire in the foothills north of Kelly Canyon Road and east of Heise.
RELATED | Day 1: Evacuation order still in effect for Big Rock Fire; more residents told to standby
In the fire’s early stages, hundreds of homes were threatened. An evacuation order was in place and road closures were implemented. Some closures are still in effect for areas in close proximity, including Heise Road east of 7N Ranch, along with Kelly Canyon, and River Road east of Kelly Canyon and west of the Heise Bridge.
“The U.S. Bureau of Land Management closures for camping at Kelly Island Campground, Wolf Flats, Warm Springs, and all dispersed sites along the River Road remain in effect through Sunday, August 16,” fire officials says in a Sunday morning news release. “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.”
Jefferson County is lifting the road closure near Heise Bridge and east of the 7N Ranch RV park.
RELATED | Day 7: Big Rock Fire’s official cause released as it continues to burn near Heise
Although fire activity was minimal on Saturday, heat and smoldering areas remained throughout the burned area. Crews worked to “secure the South Snake River Road and Heise Road, pushing further uphill to remove hazard snags, eliminate heat, and extinguish hotspots.”
They also worked to expand the perimeter around threatened homes and mop up hot spots.
“Crews have reinforced and widened the lines on the hills north of Kelly Canyon, Little Kelly, and 7N Ranch using a masticator (large spinning blade mounted on an excavator’s arm) to mow brush and small trees up to 7 inches in diameter along the roadsides and dozer lines, clearing dense vegetation to create better fuel breaks in the aspen and conifers on the northeastern part of the perimeter,” the news release says.
On Sunday, crews are planning to continue working towards full containment. Fire officials say there are still hot spots and “occasional active fire” activity between the Heise Bridge and Cress Creek, and on the state endowment lands on the northeast flank.
About 130 firefighters are on scene, as of Sunday at 8:30 a.m. The U.S. Forest Service and Idaho Dept. of Lands are the primary agencies, as well as local Fire Departments, sheriff’s offices, and Emergency Management. Fire operations will transition back to the local unit on Monday.
The Big Rock Fire is one of four active wildfires in eastern Idaho Sunday, according to the Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center. The human-caused 150-acre Byrne Side Fire, which started Wednesday night near Rexburg in close proximity to the Big Rock Fire, was fully contained on Thursday afternoon.
RELATED | Byrne Side Fire, sparked by railroad repair work, now fully contained, officials say
Fire danger remains very high Sunday as dry conditions and temperatures in the upper 90s permeate the Snake River Valley. Open burning restrictions are also in place for most of the state.
“With near-critical to critical fire weather conditions present across most of Eastern Idaho today and tomorrow, take a few moments to remind yourselves how you can help prevent starting any new wildfires,” the National Weather Service in Pocatello posted on Facebook Sunday morning. “Don’t park over tall, dry grasses, don’t toss cigarettes on the ground, know what kind of burn bans and fire restrictions are in place wherever you are — and if you are allowed to still have campfires, make sure to keep water nearby, never leave it unattended, and douse it fully out so it is cool to the touch afterwards.”
For the latest conditions and a complete seven-day forecast in your community, click here.
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