Firefighters plan for more direct attack on Rock Fire
Contact Information: Mike Williamson 208-204-4484 michael.williamson@usda.gov
Firefighters continued working through the night to battle the lightning caused Rock Fire, located just south of Tamarack Resort. These efforts helped keep growth to a minimum, with an overnight infrared mapping flight showing the fire to be about 2,336 acres.
Today, firefighters will continue building containment lines directly against the fire’s edge and indirect lines to further improve defenses near communities and critical infrastructure. They will be supported by retardant dropping planes and helicopters when safe flying conditions allow. This fire is being fought with a full suppression strategy.
The fire has spotted up against the Tamarack Resort’s Bliss ski run, with crews aggressively working to keep it in check there.
The Boise and Payette National Forests have implemented a closure area for public and firefighter safety. Detailed closure orders can viewed on each forest’s website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/boise/alerts and https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/payette/alerts), and includes a single map with both closures shown for consistency and clarity. The only campground along Lake Cascade closed is Upper French Creek Campground, all other Forest Service campgrounds and boat ramps remain open. In addition, all Idaho Department of Parks campgrounds remain open.
The Valley County Sheriff’s Office has issued a ‘READY’ stage evacuation. For more information, follow their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ValleyCountyIDSheriff or call their office at 208-382-5160.
There are 252 firefighters and support staff on scene, including three Hotshot crews, three 20-person Initial Attack handcrews, two 10-person handcrews, 11 engines, and 2 dozers. Aircraft available today will include Large Air Tankers, a Very Large Air Airtanker, Water Scoopers, Single Engine Air Tankers and at least 4 helicopters.
A Complex Incident Management Team has been ordered to bring increased staffing and resources needed to support a large fire incident. They are arriving today and will be in-briefed this afternoon.
Follow the Boise National Forest’s Facebook page for updated information: https://www.facebook.com/BoiseNationalForest or call our Fire Information Line at 208-384-3266.
