Springs Fire Update August 17 AM

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team- Bill Hahnenberg, Incident Commander     
Information Center: 384-3266
Hours of operation: 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
Email: springsfireinfo@gmail.com

August 17, 2012

8:00 am                      

Community Meeting:  A community meeting is scheduled for Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 10:00 am at the Incident Command Post (ICP) in Garden Valley.  The ICP is located off Banks Lowman Road west of the Garden Valley Public School.  Watch for signs that say Incident Base.  Plan to arrive between 9:30 and 10:00.

Current Situation:  Last night’s infrared flight shows that firefighters were successful in reducing the number of hotspots on the north flank.  A handheld infrared device will be used again today to assist firefighters with locating the remaining hotspots.  In addition to detecting where heat still exists, the handheld infrared device also provides them with GPS coordinates which makes it easier for crews to navigate to the areas of concern. 

Public Safety:    A Fuel and Fire Behavior Advisory has been issued for the Eastern Great Basin.  Very hot and dry weather has led to near record fire danger indices across the state of Idaho and western Wyoming.  Live and dead fuel moistures are very low.  Sagebrush values across southern Idaho are at least 50 percent below normal.  The public is reminded to be extremely careful when working and recreating outdoors.  With the dry conditions, even a small spark could potentially start a fire that can grow rapidly.

 Places to Get More Information:  An information station has been set up at the Terrace Lakes maintenance shop (across from the golf course).  The station is staffed with personnel providing fire and preparedness information.  In addition, information boards have been established at the Garden Valley Work Center (Forest Service), Crouch Market,  Garden Valley Post Office, and Terrace Lakes Club House.

 Evacuation Notification Line: 208-462-0552              Website: http://www.inciweb.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BoiseNFFires                     Photos:   http://photobucket.com/springsfire_public

              https://twitter.com/rmt1pio                                            http://photobucket.com/springsfire_greer

 Fire Statistics:

Location: 5 miles west of Garden Valley, ID                          Start Date: August 5, 2012    

Size:  6150 acres                                                                     Percent Contained: 75

Total Personnel: 645                                                              Cause:  Under Investigation

Resources Include: 5 Type 1 hand crews, 8 Type 2 hand crews, 29 engines, 8 dozers, 11 water tenders, and

                                  overhead personnel.

Air Resources: 1 Type 1 helicopter and 1 Type 3 helicopter. 

Three additional helicopters that are used for initial attack are currently being used to support the incident.  If there are new fire starts, these resources may be taken to help with initial attack.

 NOTE:  This will be the only update produced for the Springs Fire today.  Inciweb will be updated throughout the day.