Fire expodes out of control near Atlanta

Wednesday, July 30, 2003
Helicopters pick up water for delivery to the Hot Creek fire line.

The Hot Creek Fire near Atlanta exploded last week from a small hot spot to more than 20,000 acres at press time Tuesday, with no end in sight.

Fire officials said that "extreme and erratic fire behavior will likely persist for the foreseeable future."

The fire was sparked by lightening on June 19 and at first fire officials anticipated quickly controlling the small 20-acre fire. But last Tuesday night it exploded in a firestorm of flame to 4,000 acres overnight. Firestorms, in which hurricane-force winds swirl inside the fire, create their own weather, sending plumes of hot gases, smoke and particulate matter thousands of feet into the air.

"When you get a firestorm, pretty much you just get out of the way," said Arnold Hartigan, a forest service information officer. "It's extremely dangerous." The fire's smoke plume could be seen in Boise last week.

A Type I Incident Management Team, a highly experienced national team, was sent in last Wednesday when the fire had climbed to 10,600 acres.

The fire was only 15 percent contained by Tuesday morning and fire officials were not predicting when they would have the blaze under control, although cooler temperatures and some moisture over the weekend were helping.

Firefighting efforts were aided by rain received during Saturday evening's thunderstorm, which moderated fire behavior, but fuels dried out as temperatures warmed again Monday afternoon, but there was minimal fire growth.

Temperatures were expected to climb along with falling humidity this week, and fire activity is predicted to increase.

Treasure Valley and Idaho mountain residents may again experience smoky conditions, and people with chronic respiratory problems or heart disease, and the young or elderly need to be especially careful.

At one point, the fire had burned to within about three miles of Atlanta, disrupting phone communications when a repeater station was engulfed in the blaze, but the main danger has now moved to six to seven miles away from the community. Fire officials have held two town hall meetings with residents of the remote historic mountain community of about 30-40 people to explain the status of the fire. Nevertheless, over 70 firefighters are working on structure protection in the community of Atlanta by reducing fuel and creating defensible space around buildings in the area.

A total of 687 people, consisting of twenty-two 20-person crews, seven helicopters, 14 engines, four water tenders and 114 overhead and support personnel, are now working the fire, which has left the valley filled with haze.

A brief stand down took place Monday morning to reflect on the hazards of fighting fire, to review safety procedures and to honor the recent losses of firefighter and helicopter personnel fighting fires in eastern Idaho.

Good progress was made on the west flank of the fire Monday, officials reported.  Crews built a fireline from James Creek Road to tie in with the area previously burned in the 2000 Trail Creek Burn.  The move was considered an important objective to keep the fire from moving in a southerly direction and work continues to fully secure the area.  

Hotspot suppression was continuing but fire officials said that the new fire line diminished the potential for fire to spread. 

Crews also constructed three new helispots to facilitate shuttling crews to the line this week. Heavy fuels remain on the steep and rugged east side of the fire, and burnout operations may be used later in the week to fight the fire there.

The Incident Commander, Tim Sexton, said he was pleased with the progress of his crews so far.

Work was continuing on the North side of the fire. 

Extremely steep, rugged and roadless terrain makes reaching the fire difficult. Combined with five years of below average precipitation, low runoff in streams, record high temperatures in much of the region, and the lack of moisture that has increased tree and shrub mortality and invited insect infestations that contribute additional fuel has made the area's fire situation extremely dangerous.

Monday the Incident Command Post (ICP) was moved from Lykow Flat near Idaho City to Atlanta.

Residents, tourist and campers in the Atlanta area were unable to leave for several days due to dangerous fire behavior along the roads.

Last Thursday fire crews escorted a number of campers, tourists and residents from the area, driving them them along the still smoldering Middle Fork Road to safety.

The Boise National Forest Supervisor has issued road closures on several roads in the fire vicinity  and all other access points are being controlled to limit anyone trying to get into the area. Many of the roads are being used heavily by firefighters bringing in equipment and supplies. James Creek Road opened to fire personnel (only) on Saturday. The following roads currently are closed to public use: 

· Middle Fork Boise River road (Forest road 268), from its junction with the Phifer Creek road (Forest road 156) and the Swanholm Creek road (Forest road 327), east to the community of Atlanta;

· James Creek road (Forest road 126) from its junction with Forest road 100 (north of Rocky Bar) northeast to its intersection with the Middle Fork Boise River road;

· Phifer Creek road (Forest road 156) from its junction with Forest road 129 near the summit north to its intersection with the Middle Fork Boise River road.

Violations of the order are punishable by a fine of up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, and/or imprisonment for not more than six months. Only emergency service personnel and those who own property in the area are being allowed in.

Fire officials Monday were putting together a contingency plan to evacuate Featherville if the fire comes over the ridge and down the canyon. But the fire has not crossed into that drainage, yet, and officials said there was no current threat to the community or need to activite the plan that was being developed "just in case."

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