Crews make aggressive attack on Pioneer Fire
Dozer line is pictured along the end of Slippery Slope Road. The line is part of an aggressive attack on the Pioneer Fire which has burned 358 acres near Priest River.
(Photo courtesy IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS)
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PRIEST RIVER — More resources are being thrown at the Pioneer Fire near Priest River as part of an aggressive attack on the wildfire.
More than 140 personnel are now assigned to the fire, which grew to 358 acres by Saturday morning, according to Caroline McGough, North Idaho Type 3 IMT public information officer.
The Type 3 incident management team took over management of the fire early Saturday morning.
Crews are attacking the fire with everything from dozers and engines to hand crews and aerial support as needed, McGough said. A total of 146 personnel are assigned to the fire, including two 20-person hand crews, 12 engines and six water tenders as well as a heavy equipment boss, four dozers, two skidders, 11 jumpers and a felling module.
Additional aerial support can be called in if needed, including two Black Hawk helicopters and a pair of scoopers.
On the south end of the fire, McGough said crews are installing a hose lay and monitoring the fireline. On the east flank of the fire, crews are continuing their direct attack with the heavy equipment and the hand crews as well as working to protect structures in nearby communities.
As part of that effort, crews are working to remove brush and other fuels that could ignite homes. And, when necessary, they are initiating burn outs to safeguard homes, she said.
In addition to structure protection, suppression activities include hose lay and sprinkler systems in the wildland urban interface areas.
Located 2 miles north of Priest River, the fire is burning in steep terrain comprised of light logging slash and mixed conifer timber. Light to moderate amounts of dead fine fuels and logging slash will likely contribute to surface fire spread, fire officials said on InciWeb, an incident management clearinghouse website.
Active group torching with uphill runs and spotting of the fire also are expected.
"[This is a] terrain and fuel driven fire," officials said on InciWeb. "Active surface fire with group tree torching and short range spotting.
In the coming days, crews are expected to continue construction of suppression lines and to scout for potential suppression containment opportunities. Night crews will also monitor and secure suppression lines around residences near the fire.
An excessive heat warning has blanketed the area the past several days, allowing for continued growth of the fire, McGough said. Afternoon winds are expected to increase fire behavior as well as the potential for spotting.
The 31 homes evacuated Thursday remain under evacuation orders. While currently no structures have been lost or damaged, McGough said fire officials are advising people who are not part of fire suppression efforts to stay away from the area.
Areas evacuated near the fire include the Slippery Slope Trail, Skunk Cabbage, Saddler Creek, Bodie Canyon, and Kacy Bear Lane areas. Areas advised to get "set" to evacuate include Whiski, West Whiski, Moose Crossing, Stone Johnny, and Cuban Creek roads, and USFS 984. Areas advised to get "ready" to evacuate" are Pup Paw and Beaver Pond trails, Sno-tika Road, and Bear Paw Road (up to and including Snow Valley Road).
Evacuation orders are given a "ready," "set" and "go" designation to give residents a clear breakdown of the threat level and the steps they should take under each.
"Ready" indicates people should be aware of the threat and to create a plan. "Set" indicates they should be aware the threat is growing and to begin implementation of their plan. Under "go," the threat is considered imminent and residents should evacuate.