Idaho’s Minidoka Complex keeps scoopers busy

Beth Lund’s Type 1 team members and local officials met last night with community members at Howells Opera House in Oakley to discuss the Minidoka Complex. The Times-News reported that fielded questions included a discussion of restoring burned grazing allotments and the timeframe for lifting imposed evacuations.

Lund said the team is optimistic they can contain the fires within a couple days. She said the recent rains will help with suppression efforts. The Cave Canyon Fire, the largest in the complex, has grown by more than 34,000 acres in a day. She said it’s made repeated downhill runs at night.

Scott Nannenga with the Minidoka Ranger District told ranchers that burned grazing allotments will be rested, but that the fire’s effects will have longterm benefits. Other area officials told the crowd that plans are under way for post-fire rehab.

Lund said decisions are pending for the dates that evacuated residents can return to their homes. “We don’t want to let you back and then have to take you back out again,” she said.

The team reported last night that evacuations and extreme fire runs have prompted their requests for critical resources.

CL-215 on a run over Goose Creek Reservoir southwest of Oakley early afternoon on 08/11/2012.
One of Aero-Flite’s CL-215s on a run over Goose Creek Reservoir southwest of Oakley early afternoon on 08/11/2012. Photo © 2012 Jack Belk

Reservoirs both north and south of the fire were evaluated and approved for scooping runs by CL-215 aircraft, but that the lack of other ordered resources has resulted in fire growth in all directions. Containment objectives have been compromised by the lack of a Type 3 high performance helicopter.

CL-215 over Goose Creek Reservoir
One of Aero-Flite’s CL-215s on a run over Goose Creek Reservoir southwest of Oakley early afternoon on 08/11/2012. Photo © 2012 Jack Belk

The fires on the complex have burned with high intensity and have been extremely active, with running and torching in the conifer portions of the fires. Flamelengths have gone to 50 feet in some fuel types, with short-range spotting in all fuel types. Roads and natural barriers, fire managers said, can’t be relied upon to check the fire’s spread. The Cave Canyon Fire last night was at 80,012 acres, the Deer Hollow Fire was at 4,027 acres, the Eight Mile Fire was at 211 acres, and the Hot Well Fire was estimated at 8,056 acres.

Four CL-215s on the ramp at Kalispell 08/10/2012
Four CL-215s (two owned by Aero-Flite and two from the State of Minnesota operated by Aero-Flite) on the ramp 08/10 at Great Falls, Montana. The two Minnesota scoopers were headed for Moses Lake, and the Aero-Flite pair were en route to the Minidoka Complex. Photo © 2012 Tony Duprey

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