Idaho fire in bug-killed timber burns 7,200 acres in an afternoon

Road closures are still in effect for the Halstead Fire in Idaho. The fire started on July 27 about 3 miles north of Stanley, and is burning in a rugged area of the Salmon-Challis National Forest.

MAFFS drop on Halstead Fire 08/29/2012
MAFFS drop on Halstead Fire 08/29/2012

The fire was active yesterday, gaining more than 7,200 acres in the afternoon. Smoke columns were visible from Challis as the fire rapidly burned through bug-killed trees in Pinyon Creek and Bernard Creek on the north part of the fire.

Heavy helicopter on the Halstead Fire
Heavy helicopter on the Halstead Fire

A small spot fire discovered Monday night, according to Bob Houseman’s IMT, made a 2,000-acre run and went from a low surface-burning fire to an extreme canopy fire that raced across the treetops as wind and topography aligned in the bug-killed timber. The IMT has noted extreme growth potential on this fire.

Fire crews and managers have been warned about the dangers of bug-killed timber stands moving quickly to crown fire behavior in the Northern Rockies.

Heads-up out there, eh?

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3 thoughts on “Idaho fire in bug-killed timber burns 7,200 acres in an afternoon”

  1. CWN may keep a company alive in the short term, BUT……………………….
    As a neighbor of the El Dorado N.F. which is “stripped out” of both air and ground assests I am concerned about the protection of my timber holdings. The only chance to intervene in a new fire is Cal Fire air tankers. The closest water dropping (T2) helicopter is 50 minutes away, if available. Of course there are no Federal air tankers within days. When the political brain trust of California eliminated the IMMEDIATE NEED for VLAT’s it signed a death certificate for tens of thousands of acres of natural resources and put the burden of extended suppression cost on the backs of the few California taxpayers who still pay taxes. Why hasn’t the dope growers stepping up “enough is enough” this years crop is only weeks away from harvest. These fires are without a doubt impacting the ability to supply and make a living!

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  2. Johnny, as of right now, 10 tanker Air Carriers 2 DC-10s, T910 & T911, are still only on CWN contracts.

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  3. That is an excellent photo of the MAFF spraying the bug trees. With new records for acres burned and burning as we approach Labor Day and more critical fire weather are there any of the VLAT’s on contract?

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