McCall Idaho News and Events

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Us Forest Service - Payette National Forest
Date: 8/7/08
Contact: Laura Pramuk (208) 634-0784 cell: (208) 634-6945

The Rush Creek Fire is currently 1435 acres. The fire is located in the Rush Creek drainage, eight miles east of Monumental Ranch and six air miles southwest of Taylor Ranch. Detected on July 15, the cause of the fire was initially unknown, but has since been determined to be lightning caused. During the last 60 days approximately 168 lightening strikes have been recorded in the area. In light of this finding, a fire resource benefit objective is being added to the point protection strategy currently in place for the management of this fire.

Fire plays a critical role in wildlands by recycling nutrients, regenerating plants and by reducing high concentrations of fuels while benefiting wilderness character. Objectives for the Rush Creek Fire are to:

• Permit lightning caused fire to play, as nearly as possible, their natural ecological role.
• Reduce to an acceptable level, the risks and consequences of wildfire by allowing fire to reduce fuel levels towards more natural conditions.
• Maintain wilderness ethics and values to the greatest extent possible.

Fire managers will continue to monitor the fire closely via periodic over-flights. Fire modeling programs based upon infrared flights and other tools to project the fire's movement are also being utilized. These flights and modeling activities will allow them to keep a close eye on potential threats, as well as the fire’s rate of spread, weather and topography. No communities, structures, or other values at risk are immediately threatened by the fire at this time. Fire officials will continue to employ point protection tactics where structures and other values are threatened. These objectives will allow fire to continue an ecological role on the landscape while providing for public safety, protection of structures, and other values at risk.

Backcountry travelers are advised to check in with the local Ranger District for updated fire status and conditions.

Editor’s note: The Rush Creek and Cabin Creek Fires are now on Inciweb including maps and photos of the fire.