Saturday, July 21, 2007, 9:30 a.m.
Contact: (775) 748-4141 or (775) 748-4000, 753-0386
Elko County Fires, Update #12
NORTHEASTERN NEVADA FIRES CONTINUE TO BURN
- Area Closure Order: All areas, roads and trails on the portion of the Jarbidge Ranger District that are north of the northern Jarbidge Wilderness area boundary and east from the town of Jarbidge including Jarbidge Canyon and all of the Elk Mountain area on the Jarbidge Ranger District, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest are now closed to public entry.
- Jarbidge Evacuation Remains in Effect.
The Red House Complex is approximately 72,500 acres. A Type I Incident Management Team (Molumby) assumed command of the fire complex this morning. Included in the Complex are the Red House Fire (40,000 acres and 20% contained) about 15 miles west of Elko; the Marge Fire (9,023 acres) is about 10 miles west of Elko and south of the I-80 Hunter Exit; and the Boo Hoo Fire (23,500 acres) is about 20 miles south of Elko both. Both the Marge and Boo Hoo Fires are lined and fire fighters are working today to strengthen the fire lines. Structure protection is in effect for two ranches. Fire fighters are continuing efforts to hold the fire east of Maggie Creek.
The 47,857 acre Hepworth Complex consists of the Hepworth Fire (40,283 acres) approximately 10 miles northwest of Wells, Nevada and the Stevens Fire (approximately 7,574 acres) about 20 miles west of Wells. The Complex is estimated at 75% contained. Firefighters made good progress yesterday despite wind gusts up to 40 mph.
The Winecup Complex has burned 59,578 acres and is estimated at 20% contained. The Complex contains the following, actively large fires: HD Summit Fire (9,769 acres and 97% contained) about 20 miles northeast of Wells; the West Fork Fire (27,475 acres and 20% contained); the Cedar Fire is approximately 100 acres (0% contained); and the Scott Creek Fire (20,565 acres and 20% contained) burning 12 miles west of Jackpot. With ranchers help, firefighters and dozers continued to construct line on the West Fork Fire, completing an evening burnout operation. The Dairy Valley Fire in Utah, is expected to burn into the West Fork Fire today or tomorrow, prohibiting safe entry and work on the east side of the West Fork Fire.
The Mendive Fire is approximately 3,000 acres and is 8 miles east of Wild Horse Reservoir. The Mendive Fire is 90% contained. The Willow Creek Ridge Fire is 80 miles northwest of Elko and has burned approximately 5,100 acres and is 95% contained.
The Independence Valley Fire about 20 miles south of Wells has burned 400 acres and is estimated a 40% contained.
The town of Jarbidge, Diamond A Ranch, and Murphy Hot Springs Evacuation Order remains in effect. The evacuation was caused by the approximate 140,000-acre Rowland Fire which is being managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Twin Falls, Idaho, District.
Fire restrictions in northern and central Nevada will be in effect until further notice. Lands involved include federal, state, tribal, and the Humboldt, Pershing, Lander, Eureka, Elko, Esmeralda, and Nye County Fire Protection Districts and portions of Washoe, Lyon, Churchhill, and White Pine counties. For more specific information go to: http://www.fire.blm.gov/restrictions.htm, http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/htnf/, http://www.forestry.state.nv.us, www.nifc.gov, http://gacc.nifc.gov/wgbc.