HEISE, Idaho — A week after sparking from lightning and quickly raging to more than 2,000 acres, the Big Rock Fire in Heise, Idaho, is now 54% contained, and river camping closures in the South Fork canyon have been lifted.
According to a Friday morning update from the U.S. Wildland Fire Service Idaho – Great Basin (USWFS), there have been no residences lost nor injuries to firefighters. With more accurate mapping, the fire’s size has been reduced slightly from 2,500 to 2,142 acres. On Wednesday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lifted closures of river camping on the South Fork of the Snake River, which were previously in place for designated campsites between Conant Boat Ramp and Byington Boat Ramp.
“Operational focus has moved to achieving containment along the Heise and Kelly Canyon Roads to reestablish public access in the area,” USFWS shared to Facebook. “Active fire activity has decreased overall. However, heat and smoldering materials remain throughout the burned area, including the occasional torching juniper.”
Crews continue to look for heat, smoke or smoldering material 100 feet inward from the perimeter of the blaze. “They use their bare hand to check for heat — called cold trailing — to determine that all heat is out of the burn,” USWFS said. Firefighters are also focusing on expanding the perimeters around residences where smoldering fuels continue to threaten structures.
Containment has increased on the northeast flank, and crews are working to secure South Snake River Road and Heise Road. The southern flank remains uncontained as 260 personnel battle the wildland fire.
With Friday’s forecast of temperatures in the mid 90s and 12% humidity, firefighters are using aggressive direct suppression tactics. According to the update, there is 0% chance of rain in the near forecast, and light winds are expected to come from the west on Friday afternoon. Resources are being assigned to identify and mitigate snag hazards within aspen and conifer fuels to improve firefighter safety.
All other area closures remain in place, including BLM campgrounds at Kelly Island, Wolf Flats, Warm Springs and all dispersed sites along River Road.
“As federal resources were stretched thin by catastrophic fires across the west, area first responders answered the call,” USFWS said. “The firefighters appreciate the outpouring of community support and patience as they focus on securing the perimeter along the roads so the road closure can be lifted.”
