August 4, 2021 9:30 a.m.
Newer fires near the Jack Fire are requiring more of firefighter’s attention this week than the month-old Jack Fire.
An update from Northwest Incident Management Team 13 said the Chilcoot II Fire, which was identified Monday after storms moved through the area Sunday evening, has been staffed around the clock to protect a vital communications tower. Heavy equipment has cut line on both flanks while crews build and reinforce handlines.
Incident Commander Brian Gales said “We want to fight fire aggressively, but we also want to be patient and deliberate”. Gales said its important to think strategically, picking the priority fires and focusing on them.
The update said fire managers are reassessing contingency lines along the southern boundary of the Jack Fire and looking for ways to box in new starts outside the existing fire boundaries.
Operations Section Chief John Spencer said crews are aggressively trying to get a handle on the new starts, but a few are hampering their efforts.
The Rough Patch Complex grew to 720 acres on Tuesday, largely due to growth on the Chaos Fire, which was projected to double in size. Containment remains 1 percent. Prep work along 650 Road toward Lemon Dip and the 3821 Road will continue. Heavy equipment is cutting alternate line from east to west.
Spencer said of the original 21 fires in the Rough Patch Complex, all are checked and in control except for three – Chaos, Rough and Incident 361.
The update said on the west side of the Jack Fire, firefighters have finished prepping the 230 Road and line from Doehead Mountain to Calf Creek. To the northeast, work is progressing on the 4770 Road, while the 4750 Road has shifted to mop up status. Firefighters have begun scouting the Twin Lakes area for opportunities to link the lines in the southeast corner. Burnout operations may take place if conditions allow.
Old burn scars and managed timber stands within the Jack Fire perimeter are slowing its progression, while dead and down fuels in the Rough Patch Complex are heavier, more continuous and ignite readily due to drought.
The Jack Fire remains 77 percent contained and burning in 23,182 acres. 461 people are working on the fire.