UPDATE Aug. 25: The Flat Fire saw little activity on Saturday, thanks to cooler weather and successful suppression efforts.
The lightning caused fire is now 3,734 acres in size and is 61% contained.
The Boise National forest has issued closures on Summit Flat Road (#380) FS Road 379 (Elk Creek Road) for public and firefighter safety.
UPDATE Aug. 18: The Flat Fire is 3,585-acre wide, of burned area. The fire is only at 14% containment. The 340 personnel are continuing to battle the blaze that was cause by lightning. Crews will keep patrolling the contained areas of the Flat Fire and building both direct and indirect containment lines. Aircraft will continue to assist by dropping water on the fire.
Closures: The Summit Flat Road (#380) between Pioneerville and Coulter Summit is closed.
UPDATE Aug. 17: The Flat Fire has reached over 3,200 acres of burned area, with containment still at 14%.
The west side of the Flat Fire is under control, keeping Pioneerville safe as crews finish securing the fireline. The fire is most active in the southeast, where it’s burning through timber, grass, and underbrush.
A Flat Fire Community meeting will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 19, at the Ray Robison Community Hall in Idaho City. Fire personnel will give an update on the latest Flat Fire activity. For the safety of both the public and firefighters, Summit Flat Road (#380) between Pioneerville and Coulter Summit is closed.
UPDATE Aug. 15: No structures are currently at risk, and the fire is moving east, away from Pioneerville. Yesterday afternoon, some spot fires spread to the upper part of Ross Fork, a tributary of Elk Creek. Crews are working to contain these fires now.
A total of 284 people are working on the fire, with more equipment arriving today and tomorrow. Resources include two Type 1 helicopters, 10 crews, 10 engines, 3 dozers, and a fellerbuncher to remove hazardous trees and protect firefighters.
The fire began on August 5 after a thunderstorm. Initially managed by Boise National Forest, responsibility shifted to the Idaho Department of Lands on August 8. The North Idaho Gold Team will take over command tomorrow at 6:00 am.
For safety reasons, the Idaho Department of Lands has closed Summit Flat Road (#380) between Pioneerville and Coulter Summit.
Update Aug. 14, 7:45 a.m. MT: The Flat Fire has grown to 2,503 acres according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Containment remains at 14%.
Update Aug. 14, 5:45 p.m. MT: The area closure for the Flat Fire, located 1.5 miles northeast of Pioneerville, has been expanded to address public and firefighter safety and respond to increase fire growth which is now about 2,313 acres.
Refer to the maps and closure orders on the Boise National Forest’s Interactive Forest Closure Mapfor specific details.
This new closure becomes effective Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6 a.m.
Update Aug. 14, 4 p.m. MT: The Flat Fire continues to burn northeast of Pioneerville, now covering 2,500 acres in Boise County.
As the fire has grown containment efforts have seen success, and now the fire has been 14% contained.
The Idaho Department of Lands has closed the Summit Flat Road (#380) between Pioneerville and Coulter Summit for public and firefighter safety.
Currently, 284 personnel are assigned to the Flat Fire.
Update Aug. 13, 2 p.m. MT: The Flat Fire has continued to spread about 1.5 miles northeast of Pioneerville in Boise County. The fire now spans around 2,300 acres and remains 0% contained.
Crews are working on the south side of the fire and hope to have that side secured within the next day or so. The west end is also being worked on, with crews anticipating that side of the fire will be secure by the end of the day on August 13.
Update Aug. 12, 9 p.m. MT: The Flat Fire is now estimated around 1,600 acres. No structures are currently threatened, and the fire continues to move East, away from the community of Pioneerville.
The fire picked up on Monday and the air support has created a lot of smoke. There are currently two type 1 helicopters and about 225 fire personnel from the state, federal and contracted resources.
Dozers and handcrews are building fireline in effort to contain the wildfire.
Update Aug. 11, 7 p.m. MT: The Flat Fire is now estimated at a little over 1,100 acres.
No structures are currently threatened, and the fire continues to move East, away from the community of Pioneerville.
There are currently about 240 fire personnel from the state, federal and contracted resources. Dozers and handcrews are building fireline in effort to contain the wildfire.
The Flat Fire, about 1.5 miles northeast of Pioneerville in Boise County, has burned approximately 1,050 acres. It is moving east, away from Pioneerville, and is not currently threatening any structures.
There are 200 personnel from the Forest Service and Idaho Department of Lands on site, along with two bulldozers. Air support and a hotshot Type 1 hand crew are expected later today. Crews are working on building hand lines and dozer lines to contain the fire.
The fire began on August 5 following a thunderstorm. Boise National Forest crews initially responded, and Idaho Department of Lands took over on August 8. A Type 3 team commander assumed control on August 10.
To ensure safety, Idaho Department of Lands has closed Summit Flat Road (#380) between Pioneerville and Coulter Summit.
