Fire crews brace as winds escalate, complicating firefighting efforts in West Mountain

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — According to a recent news release, 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion soldiers were strategically embedded with firefighting crews on the Snag, Boulder and Dollar Fires.

Soldiers supported suppression operations by assisting wildland fire crews with mop-up, holding and maintaining control of the fireline and installing hose lays and other equipment needed.

Monday began with southwest winds, gusts up to 25 mph and poor humidity recoveries. Smoke from the nearby Middle Fork Complex impacted the West Mountain Complex area throughout the morning, but the skies cleared by midafternoon. Fire activity increased due to hot, dry and windy conditions.

Starting Tuesday, conditions will moderate slightly with cooler temperatures and precipitation predicted later in the week.

Crews will continue to mop up the south end and east flank of the Boulder Fire. Fire crews use direct and indirect suppression tactics on the most active portion of the fire, including the northwest perimeter. Fire spread slowed on the western perimeter due to previously burned areas and rock outcroppings. Crews are also monitoring interior pockets of heat.

The Dollar Fire activity was moderate on Tuesday. Fire managers expect the most active fire behavior on the northern perimeter. Fire crews will continue direct and indirect suppression tactics. They are also finalizing plumbing along the southern perimeter of the fire. Plumbing includes setting up hoses, pumps and water sources to control and contain the fire.

Fire crews completed firing operations in the north and southwest of the Snag Fire on Monday. Firefighters held control lines near Warm Lake Highway and reported no new spots. They will continue monitoring the highway securing control lines. There may be opportunities for continued firing operations on Tuesday at the southwest area of the fire.

The Valley County Sheriff's Office established one-way resident and contractor escorts through the Snag Fire-affected areas. This escort will be provided if necessary and not for recreation purposes.

Firefighters will continue repair work on control lines on the northeast corner of the Wolf Creek Fire. Repair work includes strategic procedures to minimize environmental impact. Firefighting crews will continue to monitor for any interior flare-ups.

Crews are improving and holding the southwest control lines and looking for potential firing operations on the southern perimeter of the Goat Fire. The western flank of the fire is burning near a previously burned area, which helped slow the fire's spread.

Firefighting crews will begin chipping operations to reduce fuel along contingency lines. Chipping is used to lessen vegetative material, making it less flammable.

Firefighters will monitor the Gabe Fire to ensure no further fire activity occurs and no lingering pockets of heat.

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