Gwen fire now 34% contained
The containment areas can be seen on the map where the perimeter line is black instead of red. COURTESY IDAHO DEPARTMENT OF LANDS
Firefighters took advantage of the cooler, wetter weather and were able to make significant progress in finding and extinguishing hot spots in all areas of the fire yesterday. Containment has increased to 34 percent, according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Lands.
Today in areas of the fire that are uncontained, crews will be cold trailing. Cold trailing is a process where firefighters inspect and feel heat with their hands, if needed, to make sure no hotspots remain on the fireline that could compromise containment.
n Division Foxtrot on the northeast side of the fire, crews continue to work in the Pine Creek drainage where large logs and vegetation is still holding heat. They will be supported by aviation resources if needed.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) or drones will also be utilized today to catalog firelines that have been constructed for suppression efforts, as well as identifying hotspots using infrared capabilities.
The Structure Protection Group will continue to work along the Highway 12 corridor and Tom Beall Road. Please allow for more time when traveling on the highways through the fire area. Hazards remain in and around the fire footprint. All roads and highways in the area are back open at this time.
The structure group is also working to secure pockets of unburned fuel within the fire perimeter, which poses a threat of re-escalating fire conditions.
All evacuation orders remain at Level 1-- BE READY. This indicates remaining possibility of fire hazards in the area.