IHSMBR - Pioneer Fire / Lowman - Aug. 2016

[vermontgal]

Maybe everyone knows already, but no posts about fire here:
There are one huge forest fire and a few smaller fires currently active on or near the IHSMBR, as of early August 2016.  The largest is the Pioneer Fire which is threatening Lowman - no Lowman cut-off right now.  At this writing, about 65,000 acres, with 1,500 personnel trying to put it out.

A more recent fire has started just west of Stanley - given prevailing winds that may affect the main route if it turns into something big.

I'm following fires in this area in prep for a possible September trip including sections of the route near Featherville / Smoky Mountains.  The Pioneer Fire has the possibility of disrupting my trip due to air quality if not actual burn area.

If you are planning bikepacking trips on IHSMBR (or elsewhere), you can check this website for fire reports:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

[JHamelman]

Thanks for reporting on the fires you're seeing on the Idaho Hot Springs Mountain Bike Route. I hope things work out for you to do your trip.

You can also see where the fires are located in relationship to any of our routes on the interactive route network map:

https://www.adventurecycling.org/routes-and-maps/adventure-cycling-route-network/interactive-network-map/

Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Click here for Route Conditions and Additional Layers" to turn on InciWeb layer as well as USGS Fire Data. When you click on the icons that appear with these layers, they will lead to more information and links.

Jennifer

[raincityrider]

I found this on the Pioneer Fire Facebook page on 8/22/16

Question: "Is FS 579 between Bear Valley CG and Deer Flats CG open? If so I assume those campgrounds are open too? That road looks like the current dividing line. Thanks!"
Like · Reply · 1 · 23 hrs
Pioneer Fire reply:
"The closure area for the #Pioneer Fire hasn't changed, however, that area is closed due to another fire. Sorry."

[vermontgal]

I appreciate the Adventure Cycling Route map showing the fire incidents.  However, the simple icon designation for "fire" doesn't adequately distinguish between big fires and little fires, in my opinion.  Thus, I still look at Inci to determine what I'm dealing with.  I've cancelled my trip to Idaho for this year.

The Pioneer Fire is currently the largest forest fire in the country, over 100,000 acres.  There are two fires with more acreage this fire season, but those were grassland fires.  The Rough Fire does also have area closures.

It would be great if the ACA map can sometime incorporate the outlines of the fire areas as served up by inciweb.

[JHamelman]

I appreciate the Adventure Cycling Route map showing the fire incidents.  However, the simple icon designation for "fire" doesn't adequately distinguish between big fires and little fires, in my opinion.  Thus, I still look at Inci to determine what I'm dealing with.  I've cancelled my trip to Idaho for this year.

The Pioneer Fire is currently the largest forest fire in the country, over 100,000 acres.  There are two fires with more acreage this fire season, but those were grassland fires.  The Rough Fire does also have area closures.

It would be great if the ACA map can sometime incorporate the outlines of the fire areas as served up by inciweb.

Yes, I agree, checking with Inci is definitely important to get all the facts straight on a fire situation. They keep their site more up-to-date than they refresh the data that populates our interactive map.

I don't know if perimeter data is available from InciWeb directly or if it would be measurably better than the USGS fire perimeter layer we are currently including on the interactive map layer options. Check the box next to "USGS Fire Data (Active Perimeters)" to see this.

Sorry you had to cancel your trip due to the fires. I hope you try again!

Jennifer

[vermontgal]

Will absolutely try trip again.  It was just going to be a long weekend / partial route.  I'm in SLC so Idaho is really close: we can smell the Idaho fires in the air depending on how the wind blows. 

Didn't know about your other fire data.  Will look for that!  Thanks.

[raincityrider]

Here is a good map that shows the Buck Fire closure area along FS 579. Also includes Pioneer closure area. http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd515069.pdf

My wife and I were planning to ride the route in two weeks but are looking for alternative routes due to these fires. I will still monitor these fires over the next couple of weeks but will most likely postpone until next year. And I think the lesson learned, for me anyway, is to plan to do this before the fire season starts. We just prefer to do our bike tours after Labor Day when everyone is back in school and areas are less crowded overall.

Really want to do this route and thanks ACA for putting this map together!

Thanks!

[JHamelman]

Will absolutely try trip again.  It was just going to be a long weekend / partial route.  I'm in SLC so Idaho is really close: we can smell the Idaho fires in the air depending on how the wind blows. 

Didn't know about your other fire data.  Will look for that!  Thanks.

Excellent. If you make it out there, would love to hear about it!

Best,
Jennifer