The Goshute Cave Fire Updates
from Tuesday Sept. 11th.
The Goshute Cave Fire (in and outside the Goshute Canyon Wilderness, about 55 miles north of Ely, Nev., is halfway between Wendover and Ely, near the Lages intersection between I93 and Alternate 93). This fire continues to show internal activity with occasional torching of unburned fuels.It is now 31,239 Acres, as per Tuesday, September 11th, 2018, at around 5:40 pm.
Firefighter and public safety is the top priority. Roads and trails within the fire area remain closed for firefighter and public safety.
The BLM Ely District Sunday evening assumed management of the 31,239-acre fire from Bob Fry’s Northern Rockies Incident Management Team. Currently on scene is a Type 4 incident commander, five engines, two water tenders and a Type 3 helicopter to patrol and monitor the fire area.
White Pine County residents, recreationalists and motorists on U.S. Highway 93 can expect to see occasional smoke from the fire that was first reported at about 3 p.m., Monday, Aug. 13.
Planned Actions: Crews will continue to patrol the fire lines. Complete rehabilitation of dozer lines and repair damaged fences. The Cherry Creek Road will be spot bladed from the Cherry Creek Summit to Stratton Ranch.
Significant Events: Scattered surface fire with occasional tree torching. Grass and live fuels will not carry fuels without sustained winds.
Total Personnel: 25
Percent of Perimeter Contained: 95%
Estimated Containment Date: Monday October 1st, 2018 at approx. 8:00 pm.
Below updates from Sept. 5th were published in the High Desert Advocate September 6th, 2018
The Goshute Cave Fire (in and outside the Goshute Canyon Wilderness, about 55 miles north of Ely, Nev., halfway between Wendover and Ely, near the Lages intersection between I93 and Alternate 93) grew from 17,749 acres last week to now 30,971 Acres, as per September 5th, 2018, at around 1:30 pm.
Goshute Cave Fire containment lines were strengthened and increased along the eastern, northern and northwestern fire edge with containment increased to 55%.
3 Type 1 crews and 3 Type 2 crews firefighters are currently battleling this fire, with also 4 pieces of heavy equipment, 6 water tenders, 6 helicopters and 17 engines, for a total of 266 personnel.
Tuesday, September 4th, Crews continued rehabilitation on suppression lines along the northeastern perimeter. Air support, using 10,000 gallons of retardant, painted ridges to strengthen and connect containment along the southeastern edge of the fire. Crews also utilized handline and excavators to increase fire line along the northern edge.
Fire crews will patrol and monitor containment lines and continue rehabilitation operations utilizing heavy equipment, to secure and halt fire progression on the northern perimeter. Wildland firefighters will mop-up as necessary and monitor potential fire spread in Carry Creek. Rehabilitation work and structure protection will continue in the region of the McDermid Ranch until ignition risks are abated.
Crews from the west side of the fire will stage at Stratton Ranch Base camp to provide initial attack in anticipation of slow thunderstorms expected later this afternoon.
Expected Weather/Fire behavior: Slow moving thunderstorms may appear over the fire area today. Drier air and higher winds could create extreme fire behavior later in the week. Moderate surface fire with single tree torching will follow available fuels in the timbered stringers and steeper topography.
Special Message: Our firefighters continue to appreciate the support of the local communities. High winds and dry lighting may become an issue by Wednesday. Smoke out of the south may become more prevalent, continuing to impact the communities of Wells and Wendover.
Estimated Containment Date: Monday October 1st, 2018 at approx. 8:00 pm.
Fuels Involved: The primary carrier of the fire is White Fir, Limber Pine, Mountain Mahogany at the higher elevation. However as the fire has progressed more north, northwest, and northeast Pinyon, Juniper , Sage and grass are the primary carrier of the fire, which as of this afternoon consumed approx. 4000 acres of general and additional Sage Grouse Habitat. Critical deer summer and winter range along with sheep and cattle allotments have also been impacted.
