Industry Hit Hard With Fires.
Record high July temperatures, the continuing drought and
limited firefighting resources have Idaho fires on pace to set new records for
the number of acres burned, although the acreage is less than five percent of
Idaho’s total land mass. IOGA’s Grant Simonds is monitoring fires on a daily
basis and has provided supplemental and timely information to assist members
with logistical decisions to minimize expenses and loss of business. Simonds has
been a catalyst with state and federal agencies regarding development of
protocol should outfitters desire to move operations. (The Idaho Outfitters and
Guides Licensing Board released its protocol on Monday, August 6. Contact Grant
Simonds at gsimonds@cableone.net if you missed
it). This protocol has been used by several outfitters who have moved launches
from the Main Salmon to other rivers. The Idaho Department of Commerce, IOGA
and individual outfitters have provided the media with an outdoor recreation
perspective of fire impacts or lack thereof. Hopefully, our perspective is
being heard and seen nationally.
Main Salmon lodges, float and jetboat outfitters continue to
deal with fire in the canyon on both sides of the river that has led to some
very anxious days and nights at Shepp Ranch, Mackay Bar, Buckskin Bill’s, China
Bar, Campbell’s Ferry and other inholdings along the river for the past three
weeks. The river was closed for a 36 hour period on August 4 and 5 so that the
Forest Service could evaluate fire and safety conditions. Smoke, rolling
debris, smouldering snags, campsite closures affecting some 35 miles of an 80
mile trip, agency fire indices that include no foreseeable change in weather
and limited visibility affecting safety of up and downstream boating traffic
that includes transportation of firefighters have been daily concerns for the
last several weeks that ultimately led to the Forest Service decision to close
the river as of late afternoon August 6. IOGA has urged the Forest Service to
reevaluate conditions daily. A permanent closure is not anticipated. Nez Perce
and Salmon Challis Forest Service managers including the river staff along with
information specialists have done a good job of both maintaining contact with
outfitters, IOGA, the public and fire team leaders. Jetboat outfitters have
moved firefighters and equipment up and down the river and have also been a
conduit for information for floaters, inholders and the Forest Service.
Nevertheless, cancellations will continue to affect the local economy and the
35-plus Main Salmon outfitting businesses. August bookings oftentimes represent
the net profit portion of the balance sheet.
The Poe Cabin fire west of Whitebird and Riggins is nearly
contained with 650 firefighters on hand at the peak of the fire. The source of
the fire is under investigation. Outfitter Tim Craig of Boulder Creek
Outfitters lost his lodge, other buildings and nearly all his of his equipment
during the initial stages of this fire. Losses will exceed one million dollars.
Craig is moving quickly to gear up for the upcoming hunt season and is most
grateful for the response from fellow outfitters and others. This fire led to a
closure of one of the primary accesses to the Snake River in Hells
Canyon for a four to five day period in late July leading to a
loss of business and increased business expenses for float and jetboat
operators. IOGA and member Heather Kilgore were instrumental in working with
the firefighter bosses and agency recreation manag