Fairfield-area fire closes some areas
An interagency Wildland Fire Use Team is scheduled to arrive today to assist the Fairfield Ranger District with the management of the Barker Fire, located west of the Wood River Valley near Featherville.
As of this morning, the fire had burned 1,355 acres in predominantly ponderosa pine forest. It is being managed as a "wildland fire use" event, meaning that it will be allowed to burn until it threatens public safety or valuable structures.
The team comes from all areas of the country and has experience managing "wildland fire use" events. The team's base camp is located at Kelley Flats Campground, which is now closed to the public.
Specifically, "wildland fire use" is the "management of a naturally ignited wildland fire to accomplish resource management objectives for specific areas," a Forest Service news release states.
Due to the proximity of the fire and for the safety of firefighters and the public, numerous campgrounds, roads and trails have been closed. Contact the Fairfield Ranger District of the Sawtooth National Forest for details: (208) 764-3222.
Mountain biker carted off Baldy
A female mountain biker was taken off Bald Mountain in a wheeled gurney Tuesday afternoon after suffering an accident while descending the Warm Springs Trail.
Mike Elle, Ketchum fire chief, said the woman, whose name was not yet entered into the report on the incident, was taken off the lower Warm Springs side of Baldy and then transported in an ambulance to St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center.
Elle said the mountain-bike accident is one of several that have happened on Bald Mountain this summer.
The Warm Springs Trail is a popular lift-served summer trail that descends eight miles from the Lookout Summit of Bald Mountain to the Warm Springs base area in Ketchum.
Jewish Community lecture set
The Wood River Jewish Community will host Rabbi Lennard Thal as a special Scholar in Residence, tonight, Aug. 15 at 8 p.m. after the Sun Valley Symphony and Saturday, Aug. 16 from 10 to noon. Thal is the immediate past executive vice president of the Union for Reform Judaism. The talk will cover the Bible, "The Way it is ... And the Way it Might Have Been" 8 p.m. Friday at St. Thomas Church in Ketchum. Saturday's session will be held at the Wood River Jewish Community office on Leadville Avenue in Ketchum. RSVP to 726-1183.
Simpson headed back to Washington
Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson will return to Washington, DC early next week to work with House Republicans. For weeks House Republicans have been trying to get a vote on domestic oil and gas production.
Earlier this month, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi closed the House in order to stop the vote. When Republicans refused to leave the premises, Pelosi decided to turn off the microphones and the lights.
Republicans have remained at the House in hopes of pressuring Pelosi to re-open discussions.
"I've been so proud of my Republican colleagues," Simpson said. "And, I am looking forward to joining them next week."
Advocates offer free Self Defense Class
The Advocates and Sun Valley Tae Kwon Do will offer a free Self Defense Class on Wednesday, Aug. 20, from 6-8 p.m. The class will take place at A Place For Kids on 12 W. Carbonate St. in Hailey.
To enroll, call Trish Tobias at The Advocates 788-4191.
Cancer group plans Mount Borah climb
The Ketchum-based Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research has announced that it still has a few positions available on its teams to climb Mount Borah, northeast of the Wood River Valley. The fundraising climb up the 12,668-foot mountain, the highest in Idaho, is scheduled for Aug. 22-23.
This two-day adventure will begin with camping and dinner in the Lost River Valley, on the east side of Trail Creek Pass.
To sign up, contact Expedition Inspiration at (208) 726-6456.
Sagebrush Stampede set for September
The Sagebrush Equine Training Center near Hailey will host the "Sagebrush Stampede" on Saturday, Sept. 13. The rodeo and horse show for adults and children who have physical or cognitive disabilities will feature a variety of compeitions. Any equestrian with physical or cognitive disabilities is welcome to participate.
The Sagebrush Arena will provide board for horses overnight. THe event includes a barbecue and dance for participants, coaches and volunteers.
The center is located on Buttercup Road north of Hailey.
For more information, entry forms, or to volunteer, call Lindsey Jameson at 578-9111, ext. 106.
