Salmon fires still blazing
Since Tuesday, Idaho's Bighorn Fire has more than doubled in size to 807 acres. The fire is located on the west bank of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River from Big Creek to Big Pine. The fire is sending rocks and other debris into the Middle Fork.
Forest Service spokeswoman Barbara Bassler said the agency expects the fire burning within the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness to grow quite large as it burns out over the next few weeks.
As a result, river camps at Big Creek, Pine Bluff, Cutthroat Cove, Love Bar, Elk Bar and Redside remain closed until further notice. Portions of the Waterfall Creek Trail are closed as well, from the Middle Fork River Trail junction at the Big Creek Bridge to the South Fork Waterfall Creek Trail.
For updated information, boaters are advised to check in with the Flying B ranch before launching on the Middle Fork.
Elsewhere, the Spring Fire is still burning 14 miles west of the community of North Fork north of Salmon, but has shrunk to 140 acres from its previously reported 160. Crews of up to 200 people are working to suppress the fire, which was expected to be contained by Thursday night.
Bassler said the Spring Creek Road is expected to reopen Thursday evening. For more information and maps of the fire, visit the Salmon-Challis National Forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/sc/ and click on the "Fire and Aviation" heading in the sidebar to the left.
Lessons from a lifelong aquatic
Cameron Randolph, the Blaine County Recreation District's aquatics director, will lead an adult stroke clinic and master's swim practice on Tuesday and Thursday evenings through Aug. 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the district's aquatic center in Hailey.
As a swimming instructor and coach, Randolph has a lot experience to draw from.
"I swam through college and as a professional triathlete. When I move through the water it's as if I am flying, with subtleties, that are not achieved without many hours of practice or the guidance of an Aquatic Zen Master."
The cost of both programs is $8. Additional information is available at www.bcrd.org or by calling (208) 788-2144.
Boulder-White Clouds fire controlled
A 12.5-acre fire just east of Lookout Mountain in the Warm Springs region of the Boulder-White Cloud Mountains was declared controlled on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire was reported on Sunday, Aug. 1, said Bill Murphy, North Zone fire management officer for the Sawtooth National Forest. Murphy said the fire is no longer burning, but the area will continue to be monitored to ensure no outbreaks crop up.
Fire personnel were expected to be pulled from the area by Thursday evening.
Folk Festival is a live music weekend
The 33rd annual Northern Rockies Folk Festival will take place Friday, Aug. 6, from 5-10 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 7, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Hop Porter Park in Hailey.
Tickets for the Friday show cost $12, while Saturday tickets cost $18. A weekend pass costs $25.
Advance tickets can be purchased at Chapter One Bookstore in Ketchum, Notes Music in Hailey and online at www.northernrockiesfolkfestival.com through Brown Paper Bag Tickets. All active military personnel receive free admission with identification.
The music lineup for Friday, Aug. 6, includes Quailfish at 5 p.m.; Michael White at 5:30 p.m.; Olin and the Moon from 6-8 p.m.; and Lisa Haley and the Zydecats at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 7, the music lineup includes Scott Fairfax and Friends at 11 a.m.; Joe Paisley at noon; Gypsy River Haunts at 1 p.m.; FourStroke Bus at 2 p.m.; No Cheap Horses at 3 p.m.; Johnnie Shoes and Joshua Tree at 5 p.m.; Leslie and the Badgers at 6:30 p.m.; and Kelly Willis at 8 p.m.
People encouraged to walk to Micky
Due to limited parking at the Micky and the Motorcars concert in Bellevue on Aug. 10, the organizers are encouraging concert-goers to consider alternative transportation to the event. Biking and walking are options, or for those people traveling to the concert from farther away, the Mountain Rides Valley Bus Service is an option.
Buses will depart from Ketchum every hour starting at approximately 3 p.m., with the last bus returning to Sun Valley and Ketchum at 10 p.m. Bus fares are $3.
Doors to the concert open at 4:30 p.m., with the Kim Stocking Band going on at 5:30 p.m. and Micky and the Motorcars playing from 7-9 p.m.
The concert will take place in the lot directly south of Atkinsons' in Bellevue. Low-back chairs and one unopened bottle of water will be allowed. No pets please. Tickets cost $15, with kids 10 and under free.
Funds available for historical records
The Idaho State Historical Records Advisory Board has announced that a second round of applications for community grants is now being accepted for the identification, protection, preservation, digitalization and increased public access to historical records.
The board is accepting applications for community grants funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Grants will be awarded to qualifying institutions and organizations to improve public access to historical materials, help organizations adopt standard archival practices and increase the public's awareness and appreciation of the archival community.
Funds are limited. Additional information and applications are available at the board's Web site at http://history.idaho.gov. The submission deadline is Aug. 31.
Higher Ground goes coastal
The first-ever Higher Ground Oceansports Camp took place last month in Southern California, set in the beachside retreat of the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. Higher Ground is a program operated by Sun Valley Adaptive Sports.
During the camp, seven wounded American veterans and their spouses experienced a week of therapeutic rehabilitation and recreation, including surfing, sailing and ocean kayaking.
To support Higher Ground, or learn more about the program, please call Tom Iselin at 726-9298.
Ketchum to discuss budget
The Ketchum City Council plans to dissect the city's proposed 2010-11 budget at a noon meeting Tuesday, Aug. 10, and could even approve a tentative spending plan. If the council doesn't vote by 3 p.m., a noon meeting will be held Wednesday. Public hearings will then be held before a final budget is approved.
The Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency, which consists of the City Council and Mayor Randy Hall, will meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesday following the council meeting to consider and approve the URA's proposed budget.
Plowing up free help
To say Friedman Memorial Airport is run like the proverbial tight shop is, as they say, an understatement.
When possible, airport Manager Rick Baird buys surplus military heavy equipment, restores cast-off office cabinetry and extends the life of airport vehicles by years through maintenance.
Baird just worked a new angle to keep costs low.
He received approval from the airport authority to donate a 1982 snowplow to McCall Municipal Airport in exchange for some $5,000 of equivalent services from that airport's manager, John Anderson.
Baird said Anderson, a longtime friend in the industry and former manager of Boise's airport, could provide consulting work and research in exchange for the 28-year-old plow.
