Emergency Public Information
Official information from INL’s Emergency Operations Center
*Emergency Operations Center Activated - THIS IS A DRILL
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated and is gathering information about a wildfire at at INL’s desert site. When events such as this are reported, DOE activates its EOC as a standard practice to gather information and coordinate site-wide incident responders, as needed.
Information related to the event will be shared on this page as it becomes available. Follow INL’s social media to stay informed. Use the link below to receive email updates.
*This webpage is utilized for training purposes for INL’s Emergency Response Organization using information from the 2019 Sheep Fire.
INL and Bureau of Land Management responding to wildfire at INL's desert Site
Firefighting crews are continuing efforts to protect INL Site facilities from the ongoing Sheep Fire. The fire, which has burned more than 90,000 acres, has slowed its progression after it moved rapidly across the Site on Tuesday morning. Current weather conditions are contributing to the challenges of fighting the fire and are being continually monitored. The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019.
More detailed information is available below.
Active Event Details - July 25, 2019
The Sheep Fire at the Idaho National Laboratory desert site is sufficiently contained to scale back the emergency response, according to fire officials. Crews will continue to monitor and work the perimeter until the fire has been completely extinguished with no remaining hot spots.
There was no radiological release to the environment, no risk to the public, no injuries and no damage to INL facilities during the fire.
INL would like to thank the following agencies for their support and tireless work during this event: Bureau of Land Management Idaho Falls District, INL Fire Department, United States Forest Service – Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Beaverhead-Deerlodge and Custer-Gallatin, Inkom Fire Department, Teton Fire Department, Madison Fire Department, Ammon Fire Department, Ucon Fire Department, Idaho Department of Lands, Roberts Fire Department, Hamer Fire Department, West Jefferson Fire District, South Fremont Fire District, Idaho Falls Fire Department, Central Fire District, Private Contractor CJL, Mud Lake Oil and Rocky Mountain Power.
INL would also like to thank Fluor Idaho and the Naval Reactors Facility for their support.
“In addition to the outside agencies who lent their support during the Sheep Fire, I would also like to personally thank the firefighters who worked around the clock in harsh conditions to contain the fire,” said Juan Alvarez, INL Chief Operations Officer. “I’d also like to extend my gratitude to all those behind the scenes who provided their support.”
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, is no longer activated. Media and members of the public should contact their regular contacts.
Fire officials maintain the Sheep Fire at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) is 60% contained with no active burning visible at this time. Crews continue to monitor and work the perimeter of the fire to extend containment lines. New information leads officials to expect full containment by Friday evening.
New information:
- Fire officials expect the fire will be 100% contained by Friday evening, not tonight as previously reported.
- Fire crews continue to work the perimeter, searching for hot spots.
- Conditions are hazy but no smoke is visible.
Background:
- Work was curtailed for non-essential employees at facilities throughout the Idaho National Laboratory Site Wednesday as firefighters worked to contain the Sheep Fire. The work curtailment was a cautionary measure as the fire posed no immediate threat to key research facilities.
- Those curtailed facilities included the Naval Reactors Facility, Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center, the Materials and Fuels Complex, Central Facilities Area, the Advanced Test Reactor, and Integrated Waste Treatment Unit.
Information previously reported:
- Bureau of Land Management will do a fly-over this morning and will provide updated information on current containment percentage.
- All facilities and bus routes have returned to normal operations.
- The Sheep Fire has burned approximately 113,000 acres.
- INL and Bureau of Land Management fire crews have made significant progress towards containing the Sheep Fire. It’s estimated the fire is 60% contained.
- The fire no longer poses a threat to key INL research facilities.
- The EBR-1 Museum reopened today.
- Rocky Mountain Power has begun to repair commercial powerlines damaged by the fire on the INL Site. That work will involve blasting of lava rock to seat the poles.
- Power at the INL Site remains unaffected by the fire or repairs.
- Cleanup contractor Fluor Idaho, LLC resumed operations Wednesday at the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Accelerated Retrieval Project.
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews supported by other collaborating municipalities are working together to fight the fire.
- Site operations were curtailed for non-essential staff Wednesday at all Site facilities except for the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex.
- No injuries have resulted from the fire.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated Tuesday from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- The Sheep Fire was named because it started near a dirt access road called Sheep Road.
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22.
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Across the INL, air samples have been collected and will continue to be collected. The air samples that have been analyzed to date show no radioactivity release.
- Watch a video from yesterday’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/qObB2sGpVc4
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
As reported July 24, all Idaho National Laboratory Site facilities returned to normal operations today. Crews continue fire containment activities. The fire is anticipated to be 100% contained today.
New information:
- Bureau of Land Management will do a fly-over this morning and will provide updated information on current containment percentage.
- All facilities and bus routes have returned to normal operations.
- Crews expect the fire will be 100% contained today.
Background:
- Work was curtailed for non-essential employees at facilities throughout the Idaho National Laboratory Site Wednesday as firefighters worked to contain the Sheep Fire. The work curtailment was a cautionary measure as the fire posed no immediate threat to key research facilities.
- Those curtailed facilities included the Naval Reactors Facility, Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center, the Materials and Fuels Complex, Central Facilities Area, the Advanced Test Reactor, and Integrated Waste Treatment Unit.
Information previously reported:
- The Sheep Fire has burned approximately 113,000 acres.
- INL and Bureau of Land Management fire crews have made significant progress towards containing the Sheep Fire. It’s estimated the fire is 60% contained.
- The fire no longer poses a threat to key INL research facilities.
- The EBR-1 Museum reopened today.
- Rocky Mountain Power has begun to repair commercial powerlines damaged by the fire on the INL Site. That work will involve blasting of lava rock to seat the poles.
- Power at the INL Site remains unaffected by the fire or repairs.
- Cleanup contractor Fluor Idaho, LLC resumed operations Wednesday at the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Accelerated Retrieval Project.
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews supported by other collaborating municipalities are working together to fight the fire.
- Site operations were curtailed for non-essential staff Wednesday at all Site facilities except for the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex.
- No injuries have resulted from the fire.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated Tuesday from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- The Sheep Fire was named because it started near a dirt access road called Sheep Road.
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22.
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Across the INL, air samples have been collected and will continue to be collected. The air samples that have been analyzed to date show no radioactivity release.
- Watch a video from yesterday’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/qObB2sGpVc4
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
Previous Event Details - July 24, 2019
Work continues to be curtailed for non-essential employees at facilities throughout the Idaho National Laboratory Site Wednesday as firefighters continue to contain the Sheep Fire. The work curtailment is a cautionary measure as the fire poses no immediate threat to key research facilities.
Those curtailed facilities include the Naval Reactors Facility, Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center, the Materials and Fuels Complex, Central Facilities Area, the Advanced Test Reactor, and Integrated Waste Treatment Unit. The EBR-1 Museum remains closed. Essential employees will be contacted by management to report to work today. It is anticipated that operations across the Site will return to normal on Thursday.
New information:
- Rocky Mountain Power has begun to repair commercial powerlines damaged by the fire on the INL Site. That work will involve blasting of lava rock to seat the poles.
- Power at the INL Site remains unaffected by the fire or repairs.
- Cleanup contractor Fluor Idaho, LLC resumed operations Wednesday at the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Accelerated Retrieval Project.
Information previously reported:
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews supported by other collaborating municipalities are working together to fight the fire.
- Site operations will be curtailed for non-essential staff Wednesday at all Site facilities except for the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex.
- No injuries have resulted from the fire.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated Tuesday from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- The Sheep Fire was named because it started near a dirt access road called Sheep Road.
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Across the INL, air samples have been collected and will continue to be collected. The air samples that have been analyzed to date show no radioactivity release.
- Watch a video from this afternoon’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/qObB2sGpVc4
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
Work continues to be curtailed for non-essential employees at facilities throughout the Idaho National Laboratory Site Wednesday as firefighters continue to contain the Sheep Fire. The work curtailment is a cautionary measure as the fire poses no immediate threat to key research facilities.
Those curtailed facilities include the Naval Reactors Facility, Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center, the Materials and Fuels Complex, Central Facilities Area, the Advanced Test Reactor, and Integrated Waste Treatment Unit. The EBR-1 Museum remains closed. Essential employees will be contacted by management to report to work today. It is anticipated that operations across the Site will return to normal on Thursday.
New information:
- Rocky Mountain Power has begun to repair commercial powerlines damaged by the fire on the INL Site. That work will involve blasting of lava rock to seat the poles.
- Power at the INL Site remains unaffected by the fire or repairs.
- Cleanup contractor Fluor Idaho, LLC resumed operations Wednesday at the Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Accelerated Retrieval Project.
Information previously reported:
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews supported by other collaborating municipalities are working together to fight the fire.
- Site operations will be curtailed for non-essential staff Wednesday at all Site facilities except for the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex.
- No injuries have resulted from the fire.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated Tuesday from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- The Sheep Fire was named because it started near a dirt access road called Sheep Road.
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Across the INL, air samples have been collected and will continue to be collected. The air samples that have been analyzed to date show no radioactivity release.
- Watch a video from this afternoon’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/qObB2sGpVc4
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
The Sheep Fire has been partially contained and doesn’t pose an immediate threat to key research facilities on the Idaho National Laboratory Site. Also, commercial power throughout the INL Site has not been impacted by the fire.
New information:
- A news conference will be held at INL’s Energy Innovation Laboratory meeting center (775 MK Simpson Boulevard) at noon.
- INL, Fluor Idaho and the Naval Reactors Facility are continuing to evaluate air quality.
- Particulate matter fell within acceptable air quality guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Routine radiological monitoring at all Site locations is consistent with normal background levels.
- Fire officials estimate more than 110,000 acres have burned.
Background:
Air quality fell into the Air Quality Index of “moderate.” EPA defines “moderate” as: Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants, there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people.”
Information previously reported:
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews supported by other collaborating municipalities are working together to fight the fire.
- Site operations will be curtailed for non-essential staff Wednesday at all Site facilities except for the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex.
- No injuries have resulted from the fire.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated Tuesday from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- The Sheep Fire was named because it started near a dirt access road called Sheep Road.
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Watch a video from this afternoon’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/g9N5Djf1gis.
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
Previous Event Details - July 23, 2019
As a result of the Sheep Fire, operations for non-essential staff have been curtailed for all Idaho National Laboratory Site facilities except the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex for Wednesday, July 24. Employees should watch for lab communications about other potential curtailments to Site facilities.
New information:
- The Joint Information Center will stand down at 10:30 p.m. It will reconvene at 7 a.m., Wednesday, July 24.
Information previously reported:
- Monitoring for air quality is ongoing at all Site facilities.
- Routine radiological monitoring at all Site locations is consistent with normal background levels.
- Fire officials estimate more than 90,000 acres have burned. Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews supported by other collaborating municipalities are working together to fight the fire.
- Site operations will be curtailed for non-essential staff Wednesday at all Site facilities except for the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex.
- No injuries have resulted from the fire.
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated Tuesday from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- The Sheep Fire was named because it started near a dirt access road called Sheep Road.
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Watch a video from this afternoon’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/g9N5Djf1gis.
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
As a result of the Sheep Fire, operations for non-essential staff have been curtailed for all Idaho National Laboratory Site facilities except the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex for Wednesday, July 24. Employees should watch for lab communications about other potential curtailments to Site facilities.
New information:
- Site operations will be curtailed for non-essential staff Wednesday at all Site facilities except for the Specific Manufacturing Capability and the Radioactive Waste Management Complex.
- No injuries have resulted from the fire.
- Wind conditions remain a challenge. Monitoring for air quality is ongoing at all Site facilities.
- Routine radiological monitoring at all Site locations is consistent with normal background levels.
- Fire officials estimate more than 90,000 acres have burned. Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews supported by other collaborating municipalities are working together to fight the fire.
Information previously reported:
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated Tuesday from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- The Sheep Fire was named because it started near a dirt access road called Sheep Road.
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Watch a video from this afternoon’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/g9N5Djf1gis.
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
Firefighting crews are continuing efforts to protect INL Site facilities from the ongoing Sheep Fire. The fire, which has burned more than 90,000 acres, has slowed its progression after it moved rapidly across the Site on Tuesday morning. Current weather conditions are contributing to the challenges of fighting the fire and are being continually monitored.
New information:
- Essential personnel are being notified by their facilities if they need to report to work later today to relieve early responders.
- Wind and weather behavior remain unpredictable and may change the firefighting strategy.
- Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions.
- Radiation monitoring is ongoing, and based on the information obtained so far, there is no risk to the public.
- Employees should watch for lab communications about other potential curtailments to facilities on the INL Site for the evening shift and Wednesday’s day shift.
- Fire officials’ burn estimates remain at approximately 90,000 acres.
- Watch a video from this afternoon’s Sheep Fire news conference on INL’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/g9N5Djf1gis.
Information previously reported:
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019.
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews are working together to fight the fire.
- All non-essential employees were evacuated from several Site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
- Gate 1, the main INL Site entrance, is currently closed to non-emergency traffic
- INL Site facilities are preparing for anticipated loss of commercial power and are switching to on-site backups per existing emergency procedures
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
As a result of the Sheep Fire, all non-essential employees are being evacuated at several Idaho National Laboratory site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, Naval Reactors Facility, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit, Radioactive Waste Management Complex, Advanced Mixed Waste Treatment Project and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
New information:
- Naval Reactors Facility leadership has decided to curtail operations for their day and swing-shift employees
- Gate 1, the main INL Site entrance, is currently closed to non-emergency traffic
- INL Site facilities are preparing for anticipated loss of commercial power and are switching to on-site backups per existing emergency procedures
- Changes in wind and fire behavior since earlier this morning led Emergency Management to evacuate all non-essential employees from potentially affected facilities as a precaution.
- Employees should watch for lab communications about other potential curtailments to facilities on the INL Site.
- Fire officials have updated the burn estimate to approximately 85,000 acres.
Information previously reported:
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019.
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews are working together to fight the fire.
- Non-essential MFC employees were asked to stay home Tuesday.
- Essential employees are being notified by management for a 9 a.m. shift change at MFC.
- The shift change bus schedule for MFC essential employees is as follows:
- Leave Pocatello Park and Ride at 7:50
- Leave Blackfoot Park and Ride at 8:10
- Leave Idaho Falls Yellowstone Park and Ride at 8:25
- Leave Shelley – New Sweden Park and Ride at 8:35
- There is no shuttle service to and from MFC today
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
Idaho National Laboratory, Fluor Idaho and DOE-Idaho leadership will conduct a press conference at 1 p.m. at the Energy Innovation Laboratory, 775 MK Simpson Blvd., in Idaho Falls, to discuss the latest developments of the Sheep Fire burning on the INL Site.
Media members can access the press release remotely through the following:
To join the meeting on a computer or mobile phone: https://bluejeans.com/312088624?src=calendarLink
Phone Dial-in
+1.888.970.4404 (US (Toll Free))
+1.855.203.2730 (US (Toll Free))
Global Numbers: https://www.bluejeans.com/premium-numbers
Meeting ID: 312 088 624
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
As a result of the Sheep Fire, all non-essential employees are being evacuated at several Idaho National Laboratory site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
New information:
- Changes in wind and fire behavior since earlier this morning led Emergency Management to evacuate all non-essential employees from potentially affected facilities as a precaution.
- Employees should watch for lab communications about other potential curtailments to facilities on the INL Site.
- The fire has consumed approximately 6,500 acres. It is now located closer to the central region of the Site. The fire started south of Highway 33 and north of Highway 20, near INL’s eastern boundary.
Information previously reported:
- The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019.
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews are working together to fight the fire.
- Non-essential MFC employees are asked to stay home Tuesday.
- Essential employees are being notified by management for a 9 a.m. shift change at MFC.
- The shift change bus schedule for MFC essential employees is as follows:
- Leave Pocatello Park and Ride at 7:50
- Leave Blackfoot Park and Ride at 8:10
- Leave Idaho Falls Yellowstone Park and Ride at 8:25
- Leave Shelley – New Sweden Park and Ride at 8:35
- There is no shuttle service to and from MFC today
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
As a result of the Sheep Fire, operations are curtailed at Idaho National Laboratory’s Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) and Transient Reactor Test Facility (TREAT) for July 23. Essential employees are being notified by management for a 9 a.m. shift change at MFC.
New information:
- Non-essential MFC employees are asked to stay home Tuesday.
- The shift change bus schedule for MFC essential employees is as follows:
- Leave Pocatello Park and Ride at 7:50
- Leave Blackfoot Park and Ride at 8:10
- Leave Idaho Falls Yellowstone Park and Ride at 8:25
- Leave Shelley – New Sweden Park and Ride at 8:35
- There is no shuttled service to and from MFC today
- Employees should watch for lab communications about other potential curtailments to facilities on the INL Site.
- The fire has consumed approximately 5,000 acres.
Background:
Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews are working together to fight the fire.
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
Previous Event Details - July 22, 2019
The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019. The fire is located south of Highway 33 and north of Highway 20, near the Idaho National Laboratory Site’s eastern boundary.
New information:
- The fire has consumed approximately 2,500 acres.
- The fire is less than 10 miles from INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC).
- Bureau of Land Management and INL fire crews are working together to fight the fire.
- Employees and media will be notified through text or press release if there is a delay or curtailment of operations early tomorrow morning.
- Those on the INL Site this evening are being asked to observe signs or security notifications of restricted access due to the fire-fighting operations.
Background:
- Four BLM engines, three INL engines, two INL bulldozers, one BLM bulldozer and two tactical water tenders are on the scene.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated and is gathering information about a Bureau of Land Management-reported range fire at the near the eastern boundary of the INL Site.
When events such as this are reported, DOE activates its EOC as a standard practice to gather information and coordinate site-wide incident responders, as needed. This news release is being issued to alert you of the reported incident and the EOC activation. Based on the information obtained so far, there is no risk to the public.
INL personnel are responding to investigate the incident; and state, county and tribal officials are being notified. News release updates will be issued when more information is available. Additional details on the nature of the incident and a preliminary impact assessment will be provided to the media and the public as soon as they are available and confirmed.
Please note that INL is the only source of verified information about this event. Information reported by unofficial sources may be incomplete or inaccurate.
INL’s emergency Joint Information Center at the Engineering Research Office Building, 2525 Fremont Ave., Idaho Falls, has been activated to respond to any questions you may have about this incident. Media and members of the public should call the phone numbers below, not your regular INL contacts.
How does INL prepare for emergencies?
INL has a robust emergency organization that prepares for and responds to a broad range of potential emergencies. These include wildland fires, vehicle accidents, and the unlikely event of a major chemical or radiological release to the environment. INL meets these challenges with detailed plans and coordinates the functions that must occur both before and during emergencies. Emergency planners are located at every major facility and work closely with operations employees to prepare for events. INL’s Warning Communications Center is staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days per year to provide INL with the ability to rapidly communicate emergency information to our employees and local, tribal, state and federal governments.
Responses to your questions
The Sheep Fire began following a lightning strike at approximately 6:30 p.m. on July 22, 2019. The fire is located south of Highway 33 and north of Highway 20, near the Idaho National Laboratory Site’s eastern boundary.
Highway 20 and Highway 26 are currently open in all directions. The fire is located south of Highway 33 and north of Highway 20, near the Idaho National Laboratory Site’s eastern boundary.
Radiation monitoring is ongoing, and based on the information obtained so far, there is no risk to the public. Routine radiological monitoring at all Site locations is consistent with normal background levels.
As a result of the Sheep Fire, all non-essential employees are being evacuated at several Idaho National Laboratory site facilities: Central Facilities Area, Advanced Test Reactor Complex, EBR-1, Integrated Waste Treatment Unit and Idaho Nuclear Technology and Engineering Center.
Changes in wind and fire behavior since earlier this morning led Emergency Management to evacuate all non-essential employees from potentially affected facilities as a precaution. Employees should watch for lab communications about other potential curtailments to facilities on the INL Site.
The Sheep Fire has been partially contained and doesn’t pose an immediate threat to key research facilities on the Idaho National Laboratory Site. Also, commercial power throughout the INL Site has not been impacted by the fire.
There were no injuries during the fire.
