Grangeville, ID— A weather inversion is expected to hold smoke over some parts of the zone today and tomorrow, with some clearing in the afternoon.
Powell Ranger District –
Cooler temperatures and lower humidity kept fire growth minimal Wednesday.
Powell SBW East Complex – (point zone protection) currently totals 4594 acres. The complex is located 37 miles southwest of Lolo, Montana, on the Powell Ranger District. Diablo Lookout has been evacuated. Structure protection has been applied to Elk Summit Guard Station as the Cedar Fire is actively burning and threatening Guard Station and Elk Summit/Hoodoo Lake Campgrounds.
Powell SBW West Complex – The Queen Fire is 225 acres, Freezeout is 1150 acres, Pedro and Bear West are 1/10th of an acre each. Bear Mountain Lookout is prepped with structure wrap and has been pretreated with retardant, as the Queen Fire is actively burning and threatening the Lookout. A Type 1 Helicopter is assigned to the fire.
CLOSURES: An Area Closure is in place on Powell SBW East Complex, and trail closures are in effect on the Powell SBW West Complex Fires. Trail #49 is closed from Warm Springs Trailhead on Highway 12 to the junction with trails #60 and #89. (Jerry Johnson Hot Springs is closed to the public). A complete description and a map of the closures can be found at: http://www.inciweb.org/.
Special Messages: Forest Service law enforcement personnel are patrolling the fire areas. Those traveling on roads adjacent to the fire areas should expect heavy fire traffic. There is a potential for smoke to settle into the Highway 12 corridor, around the Lochsa Lodge and Powell Ranger District areas and as far west as Mocus Trailhead and Pack bridge. Motorists should use extreme caution when traveling through these areas. Travel information is also posted on the IDT 511 System.
Red River Ranger District -
The Burpee Fire west of Dixie Summit is 100% contained and firefighters are working to mop-up any heat 100%. It held at approximately 1.5 acres.
A Hot Shot crew continues to work the Mallard Fire (206 acres) on the Salmon River near Whitewater Ranch. Monitoring and patrol continues. The steep, rugged terrain prohibits firefighters from going into some portions of the interior of the fire for mop-up operations so smoke will continue to be visible for some time.
The 26-acre Diamond Fire on Moose Butte is 75 percent contained, and firefighters are continuing mop-up operations.
The Porcupine Complex is comprised of four fires in the Bargamin Creek drainage:
- Deer Park Fire (2 mi. south of Sheep Hill) – spot fire showing little activity
- Bleak Fire (2 mi. south of Poet Creek Campground) – now estimated at 400 acres and growing – actively burning, with potential to impact Magruder Road Corridor at Dry Saddle by Friday or Saturday.
- Porcupine Fire (3 mi. southeast of Granite Springs Campground)– 100-150 acres – actively burning, with potential to eventually impact Magruder Road Corridor at Granite Springs Campground
- Hot Springs Fire (3 mi. north of Poet Creek Campground) -estimated at 100 acres – This fire has bumped into an old fire and is flanking the old fire edge on the north and south.
Fire personnel are closely monitoring these fires and the impact to the Magruder Road (Road #468) Corridor, with an eye to providing for public and firefighter safety in the event fire approaches the road. Although fire officials hope to keep the road fully open, they advise that there may be delays or use of pilot cars. There is some potential that visitors may be turned back.
CLOSURES: All prior closures on the District have been lifted. No additional closures are anticipated at this time.
Moose Creek Ranger District –
The Goat Fire merged with the Ditch Fire a few days ago and became one fire. It is now being reported as the Goat/Ditch Fire, located near Shearer and the Selway Lodge. Burnout operations are proceeding with 21 personnel. Shearer runway has been burned and is expected to reopen to the public on Friday, August 17. The fire is moving south via mainly surface fire with occasional group torching. The combined size of the fire is 2,234 acres.
The Vista Fire, near Shissler Lookout, is staffed by eight smoke jumpers and is 884 acres. Protection is being provided for all potentially impacted structures. Vista has burned within .2 miles of Shissler Lookout.
The Moose Ridge Fire six miles south-southwest of Moose Creek Ranger Station is 104 acres, and a closure of the Trail #562 is expected.
All other fires on the Moose Creek District are in point protection status and are being monitored daily.
CLOSURES: Racetrack Campground closure is in place and includes the open land area across from the mouth of Meadow Creek from the edge of the river to the Selway Road. This area is currently being used by agency helicopters to support fire operations.
An Area Closure for the Goat/Ditch Fire is in place and a full description and map of it and the Racetrack Campground closure can be found at: http://www.inciweb.org/.
North Fork Ranger District –
The Canyon Work Center will be closed to the public on Saturday, August 18 through Sunday, August 19 and possibly beyond those dates if fire activity increases.
All Clear/Nez Fire Updates are posted at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperce.
The public is requested to immediately report any evidence of fire to either the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office at 911 or 208-983-1100 or to the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch office at 208-983-6800.
