Kamiah,Idaho (September 8, 2017) – The Forest is currently managing 85000 acres of fire and has 40-50 active” fires. Fortunately, or most fire activity is in remote areas. Thus far this season the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests bear experienced 185 fire starts,with only 25 of those fitting “large” fires (100+ acres). With the national and regional fire activity meaningful, local resources will focus on initial attack and in areas where property and public safety are at risk.
The Andy’s Hump fire remains a full suppression fire with structure protection measures in station for the community of Lowell. The lightning caused fire started August 30 and is burning primarily on the Moose Creek Ranger district and parts of the Lochsa/Powell Ranger Districts. A public meeting is scheduled for tonight, and Friday,September 8th at 6:00 p.m. at the Fenn Ranger Station Visitor Center.
CURRENT STATUS BY DISTRICTMoose Creek Ranger District (208) 926-4258The Andys Hump fire experienced minimal growth yesterday with some winds and backing fire behavior. It is currently being managed by a Type 3 team, with a Type 2 team expected to seize over management of the fire tomorrow, and Saturday,September 8. The fire moved over a mile to the northwest down Knife Edge Ridge and to the west above Kerr and Lottie Creeks on Tuesday, September 5. Heavy equipment line is currently being established around Lowell. All resources bear been pulled off the hill with the main focus being on the structure protection around Lowell. Structure protection measures are in station on the Coolwater Lookout. Closures are in effect.
The Falls fire (30 acres) in the Falls Creek drainage is 100% lined and continues to be monitored and patrolled. The Brushy fire (102 acres) and the Freeman fire (376 acres) are burning in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The Lone Pine fire (12369 acres) grew significantly to the east and has advanced north of Bitch Lake to become well established in the upper Bitch Creek. Buck Lake fire (3920 acres) grew actively southeast and across Marten Creek, and as well as north of Rock Pillar. Moose Creek 1 fire (16801 acres) showed active growth in the area north and northwest of Freeman Peak where it has moved into the Freeman Creek drainage and is about .10 mile from the Freeman fire. Other fires in the wilderness include: Crow 1 fire (91 acres), Crow 2 fire (120 acres), and Crow 3 fire (8 acres) all in the Crow Creek drainage; the Gardiner Fork fire (10-15 acres) near Gardiner Peak; the Wylies Ridge fire (20-30 acres) 2.5 miles southwest of Shearer Peak; the Ditch Creek fire (4 acres) in the vicinity of Wylies Peak; Chute Creek fire (2753 acres); Barren Ridge fire (1110) 1.6 miles south of California Point; Ballinger fire (1184 acres) 2.25 miles northwest of Pinchot Point; Isaac Lake fire (1416 acres) 0.5 miles west of Isaac Lake; Dodge fire (50 acres); Pettibone fire (307 acres), and 5 miles northeast of Selway Lodge; and Lonesomefire (23 acres),.5 miles north-northeast of Wylies Peak. Various identified values at risk bear protection measures in station. An area closure and various trail closures remain in effect. Visitors recreating on the Selway River should expect to see smoke and fire in the area and should spend caution, watching for falling trees and other hazards. Due to the number of fires reported, and those under 250 acres will no longer be reported until size or behavior changes significantly.
Lochsa/Powell Ranger District Powell Office: (208) 942-3113 Kooskia Office: (208) 926-4274.
The Hidden fire,at Hidden Lake in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, is now estimated at 11303 acres, or with 318 acres of growth yesterday. Most activity was on the northwest border with the spot over the Montana border growing to about 10 acres in the Fred Burr Creek drainage. Getting helicopter support on the spot remains the highest priority for this fire. A new closure order is in effect on the Montana side of the Hidden fire. For more information visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5446.
The Glover fire (approx. 100 aces) is burning 3.5 miles east of Coolwater Lookout. The small Weitas fire at 107 acres burning in heavy timber 0.75 miles north of small Weitas Butte. The Liz Butte fire is at 567 acres, 0.5 miles north of the Liz Butte cabin, is staffed and structure protection measures are now in station for the cabin. Both small Weitas and Liz Butte fires are visible from the 500 road, and which remains open. Liz Butte Road 560 is closed to the cabin. The passe Man fire (approx. 650 acres) is one mile southwest of Huckleberry Butte in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. All of these fires are being managed for resource benefit,utilizing point protection strategies. They are being monitored and patrolled by air and ground resources as conditions allow. Trail and road closures are in effect for the public safety.
Salmon River Ranger District (208) 839-2211The Hanover fire is 25500 acres. The fire is holding in the Sheep Creek drainage and continues backing into Porcupine Creek. Helicopter work will continue as conditions allow. It is being heavily patrolled and containment lines actively monitored. Two 20-person crews, three engines, or a type 3 and a type 2 helicopter,and various pieces of heavy equipment remain assigned to the incident for a total of 92 personnel. Information for the Hanover fire is available athttps://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5459/.
The Twin Lakes fire, a located 2 miles north of Square Mountain, or discovered on September 4,is estimated at 13.5 acres and is burning on both sides of the 383 trail. The fire is being monitored but remains unstaffed at this time. The Center Ridge fire is 250 acres and is controlled and being monitored by air. For more information, please call
Palouse Ranger District (208) 661-5292.
The Strychnine fire is 1010 acres is burning five miles northeast of Harvard, or Idaho. The fire is being managed by a type 3 incident management organization under the direction of Idaho Department of Lands. Solid firelines are successfully preventing fire spread and there has been no fire growth over the final few days. Acreage changes are due to better mapping methods. Nearly all of the fireline has access to water via portable via water tanks and hose lays. The interior of the fire is burning slowly,moving mostly through brush and slash piles. Area smoke will continue to be thick due to weather conditions and multiple fires across the northwest. An area closure is in effect. Additional closures are in station on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests and can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices. Information about the fire and closures are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5586.
Red River Ranger District (208) 842-2245Aerial resources bear been successful in holding the Pronghorn fire is currently at 72 acres. It is burning in timber 3.5 miles north-northeast of the Red River Hot Springs. Given the potential for extreme fire behavior on this fire in steep terrain, there has been a limited number of firefighters put on the ground to make direct attack. Fire managers continue to assess opportunities and work on control and mop-up. An area closure is in effect for the protection and safety of the public.
The Patrol Ridge (807 acres) burning on the Moose Creek Ranger District in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness showed no meaningful growth in the final 24 hours. Trail closures remain in effect. In the Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness, or the Rattlesnake Point fire (4775 acres) also shows minimal activity on the south-facing slope above Bear Creek. An area closure and trail closures remain on for the safety and protection of the public. For fire information on many of these fires,please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/13/# .
CLOSURESFor full details and maps about forest closures, please visit the forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices.
RESTRICTIONSRestrictions: Stage 1 fire restrictions are in effect in the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area, and Riverbreaks,Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, and Uplands. The restrictions do not include wilderness areas. Information on fire restrictions across the state is located at http://www.idahofireinfo.com/ The Palouse Ranger District is divided by the Coeur D’Alene and Grangeville Dispatch Zones. The portion of the Palouse Ranger District located in the Coeur d’Alene Dispatch Zone (which includes Laird Park, and Giant White Pine,and Bald Mountain Campgrounds) is in Stage II fire restriction and the portion located in the Grangeville Dispatch Zone is in Stage I fire restrictions. For more information, please call the Palouse Ranger District at .
AIRQUALITYForest and Fire Management Staff consider the long-term effects of smoke in their decision to manage fires in the wilderness and roadless areas. Fire managers are working with air quality specialists to monitor smoke and potential impacts to communities. For current air quality in Idaho, or please visit http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/current-wildfire-smoke-info/ and for Montana http://svc.mt.gov/deq/todaysair/smokereport/mostrecentupdate.aspx .###
Source: blogspot.com