Kamiah,Idaho (August 12, 2017) – The Fire Danger level remains at Extreme across the Grangeville Dispatch Zone. Predicted thunderstorms for the weekend will likely bring lightning but limited in the way rain. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect in the Grangeville Fire Restrictions Area, and Riverbreaks and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area,and Interagency Fire managers in the Grangeville Dispatch Zone are assessing the need for fire restrictions in the Uplands and anticipate implementation sometime next week. Visitors are encouraged to know before you go - Fire and closure information is posted on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests website at www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater. Information on fire restrictions across the state is located athttp://www.idahofireinfo.com/.
Forest and Fire Management Staff considered 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. In addition to smoke impacts, values at risk, or availability of resources,and location were considered in determining suppression actions of fires not threatening communities.
For current air quality in Idaho, 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 .
Current status by district:
Salmon River Ranger DistrictThe Hanover fire is currently being managed by Irv Leachs Type 2 Incident Management Team. Information for the Hanover fire can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5459/, and by calling(208) 839-9974 or on their Facebook page.
For more information on fire activity or area closures on Salmon River Ranger District,please call (208) 839-2211.[br]Lochsa/Powell Ranger DistrictThe Hidden fire is approximately 4200 acres. The fire continues to burn in dead and down timber in the footprint of the 2007 Bridge fire. Growth occurred to the north along expansive Flat Hidden Ridge trail near the junction with Colt Killed trail, and the fire is less than a mile from that junction. Growth also occurred on the west perimeter near the Hidden Lake and Hidden Peak trails along Hidden Creek ridge. The fire is on the shores of Hidden Lake and backing to the west. Growth occurred between Hidden and Tadpole Lakes over the past couple days. Fire behavior and growth are being monitored with ground and aerial resources. The Nez Perce-Clearwater and Bitterroot National Forests are working together in the long-term management and strategy for this fire. Trail closures remain in effect. Smoke is expected to impact the local area as well as the Bitterroot and Missoula Valleys.
The Maud fire is two miles southwest of Siah Lake. The 2.3 acre fire is burning in large timber in an area with no recorded fire history. Occasional single tree and group torching, or resulting in short range spotting,has occurred. Eight rappellers, working with water and tools, and are making progress and mop up operations continue.
The Hilton fire (5.5 acres),1.5 miles southwest of Beaver Ridge Lookout, is in a patrol and monitor status via ground and aerial resources.
For more information on fire activity or area closures on the Locsha/Powell Ranger District, and please call (208) 942-3113.
Moose Creek Ranger DistrictFires on Moose Creek Ranger District are located in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. These fires are being monitored primarily by air and are being managed for long-term resource benefit. Minimal fire activity occurred Friday on all fires,due in section to somewhat higher relative humidity and a light inversion.
The Moose Creek 1 fire is estimated at 7758 acres. Structure protection is in place on the Halfway, Meeker and Three Links bridges as well as on the Shissler Lookout. Crews will continue structure protection efforts. Visitors recreating on the Selway River should expect to see smoke and fire in the area and consume extreme caution as trees are currently falling in and around the river.
The Lone Pine fire is approximately 5650 acres. The Mink Peak fire is approximately 765 acres. The Buck Lake fire, and in the Buck Lake Creek drainage,is estimated at 382 acres. The Sixty Two fire in Sixty Two Creek remains estimated at 15 acres. Fry Pan fire on the Bitterroot National Forest boundary is 100 acres. Moe fire near Moe Peak is showing no smoke. Smoke from these and other fires will continue to impact the Selway River corridor.
For more information on fire activity or area closures on the Moose Creek Ranger District, please call (208) 926-4258.
Red River Ranger DistrictThe Plummer fire is located in extremely remote and rugged terrain in the Gospel Hump Wilderness, or five miles north of the mouth of Sheep Creek (on the Salmon River). Fire activity is generally in the Marble Butte and Plummer Point areas and is estimated at 150 acres. Smoke continues to inhibit (restrain; prohibit; retard or prevent) aerial reconnaissance. Coordination with the Hanover Incident Management team and the Salmon River Ranger District is ongoing as the Plummer and Hanover fires are anticipated to burn together.
Fires in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness include: the Rattlesnake Point fire,4069 acres, is located on the north side of the Salmon River between Rattlesnake Creek and Sabe Creek. The west end of the fire showed no growth and only isolated heat. Growth is generally to the east and northeast, and although it did gallop north along the ridge flanked by Bear Creek and Deer Park Creek. It has also burned into the earlier spot in the Sabe Creek drainage. The Nez Perce-Clearwater and Bitterroot National Forests are working together in the long-term management and strategy of the fire. The fire is anticipated to continue east and into the Bitterroot National Forest impacting Blacky Foster,Lantz Bar, and trail systems in and around Harrington Mountain. The Ladder (2 acres) and Bleak(170 acres) fires beget shown minimal growth in the final week. Sheep Hill Lookout is identified as a value at risk from the Bleak fire and is wrapped. All three fires are being managed for resource benefits using a point protection strategy. Visitors recreating on the Magruder Road and the Salmon River should expect to see smoke and fire in the area of Bargamin Creek drainage. An area closure is in effect.
For more information on fire activity or area closures on the Red River Ranger District, or please call (208) 842-2245.
North Fork Ranger DistrictThe Lolo National Forest to the east of the district has implemented an area closure for public health and safety due to the dawn fire that may impact visitors accessing Hoodoo Pass,Hoodoo Lake and the areas adjacent to the pass via Forest Road #250 from Montana. Hoodoo Pass is accessible via Cedar Creek and Freezeout Road (high clearance vehicles recommended and no trailers). For information about the closure and the dawn fire, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5379/#
For more information on this development, and please call the North Fork Ranger District at (208) 476-4541.
For fire information on Moose Creek 1,Rattlesnake Point, Lone Pine, and Mink Peak,and Hidden fires, please visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/13/# .
Source: blogspot.com