Contact: Interagency Fire Information Line (208) 765-7383
National fire information website: www.inciweb.nwcg.gov
Closure details: www.fs.usda.gov/ipnf
Restriction information: http://idahofireinfo.blogspot.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Hunting and fishing information: (208)334-2592 https://fishandgame.idaho.gov/
Northern Rockies Fire Information (Montana): (406)829-7316
Today, we honor the memory of three firefighters who lost their lives earlier this summer while working on the Twisp River Fire and keep a fourth in our thoughts who was severely injured.
Fire Danger Rating: EXTREME National Wildfire Preparedness is at the Highest Level (PL 5) Fires will start easily, spread rapidly, quickly increase in intensity and can be very difficult to control. Today will be mostly cloudy with numerous showers in the morning and slight chance of thunderstorms through the day, and widespread rain showers in the afternoon. Maximum temperatures continue to decrease to 61 - 68 degrees in the valleys and 52 -65 degrees in the mountains. Humidity is increasing to 40 - 55 percent in the valleys and 50 - 65 percent in the mountains. Transport winds will be out of the southwest at 13 - 17 mph, and valley and upslope winds will be out of the southwest from 6 to 10 mph with gusts to about 25mph. Haines index = 2 (very low). Tonight, expect mostly cloudy weather with a slight chance of rain showers. Maximum temperatures will be 46 - 51 degrees in the valleys and 41 - 47 degrees in the mountains. Transport winds will still be out of the southwest from 13 - 17 mph, while valley and upslope winds will be 5 - 8 mph, with gusts up to 25 mph this evening in valleys and lower slopes. Monday is expected to be partly sunny, with a chance of rain showers. Maximum temperatures are anticipated will increase slightly to 64 - 71 degrees in the valleys and 56 - 66 degrees in the mountains. Winds are anticipated to be 5 - 8 mph in the valleys with gusts up to 25 mph, and 7 - 11 mph upslope winds. Winds are anticipated to be breezy but manageable Monday and Wednesday, but could be quite breezy on Tuesday.
· Stage II Fire Restrictions in effect within Grangeville & Coeur d’Alene Dispatch Restriction Areas*
· For the latest air quality rating, see:. http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-
Summary: Yesterday, generally, control lines held or growth was moderate on most of the fires. Today, the weather was favorable for firefighting efforts with lower temperatures, higher humidity, and lower winds. Fire managers conducted reconnaissance and assessed fire status across the Forest to determine the best strategy to move forward. The following is a listing of active fires (table attached). For additional details and maps visit: www.inciweb.nwcg.gov
· Clark Fork Complex- total acreage on the complex: 14,965. Control line around the Clark Fork Complex is 35% complete. Type 2 IMT (Hutton). This complex of fires is located in northern Idaho, near Clark Fork, includes Scotchman Peak, Whitetail, Marten Fires east of Lake Pend Oreille plus six fires in the Kootenai NF in Montana. Whitetail Peak Fire: 1,859 acres, 0% containment. Started 8/14 located south of Hwy 200 and 9 miles south of Clark Fork, eight miles SW of Heron, Montana (part of Clark Fork Complex). Yesterday, despite increased winds up to 20-30 mph, control lines held. A Type 1 helicopter dropped approximately 5,000 gallons of water on the hottest spots on the Whitetail Fire and ground crews did some re-enforcing of lines then pulled back to Dry Ck Road before the winds arrived. Today, crews worked directly on line construction along the black edges of the fire and looked for opportunity to begin building direct line along the west side of the Whitetail Fire from the 332 Road down to a Safety Zone approximately halfway along that flank. They also worked on direct line building on the east side south of Blacktail Creek. An emergency Forest closure remains in effect for the 332 Road, the 1066 Road, and 10210 Road at the intersection with the 332 Road in addition to previous trail closures. A Level 1 Evacuation Order is in effect for an area in Bonner County, Idaho that borders the State Line on the east, River Road (south of the Clark Fork River) on the north, the main fork of Johnson Creek on the west and the Shoshone/Bonner County Line to the south. Crews continue to monitor Marten Creek (6 acres-correction from yesterday) and Scotchman Peak (2,057 acres). An emergency Forest closures remain in effect for the area around the Scotchman Peak Fire. Fire personnel: 370. Fire information: 406-847-9974 or 406-827- 0731. clarkfork2015@gmail.com
· Avery Fire Complex - total acreage: 5,148, (includes Marble, Breezy and Crater Fires). Type 3 IMT (Mandel). Complex includes three 8/11 lightning starts located within the southeastern portion of the St. Joe Ranger District. Marble is 3,234 acres,10 % contained. Breezy is 1,322 acres, 0% contained. Crater is 592 acres, 0% contained. The Avery Complex Fires continued to burn yesterday with various degrees of spread due to high winds. Higher humidity and cooler conditions today aided firefighters. Crews conducted precautionary structure assessment and protection but no homes or structures are threatened at this time and no evacuations are in place. Road and area closures were expanded yesterday to include most of the St. Joe Ranger District south of Highway 50 and the St. Joe River, east of Marble Creek Road and west of Forest Road 218 (Red Ives Rd.) down to the southern boundary of the district near St. Joe Lake. Highway 50 and the St.Joe River Road and campgrounds along the river remain open. Highway 50 into Montana is closed over Gold Pass beyond the Forest Road 218 junction. Fire personnel on the complex: 134. Fire information contact: 208-262-3910.
·Tower Fire is 19,928, 9% containment. The fire started on the Colville NF and is visible from Priest Lake. Yesterday, due to visibility and potential fire behavior, the incident management team, in conjunction with both Bonner County, Idaho, and Pend Oreille County, WA, raised the evacuation level for the local communities. Firefighters moved to safer areas for the duration of the wind event, returning later to the line when winds and fire behavior dropped off and visibility improved. Today, the Priest Lake, Idaho, area and Highway 57 are open to all traffic. All businesses along with federal and state campgrounds at Priest Lake are open. A Level 2 Evacuation Alert remains for Big Meadow/Squaw Valley. Saturday’s cold front and associated severe winds caused fewer control issues than anticipated for the Tower Fire and other fires in the Kaniksu Complex. A Level 1 Evacuation Alert remains in place for the north Hwy 57 corridor that includes the Nordman area and the west side of Priest Lake. A Level 1 Evacuation Alert remains for the Bear Paw area and the south Hwy 57 corridor from Priest River north to Dickensheet Road, including the west side of Priest Lake. The Level 1 Evacuation for Hwy 57 has been issued because fire managers are aware that Hwy 57 is the main route south from the Priest Lake community, not because of imminent fire danger. Emergency Forest closures remain in effect in the fire area. Fire Information is 907-750-1639 or 208-443-6835, towerfireinfo@gmail.com Kaniksu .
Other lightning starts on 8/21, included: Jack Waite (1 acre), White Rock Creek (500 acres), and miscellaneous fires (29 acres). Yesterday, Fire growth was low, with just a 529 acre increase over the entire complex. Some light rain also fell on the fire, although amounts are not expected to have made a significant impact. Today, crews continued to take advantage of the cool, damp weather to strengthen protection efforts around private land and structures and indirect lines on the south side of the Bobtail Fire. The emergency Forest closure was expanded today over the northern portion of the Coeur D’Alene Ranger District. Details are listed in the Temporary Wildfire Emergency Forest Closure section of this update. Fire personnel: 183. A Stage 1 evacuation notice continues to be in effect in Shoshone County ID for the Hope Valley Road residents near Trout Creek, MT. The nearby Monument Fire (estimated 250 acres) is located southeast of Monument Mountain,
· Snow Peak Complex: Total acreage for complex: 6658 acres, 0% contained. ICT3 (Juvan). The Snow Peak Complex is comprised of 11 separate fires within the southeastern portion of the St. Joe Ranger District including the Snow Peak Wildlife Management Area, upper portion of the Mallard Larkins Pioneer Area, and the Ruby Point to Yankee Peak area south of the St. Joe River. (Pretty, Ruby Point, Basin Creek, Trail 55, Caribou, Lightning Ridge, Chicadee, Game, Pole Creek, and My Ruby fires.) Aerial reconnaissance of the complex yesterday indicated on the Chicadee fire was more than 5,000 acres. Crews sized-up the fire perimeter today to determine actual size and an update will be reported tomorrow. Due to terrain, limited resources, and no immediate threats to life and structures, the Snow Peak Complex does not have firefighters on the ground. The Snow Peak Complex area is currently closed to all public access. For a full listing of National Forest road and trail closures
· Last Inch: 712 acres, 56% contained. 8/21 lightning. IMT Type 2 (Shenk) Located 12 miles east of Clarkia. With the passage of the cold front yesterday, the fire jumped containment lines on the northeast side of the fire and increased by 10 acres in size. Today, crews worked to reinforce existing dozer line and dig hand line where appropriate to improve safe access and mitigate hazards and also worked on areas where the fire escaped containment lines on the northeast side of the fire. Fire personnel:97 Phone: 508-400-3891 lastinchfireinfo@gmail.com
· Lone Mountain Fire: 135 acres, ignited by downed power line 8/29. Located approximately 15 miles north of Coeur d’ Alene. Yesterday the fire spread rapidly due to high winds, triggering a temporary evacuation of the area. Fire crews quickly responded and constructed a dozer line around the fire. Today, the fire is in mop-up and monitor status.
· Not Creative Fire: 150 acres, 100% contained, 8/13 lightning, Type IV IMT on the local Ranger District is managing the fire which is on patrol status. Location: four miles north of Rose Lake, ID, on the south side of I-90.
Additional Information:
· Residents in most counties throughout north Idaho can receive evacuation notices by text message by registering with a service called “Nile.” To register, text your ZIP CODE to 888777 for mobile alerts. This is a free citizen voice and text alert notification service.· Temporary Wildfire Emergency Forest Closures: For details: Idaho Panhandle National Forest’s (IPNF) web: www.fs.usda.gov/IPNF.
*Definitions: Level 1 Alert (Get Ready) Residents should be ready, made aware of the increased risk and are asked to monitor emergency services. Residents should prepare and if needed, take early precautionary movement to relocate, especially those with special needs, pets, livestock or those needing transportation assistance.
Level 2 Voluntary Evacuation (Get Set) Residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Residents should monitor emergency services. A significant danger exists. It is suggested that you voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends. Be ready to evacuate immediately, especially those with special needs, pets, livestock or those needing transportation assistance.
TEMPORARY WILFIRE EMERGENCY CLOSURES ON IDAHO PANHANDLE NF
The following emergency closures are in place. See the Idaho Panhandle National Forest website for the full text and map of each closure. THE PUBLIC IS PROHIBITED TO GO INTO OR BE UPON THESE AREAS, ROADS AND TRAILS:
§ Priest Lake Ranger District (RD) - Due to Upper Priest Fire: Road 1013 north of Lime Creek. Trail #308 and Trail #28. (Road Closure and Trail Closure)
Due to Tower Fire : An area closure has been established for the area contained within the following boundaries: north of Bear Paw Road and Forest Road 305, west of HWY 57, south of Dickensheet and Forest Road 310, and east of the Idaho Panhandle NF/Colville NF boundary between Hungry Mountain and the junction of Forest Roads 305 and 306. Please see the following map for more detailed boundaries. A portion of the Newport Ranger District of the Colville National Forest is closed.
§ Bonners Ferry RD - Due to Parker Ridge Fire: Parker Creek Trail #14, Long Canyon Trail #16 and Parker Ridge Trail #221. Previously closed trails remain closed. They include Parker Ridge Trail #221 (Sections 7 and 8 of T64N, R1W and sections 12, 13, 14, 15, 2, and 27 of R2W) and the Fisher Peak Trail. Under this closure order, the public is prohibited to go into or be upon this trail.
§ Sandpoint and Coeur d’Alene River RD - Due to Clark Fork Complex (Scotchman Peak and Whitetail Fires): The Scotchman Peak wildfire emergency closure has expanded significantly. Please see the Closure Order and Map on the Forest website for specific boundaries, roads and trails
§ Coeur d’Alene River RD –Due to the increasing number of wildfires in the area and concern for public safety, a temporary emergency wildfire closure has been issued for all public lands north of I-90, south of Forest Road 332, east of Highway 95 and west of the Idaho/Montana border. This emergency closure includes all National Forest System lands, Bureau of Land Management lands, and state endowment forest lands within the described boundaries. EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, 12:01 AM AUGUST 30.
Due to Solitare Fire: All lands, trails and forest roads within T52N - R1W sections 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and T53N - R1W sections 32, 33, 34. Forest Trails 1525 (Solitaire Creek 4WD) and 6728 (Sob Creek 4WD).
Due to Whitetail Fire: Forest Roads #430, #332, #332A, #203, #203A, #203B, #203E, and #1533. Forest Trails #20 (Coeur d'Alene River NRT), 52 (Alden Creek), #448 (Deer Creek), #77, #122. There are also large area closures described in the closure order and map. (
§ St. Joe RD– Avery Complex (Crater, Marble Creek, and Chicadee Fires) and Snow Peak Complex
- Due to Marble Creek Fire and Crater Fire: This closure area encompasses a large portion of the St. Joe Ranger District and nearby BLM and industrial timber lands. The closure area generally encompasses the areas surrounding Marble Creek, the Hobo Cedar Grove, Grandfather Mountain, Last Inch Camp, Crater Peak, Outlaw Point, Flemming Peak, and all lands in between. For specific closure areas please see the Closure Order and Map.
- Due to Snow Peak Complex: This closure area encompasses a large portion of the St. Joe Ranger District bordering the Nez Perce Clearwater NF. The closure includes the Snow Peak area, Granite Peak area, Ruby Point area and the Yankee Peak area. Please see map for specific closure boundaries.
- Due to Breezy Chicadee -This closure area ties together the Marble Creek and Snow Peak emergency wildfire closures areas. For specific closure boundaries, please see the Closure Order and Map on the website.
Stage II Fire Restrictions: The following acts are prohibited until further notice:
1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated smoking site or while stopped in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
3. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails in accordance with existing travel management plans for non-commercial purposes including ATVs, UTVs, and pickups.
4. The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. A patrol is required for one hour following cessation of all work as described in a, b, and c below:
a. Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine for felling, bucking, skidding, processing, road building, woodcutting or any other off-road activity during industrial operations.
b. Blasting, welding, or other activities that generate flame or flammable material.
c. Using an explosive
*Private landowners within city boundaries should consult their local Fire Department for current restrictions in their community.
|
ACRONYMS:
§ IPNF: Idaho Panhandle National Forests
§ IPNF NZ: Idaho Panhandle National Forests North Zone (U.S. Forest Service) IPNF CZ: Idaho Panhandle National Forests Central Zone (U.S. Forest Service)
§ IPNF SZ: Idaho Panhandle National Forests South Zone (U.S. Forest Service) IDL: Idaho Department of Lands (State)
§ ICT: Incident Command Type
§ IMT: Incident Management Team
§ NF: National Forest
SUMMARY TABLE: ACTIVE WILDFIRES IN NORTHERN IDAHO - AUGUST 30, 2015
| ||||
Incident Name
|
Location
|
Current Size
|
Protection Agency
|
Status
|
Breezy
|
SZ - St. Joe
|
1,322.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/25: on BLM land within Marble closures (Avery Complex)
|
East Fork
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
20.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22: IMT2 (Fry) Grizzly Complex
|
Grassy Mountain
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
745.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22: IMT2 (Fry) Grizzly Complex
|
Fan Creek
|
NZ – Bonners Ferry
|
0.1
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22:
|
Deception
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
1.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22: (McClilntick) Contained 8/23
|
Picnic
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
0.3
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22: (Moore) Contained 8/23
|
White Rock Creek
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
2.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22: IMT2 (Fry) Grizzly Complex
|
Jack Waite
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
1.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22: IMT2 (Fry) Grizzly Complex
|
Steep Creek
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
200.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22:
|
Aimes
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
1.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/22: (Davis)
|
Stony Creek
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
25.5
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/21:
|
Shirttail
|
CZ – State - Cataldo
|
0.1
|
IDL
|
Start 8/21: ICT 5
|
Skitwish Peak
|
CZ-Coeur d’Alene River
|
0.3
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/21:ICT 5 (Johnson) burning old snag, heavy ground fuel controlled 8/23
|
Monument
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene
|
250.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/21: (Feltman) Radio repeater site potentially threatened
|
Pretty
|
SZ – St. Joe
|
169.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/21: (Juvan) difficult access Snow Peak Complex
|
Marten Creek
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
5.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/19: IMT Type 2 (Hutton) Clark Fork Complex, west of Whitetail Fire
|
Salt Pork
|
SZ-St. Joe
|
0.1
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/17: Snow Peak Complex
|
My Ruby
|
SZ-St. Joe
|
0.5
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/17: Snow Peak Complex
|
Crater
|
SZ –St. Joe: BLM land
|
592.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/15: (Avery Complex) closures
|
Pole Creek
|
SZ – St. Joe
|
0.1
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/14: Snow Peak Complex
|
Game
|
SZ – St. Joe
|
2.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/14: Snow Peak Complex
|
Basin Creek
|
SZ – St. Joe
|
36.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/14: Snow Peak Complex
|
Solitaire Creek
|
CZ- Coeur d’Alene River
|
30.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/14:blocked trail 1525, IC Type 4 (Feltmann) area closure, fire is lined, edges secure, 8/19 burned out green finger
|
Upper Priest
|
NZ – Priest Lake
|
70.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/14: area closures, monitored (S. Clemenson)8/19active after several calm days
|
Whitetail Peak
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
1,859.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/14: Clark Fork Complex IMT Type 2 (Hutton) 35% contained, closures
|
Scotchman Peak
|
NZ-Sandpoint
|
1920.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/13: Clark Fork Complex closure of trail systems Type 2 IMT (Hutton)
|
Not Creative
|
CZ-State-Cataldo
|
150.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/13: 100% containment, Type 4 ICT on Ranger District
|
Benewah Creek
|
SZ-State-West St. Joe
|
34.0
|
IDL
|
Start 8/13:ICT 4, (Schiermeister) contained, patrol status
|
Big Lost
|
SZ-State-Ponderosa
|
940.0
|
IDL
|
Start 8/13: 100% contained. Type 4 IMT on Ranger District
|
South Bobtail
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
5,340.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/13: Type 3 IMT (Day) and Bobtail Fire; Grizzly Complex
|
Chicadee
|
SZ- St. Joe
|
5,000.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/13: Snow Peak Complex
|
East Suburban
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/13: Lower Flat Fire, Grizzly Complex
| |
Bennett Peak
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
3.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/12: contained, monitor
|
Caribou Creek
|
SZ – St. Joe
|
270.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/12: Snow Peak Complex
|
North Grizzly
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
3,240.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/12: Grizzly Ridge, part of Grizzly Complex
|
Downey
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
9.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/12: Downey contained; part of Grizzly Complex
|
Lower Flat
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
6,378.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/12 Grizzly Complex (Lower Flat)
|
Lightning Ridge
|
SZ – St. Joe
|
7.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/12: Snow Peak Complex
|
Trail 55
|
SZ - St. Joe /state lands
|
0.3
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/12: Snow Peak Complex, scratch line in, low spread potential
|
Tower
|
Colville NF
|
18,478.0
|
CNF
|
Start 8/11: Fire is in Washington 9% contained, closures
|
Last Inch
|
NZ Idaho Panhandle
|
712.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/21: IMT 2 (Shenk) 56% contained
|
Ruby Point
|
SZ – St. Joe
|
78.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11: Snow Peak Complex
|
North Suburban
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
91
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11: part of Lower Flat, Grizzly Complex
|
South Suburban
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11 part of Lower Flat, Grizzly Complex
| |
Upper Stoney
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11 part of Lower Flat, Grizzly Complex
| |
Lower Stoney
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11: part of Lower Flat, Part of Grizzly Complex
| |
Falls Ridge
|
SZ–State–West St. Joe
|
0.9
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11:contained, patrol status
|
Marble Creek
|
SZ - St. Joe
|
3,234.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11: IC Type 3 ( Mandel) 10% (Avery Complex, closures
|
Pond Peak
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
1.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11: contained
|
Murray Peak
|
CZ – Coeur d’Alene River
|
5.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 8/11: contained, continue mop-up 8/19 (Part of Grizzly)
|
Slaughter House
|
SZ – State West St. Joe
|
47.0
|
IDL
|
Start 8/10: contained, patrolled
|
3 Sisters
|
NZ-Pend Oreille
|
228.0
|
IDL
|
Start 8/4: contained
|
Parker Ridge
|
NZ – Bonners Ferry
|
6,259.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 7/29: IMT3(Weeks) structure protection, closures in effect , 27% contained
|
Hobo
|
SZ- St. Joe
|
45.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 7/23: contained/ monitored
|
Elevator
|
SZ-St. Joe
|
25.0
|
IPNF
|
Start 7/22; contained/ monitored
|
Cape Horn
|
NZ-Pend Oreille
|
1326.0
|
IDL
|
Start 7/5: contained /mop-up, patrol cause under investigation
|
