Craig Mountain Complex Fire Update
The Craig Mountain Complex includes the
Corral Creek fire and the Powerline fire. Both fires are burning in heavy
grass and brush in steep, rough terrain. The Corral fire is located
between Corral Creek and China Garden Creek drainages, with the Snake River on
the southern perimeter. The Powerline fire is located between Wapshilla
Creek and Deer Creek, south and southwest of Winchester, Idaho. Mike
Almas’ Northern Rockies Incident Management Team (IMT) is managing the
incident.
Firefighter and public safety is always
the number one priority. Recreationists accessing the Salmon and Snake
rivers will see active fire above and near beaches. Hazards that could be
encountered are rocks and rolling debris and helicopters dipping from the river
drainages. Although no closures exist along either waterway, fire
managers encourage recreationists to access locations outside of the active
fire area and continue down or upstream away from helicopter dip sites.
The Powerline fire saw continued growth to
the south and west yesterday and overnight as the fire backed down ridges in
the Snake River drainage. Today, the fire will continue to spread west,
down slope to the Snake River and towards Cottonwood Creek. The fire also
continues to spread south towards the confluence of the Snake and Salmon
Rivers. The Powerline fire is also expected to reach the Corral Creek
fire today.
Today firefighters will conduct burnout
operations on the west, south of the Corral Creek fire perimeter and east of
the Deer Creek drainage. Implementation of today’s plan is a result of
several days of dozer and hand line construction, firefighters successfully
holding fire in strategic boundaries, and working closely with the Incident
Meteorologist and Fire Behavior Analyst.
Burnout operations are implemented under
specific conditions that allow the greatest probability for success. Today’s
cooler temperatures, higher Relative Humidity, and north winds are favorable
conditions for firefighters to implement burnout operations.
12 residences and cabins are threatened
including an Idaho Department of Fish and Game work station. There are no
evacuations at this time and no structures have been lost. Crews and
equipment will be in place today to implement structure protection as needed.
The Corral Creek fire did not experience
growth yesterday. Fire line has been completed to the north and is being
held to the east and the west by green creek drainages. Minimal to no
fire growth is expected on the Corral Creek fire today.
Road Closures &
Special Announcements: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
Cottonwood Field Office has issued a temporary emergency closure order for the
Eagle Creek Road, from the intersection of Zaza Road to the Salmon River due to
fire suppression activities and to ensure public health and safety.
Recreationists floating the Salmon River will not be able to exit at Eagle
Creek. The next take out location is at Heller Bar.
Lewis County
Sheriff’s Office will be closing public access to the affected fire area at the
intersection of Hoover Point and Soldier Meadows roads.
Nez Perce County
Sheriff’s Office will be closing public access to the fire area at the
intersection of Deer Creek and Zaza roads.
Residents and
landowners will be identified and allowed access from both closures.
Idaho
Fish and Game has also closed the Craig Mountain Wildlife Management Area 30
miles south of Lewiston.
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place. Members of
the public who fly drones over or near wildfires threaten the safety of
firefighters and the effectiveness of wildfire management operations. If
you fly, we can’t.
For more
information: Information for the Craig Mountain Complex can be found
on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5376/,
by phone at (208) 502-1166, or on Facebook at Craig Mountain Complex
fire. Questions can also be emailed to craigmountaincomplex@gmail.com.
The current Fire Danger level is Very High. There are
no fire restrictions at this time, but recreationists are reminded to use
caution with any outdoor activity that may cause a spark. Never leave
campfires unattended. Pour water and add dirt to your campfire until your
campfire is cold. Remember: If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot
to leave.
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