More Than 20 Wildfires Currently Burning In Idaho
We knew it was coming and the wildfire season here in Idaho has started a bit early this year. Most likely because of the drought and high temperatures with an occasional storm. The lightning and wind don’t help in these situations. Here’s what’s burning right now in Idaho according to KTVB…
The Cougar Rock Complex is comprised of ten wildfires that all started by lightning and were discovered the morning of July 7, 2021. These fires are primarily in steep terrain and approximately 30 miles north of Orofino, Idaho.
The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 took command of the fires combining them into the Cougar Rock Complex.
As of July 30, 7,427 acres have burned. 458 fire personnel are assigned to Cougar Rock Complex. The fires are 63% contained. Full containment is not expected until Sept. 15.
Crews from Potlatch Deltic; Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protection Association; Idaho Department of Lands; U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Clearwater County; USDA Forest Service; and the Nez Perce Tribe are assisting in the firefighting effort.
Some fires are reaching areas of high elevation and sub-alpine fir. Light to moderate amounts of dead fine fuels and logging/thinning slash will contribute to surface fire spread.
High pressure is moving into the area bringing above-normal temperatures and dry conditions. Overnight relative humidity recovery will be poor to fair. Smoke will be prevalent in the mornings with some improvement in the afternoon. These conditions are expected to last through Friday. On Saturday, increasing clouds and moisture will bring a chance of storms and scattered showers.
Dixie-Jumbo Fires
The Dixie Fire is located 40 miles southeast of Grangeville and 15 miles south of Elk City. As of August 7, the fire is estimated to have burned 43,204 acres -- more than 67 square miles. A total of 252 fire personnel are assigned to this wildfire, which includes 14 engines, 2 helicopters and 2 hand crews. It is 59% contained. The estimated date for full containment is Oct. 30.
The fire was detected on the afternoon of July 5 by aviation resources. Fire managers say it was ignited by lightning.
Dry weather continues Saturday, with high temperatures in the 80s. A cold front is expected to move into the fire area on Sunday, with winds of up to 30 miles per hour, but also a 30- to 40-percent chance of wetting rain.
The Jumbo Fire is located west of the Dixie Fire, and has burned 2,680 acres. It is 45-percent contained.
Northern Rockies Incident Management Team #5, under the leadership of Incident Commander Joe Sampson, assumed command of the Dixie-Jumbo fires on August 2.
For evacuation information and updates, please call Idaho County Sheriff's Office at 208-983-1100.
Granite Pass Complex
The Granite Pass Complex fire consists of four fires burning on the west side of Highway 12 near the Lolo Pass Visitor Center. The combined fire acreage is 5,739 acres with 4% containment. There are 199 personnel assigned to these fires.
The Forest Service says wildfires burning on the Lolo Pass including the Lolo Creek Fire on the Missoula Ranger District in Montana and the BM Hill and Shotgun Fires on the Powell Ranger District in Idaho.
Fire crews are making good progress as spotty precipitation, cooler temperatures, and higher relative humidity has moderated fire behavior. Water provided from the air and ground is aiding crews with mop-up operations to protect the Highway 12 transportation corridor, timber resources, electric transmission lines and recreational improvements while also minimizing impacts to private property and structures.
Lolo Creek and BM Hill Fires Update: The BM Hill Fire is approximately 4,882 acres in size and is burning on the Lolo National Forest northwest of Highway 12. Resources will continue to focus on holding the fire from crossing Highway 12. It is zero percent contained.
The Lolo Creek Fire is 165 acres in size and 81% contained. Crews are working to hold and improve fire lines. It remains active along the southern perimeter.
Shotgun Fire Update: The Shotgun Fire is located seven miles north of the junction and is 517 acres, burning in heavy dead and downed timber in steep terrain. It is moving north into Boulder Creek.
Boulder Creek Fire: Has burned 175 acres and is zero percent contained. Crews are monitoring the fire until more resources arrive.
The Missoula County Sheriff's Office issued an evacuation warning from Lolo Pass to Cloudburst Creek. Deputies will be notifying residents and visitors along Highway 12 of the warning. Residents and visitors in the area should stay vigilant and be ready to leave the area if an evacuation order is issued.
Motorists on U.S. Highway 12 are urged to use caution while traveling this route due to changing fire conditions. Please do not stop to take photos.
The Lolo Pass Visitor Center is now open. Part of the Lolo Pass Visitor Center parking lot remains closed due to firefighting operations being staged out of this area.
Haynes Fire
The Haynes Fire, 11 miles south of Salmon, was detected at the head of Haynes Creek on the Leadore Ranger District on July 16. The fire was believed to have been caused by lightning.
As of Friday, July 30, it is estimated to be 472 acres in size and 95% contained. Steep, rocky terrain is an ongoing issue in the effort to secure some portions of the fire which is burning in subalpine fir with heavy dead and down trees.
Bucket work from helicopters were used to cool hot spots in the areas that are too steep for fire crews. Crews are securing and patrolling fire line and continue to construct containment line along the eastern perimeter of the fire.
The fire has isolated areas where smoldering fuels are producing some smoke. The crews completed planned line construction and the fire had no perimeter growth.
The Bureau of Land Management, Salmon Field Office, has implemented an emergency road closure affecting public lands in the Haynes Creek and McDevitt Creek areas in Lemhi County, Idaho to provide protection to visitors from the current fire safety hazards, wildfire activity and fire suppression activity.
Honeymoon Fire
The lightning-caused Honeymoon Fire is burning about a mile northwest of Honeymoon Lake on the Middle Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. The fire is estimated at two acres burning in subalpine fir in the 2007 Cascade Complex fire scar. A 20-person crew is working to suppress the fire.
Johnson Creek Fire
This wildfire is burning on the Palouse Ranger District 4.5 miles north of Elk River, Idaho in the Upper Basin. On Saturday, the fire was estimated at 750 acres and is burning in heavy dead and down timber, limiting the safe access for resources. Heavy equipment is being used to clear and improve roads into the area to support suppression activities. Firefighters are implementing structure protection at Elk Butte Lookout if the fire should progress in that direction. Elk Butte is not impacted at this time.
Several road closures are in place both for the Johnson Creek Fire and the Cougar Rock Complex on the North Fork Ranger District; Forest Service Road 4702 is closed at Captain’s Cabin; Forest Service Road 3220 is closed at the junction with 4702 (Elk Butte Road), and Grandad Bridge at Dworshak Reservoir is closed on the east side.
Leland Complex Fire
The Leland Complex is composed of two wildfires: The Pine Creek and Sand Mountain fires, both started by lightning on July 7, 2021, on the Idaho Department of Lands Ponderosa Forest Protective District. They have grown in size to 3,413 acres and are 67 percent contained.
The Pine Creek Fire is now 100 percent contained. The fire is burning in the Pine Creek drainage of Leland advancing south toward the Clearwater River and east toward the Bedrock area, approximately 2.5 miles southeast of Julietta, Idaho.
The Sand Mountain Fire is burning in heavy timber with a large dead and down component on Forest Service land 2.5 miles east of Laird Park in Latah County. No structures are threatened. Forest area, campground and trail closures are in effect. The fire was reported Thursday, July 8 at 10:30 a.m.
The North Idaho Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Mike McManus, took command of the two fires, combining them into the Leland Complex.
Mud Lick Fire
The Mud Lick Fire, 22 miles west of Salmon, had burned 20,643 acres as of Friday, August 6. It started July 8. The fire is now 48% contained.
The lightning-caused fire is burning in grass, brush, dead/down timber, and ponderosa pine and Douglas fir trees on the Salmon-Challis National Forest.
Total resources assigned include 357 personnel, 7 crews, 6 helicopters, 13 engines, 1 dozer, 11 water tenders, and 3 masticators.
No fire growth was detected Thursday. Fuels heated up below Indian Point in Gant Creek and on the hillside above the Big Deer Creek / Panther Creek intersection. Helicopters cooled those areas off with bucket drops of water to hinder future fire growth from forecasted winds. Crews continue to monitor fire activity and were able to hike in and visually confirm the fire continues smoldering in dead and down logs near Deer Lake.
Weather and road condition dependent: Equipment will travel up Stormy Peak Road to Five Corners. Due to the size and condition of the road, this operation will require pilot cars, radio communications, and temporary road closures to ensure safety of equipment drivers as well as public traffic in the area. Be prepared for delays on that road. Stay tuned to the Salmon-Challis NF Facebook page for the latest information.
Thunderstorms are expected to pass through the area starting early Friday morning, bringing gusty and erratic winds and a better chance of wetting rain. A cold front will bring cooler temperatures to the area and 10-20 mph winds from the northwest.
The Salmon-Challis National Forest has issued road closures within the fire area to protect public health and safety due to extreme fire behavior conditions and the expected rate of fire spread. The road closures include portions of Panther Creek, Williams Creek, Leesburg Road, Napias Creek, Phelan Creek, Deep Creek, Crags and Hoodoo Meadows Roads. The roads are closed to all uses including hiking, biking, motorized use, and horse travel.
The Iron Fire, about 18 miles southwest of Salmon, has burned 133 acres, and was 95% contained as of Friday, July 30.
The fire produced very little smoke and there are limited areas with smoldering fuels. Due to the slowed fire growth this will be the last update until next Thursday or if fire conditions change.
Resources are monitoring the inaccessible portion of Badger Creek drainage and will use helicopters to drop water on flare ups near the fire perimeter as needed.
Stage I fire restrictions are in effect on the Salmon-Challis National Forest (outside the Frank Church Wilderness), Bureau of Land Management (BLM)-Salmon and Challis Field Offices, along with state, state endowment, and privately-owned forested lands within the Central Idaho Dispatch Zone.
Salmon River "Keep on Floating" Order
Effective Tuesday, July 13, recreators on the Salmon River are asked to stop at Whitewater Ranch to obtain information about the fire and receive a safety briefing. Between Whitewater Ranch and Jim Moore Campsite, floaters are directed not to stop or camp on either side of the river in order to avoid fire activity and firefighting operations. The Jim Moore Campsite is included in the no-stopping area, please move past it to clear the restricted area.
As of July 16, the fire is 12% contained.
On July 6, the Idaho County Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for the Dixie and Comstock area. For evacuation information and updates, please call 208-983-1100 or follow them on Facebook.
Snake River Complex
The Snake River Complex is made up of three wildfires that all started by lightning and were discovered the morning of July 7, 2021, on the Idaho Department of Lands Craig Mountain Forest Protective District. These fires have burned 109,262 acres in steep terrain and around 20 miles south of Lewiston, Idaho.
As of July 30, the complex was 87% contained, with estimated containment for Sunday, August 15th.
Crews will continue mopping up and securing control lines. Firefighters will also continue providing structure protection should the fire escape established control lines. Crews will provide initial attack support as needed.
Evacuation orders were issued earlier for homes along the Snake River and for residents on Zaza road north of Soldier Meadow and west of Waha road, including Redbird and Waha Lake, as well as for residents of the Deer Creek area, the community of Forest, and north of Hoover Ridge. The Red Cross has a shelter at the Echo Hills Church in Lewiston. Sign up for alerts.
Storm Theatre Complex
The Storm Theatre Complex consists of 23 backcountry fires and the Storm Creek Fire. Due to the remote location of the fires, aerial reconnaissance is the primary tool to get new information about the fires. The Storm Creek Fire is located 9 miles southeast of Powell, Idaho.
The most recent infrared flight information shows the fire was 12,871 acres. Growth continued to be predominately to the east, primarily up Maud Creek. Fire activity was moderate Sunday and continued to burn through old burn scars. The fire poses no immediate threat to cross onto the Bitterroot National Forest.
The Bar Creek Fire located east of North Fork Road (Forest Road 247) and north of Bar Creek and is 808 acres at last report. The Lonesome Fire located south of Forest Road 500 is last measured at 284 acres.
Beaver Ridge Fire Tower and some trail-bridges were encased in structure protection wrap, a multi-layer aluminum and fabric wrap that reflects heat. Other trail bridges have pumps and sprinkler systems installed.
The 23 Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests backcountry fires are within an approximately 815,000 acre remote, roadless area north of Highway 12, east of the Clearwater River, south of the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, south of the Lolo National Forest, and west of the Bitterroot National Forest.
The fires range in size from less than one acre to 1,000 acres. Firefighters are employing suppression efforts where critical values are at risk.
Please see the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests website for closures.
Stage II fire restrictions are in effect throughout the forests.