Mustang Complex Update Monday, Sept. 17 2012
Incident: Mustang Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/17/2012
Location: North of the Main Salmon River and west of the North Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho.Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Salmon-Challis National ForestResources: 813 personnel, including 11 hand crews, 60 engines, 3 dozers, 14 water tenders, and 5 helicopters.Idaho: Fire activity on the east side of Highway 93 remained to the west of Little Silverlead Creek. In total 157 acresburned. The cause is still under investigation. Helicopters worked for several hours on Sunday dropping water tocool the fire while hotshot crews continued improving fire lines. Fire managers are cautiously optimistic thatfirefighters have contained the spread. In Hughes Creek, firefighters burned out another 1 3/4 miles of line, whichslowly backed down to the creek. In Hull Creek, hotshot crews completed burning around the structures andbacked that fire down to the road as well. Firefighters will work today to complete burnouts in these areas.Evacuations: The evacuation order has been changed for residents in Sage Creek and for residents along theHighway 93 corridor from North Fork ( mile post 326.5) to Quartz Creek (mile post 339.6), just north ofGibbonsville, Idaho, including the Ditch Creek, Hughes Creek, and Hull Creek areas. The evacuation level forall areas has been reduced from Level 3 to Level 2, effective 6:00 am Monday, September 17. A level 2indicates a situation where dangerous conditions exist and may threaten residents or homes. Residents mustbe fully prepared to leave at a moment's notice.Highway 93 is currently open. The public can expect thick smoke between North Fork and south of Gibbonsville.Travelers along Highway 93 should drive with headlights on and reduce their speed as fire personnel andequipment are working along the roadway.Community Meeting: A community meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, September 18, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the NorthFork Community Church. The public is encouraged to attend for the latest information on the Mustang ComplexWildfires.Montana: Fire crews improved the lines that will anchor the Johnson Creek area to the 2011 Saddle ComplexFire and the 2012 Chrandal Fire. Weather conditions did not allow for burnout operations on Sunday, ashumidity levels remained too high. Crews continued to improve fire line in the Mine Creek area. The fir4efire has now passed north of the Gattin Ranch area of Idaho and is now being monitored and in patrol status.While the structures are no longer immediately threatened, sprinklers and hose are still in place. The area ofHughes Creek, Montana to the Idaho state line remains under a stage 1 evacuation. Residents in this areahave a high probability of need to evacuate and should remain vigilant.Forecast: Mostly sunny. Temperatures are predicted to be 59 to 69 at higher altitudes, and 70 to 79 at lowerelevations. Relative humidity should be between 20 and 28 percent. Valley bottom and mid-slope winds
