Mustang Complex Update Saturday, Sept. 22 2012
Incident: Mustang Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/22/2012
Idaho: Yesterday, the fire did burn around the Salmon Lookout tower, but it was not damaged. Light fire activity continues between Allan Mountain and the Montana border. There was no further growth in the Hughes Creek and Hull Creek areas. Firefighters continued mop up activities in these locations to cool any hot spots near the fire edge. A forest rehabilitation plan is in place and crews will focus efforts on the Butcher Knife Ridge today, to restore dozer lines that were built to slow the fire spread.
Montana:
Yesterday fire was active at its northern edges, growing in the wilderness to the west and combining with the Porcupine Fire to the north. It also pushed north towards Reynolds Lake.
In the Johnson Creek area, crews extinguished a 1-2 acre spot and mopped up from previous burnouts. Fire pushed across a road acting as a fire line, but the Boise Hotshots successfully flanked the fire and stopped its progression with support from a heavy helicopter. Tomorrow crews will reinforce fire lines in this area with hose lays.
Fire again crossed from Idaho into Montana, this time west of Allan Mountain, where it ran up a ridge and caused a spot fire in heavy timber in the southwest reaches of Burrell Creek. This area has steep, rugged terrain with no roads or trails.
Fire also backed down slopes in the Mine Creek drainage, but growth was minimal.
Today will likely be an active fire day with high temperatures, unstable air, and low humidity. Crews will fight fire safely in these conditions by keeping mindful of LCES -lookouts, communication, escape routes, and safety zones.
Evacuations: The following areas in Idaho are under a Level 1 evacuation: Indian Creek, Sage Creek, Highway 93 corridor from North Fork (mile post 326.5) to Quartz Creek (mile post 339.6) just north of Gibbonsville, ID including Ditch Creek, Hughes Creek and Hull Creek.
The Highway 93 corridor from Quartz Creek (mile post 339.6) to mile post 345.5 remains at a Level 1 evacuation. The highway remains open including all businesses along that corridor. Anyone traveling through is advised to drive with headlights on and reduce their speed due to increased fire traffic from backhauling operations and smoky conditions.
For more information on the Mustang Complex Fire, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/scnf fire info. Pictures and maps can be viewed and downloaded at www.flickr.com/salmonchallisnf
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