Porcupine Complex Daily Update 9/22/12
Incident: Porcupine Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/22/2012
Information Officer: Brian Harris
Info Phone @ (208) 842-2725
Office hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
G-mail account: mcguirecomplex@gmail.com
Incident: The Porcupine Complex was started by lightning on 8/9.
Location: The Porcupine Complex is 25 miles east of Elk City, ID.
Agency Jurisdiction: USDA Forest Service, Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Cooperating Agencies: Idaho County Sheriff's Department
Incident Command Post: (ICP) is located at the old Red River Ranger Station.
Current Size: 28,889 acres Containment: 0% Structures Threatened: 5
Yesterday: Wide spread smoke kept fire activity low in the morning. In the afternoon, light southeasterly winds increased fire activity on the northwest flank and the fire pushed over Forest Road 285 (Green Mountain Road). Firefighters are working to contain this advance and keep the fire south and east of the Road 285. Travelers on Road 285 should expect delays. Fire behavior included frequent single and group tree torching with short range spotting and occasional large group tree torching. Smoke across most of the complex also limited the use of aircraft.
Today: A low pressure will approach the fire area to the south bringing higher humidity, reduced temperatures and light southerly winds. Under the influence of these conditions the fire activity potential will be moderate to high. Fire spread is expected on the east, north and west sides of the fire. Spread distances of 1/4 to 1/2 mile on the north side of the fire. Protection efforts will continue for recreational and administrative facilities. Crews will patrol for and remove hazardous trees near roads and monitor fire activity.
Road Closures: The Magruder Corridor Road (Forest Road 468) is closed from it's junction with the Green Mountain Road (Forest Road 285) to Observation Point for public safety due to fire activity. Through traffic to and from Montana to Idaho is closed!
Area Closures: Special Area Closures are in effect for the 581 and 575 trails. The spur road going up to Burnt Knob lookout has also been closed. On the Nez Perce National Forest, Forest Road 285 is open with possible delays; Forest Road 357 is open; Forest Road 468 is open from its junction with Forest Road 222 to its junction with Forest Road 285. The remainder of Forest Road 468 is closed; Forest Trail 501 is open from 14-Mile Trailhead to Bargamin Creek; the 14-Mile Trailhead and Granite Springs Campgrounds are open. On the Bitterroot National Forest, Forest Road 468 is open from the West Fork Guard Station to Observation point, but is closed from Observation Point for the remainder of the Magruder corridor.
For further information, including specific details regarding the Area Closure, visit the InciWeb website: http://inciweb.org/incident/3171/
