Porcupine Fire Complex Daily Update 9-28-12
Incident: Porcupine Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/28/2012
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: 33,238 acres Containment: 0% Structures Threatened: 5
Yesterday: The weather on the fire was sunny with slightly higher temperatures and lower relative humidity. Moderate fire activity was observed over most of the fire, with very active behavior below Base Camp Campground and the area of Sabe Creek causing the fire to spread 1/2 to 1 mile to the south. Crews patrolled and mopped up along Forest Road 285 and removed hazardous trees along Forest Road 468.
Today: The flattened high pressure ridge over the fire will result in weather similar to yesterday, but with slightly higher winds and the possibility of high clouds. In the afternoon there will be a slight chance of an isolated thunder cell over the fire. Potential fire spread will be low to moderate for most of the area, but with potential for fairly active fire with the greatest spread potential on the far southern perimeter. Single and group tree torching is likely with a chance of short duration crown fire runs and short range spotting during the peak burning period. Crews will patrol for and remove hazardous trees near roads, monitor fire activity, provide point protection for values at risk and mop up areas of immediate concern.
Road Closures: The Magruder Corridor Road (Forest Road 468) is closed from its 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.
Special Notice: For Porcupine Fire photos visit: http://www.photobucket.com/porcupinefire
For further information, including specific details regarding the Area Closure, visit the InciWeb website: http://inciweb.org/incident/3171/
