Mcguire Complex Update for 9/23/12
Incident: Mcguire Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/23/2012
Information Officer: Brian Harris
Info Phone @ (208) 842-2725 w/ answering machine
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
G-mail account: mcguirecomplex@gmail.com
Incident: The McGuire Fire complex was started by lightning event on 8/27.
Location: Two miles west of Dixie, two miles south of Orogrande, and four miles southwest of Red River, 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: 39,282 acres Containment: 4% Structures Threatened: 746
Yesterday's Activities: Widespread smoky conditions kept fire activity down in the morning. In the afternoon, under the influence of light southerly winds, fire activity picked up in all areas around the fire. Fire behavior included frequent single-tree torching with short-range spotting and occasional large-group tree torching. The east flank of the McGuire Complex was the most active, spreading up to one mile and moving into Little Mallard Meadow. Crews continued to enhance structure protection measures in Mallard Creek Ranch, Cook Ranch, and Whitewater Ranch. A large number of beetle-killed trees and snags are present throughout the fire areas, which pose challenges to firefighters. Felling of hazardous trees and construction of contingency lines continued on Forest Road 222. Crews continued to work on containment lines on the east side of the fire and worked to contain spot fires in this area. A pilot car convoyed residents into Dixie via Road 222 at 8:00 a.m. and convoyed residents out of Dixie at 9:00 a.m. A community meeting was held at the Dixie Community Center.
Today's Activities: On Road 222 hazardous tree removal and logging activity will continue. Crews will continue to work on containment lines on the east side of the fire. Crews will continue to enhance structure protection measures in Mallard Creek Ranch, Cook Ranch, and Whitewater. A public meeting will be held in Elk City at the Red River Ranger District Office at 3:00 p.m.
Evacuations: A Stage 3 Evacuation remains in effect for the residents of Concord, Orogrande, Dixie/Comstock, and Mallard Creek/Cook Ranch. A Stage 2 Evacuation Warning remains for Red River and Red River Hot Springs. A Stage 1 Protection Alert is in place for Elk City (a Stage 1 Alert advises residents that active fire is in the area).
Road Closures: The 222 Road is closed to all access, including residents from Trapper Creek Road to the community of Dixie. Crooked River road is closed to the public and restricted to residents only. Conditions permitting, a pilot car will escort residents into Dixie at 8:00 a. m. and from Dixie at 9:00 a.m. to the Trapper Creek Road junction daily. Forest Service Road 1190 from Trapper Creek to Dixie Summit is closed to all access including residents. Forest Service Road 1190 from Trapper Creek and Road 421 from Red Mail Box to the Whitewater area is closed to all non-residents.
Area Closures: An Area Closure around the fire area is in effect for public safety and to ensure unimpeded access for firefighters and equipment. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.
Current Resources: 9 crews, 53 engines, 6 dozers, 13 water tenders, and 6 helicopters.
Total personnel: 730
For further information, including specific details regarding the Area Closure, visit: http://www.inciweb.org/; Select "McGuire Complex"
