Friday 9/14/12 Powell Sbw Update
Incident: Powell Sbw Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/14/2012
Contact: Molly Puchlerz Phone # (208)942-0303
Date Started: 7/20/2012 Total Personnel: 77
Cause: Multiple Lightning Strikes Size: 44,928 Acres
Percent Contained: 0% Injuries to Date: 2
Resources: 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 7 engines, and 2 water tenders.
Location: The complex consists of three main and numerous small fires situated in an arc running southeast to southwest of the town of Powell, Idaho, straddling the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness boundary. The three main fires are named from east to west as: Fern, Cedar and Freeze Out/Queen.
Yesterday' Activities: Fire activity increased yesterday with growth on all three main fires, with short runs and group torching. A small hold over fire, was spotted from one of the Forest Service lookouts, this fire was named the Cooperation fire and it is just east of the Freeze Out/Queen fire. Ground operations continued patrols along the Beaver Ridge containment line, around the Elk Summit guard station, and along Lochsa River, north of the Freeze Out/Queen fire, to make sure no spots jumped Highway 12.
Today's Activities: Red flag warning is issued for today due to low relative humidity and high winds especially at ridge tops. Firefighter and public safety remains the priority. Helicopters will continue to be used today to cool down any active fire along the Highway 12 corridor and on the Eagle Robin fire west of the freeze Out/Queen fire. Ground forces will continue to patrol Beaver Ridge and the Highway 12 corridor.
Remarks: Motorists are urged to use caution and drive slowly, with their headlights on along Highway 12 from the Powell Ranger Station downriver.
For Updates follow this incident at: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3226/
For Tips on Keeping Your House Firewise: http://www.idahofirewise.org/
