Wednesday Powell Sbw Complex Udate
Incident: Powell Sbw Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/19/2012
POWELL SBW FIRE COMPLEX
Wednesday September 19, 2012
Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests
Loc
Contact: Molly Puchlerz Phone # (208)942-0303
Date Started: 7/20/2012 Total Personnel: 55
Cause: Multiple Lightning Strikes Size: 49,725 Acres
Resources: 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 5 Engines, and 2 Water Tenders. Injuries to Date: 2
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: Increased fire behavior was observed, with creeping surface fire, group torching, and a few small crown runs. Ground operations continued patrols along the Beaver Ridge containment line, along the Lochsa River and highway 12, and around the Elk Summit guard station and campground area. Last night's infrared flight was cancelled due to mechanical issues; ground resource estimated the complex grew about 1,000 acres.
Today's Activities: Today's activities and fire weather will be similar to yesterdays. Morning and early afternoon inversion will continue to cause poor visibility in river corridor. Poor visibility and speeding along Hwy 12 is still a major concern. By mid to late the afternoon the inversion should break and allow increased visibility. With increased visibility helicopters may be utilized to cool down any active fire along the Highway 12 corridor and/or recon the fires. Ground forces will continue to patrol Beaver Ridge, the Elk Summit area and the Highway 12 corridor.
Remarks: Due to the wildfires the air quality in Idaho and Clearwater counties is listed as UNHEALTHY, as issued from the Department of Environmental Quality. Individuals who are sensitive to increased particulate or smoke levels are encouraged to avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. All others should limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity. For more information please visithttp://www.deq.state.id.us/air-quality/burning/current-wildfire-smoke-info.aspx
