Saturday 9/22/12 Powell Sbw Complex Update
Incident: Powell Sbw Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/22/2012
POWELL SBW FIRE COMPLEX
Saturday September 22, 2012
Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests
Contact: Molly Puchlerz Phone # (208)942-0303
Date Started: 7/20/2012 Total Personnel: 54
Cause: Multiple Lightning Strikes Size: 51,700 estimated acres
Resources: 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 6 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: Due to an inversion that did not break yesterday fire behavior was minimal. Fire behavior consisted of: creeping surface fire and single tree torching. 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. Due to a limited number of infrared aircraft, the Powell SBW complex will not be receiving nightly flights.
Today's Activities: Today's activities and fire weather will be similar to yesterday's, with a strong inversion in place over the complex. The inversion will continue to cause poor visibility and lower temperatures in river corridor. Poor visibility and speeding along Hwy 12 is still a major concern. Ground forces will continue to patrol Beaver Ridge, the Elk Summit area, and the Highway 12 corridor.
Remarks: Reminder to forest visitors: Please abide by all fire closures. Jerry Hot Springs and Trail 49 remains closed. This closure remains in place for visitor safety, the trail has been burned and falling snags pose a very real threat to anyone trying to access the hot springs.
There will not be an updated New Release for Sunday the 23rd or Monday the 24th.
