Tuesday 9/25/12 Powell Sbw Complex Update
Incident: Powell Sbw Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/25/2012
POWELL SBW FIRE COMPLEX
Tuesday September 25, 2012
Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests
Contact: Molly Puchlerz Phone # (208)942-0303
Date Started: 7/20/2012 Total Personnel: 47
Cause: Multiple Lightning Strikes Size: 53,643 acres
Resources: 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 4 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.
Weekend's Activities: Light winds, higher humidity's and cooler temperatures due to a storm system that passed to the south aided in regulating fire growth over the weekend. Fire activity consisted of isolated torching and backing fire. Ground forces continued patrols along the Beaver Ridge containment line and along Highway 12 and Lochsa River, to make sure no spots jumped the highway. A small squad was flown into the Fish lake airstrip guard to wrap the guard station and barn with fire protective material. Additionally pumps were used to soak the remote backcountry bridges.
Today's Activities: Today's activities and fire weather will be similar to yesterday's. Although not as bad as previous the days, poor visibility remains along highway 12 especially in the Lochsa river corridor. Ground forces will continue to patrol Beaver Ridge lookout area, the Elk Summit recreation area, the Highway 12 corridor, along with the Fish Lake airstrip area.
Remarks: Remarks: Motorists travel along US Highway 12 between mile posts 140 to 165, especially near the Warm Springs Trailhead (access trailhead for Jerry Johnson Hot Springs), are urged to use extreme caution. Smoke from the surrounding fires is settling in the river corridor making visibility very limited and there is increased traffic due to firefighter's patrolling the highway. Please drive slowly, with your headlights on, be extremely careful when passing, and only pull over on the shoulder if you are experiencing an emergency and use your hazard lights.
