Powell Sbw Complex 9/30/12 Update
Incident: Powell Sbw Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/30/2012
POWELL SBW FIRE COMPLEX
Sunday September 30, 2012
Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests
Contact: Molly Puchlerz Phone # (208)942-0303
Date Started: 7/20/2012 Total Personnel: 49
Cause: Multiple Lightning Strikes Size: 59,349 acres
Resources: 1 Type 1 Helicopter, 6 Engines, and 1 Water Tender. 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.
Recent Activities: Smoke vented out of the river corridor and valley bottoms, this along with warmer temperatures, lower relative humidity, and higher wind speeds, increased fire activity and visibility. Group torching and small crown runs were observed, the most intense activity was witnessed on the Fern Fire in the Strom Creek area. Ground forces continued patrols along the Beaver Ridge containment line, the Elk Summit recreation area, the Fish Lake airstrip area, and along Highway 12/Lochsa River corridor, to make sure no spots jumped the highway. Water pumps and sprinkler systems continue to be used to protect remote backcountry bridges.
Today's Activities: Today's fire weather is predicted to be slightly warmer and drier as a ridge of high pressure builds above the complex area. Fire behavior is expected to consist of creeping ground fire in the dry shrubs and brush, group torching, and short crown runs in the timber. Ground forces will focus patrols along the Beaver Ridge containment line, the Elk Summit recreation area, the Fish Lake airstrip area, and along Highway 12/Lochsa River corridor. Water pumps and sprinkler systems continue to be used to protect remote backcountry bridges.
Remarks: The Powell SBW complex has rescinded SOME of the area closure boundary. Now open:
· Road 362 to Tom Beal Park
· The Wind Lakes area.
· FS Road 368 to the junction of FS road 369
· Mocus Point Trail #469
Please visit Inciweb for a full description of all areas now open and a map. www.inciweb.org/incident/3226/
