Selway Complex Fire Update
Release Date: Sep 4, 2015
Selway/Elk City/Red River Complex
Southern Area Red Team
****Fire Information Office, 877-367-9503****
selwaycomplex2015@gmail.com
Hours of Operation: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m
Facebook: Selway Complex 2015
Twitter: @selwaycomplex15
Friday, September 4, 2015 8:00 AM
Background
The Baldy and Wash fires were caused by lightning strikes on August 10th and 13th. The Crown, Lone Park, Little Green, and Noble fires were caused by lightning strikes on August 17. The Baldy, Crown, Lone Park, Little Green, and Noble fires are in the Red River Ranger District and the Wash is in the Moose Creek Ranger District of the Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forest near Elk City, Idaho. All of these fires are being reported under the Selway Complex. With dry conditions, gusty winds, steep terrain and a shortage of firefighting resources due to multiple fire starts, the fires quickly grew. Fires are expected to be active until a significant, season-ending weather event occurs, which may not occur until mid/late October.
Wash Fire: 35,945 acres, 0% contained, Selway Complex
Baldy Fire: 6,879 acres, 0% contained, Elk City Complex
Noble/Crown/Lone Park/Little Green Fires: 40,513 acres, 0% contained, Red River Complex
Total Acreage: 83,337 acres
Yesterday's Events
Thursday had cooler weather, high humidity and light precipitation. Fire activity was minimal on all fires within the complex. The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest forest-wide closure was rescinded, although areas around active fires remain closed. For more information, visit the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest web site.
Wash Fire: The fire remained quiet with little growth. Firefighters continued with construction of indirect line east of 1810 road system and structure assessment/protection in the Elk City Township.
Baldy Fire: The fire did not show much fire activity. Firefighters continued protecting/assessing structures in the Elk City, Mud Springs, and Newsome areas. Hotshot crews looked for spot fires inside the Forest Service 1855 road and constructed fireline on the west side of the fire.
Noble Fire: This fire has now been combined with the Crown/Lone Park and Little Green fires. None of the fires showed much growth. Firefighters continued structure protection and mop-up around the Mallard Creek and Cook Ranches, and continued to work on clearing fallen trees on the Magruder Corridor Road.
Planned Events
Firefighters will continue to work on clearing fallen trees on the Magruder Corridor Road and will begin pilot car escorts through the work area from Dixie Creek to Poet's Creek. Motorists along this road should expect significant delays.
Residents in the Mallard Creek and Cook ranches will be permitted to temporarily re-enter and view the condition of their properties with an official escort starting on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. Meet at the red mailbox to be escorted into the closed area. Residents must leave their properties by 7:00 p.m.
Firefighters will complete structure assessment and structure protection within the Elk City township. Assessment of structures will continue along the Red River Corridor including the Hot Springs. Suppression activities, indirect line construction, mop-up, structure protection, and fuels reduction and snag removal along roads will continue.
Line construction will begin along the south side of the Baldy fire.
Road Restrictions and Closures
The temporary flight restrictions over the Baldy and Wash fires have been lifted as of 8:00 a.m. today. The Nez Perce - Clearwater National Forests forest-wide closure was lifted yesterday; however, the Forest Service 1190 road and some hunting areas within the active fire areas remain closed (i.e. parts of hunting units 10, 10A, 12,14,15, 16, 16A, 17, and 20); for more information, visit the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests web site. Stage 1 fire restrictions remain in effect for the majority of the forest lands.
The Magruder Corridor Road is currently impassable and will be intermittently closed due to work crews removing debris on the road. Starting Saturday, a pilot car will be available to escort drivers through the work area from Dixie Creek to Poet's Creek. Expect significant delays.
The Forest Service 1855 road in the Baldy fire area remain closed due to fire suppression activities.
Evacuations
The Evacuation Alert remains at Level 1 for all fire areas except Mallard Creek and Cook Ranches, which remain at Level 3.
Fire Weather
Rain showers are expected over the entire Complex Thursday and Friday. A cool and moist air mass will settle over the fires through the weekend. Freezing temperatures at the 7,000-foot elevation are possible. Warmer temperatures are forecast for Monday and Tuesday.