Single Publication

Bluff Creek Complex

Idaho Panhandle National Forests

Fire Information 208-557-8813 

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idipf-bluff-creek-complex 

July 30, 2024

Idaho Panhandle Type 3 Incident Management Team

Incident Commander Brian Hicks and Incident Commander Trainee Bryce Barth

Location:  The fires are burning along both sides of the Bluff Divide, approximately 13 1/2 miles southeast of Avery, ID; five and a half miles west from Gold Creek Campground; and approximately two miles northwest of Junction Ridge.

Start Date: 7/25/2024                                   Cause: Lightning                          Size: 573 acres 

Completion/Containment: 0% 

140 Total Personnel:

1 Engine

3 Type 2 Hand Crew

2 Interagency Hotshot Crews

6 Heavy Equipment

1 Water Tender

2 Falling Modules

Key Message:  

Last night, the fire area received approximately a quarter of an inch of rain, which will greatly help firefighters by moderating fire behavior today.

Current Status: 

The Bluff Creek Complex consists of four different fires: Junction Fire, East Fork Fire, Dominion Point Fire, and Buffalo Fire. As of last night, the Junction Fire slightly increased to 276 acres; the East Fork Fire remained at 25 acres; the Dominion Point Fire increased to 270 acres; and the Buffalo Fire increased to approximately two acres. All available resources are engaged in suppression, working on these fires based on priority order. Due to the immediate threat to values at risk, including private industry timberlands, active logging sales, and equipment, the Junction Fire and the East Fork Fire remain priority. 

Yesterday, fire growth was minimal for both the Junction Fire and East Fork Fire. Today, resources will continue to directly engage in suppression actions on each of these fires. 

The Dominion Point Fire saw the most growth yesterday, increasing 40 acres to the northern and western portions of the fire. Four large air tankers slowed fire progression on the eastern portion of the fire that is on the ridge. Fire burned down to Forest Service Road 509. Masticators and felling teams (small groups of highly skilled lawyers) are prepping FSR 509, to improve the road’s fire holding ability. Additionally, two Type 6 engines are working along the FSR 509 to reinforce holding efforts, if the fire were to increase in intensity. Today, heavy equipment and two hotshot crews will be working alongside each other to construct both direct and indirect fireline.

WEATHER

Temperatures today will be slightly cooler, ranging from 71-79 in the valleys and 61-71 in mountains. Relative Humidity is slightly increased, ranging from 50%-65% in the valleys and 60%-75% in the mountains. Winds will remain breezy, coming from the Southwest, three to seven miles per hour. Today will be partly sunny, with rain showers in the morning and a chance of thunderstorms through the day.

Closures and Special Messages

Closure orders are in place to protect the safety and welfare of the public and provide for safe firefighting efforts and access. Specific closure information and maps are posted on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-closures/idipf-bluff-creek-complex and https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices as they are implemented. 

The Bluff Creek Complex closures include the following roads and area:

• CLOSED:
  • Order Number: # 01-04-04-24-005 (Bluff Creek Fire Road Closure)
    • Forest Development Road 509 beginning at its junction with County Highway 50 and concluding at its intersection with Forest Development Road 201.
    • Forest Development Road 1258 beginning at its junction with Forest Development Road 509 concluding at its intersection with Forest Development Road 201. 
    • Forest Service Development Road 1956F beginning at its junction with Forest Development Road 509 and concluding at its unction with Forest Development Road 3338.
    • Forest Development Road 322 beginning at its junction with Forest Development Road 201 concluding at Conrad Peak.
  • Order Number: # 01-04-04-24-006 (Gold Flat Area Closure): Gold Flat undeveloped campsite located 8.6 miles North on Forest Development Road 218 from Red Ives Cabin. Gold Flat undeveloped campsite is located within Section 23 and 24 in T16N, R30W. The area Gold Flat undeveloped campsite, where defined on the map, comprises of 6.2 acres bordered by the St. Joe River on the West and Forest Development Road 218 on the East.

At this time, a TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION is in place for 27NM SE KELLOGG, Idaho near MULLAN PASS VOR/DME (MLP). No pilots may operate an aircraft in the areas covered, including drone pilots.