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 31, 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% 

196 Total Personnel:

1 Engine

4 Type 2 Hand Crew

3 Interagency Hotshot Crews

6 Heavy Equipment

1 Water Tender

2 Falling Modules

Key Message:  

Between July 29 and July 30, the Bluff Creek Complex received 1-inch of rain, greatly moderating fire activity for the remainder of yesterday. However, due to measurable rain, road access has become limited due to muddy road conditions.

Current Status: 

The Bluff Creek Complex consists of four different fires: Junction Fire, East Fork Fire, Dominion Point Fire, and Buffalo Fire. With the amount of precipitation received over the fire yesterday and the day before, there was no measurable growth in the Junction Fire, East Fork Fire, or Dominion Point Fire. 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. 

The Buffalo Fire is 100% contained at this time. On both the Junction Fire and East Fork Fire, crews were able to construct direct handline along portions of each fire. At this time, both the Junction Fire and East Fork Fire are 40% contained. The Dominion Point Fire was scouted, and crews are still proposing areas to construct both direct and indirect fireline. Today, crews will continue to reinforce areas of the Junction and East Fork Fires with additional hose lays, adding to what has been previously implemented.

WEATHER

Temperatures today will start to track warmer, ranging from 80-88 in the valleys and 71-81 in mountains. Humidity will start to dry out and decrease, ranging from 28%-40% in the valleys and 35%-50% in the mountains. Winds will remain breezy, coming from the southwest, three to eight miles per hour. Today will be sunny, with temperatures increasing into the weekend and relative humidities decreasing.

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. 

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