Single Publication

NORTHERN ROCKIES TEAM 5    
INCIDENT COMMANDER: JOE SAMPSON
 
 Williams Creek & Twin Lakes Fires 

Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest
Fire Information 208-274-9674

 September 13, 2022 

 
 WILLIAMS CREEK FIRE (5 miles west of Orogrande)
 Start Date: 8/29/2022       
 Cause: Lightning       
 Size: 15,773 acres       
 * Completion: 28%
 Total Personnel: 180   
 Engines: 10       
 Helicopters: 2       
 Hand Crews: 3    
 
 
       The Forest implemented an expanded Area Closure, due to the fire’s location and its high potential for movement
           given the dry fuels and recent weather conditions. The Forest and Incident Management Team are aware
                         of the forecasted weather that calls for a cooler and wetter pattern entering the area.  

If these weather conditions materialize, the Forest will work to expedite the rescission of the area closure. Road closures may remain, depending on fire activity conditions and associated firefighting efforts.
 
 
Crews will continue to “mop up” residual heat around structures and maintain structural protection measures along the northern portion of the fire. This will ensure crews are prepared if fire progresses northward. Aerial resources were not used on the fire due to poor visibility with the inversion. Aerial resources will remain at the ready if conditions allow. 
As the fire continues to smolder along the 233 and 311 Roads, standing dead trees (“snags”) remain a dangerous hazard and could fall without notice. Crews and heavy equipment are working to remove these trees and clear the roadways, coordinating with the county road department to determine necessary repairs. The roads into Orogrande remain closed to the public, as this area is within the Forest Area Closure. The overnight infrared mapping flight was unable to fly due to weather.
 
 
TWIN LAKES FIRE (east of Twin Lakes and Hagen Creek)
 Start Date: 8/25/2022       
 Cause: Lightning       
 Size: 973 acres       
 * Completion: 33%  
 Total Personnel: 9     
 Wildfire Fire Module: 1   
 
 
Crews continue to monitor fire activity on the Twin Lakes Fire. Resources assigned did note interior burning yesterday. They will continue to secure structures in the area and “mop up” any residual heat along the fire’s edge in the coming days.  As crews complete more of their objectives, resources will likely be demobilized or repositioned to the Williams Creek Fire later in the week. The overnight infrared mapping flight was unable to fly due to weather. 
 
 
WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
 
 The weather is transitioning to a cooler and wetter pattern, with light winds out of the southwest. Relative humidity increased dramatically, and humidity is not expected to fall below 40 % in the coming days. An inversion remained over the fire area. Several rounds of showers are possible, with a chance of lighting and gusty outflow winds (gusts to 40 mph). Heavy rainfall is possible, though precipitation could be spotty. Cool and wet conditions are expected to continue throughout the week.
Fire behavior will dampen with the cloud cover and wet and cool conditions. Creeping and smoldering activity is likely to continue; however, no fire perimeter growth is expected. Strong outflow winds could increase fire behavior in areas not receiving any precipitation. A major increase in fire behavior remains unlikely, as fuels moisten with the conditions. 
 
 
 CLOSURES AND SPECIAL MESSAGES
 
 Closures surrounding both fire areas are necessary 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.nwcg.gov/incident/8372/ as they are implemented. 
 
The Twin Lakes Fire closure includes the following roads and trails:
 
 OPEN:  
  NFSR 444 Gospel Road – open from junction with NFSR 221 to Moore’s Guard Station/Campground
 
 CLOSED:
  NFST 312 – North Moore’s Trail – closed from trailhead to MP 6.83/jct with NFST 383 Square Mountain
  NFST 383 – Square Mountain Trail – closed from MP 6.64/jct with NFST 315 to MP 7.16/jct with NFST 312
  NFST 315 – Kentucky Creek Trail – closed from trailhead/jct with NFST 313 to MP 7.71/jct with NFST 383
  NFST 313 – Hump Trail – closed from MP 15.4/jct with NFST 384 to MP 18.1/jct with NFST 315
  NFST 384 – Square Mtn. Spur Trail – closed from trailhead/jct with NFST 383 to MP 1.37/jct with NFST 313
  NFST 383 – Square Mountain Trail – closed from trailhead/jct with NFSR 444 to MP 1.59/jct with NFST 384
  NFSR 444 – Gospel Road – closed from MP 11.57 at Moore’s Campground to end of road at Square Mountain Lookout
 

The Williams Creek Fire closure includes the following roads and trails:
 
OPEN:
Idaho Highway 14 - South Fork Highway: Open from MP 35.2 to MP 43 at Elk City Township Boundary. NFSR 222 - Dixie Road: Open from Forest Boundary at MP 0.95 to jct with NFSR 1800 at MP 7.36.  
 
CLOSED:
 NFSR 1800 - 66 Creek Road: Closed from junction with NSFR 222 to jct with NSFR 9803.  
 NFSR 9803 - North Wheeler Mtn. Road: Closed from jct with NSFR 1800 to jct with NSFT 508.  
 NFST 508 Porter Trail: Closed from jct with NSFR 9803 to jct with NSFT 207.  
 NFST 207 Moose Butte Trail: Closed from jct with NST 508 to hydrologic divide located in T26N R8E section 9 NW 1/4.  
 NFST 205 Columbia Ridge Trail: Closed from hydrologic divide/ridge located in T26N R8E section 20 NW 1/4. to junction with NSFR 233 near Orogrande Summit.  
 NFSR 233 Crooked River Road: Closed from jct with NSFT 205 to jct with NSFR 233C.  NFSR 233C Little Buffalo Road: Closed from jct with NSFR 233 to jct with NSFT 313.  
 NFST 313 Hump Trail: Closed from jct with NSFR 233C to jct with NSFT 300. 
 NFST 300 Boundary Peak Trail: Closed from jct with NSFT 313 to hydrologic divide/ridge located in T27N R6E section 17 NW 1/4.  
 NFST 806 20 Mile Lake Trail: Closed from hydrologic divide/ridge located in T27N R6E section 5 NW 1/4 to jct with NSFT 414.  
 NFST 414 20 Mile Creek Trail: Closed from jct with NSFT 806 to jct with NSFT 930. 
 NFST 930 Desperation Mine Trail: Closed from jct with NSFT 414 to jct with NSFR 492. 
 NFSR 492 Santiam Sourdough Road: Closed from jct with NSFT 930 to beginning of road/junction with Idaho Highway 14.


* “Percent completion” of objectives more accurately captures and reports the specific amount of work accomplished on the ground to manage fire spread and reduce the negative impacts to communities, infrastructure, and other identified values. By using percent completion of objectives, fire managers can illustrate how they are progressing with the accomplishment of objectives that have been identified and prioritized. 
As a comparison, “containment” implies firelines around the entire perimeter, directly next to the fire's active edge.