Incident Publication

 "08-01-21Stateline Complex- St. Joe(Avery)/Stateline Complex fire. The storm last night brought active fire on the Tumbledown fire. Several camp areas in the Tin Can Flats area were asked to evacuate early this morning. Barricades have been extended to milepost 57 on the St Joe river road up to the Stateline. Please avoid this area for recreation. More extensions are expected."

The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the Stateline Complex as of August 2, 2021 at 0600/MT. Daily updates and pertinent information will continue to be available on the Stateline Complex Inciweb page and the Idaho Panhandle National Forests Facebook.

Weather: Overnight, fire activity across the Stateline Complex began to moderate due to wetting rain and high overnight relative humidity. Today through tomorrow, moderated fire activity is expected, however, fire will continue to spread in the heavy dead and down fuels. Today there will be a slight chance of additional rain and thunderstorms; however, the after will bring drier conditions.

Fire Update: After the extreme fire behavior that occurred on Saturday, an infrared flight was unable to occur Sunday night to accurately assess the substantial fire growth, however, the change in weather conditions are allowing crews to assess the affected northwest area north of Highway 50 today and, where conditions allow, direct fire suppression activities will occur. Crews will also continue prep work on the north perimeter toward the east on highway 50.  Firefighters will also be scouting to the southeast looking for opportunities to tie in and complete line to provide additional protection for the town of Avery.

On the Dolly Creek Fire, yesterday’s weather allowed for optimal conditions for crews to go direct on the northeast perimeter of the fire and firefighters will be looking for additional opportunities to construct and secure line.

As of Saturday July 31, the Stateline Complex includes the following fires: Berge Peak - contained, Broadaxe - contained, Deception – 203 acres; Dolly Creek – 825 acres Fly 3 Fire – 137 acres; Fly Creek – 52 acres; Simmons Ridge – 138 acres; Simmons Ridge 2 – 384 acres; Simmons Leg – 91 acres; Swimming Bear – 36 acres; Tumbledown – 3,844 acres; Wampus Creek – 6.2 acres.

Highlights: Recent precipitation and cooler weather have allowed firefighters to make good progress over the last several days. Crews continue to work on constructing and improving lines with caution as warming and drying trends will create an increase in fire activity over the next several days.

Tumbledown Fire: Fire suppression activities continue to focus on the west side of the fire along Highway 50 east of Avery where most of the spread is occurring. Hand crews and heavy equipment are being used to construct containment lines and scouting access to Bluff Creek and looking for possible spot fires near Thor Mountain and the forest boundary. The structure protection group is scouting access, identifying holding features and values at risk along Highway 50 into Avery. A heavy equipment taskforce is being used to construct direct fireline in Tumbledown Creek and the 1223 road system.

Dolly Creek Fire: The fire received significant precipitation yesterday. One crew is assigned to secure the northeast perimeter to prevent any spread towards the Montana boarder. Two additional crews have been ordered to help complete containment lines within the next few days.

Weather and Smoke: The fires in this area received significant precipitation over the past few days. Yesterday the relative humidity was above 80 percent through the afternoon. Hotter, drier weather will be in place Tuesday and Wednesday and temperatures will be ten degrees above normal, predicting an increase in fire behavior over the next several days.  An inversion will remain in place from mid-morning to early afternoon creating smoky conditions for the forecast area during the morning hours and into early afternoon. As the inversion breaks, expect conditions to improve slightly with heavier smoke returning late evening through the night.

Today we will likely see 'Moderate' to 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups' around Superior, St Regis and Plains. Avery and Calder will likely see some 'Very Unhealthy' periods. A smoke monitor will be going up in Avery today. For more information on smoke conditions, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Evacuations & Closures: On Tuesday, July 27, Shoshone County Sherriff’s Office issued a closure expansion for Forest Highway 50 (St. Joe River Road) from the east fork of Gold Creek down to Eagle Creek Forest Road 1214 to the Stateline on Gold Pass into Montana. Several other emergency closures remain in effect due to increased fire activity on the Stateline Complex. For more information on county issued closures and evacuations call the Shoshone County Sheriff’s office at (208) 556-1114.

National Forest access to Diamond and Cliff Lakes remains closed as well as the following roads and trails. For more information on the USFS Idaho Panhandle National Forest closures go to the Stateline Complex Inciweb site at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7627/.    

Primary and Cooperating Agencies:  USDA USFS, Idaho Department of Lands, Shoshone County, and Shoshone County Sheriff.

Drive slowly; turn on your lights. Avoid closures. No flying or drones over the fire area; Temporary Flight Restriction in place. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for all of northern Idaho.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (August 4, 2021) – On the evening of July 31, fires within the Stateline Complex were impacted by hot, windy weather. Above average temperatures, 25mph winds, and near-record-low fuel moisture of approximately 3%, converged into dangerous conditions and rapid fire growth. The Tumbledown fire, the largest within the Complex, made a nearly 5-mile wind-driven run downriver that exceeded existing closure boundaries. When considering area closures, fire managers and administrators carefully evaluate the balance between public land access and firefighter and public safety.

Factoring in recent fire behavior and growth, a new area closure has been issued for the St. Joe Ranger District. Effective August 3, 2021, the area closure encompasses the headwaters of the St. Joe River, from Avery upstream. The eastern boundary is the Montana state line and the southern boundary is the border between the Idaho Panhandle National Forests and the Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest. Roads that make up the area closure perimeter are not closed, but all roads and trails within the closure are. Moon Pass and the Route of the Hiawatha remain open.

An area closure will be issued shortly for the Trestle Creek Complex on the Sandpoint Ranger District to replace the previous road and trail closure. This Complex also saw rapid fire growth over the weekend that necessitated evacuations. No structures have been lost, and residents have since been downgraded to pre-evacuation status.

Maps and detailed descriptions of all active closures are provided on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests’ website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices). Statewide, interagency information on closures, fire perimeters and more is provided on the Idaho Department of Fish and Game’s Fire Map (https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire). /

The Stateline Complex closure order is in effect until November 30, 2021 or until the order is rescinded. Unless specifically exempted, the public is urged to stay away from closed areas and respect fire restrictions. Violation of a closure order can put the safety of the public or firefighters at risk and is punishable by $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

Highlights: To provide for public and firefighter safety in the vicinity of the Stateline Complex, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest issued an expanded fire closure order yesterday for the St. Joe Ranger District. More information can be found at the Inciweb link above. 

Weather is predicted to bring a chance of thunderstorms over the fire area today, potentially creating unstable fire behavior activity.  Firefighters are positioned and ready to respond as needed.

Tumbledown Fire: 9,478 Acres | 0% Contained  Fire managers are planning to use a heavy equipment taskforce to construct mechanical fire line on the north, northwest, west and southwest flanks of the fire where most of the recent growth occurred. Yesterday crews were able to stop the spread of a ten acre spot fire in Nugget Creek with a wet line. Today they will complete handline around the perimeter to further secure it. A structure protection group is performing structural assessments and mitigation work at Avery, Idaho. Firefighters continue to identify access and suppression opportunities in Bluff Creek on the south flank of the fire. The Simmons Fires will be patrolled by air and a structure protection group will continue prep work of Forest Service infrastructure at Red Ives.

Dolly Creek Fire: 825 Acres | 0% Contained Yesterday, crews were able to secure the north and east flank of the fire. Today, two engines will work to complete containment line on the south and west flanks.  

Weather and Smoke: Above average temperatures are expected today, with highs in the low to mid 90s. Relative humidity will be significantly lower than yesterday, and there is a 30% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. Showers or thunderstorms may continue through Friday. Westerly, mild winds are anticipated. Lower temperatures, higher humidity and stronger winds are expected Friday through Sunday. Smoke may improve after 12 p.m. For more information on smoke conditions, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Evacuations & Closures: On Tuesday, July 27, Shoshone County Sherriff’s Office issued a closure expansion for Forest Highway 50 (St. Joe River Road) from the east fork of Gold Creek down to Eagle Creek Forest Road 1214 to the Stateline on Gold Pass into Montana. Several other emergency closures remain in effect due to increased fire activity on the Stateline Complex. For more information on county issued closures and evacuations call the Shoshone County Sheriff’s office at (208) 556-1114.

An expanded closure order was issued for the St. Joe Ranger District.  For more information on the USFS Idaho Panhandle National Forest closures go to the Stateline Complex Inciweb site at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7627/.    

Primary and Cooperating Agencies:  USDA USFS, Idaho Department of Lands, Shoshone County, and Shoshone County Sheriff.

Drive slowly; turn on your lights. Avoid closures. No flying or drones over the fire area; Temporary Flight Restriction in place. Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for all of northern Idaho.

Fire

Red Flag Warning Today
While a Red Flag Warning has been issued for Stateline and Character Complexes, erratic winds from thunderstorms could produce similar conditions as they move through the forecasted area.

Smoke
An inversion will remain in place from mid-morning until around noon today creating smoky conditions for the forecast area during the morning hours and into early afternoon. As inversion breaks, expect conditions to improve. Gusty erratic winds associated with thunderstorms could increase smoke as fire activity increases.

Highlights: Hiawatha Trail and Moon Pass remain open. While the fire area itself is not in a Red Flag Warning, much of the surrounding area is. If thunderstorms occur, winds could reach 45 mph, which could cause fire behavior changes. Firefighters have been briefed and structure prep equipment are all placed accordingly, ready to respond as needed.

Tumbledown Fire: 9,002 Acres | 0% Contained Yesterday crews contained a 10-acre spot fire and will continue to patrol the west flank for the fire for any new spots. Firefighters are using heavy equipment in the Nugget Creek drainage to construct a line to the north that will connect with the northeast flank line near Highway 50. Heavy equipment was able to access the south flank of the fire and will begin line construction in that area today. A new initial attack group will scout access in the Avery area and are available to respond to any new lightning or spot fires in the area.

Dolly Creek Fire: 825 Acres | 0% Contained Today fire crews will finish a section of handline on the east side of the fire, then mop up and patrol the perimeter.

Special Statement

Numerous fires burning in Western Montana and Idaho Panhandle have been grouped into two complexes. The Stateline Complex consists of numerous fires burning on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, the two largest being the Dolly Creek and Tumbledown Fires. The West Lolo Complex consists now of only the Thorne Creek Fire. The Character Complex is comprised of both the Deceitful and Pritchard fires. The Character Complex is located on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle.

Fire

Fire activity should be moderate due to a combination of good humidity recoveries and inversions. While backing and flanking are expected, spread rates and flame lengths will be reduced due to the cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity.

Smoke

Mostly cloudy with cooler temperatures today, a slight chance of a brief shower this morning. Mostly sunny this afternoon but there will be high level haze from smoke moving in from Oregon and California. Most of the forecast areas will see overall 'Moderate' conditions today and tomorrow except for areas nearest to the fires. Thompson Falls, Avery, and Kellogg could expect to see overall 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups'.

Dry but cooler temperatures expected for Saturday with cool and moist conditions expected for the weekend.

More Information

Check out " https://montanawildfiresmoke.org" for information on what you can do to protect your health during wildfire season. The prolonged duration of smoke will start to even affect healthy individuals.

Highlights: Yesterday’s weather conditions brought cooler temperatures, higher humidities and precipitation reducing fire activity and allowing firefighters to continue to construct line near the fire’s edge where safe to do so. However, after the lightning activity that also occurred yesterday crews are prepared to perform initial attack, if needed, and will be engaging the fire cautiously as today’s weather is anticipated to bring stronger winds.

Tumbledown Fire: 9,002 Acres | 0% Contained Today, on the west flank crews contained 2 small spot fires on industrial timber and Forest Service lands. Heavy equipment is being used to construct line in the Nugget Creek drainage while hand crews are working on the steeper slopes. A structure protection group is assessing structures on the west perimeter of the fire to determine the best mitigation measures for properties in the community of Avery. A heavy equipment taskforce is now able to access the south flank of the fire from Bluff Creek Road and constructing mechanical line. Where possible, crews are going direct, digging handline on the steeper slopes near the fire’s edge.

Firefighters continue scouting potential containment lines to safely construct fire line from Highway 50 east to the Quartz Road. On the north flank of the fire, two heavy equipment taskforces are working toward one another from the Quartz and Bruin roads to construct line and to contain a spot fire south of Blackjack Peak. The Simmons group of fires is being patrolled by air and has shown no recent fire activity.

Dolly Creek Fire: 825 Acres | 0% Contained Containment lines in Dolly Creek and Washout creek continue to hold. An engine taskforce is working to maintain and improve line on the northeast flank of the fire.

Special Statement
Numerous fires burning in Western Montana and Idaho Panhandle have been grouped into two complexes. The Stateline Complex consists of numerous fires burning on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, the two largest being the Dolly Creek and Tumbledown Fires. The West Lalo Complex consists now of only the Thorne Creek Fire. The Character Complex is comprised of both the Deceitful and Pritchard fires. The Character Complex is located on the Coeur d'Alene River Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle.

Fire
Fire activity should be moderate due to a combination of good humidity recoveries and inversions. Winds will increase by afternoon. Expect winds to be out of the west at 10 - 15 mph with gusts to 20 mph. Back and flanking is expect but winds could push fire into unburned fuels.

Smoke
Mostly sunny with cooler temperatures today. Expect high level haze due to fires burning in Central and Northern Washington. Most of the forecast areas will see overall  'Moderate' conditions today Thompson Falls, Avery, Polson and Kellogg could expect to see overall Moderate air throughout the day with brief periods of Good during the morning. Expect rain on Sunday morning and into the afternoon with partly sunny skies returning by mid afternoon. Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity will reduce smoky conditions throughout the forecast area tomorrow as well.

More Information
Check out" https://montanawildfiresmoke.org" for information on what you can do to protect your health during wildfire season. The prolonged duration of smoke will start to even affect healthy individuals.