Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, at 8:30 a.m.
Fire Information: 208-274-9690
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7640/
Email: 2021.CougarRock@firenet.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IdahoDepartmentofLands/; https://www.facebook.com/NPClwNFs/
Size: 8,079 acres
Start Date: July 6, 2021 Cause: Lightning Total Fires in Complex: 10 Containment: 42%
Personnel: 342 Location: 30 miles northeast of Orofino, Idaho Containment of the fires in the Cougar Rock Complex has decreased due to better mapping and containment calculations. The Maine Type 3 Team assumed command of the Scott and Goat Creek fires at 6 a.m. today. The Pennsylvania Type 3 Team assumed command of the Benton and Butte Creek fires at 6 a.m. today.
A Red Flag Warning is in effect today due to high winds associated with incoming thunderstorms. Outflow winds up to 40 mph and lightning are in the forecast. This could lead to more active fire behavior, and the potential for new fire starts.
Yesterday, crews on the Scott Fire found a spot fire inside the contingency line in the northeast corner of the fire. Hand crews supported by an engine and multiple water drops from helicopters worked to contain the spot fire. Today they will continue to mop up hot spots. A feller-buncher and two dozers are still assigned to the Goat Creek Fire, where they’ll continue building containment line. A hand crew completed containment line on the south end of the fire late yesterday. Firefighters will look for and extinguish any hotspots along that line today. Firefighters have completed a contingency line to connect the northeast corner of the Benton Fire to the northwest corner of the Butte Creek Fire. Crews will work to improve the line today. It is intended to prevent the one or both of the fires from escaping to the south through the gap in their current perimeters. Firefighters using heavy equipment will work today to finish a containment line from Thompson Creek to the top of Steep Creek to stop the Butte Creek Fire should it move west of Thompson Creek. So far, the fire is still on the east side of the Thompson Creek drainage. CLOSURES:
A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the complex for the safety of firefighters in the air and on the ground. To find information about the TFR, visit https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html. Remember, a TFR also applies to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t! Two closures remain in place for firefighter and public safety: 1) Granddad Bridge on the Dworshak Reservoir, and 2) at Captain’s Cabin near Elk River. These roads are open for fire and industrial traffic only. Five additional closures are in place for public and firefighter safety: 1) St. Maries River Road (Route 382) from the junction of Route 301 to the junction with Forest Service Road (FSR) 3311; 2) FSR 3325 from the junction of Route 301 to the junction of FSR 3335; 3) FSR 3335 from the junction of 3325 to FSR 3328; 4) FSR 3328 from the junction of FSR 3325 to the terminus of FSR 3328; and 5) FSR 384 from the junction of Route 301 to FSR 3328. All methods of travel are prohibited. Stage II fire restrictions are in effect for the Grangeville Fire Restriction Area. For more information regarding current fire restrictions visit https://www.idl.idaho.gov/fire-management/fire-restrictions-finder/. Daily updates about local smoke conditions can be found at: https://cloud.deq.idaho.gov/s/Gd8YXWqJ6o6TkGc.
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