Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests

903 3rd St., Kamiah, ID 83536
www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater
www.facebook.com/NPClwNFs / www.twitter.com/NPClwNFs

MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR RECREATIONISTS AS CLOSURES ARE TERMINATED OR MODIFIED

Media Contact:  Jim Wimer

208-494-1661 * ncffireinfo@gmail.com

KAMIAH, Idaho: August 12, 2021- Cooler temperatures and scattered moisture moderated burning conditions in some areas of the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, allowing Forest managers to terminate or modify several closures. This will allow for more access for those who want to visit the area.

According to Deputy Forest Supervisor Marty Mitzkus, all fire-related closures on the Forests’ northernmost district, the Palouse Ranger District, have been terminated. This means popular sites such as the Giant Cedar Grove, the Upper Basin Interpretative Trail, Morrison Creek Cedar Grove and Horse Camp are all open.

Continued concern s about firefighter and public safety mean closures are largely unchanged for the North Fork Clearwater corridor. The Washington Creek, Aquarius and Purple Beach campgrounds all remain closed. Road and trail closures still effectively close the Mallard-Larkins Pioneer Area, Osier Lookout, and the Fish Lake and Goose Lake areas. The Sheep Mountain Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) area remains closed; however, the Clark Mountain OHV area off the French Mountain Road and the OHV trails in the Deception area remain open.

Closures associated with Highway 12 corridor fires have been modified. The closure associated with the Granite Creek Complex is approximately 1/3 of its previous size, allowing access from Lolo Pass to Elk Meadows and Rudd Moore and Moose Lakes. The southern end of the Parachute Hill Road (569) and the lower half of the Brushy Fork drainage are also accessible.

Falling trees prompted a new closure of a short segment of Road 500 in the Eldorado Creek area. A detour route has been established.

The Storm Creek Fire closure was modified slightly with the boundary extended to the Beaver Ridge Road, a feature more easily recognized on the ground.

On the Forests’ southern end, the closure associated with the Dixie and Jumbo Fires remains in effect. The Magruder Road Corridor is open; however, there is an area closure south of the road. The area near Lynx Meadows also remains closed.

Mitzkus encouraged prospective visitors to view detailed closure information on the Forests’ website (Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests - Home (usda.gov)). For those viewing maps posted on one of the many fire information boards in the area, a QR code has been added to take readers directly to specific closure orders.

With hot and dry conditions forecast for the weekend, Mitzkus reminded forest visitors to be vigilant during their stays. “As yesterday’s Bedrock Fire near Lenore demonstrates, new fires that start can spread quickly. People still need to remain aware of their surroundings and to have a plan for leaving an area quickly if a fire starts.”

North Fork Ranger District-208-476-4541

The Swanson Creek Fire located 20 miles northeast of Pierce, Idaho is still estimated at 600 acres, although there has been observed spotting across Deep Creek. Steep inaccessible terrain is making suppression actions difficult. Resources have completed the indirect handline from Forest Service Road #246 down to the North Fork of the Clearwater River and will continue to improve and place hose lays where needed. Additional line is being constructed above the FS #246 road and additional roads are being prepped for control lines. Crews are also working on removing accumulated fuels from around USFS infrastructure and historic structures in the area. The Butte Creek and Benton Ridge Fires located on Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests lands are part of the Cougar Rock Complex.

For more fire information associated with the Cougar Rock Complex:

●       Fire Information Phone:  208-494-1943

●       Email:  2021.CougarRock@firenet.gov

●       InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7640/

●       Facebook:  https://facebook.com/IdahoDepartmentofLands/

Reference Closure Orders #01-17-53-21-002, #01-17-53-21-003, #01-17-53-21-004, #01-17-53-21-005, and #01-17-53-21-006 for fires on the North Fork Ranger District.

Storm Theatre Complex (NIMO Team 1)

The Storm Theatre Complex is being managed by Incident Commander Jay Kurth and the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team 1. The NIMO team has been tasked with managing backcountry wildfires within an 815,000-acre area of remote-roadless land, and the Storm Creek Fire. Information about the Storm Theatre Complex will be covered in a separate Daily Update.

For more information about the Storm Theatre Complex:

●       Fire Information Phone Number: 208-494-1661

●       Email Address: 2021.ncfsupport@firenet.gov

●       InciWeb Page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7724

Red River Ranger District-208-842-2245

The Lynx Fire continues to be estimated at around 4,900 acres. This fire is located 23 miles east of Elk City, Idaho. Firefighters continue to provide structure protection equipment at Warm Springs Bar to ensure it is operational should it be needed. Minimal fire behavior and growth has been reported over the last several days.

The Dixie and Jumbo Fires total acreage are around 46,000 acres, with 5 acres of growth for the Dixie Fire. The Dixie fire and Jumbo fires are located 15 miles south of Elk City, Idaho, near the communities of Comstock and Dixie. Northern Rockies Type 2 Team #5 has assumed command of the Dixie-Jumbo Fires.

For more information about the Dixie-Jumbo Fires:

●       Fire Information Phone Number: 208-207-7417

●       Email Address: 2021.dixie@firenet.gov

●       InciWeb Page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7608

●       Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/DixieJumboFire

Reference Closure Orders #01-17-05-21-002 and #01-17-05-21-003 for fires on the Red River Ranger District.

Lochsa Ranger District-208-926-4274

The Greenside Butte Fire is approximately 725 acres and is located 8 miles southwest of Fish Lake Airstrip in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. Potential impacts to Forest Service Trail #211 are currently being assessed, and Horse Camp Cabin has structure protection in place.

Reference Closure Orders #01-17-55-21-003, #01-17-55-21-015, and #01-17-55-21-019 for fires on the Lochsa Ranger District.

Powell Ranger District-208-942-3113

The Granite Pass Complex is under the command of Northern Rockies Type 1 Team #1. The BM Hill, Shotgun, and Boulder Creek Fires are managed under the Granite Pass Complex.

Closure Order Update:  Due to limited activity and progress made, the forest area closure will be reduced on the Missoula Ranger District/Lolo National Forest (Montana Side) of the complex, opening the east side of Highway 12. Closure orders for the west side will remain, however are being modified to fully open the Howard Creek drainage and allow access between Fish Creek and Highway 12. For more information, access the InciWeb link below.

     For more information on the Granite Pass Complex:

●       Fire Information Phone: 406-624-9176

●       Email:  2021.granitepasscomplex@firenet.gov

●       InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7653/

●       Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/GranitePassComplex

Special Note:  Lolo Pass Visitor Center is now open Wednesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PDT; however, portions of the parking lot may still be utilized by aviation and ground resources. Please drive slowly and be mindful of any fire resources that may be working in the area.

Reference Closure Orders #01-17-55-21-007, #01-17-55-21-008, #01-17-55-21-010, #01-17-55-21-016, #01-17-55-21-018, and #01-17-55-21-020 for fires on the Powell Ranger District. 

The Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Fire Information hotline is 208-494-1661. This line is staffed from 8 a.m.- 8 p.m. daily for general forest closure questions and general fire information questions. More specific questions on fires managed by incident management teams should be directed to that specific fire’s information number. The public may also call their local Ranger District Office for closure information.

Official forest closure orders are in effect for multiple fires. Please refer to the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests’ website for the Stage II Fire Restrictions and official closure orders: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/nezperceclearwater/home/?cid=fsm91_055753

Temporary flight restrictions are in place over fire areas for the safety of the public and aerial firefighting resources. These restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones). Remember, “If you fly, we can’t.”

Please continue to check for updated information on emerging fires on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests website (https://bit.ly/NPCFireInfo), on social media at www.facebook.com/NPClwNFs  and www.twitter.com/NPClwNFs, on the forest’s official mobile app (search “Nez Perce Clearwater” in your app store), or by calling your local ranger station. Report all wildfires to the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch Center (208-983-6800) or call 911.