Updated & enlarged *Forest Order, *Closure Area Map 
Evacuations include Rambler, Rob Roy area 
Keystone area is under pre-evacuation notice 

*Forest Order, *Closure Area Map 
Evacuations now include Keystone, Rambler, Rob Roy area 

- A Forest Service area closure is being developed & will be in place later Fri., Sept. 18
- Due to high fire growth potential, the Rambler & Rob Roy areas are currently being evacuated

Snow Fire Update

Summary

The West Branch Fire was contained on 10/14/2020 and declared out on 10/27/2020. The area closure has been lifted, but visitors should be aware of burned area hazards, such as fire-weakened trees, burned out stump holes, and unstable slopes.

West Branch Fire Update

Priest Lake, Idaho, September 21, 2020 – The West Branch Fire was discovered on the morning of Sept 16, 2020 and is under investigation.  The fire is approximately 9 miles due west of Coolin, Idaho, near Forest Service Road 1094, and a half mile west of the Idaho-Washington state line.  The fire is approximately 60 acres.

There are currently no evacuations associated with the West Branch Fire.

The fire continues to slowly back downhill towards the West Branch Priest River and move slowly uphill towards Forest Service Road 1094.  Crews and a helicopter worked through the weekend to contain a small spot fire above FSR 1094.  Resources assigned include a Type 4 incident commander, an engine, an initial attack module, and a 20-person hand crew.   Significant precipitation has been forecasted for the latter half of the week, starting Wednesday, September 23, with 100% chance of rain overnight, and up to one inch of rain from this system - https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/d13_fill.gif?1600723451228

Effective September 17, 2020, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials have put in place a temporary road closure to protect public and firefighter safety during suppression efforts for the West Branch Fire on the Priest Lake Ranger District. The following road closure is in place until rescinded (see attached map for details): Forest Development Road FS 1094, beginning at its junction with NFSR 312, and concluding with its terminus at its junction with NFSR 1108. Any changes to closures, road conditions, or other relevant incident information will be published by the forest and also updated on the fire’s InciWeb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7206/

Forest visitors should be aware of fire engine traffic on Forest Service Road 312 (Squaw Valley Road).  Also, a reminder that “If you fly, we can’t!” If drones are flown over a fire, air operations could be suspended until the risk of a mid-air collision with a drone is resolved. When firefighting aircraft are grounded for any reason, fire crews lose access to a valuable resource which can adversely affect the safety and efficiency of the overall firefighting effort.

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West Branch Fire Information and Road Closure

Priest Lake, Idaho, September 17, 2020 – The West Branch Fire was discovered on the morning of Sept 16, 2020. The fire is approximately 9 miles due west of Coolin, Idaho, near Forest Service Road 1094, and a half mile west of the Idaho-Washington state line. The fire was determined to be human caused. Initial size-up at discovery was 20 acres.

A Type 3 helicopter was in use yesterday for bucket work. Resources assigned today include a Type 4 incident commander, an engine, an initial attack module, a 20-person hand crew, and a Type 2 helicopter from the Idaho Department of Lands that will work to contain spot fires. The fire is now estimated to be 30 acres.  

There are currently no evacuations associated with the West Branch Fire.

Effective immediately, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials have put in place a temporary road closure to protect public and firefighter safety during suppression efforts for the West Branch Fire on the Priest Lake Ranger District. The following road closure is in place until rescinded (see attached map for details): Forest Development Road FS 1094, beginning at its junction with NFSR 659, and concluding with its terminus at its junction with NFSR 1108. Any changes to closures, road conditions, or other relevant incident information will be published by the forest and also updated on the fire’s InciWeb page: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7206/

Forest visitors should be aware of fire engine traffic on Forest Service Road 312 (Squaw Valley Road).  Also, a reminder that “If you fly, we can’t!” If drones are flown over a fire, air operations could be suspended until the risk of a mid-air collision with a drone is resolved. When firefighting aircraft are grounded for any reason, fire crews lose access to a valuable resource which can adversely affect the safety and efficiency of the overall firefighting effort.

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

The Trap Creek fire is located on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the Middle Fork RD of the Salmon-Challis NF, approximately 9 miles northwest of Stanley, ID. The fire was first reported on September 14th, 2020 near Trap Creek Campground. Last weekend, cooler temperatures, cloud cover and higher humidity allowed firefighters time to complete 100 % containment line along the northeast side of highway 21, where full suppression was needed for public safety and structure protection. On the southwest portion of the fire, crews have been monitoring activity within the existing fire perimeter. Yesterday’s warm weather, and afternoon winds, caused for an increase in fire behavior that resulted in minimal fire growth and intermittent closures of highway 21. Highway 21 is now back open.
 
CLOSURES – A forest area closure is in effect for the area around the fire and was recently reduced in size (see map). The purpose of this order is to protect the public and fire fighters during wildfire activity suppression activities. This includes all roads, trails, campgrounds, and hunting units within the closure.
 
Total acreage: 2,285
Total Percent Containment: 41%
 
LEGGIT FIRE: The Leggit Fire is located in the Sawtooth Wilderness 5 miles east of Atlanta. The 820 acre fire is currently being monitored and the forest closure has been terminated.
 
Know before you go. All Forest visitors are reminded to check with their local forest districts concerning forest closures and restrictions. For further inquiries about the Trap Creek Fire and adjacent areas, please call the Stanley Ranger Station 208-774-3000.

The Trap Creek fire is located on the Sawtooth National Recreation Area and the Middle Fork RD of the Salmon-Challis NF, approximately 9 miles northwest of Stanley, ID. The fire was first reported on September 14th, 2020 near Trap Creek Campground. Cooler temperatures, cloud cover and higher humidity allowed firefighters time to complete 100 % containment line along the northeast side of highway 21, where full suppression was needed for public safety and structure protection. Local crews continue to monitor the fire on the southwest side of highway 21, where fire activity and smoke could increase today and over the weekend due to higher temperatures and low relative humidity. 

Hazard tree mitigation along highway 21 has ended, and the highway is now fully open. However; the public is still encouraged to drive slowly, due to possibly smokey conditions and the presence of firefighters entering and exiting the roadway.   

CLOSURES – A forest area closure is in effect for the area around the fire and was recently reduced in size (see map). The purpose of this order is to protect the public and fire fighters during wildfire activity suppression activities. This includes all roads, trails, campgrounds, and hunting units within the closure. 

Total acreage: 2,285

Total Percent Containment: 41% 

LEGGIT FIRE: The Leggit Fire is located in the Sawtooth Wilderness 5 miles east of Atlanta. The 820 acre fire is currently being monitored and the forest closure has been terminated. 

Know before you go. All Forest visitors are reminded to check with their local forest districts concerning forest closures and restrictions. For further inquiries about the Trap Creek Fire and adjacent areas, please call the Stanley Ranger Station 208-774-3000