Ferguson Fire: estimated 1,184 acres, 70% contained
Location: approximately 7 miles southeast of Big Lake, Texas

Dozer crews continue to make progress constructing containment line while engine crews patrol for hot spots and spot fires over the line to mop up.

Ferguson Fire: estimated 1,500 acres, 50% contained
Location: approximately 7 miles southeast of Big Lake, Texas

Overnight, resources used indirect tactics and were able to stop forward progression of the fire. Resources have returned this morning to continue fire suppression efforts. Dozer crews are constructing containment line. Engine crews will patrol for hot spots and any spot fires outside the containment line.  

Fire officials have declared the Whitetail Loop Fire contained. Crews will continue to mop up and begin rehabilitation of dozer and handlines. Patrols of the fire area will continue, and the public can expect to see some smokes from time to time as interior smoldering is possible.

The North Idaho Incident Management Team will begin transitioning the fire back to the local district today concluding with transfer of command tomorrow.

All road closures have been lifted. Extreme caution is still advised as fire crews will remain in the area continuing mop up and patrol efforts. Logging operations have resumed and there may be slash on Viewpoint Road.

Fire weakened tress will pose a hazard to the public into the future. Winds can cause trees to fall without warning, especially during wet conditions in the Fall and Spring. Soils in fire areas can become unstable and erode. Please use caution when in the area.

Fire officials are urging the public to be cautious with fire, increased holiday travel and extreme temperatures combined with low humidity could easily spark a wildfire. Parking on dry grass, dragging tow chains, and unattended campfires are responsible for many wildfires each year #OneLessSpark

This will be the final update from the Idaho Department of Lands. Additional question can be referred to Clearwater Potlatch Timber Protective Association (CPTPA) 208-476-5612

Fire crews were able to increase containment to 60% yesterday on the 499-acre Whitetail Loop Fire. Damage assessments have been completed with the assistance of the Idaho State Fire Marshall’s office.  Final assessments have determined that one residence and several outbuildings were destroyed. This clarifies earlier reports as more detailed information regarding the type of structures were present before the fire.

Fire investigators have attributed the fire to a bird striking powerlines and igniting the fuels below.

Weather today will be hot with temperatures expected to be 90-100’s in the valleys. Firefighters are moving into patrolling the southern perimeter of the fire as they complete mop up activities. Fire resources will be focusing on extending mop up operations from the northern perimeter deeper into the interior of the fire area. Crews will locate and extinguish hot pockets of smoldering fuels working to tie in with the completed work on the southern edge.

The Old Ahsahka Grade continues to be closed to the public at the Viewpoint Road on the bottom and at Turkey Run Road on the top. Caution is advised as fire crews are still working in the area; roads are narrow, and wash boarded in places.

With the beginning of the Labor Day holiday weekend, fire officials stress that the public recreate responsibly and follow all closures, restrictions, and fire prevention precautions. Caution is advised with campfires- never leave a campfire- drown, stir, repeat. #OneLessSpark

(Ahsahka, ID- 2 miles north of Orofino) The Whitetail Loop Fire containment is now listed at 40%. Fire crews were able to complete fire line around the entire fire perimeter and are now working to reinforce that line with water and hand crews. 179 personnel are assigned to the fire. The fire is mapped at 499 acres (note increase in acres is not as a result of an increase in fire activity, but due to more precise mapping).

Weather today will again be hot with temperatures in the 90’s in the valleys, but winds will be lighter than yesterday. There continues to be pockets of heavy unburned fuels within the fire perimeter that continue to smolder and produce smoke. These conditions have the potential to increase fire activity in the afternoon as fuels dry from morning moisture.

Work today will continue to focus on strengthening fire lines and cooling isolated pockets of heavy fuels that continue to creep and smolder.

The only evacuations still in place are on Summit View Road. The Old Ahsahka Grade is still closed to the public at the Viewpoint Road on the bottom and at Turkey Run Road on the top. All other roads in the area are now open but caution is advised as fire crews are still working in the area and roads are narrow.

Big Eddy Marina and Viewpoint Road are open to the public.

Additional updates will be posted to the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Information page https://www.facebook.com/IDLFireInfo/ and Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7122/

(Ahsahka, ID- 2 miles north of Orofino) Crews continue to construct and reinforce fireline on the Whitetail Loop Fire. Containment is now listed at 15%. More than 200 personnel are assigned to the fire with ground forces working on both hand and dozer line. The fire is mapped at 450 acres.

Weather today will bring higher temperatures, lower humidity, and winds out of the west. These conditions have the potential to increase fire activity in the afternoon as fuels dry from morning moisture.

Work today in the southern portions of the fire, is focused on mopping up and cold-trailing (the process of extinguishing hot spots and checking for any remaining heat by hand). This morning an IDL unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with an infrared camera was flown over the fire area to search for pockets of heat in the interior of the fire. By locating these heat sources, firefighters can more efficiently attack potential for flare ups. Aviation resources remain available for water drops to cool interior heat.

On the northern portion of the fire, crews will reinforce and plumb firelines bringing water up the grade to cool the fire perimeter and work toward interior heat.

Evacuations remain in effect. The Clearwater County Sheriff will contact evacuated residents when it is safe for them to return home.

The following roads remain closed for firefighter and public safety: Whitetail Loop, Old Ahsahka Grade, Turkey Run, and Summit View.

Big Eddy Marina and Viewpoint Road are open to the public. Please be aware that fire crews will still be in the area. Use caution when accessing these areas.

Update
September 1, 2020, 8:50am

(Ahsahka, ID) Cooler temperatures and Monday night's rain aided in fire suppression efforts on the #WhitetailLoopFire. Crews made substantial gains on lining the fire perimeter with both hand and dozer line. With more than 140 personnel assigned to the fire ground forces were able to accomplish more than 1.75 miles of line. The fire is currently mapped at approximately 450 acres.

The following roads remain closed for firefighter and public safety: Whitetail Loop, Old Ahsahka Grade, Turkey Run, and Summit View.

All residents who have been evacuated will remain so until contacted by the Clearwater County Sheriff.

A local IDL Type 3 incident management team (IMT) assumed command of the fire yesterday. Today's activities will be a continuation of the ground crews cutting in and re enforcing fireline and plumbing with fire hose to bring in water along the fire's edge. Aviation resources will be available for water drops today to cool interior heat so that crews can safely access further in from the fire's perimeter.

The IMT appreciates the public's patience as additional resources arrive and the organization gets established.
 
Follow the Idaho Department of Lands Fire Information page @IDLFireInfo

The Smith Canyon Fire is 11,348 acres, 100% contained. Resources will continue to monitor it for the rest of the day before turning it back over to the local fire department.

Smith Canyon Fire: estimated 11,348 acres, 95% contained
Location: approximately 4 miles south of Iraan, Texas 

Yesterday, there were very few smokes on the fire. Resources were able to continue their progress with mop up of the fire. All resources have returned this morning and will patrol for any hot spots close to the fire perimeter to mop up.

Smith Canyon Fire: estimated 11,348 acres, 95% contained
Location: approximately 4 miles south of Iraan, Texas 

Resources have made significant progress with mop up of the fire. All resources have returned this morning and will continue to patrol for any hot spots to mop up.