TONTO NATIONAL FOREST – August 22nd 2020 

Location: Near Sears Kay, Cave Creek RD                    Date Detected: 8/22/2020

Size: 40 Acres                                                               Containment: 30%

Cause: Under Investigation                                           Resources: Multiple Engines/Aircraft

The previous closures on Colt Killed Creek Trail #50 and Forest Service Roads #368 and #369 due to the Beaver and Marion fires have been RESCINDED. These routes are once again open for public travel.

The updated closure order on Walton Lakes Trail #79 remains in effect at this time. Please see Closures tab for information. 

The closure for Walton Lakes Trail #79 due to the Beaver/Marion fires has been updated. The trail is now closed from near Sneakfoot Meadows southwest to the first Walton Lake. For more information, see the Closures and Maps tabs.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE
NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NATIONAL FORESTS
LOCHSA-POWELL RANGER DISTRICT

PROHIBITIONS

Pursuant to Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 261.50 (b) the following acts are prohibited on designated portions of the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, as shown on the attached map, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.  These restrictions are in addition to those general prohibitions in Title 36 CFR, Part 261, Subpart A, become effective immediately, and will remain in effect until rescinded.

1. Being on the trail. [Title 36 CFR 261.55 (a)]
2. When provided by an order it is prohibited to go into or be upon an area which is closed for the protection of: Public health and safety. [Title 36 CFR 261.53 (e)]

LOCATION

1. Forest Service Trail #79 - The trail is closed from T.36N., R.14E., S ½ of SW ¼ Sec13 near Sneakfoot Meadows southwesterly to the first Walton Lake in Idaho, Boise Meridian, T.36N., R.14E., SW ¼ of NW ¼ Sec27.

EXEMPTIONS

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official emergency duty.

PURPOSE

Impacts from wildfires has created snags and burned trees falling onto the trail.

IMPLEMENTATION

1. This Order will be effective immediately from the date of signature and will remain in effect until rescinded.  
2. Any violation of this prohibition is punishable as a Class B misdemeanor by a fine of not more than $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations, or by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. (see 16 U.S.C. § 551, 18 U.S.C. § 3571(b)(6), 18 U.S.C. § 3581 (b)(7)).
3. Maps identifying the Restricted Areas are attached and made a part of this Order. 
4. This Order supersedes, rescinds, & replaces any previous orders prohibiting the same acts covered by this Order.  
5. Further information regarding this Order may be obtained from the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District Office at 502 Lowry Street, Kooskia, Idaho 83539, telephone number: 208-926-4274, and at the following website: USDA Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperceclearwater

 
Done at Kamiah, Idaho this 9th day of October, 2020.

/s/ Cheryl F. Probert
Forest Supervisor
Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Northern Region
 
 
See the Maps tab for a closure area map. 

Effective September 25, 2020, the official closure order closing Forest Service Road #360 (Savage Pass Road) has been rescinded. The road is now open for public travel.

The Type 2 Incident Management Team working the Marion and Beaver fires near Powell has transferred command of the fires to a local Type 3 organization. Both fires displayed little to no growth over the weekend due to wetting rain. Fire crews will continue to maintain containment lines to prevent the fires from reaching private property and threatening values at risk, including the Round Top Remote Automatic Weather Station. 

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Sunday, September 20, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests   
Twitter: @NPClwNFs  
 
Start date: Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020, Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020
Location:  5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County 
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning 
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 2,992 acres              Marion Fire, 1,520 acres 
Containment: 0% 
Personnel:      73 

Current: Beaver Fire – The fire is following fuels and terrain. Expect creeping and smoldering with limited surface fire activity and isolated torching tree torching. There is little to no spotting potential today. Primary carrier is dead, down woody material with creeping and smoldering fire activity. The perimeter of the fire has shown little to no growth due wetting rain over the fire on Saturday.  
Marion Fire – The fire is following fuels and terrain with creeping, smoldering, some isolated tree torching. There is little to no spotting potential today. Heavy dead and down dead woody material with creeping and smoldering active surface fire activity. The perimeter of the fire has shown little to no growth due wetting rain over the fire on Saturday. 

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Crews will scout and establish containment lines west of the fire to prevent fire from impacting private property and the Round Top RAWS to the west and north of the fire.  Steep difficult terrain and fire behavior makes building direct suppression difficult. 
Marion Fire –Crews will monitor fire for and extinguish any new spotting east of Sneak Foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail. Firefighters will remain available for initial attach and will maintain point protection of values at risk. Sprinkler kits are in place to protect bridges, the SNOTEL site, and Colt Creek Camp. Difficult access to fire areas increases risk to fire personnel.
 
Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team 6, will transfer command and management of the Beaver and Marion Fires to a Type 4 organization on Monday.

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity. 

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATESaturday, September 19, 2020 Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests   Twitter: @NPClwNFs  Start date: Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020  Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020Location: 5 East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County  Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning Current Size: Beaver Fire, 2,992 acres  Marion Fire, 1,520 acres Containment: 0% Personnel: 93 
ALERT:  Air quality forecast indicates continued smoke from wildfires burning in Idaho, Oregon, and California. A high pressure ridge will keep smoke in our area today. Air Quality is expected to remain in the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS category. For more air quality information:  
                         Montanawildfiresmoke.org     www.todaysair.mt.gov airquality.deq.idaho.gov
Current: Beaver Fire – Fire is following fuels and terrain. Active surface fire with group tree torching and short-range spotting. Primary carrier is dead, down woody material. However, thick smoke will moderate fire behavior at lower elevations. Wetting rain forecast throughout the weekend.  Marion Fire – Heavy dead and down material will maintain active surface fire. Scattered standing dead trees contribute to group tree torching and snag hazards. Continued perimeter growth in all directions. Wetting rains forecasted for Saturday will decrease fire behavior. Dense smoke is reducing visibility and moderating fire intensity by limiting solar radiation.   Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Create and improve containment lines to keep fire south and east of private property and Round Top RAWS. Steep difficult terrain and fire behavior makes building direct suppression difficult. Resource numbers are being reduced in anticipation of wetting rains.
Marion Fire – Difficult access to fire area increases risk to fire personnel. Continue fire movement will threaten USFS bridges and Colt Creek pack bridges. Firefighters will continue to protect bridges with sprinklers. Resource numbers are being reduced in anticipation of wetting rains.
Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity. 
For the current closure and map visit InciWeb.nwcg.gov

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Friday, September 18, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests   
Twitter: @NPClwNFs  
Start Date: Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020. Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National                  Forests, Idaho County  
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning 
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 2,053 acres. Marion Fire, 1,013 acres 
Containment: 0% 
Personnel: 140 

ALERT: Air quality forecasts indicates continued smoke from wildfires burning in Idaho, Oregon, and California. A high pressure ridge will keep smoke in our area today. Air Quality is in the UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY category and is forecasted to remain in this category for Thursday. For more air quality information:                 Montanawildfiresmoke.org    www.todaysair.mt.gov    airquality.deq.idaho.gov

Current: Beaver Fire – Fire continues to utilize steep terrain to spread and spot across USFS Road #368 and has become established. Dry, warm, and gusty conditions, coupled with very poor overnight relative humidity recovery, will continue to be conducive to active fire behavior. However, thick smoke will moderate fire behavior at lower elevations. Rain showers will begin late Friday evening and persist throughout the day on Saturday slowing down fire spread. 

Marion Fire – Heavy dead and down material will maintain active surface fire. Scattered standing dead trees contribute to group tree torching and snag hazards. Higher temps and lower RH will allow for continued fire growth. Dense smoke is reducing visibility and moderating fire intensity by limiting solar radiation. Forecast is showing high chances of rain starting Friday night and persisting through the day on Saturday.  

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Reinforce fuel breaks from the Round Top RAWS to FSFS Rd #368 to direct fire away from private lands. Bucket drops will continue the W end of Beaver Fire. Log removal and processing on the 368 road will terminate today. Logs were being removed to create a fuel break.

Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail. Sprinkler systems are in place to protect bridges and the SNOTEL site along the 360 road. A remote-start sprinkler system is installed near Colt Creek Trailhead. Heavy snag components creates hazards for direct suppression activities

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity. 

For the current closure and map visit InciWeb.nwcg.gov

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE 
Thursday, September 17, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests   
Twitter: @NPClwNFs  

Start date: Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020 Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County  
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning 
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 1,955 acres. Marion Fire, 913 acres 
Containment: 0% 
Personnel: 138 
 
ALERT: Air quality forecasts indicates continued smoke from wildfires burning in Idaho, Oregon, and California. A high pressure ridge will keep smoke in our area today. Air Quality is in the UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY category and is forecasted to remain in this category for Thursday.For more air quality information:  Montanawildfiresmoke.org    www.todaysair.mt.gov     airquality.deq.idaho.gov
 
Current: Beaver Fire – Fire continues to utilize steep terrain to spread and spot across USFS Road #368 and has become established. Thick smoke at lower elevations will moderate fire behavior. Drier and warmer conditions are expected today with poor relative humidity (RH) overnight recoveries. Significant fire growth in fire perimeter is expected. The fire will exhibit active surface fire behavior with short uphill runs, group tree torching and short-range spotting. Winds from the SW will drive the fire to the ENE today.  

Marion Fire – Active surface fire in down woody material continues. Winds from the S, SW will continue to move the fire to the E, SE with short runs and active surface fire spread burning in predominantly Sub-Alpine Fir stands. RH values will be higher on the Marion Fire than the Beaver Fire resulting in less fire spread than the Beaver Fire. 

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Firefighters will continue to improve the fuel break from the Round Top RAWS to FSFS Rd #368 and tie into the road systems and existing fuel breaks. Medium aircraft is working to provide bucket drops on the W end of Beaver Fire.  Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Logs are being removed via the 368 road and are being processed.  
 
Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak Foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail. Sprinkler systems are in place to protect bridges and the SNOTEL site along the 360 road. A remote-start sprinkler system is installed near Colt Creek Trailhead.
 
Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity.