BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook:        Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests 
Twitter: @NPClwNFs  
 
Start date: Beaver Fire was detected August 21, 2020 and Marion Fire detected August 19, 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, lightening 
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 1,923 acres              Marion Fire, 913 acres 
Containment: 0%
Personnel:      149 

ALERT:  Expect continued thick wildfire smoke from fires burning on the west coast. Air quality is forecast to be UNHEALTHY for much of the region.
For more information:  Montanawildfiresmoke.org          www.todaysair.mt.gov airquality.deq.idaho.gov
 
Current:  Beaver Fire – Fire continues to utilize terrain to spread and spot across road #368 and has become established along the road.  Active surface fire with group tree torching and short-range spotting is occurring. Smoke impacts may moderate fire behavior, particularly within lower elevations where smoke is thicker and reduces solar radiation. Crews are consolidating and removing fuel decks. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout.  Snags and steep rugged terrain present hazards to firefighters. Bucket water drops were utilized on the west side of the fire to cool and reduce fire spread. 

Marion Fire – Sprinkler systems are in place to protect bridges on Forest Road #360 and the SNOTEL weather station as active surface fire in down woody material continues.  Active surface fire with group tree torching and short-range spotting continue with backing and flanking. The fire will continue to move east and northwest following fuels and terrain.  

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Firefighters will continue to improve containment lines and consolidate and haul log decks to reduce available fuels. Crews will work to keep the fire south and east of private property and Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into Forest Road #368.  Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. A helicopter for water drops is available if needed.  

Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneakfoot Meadows and  North of Savage Pass Trail. Crews are setting up additional sprinkler systems for point protection at the Colt Creek Camp on Forest Road #359. 

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 #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes and Trail #50 is closed from the junction with FSE 368 to the trail crossing over Crab Creek.

 BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE

Tuesday, September 15, 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, 1,677 acres, Marion Fire, 536 acres 
Containment:  0% 
Personnel:       152
 

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. 

Current:  A continued warming and drying trend will be conducive to active fire behavior, however smoke over the fires may moderate fire activity.  
Beaver Fire – Fire has spotted across road #368 and has become established along the road. Firefighters pulled back from the area yesterday due to heat from the flames. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout.  Snags and steep rugged terrain present hazards to firefighters. 

Marion Fire – Active surface fire in down woody material continues. Fire will continue to move to the SW and E, SE with group tree torching, short-rang spotting, and surface spread uphill.

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. A helicopter will be available for water drops if needed.  Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult.  Nighttime operations are in place using log trucks and loaders to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread. 

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.

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 UPDATE
Saturday, September 12, 2020

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

Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 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, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 1147 acres, Marion Fire, 308 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 134

ALERT: Expect hazy skies from fires burning in Idaho. The general haze is likely to turn into thick smoke late Saturday night into Sunday as smoke from fires burning on the west coast makes its way to Idaho and Western Montana. For more information: Montanawildfiresmoke.org www.todaysair.mt.gov airquality.deq.idaho.gov

Current: 
Beaver Fire – Fire has spotted across road #368 and has become established along the road. Active fire behavior along USFR #368 is slowing the removal of fuel decks from fuel break. Fire fighters had to pull back from the area yesterday due to heat from the flames. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout. Snags and steep rugged terrain present hazards to fighters
Marion Fire – Active surface fire in down woody material continues. Fire will continue to move to the SW and E, SE with tree torching and surface spread uphill.

Planned Actions: 
Beaver Fire – Firefighters will create and improve containment lines to keep the fire south and east of private property and Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 road. Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Nighttime operations are in place using log trucks and loaders to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread. A Helicopter for water drops is available if needed.
Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail.

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, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution today for the Coeur d’Alene area (Kootenai, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone, and Benewah Counties outside of tribal boundaries) and the Lewiston area (Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, and Idaho Counties off of the Nez Perce Reservation). Due to wildfire smoke, air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups and burning restrictions are in effect. Learn more on our Smoke Information page at  http://ow.ly/WLty50BoF1M

Before heading out this weekend check Idaho DEQ's real-time air quality map at http://ow.ly/tNfU50BoF1O and smoke blog at http://ow.ly/diFD50BoF1P.

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Friday, September 11, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Twitter: @NPClwNFs
 
Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 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, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 882 acres, Marion Fire, 254 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 133 

ALERT: A significant smoke event from the west coast fires is predicted to move east and mix with smoke from smaller fires in Idaho to impact the air quality. 
For more information: Montanawildfiresmoke.org  www.todaysair.mt.gov  airquality.deq.idaho.gov 

Current: 
Beaver Fire –  Fire has spotted across the USFS road #368 and has become established along the road. Active fire behavior along USFR #368 is slowing the removal of fuel decks from fuel break. Fire fighters had to pull back from the area yesterday due to heat from the flames. Retardant was dropped in the area to slow the spread of fire. Continued warming and drying trend with poor RH recoveries will lead to active fire behavior and spread with long range spotting possible. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout. Significant growth in the fire perimeter is anticipated.
Marion Fire – Active surface fire with tree torching and short range spotting. Fire will continue to move to the SW and E, SE. 

Planned Actions: 
Beaver Fire – Firefighters will create and improve containment lines to keep the fire south and east of private property and Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 road. Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Nighttime operations are in place using log trucks and loaders to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread.
Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail.

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, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Thursday, September 10, 2020
 
Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Twitter: @NPClwNFs

Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 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, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 719 acres, Marion Fire, 220 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 122

Current Status
Beaver Fire - Fire has burned to the 368 road and is expected to continue to bump up against the road. Firefighters are positioned to keep the fire from crossing the road. Poor relative humidity recovery is causing the fire to be active at night. Expect active surface fire with small group-tree torching and short range spotting. Significant growth in the fire perimeter is anticipated today.
Marion Fire – Expect limited surface fire activity with tree torching and short range spotting Low rates of spread given current site specific weather variables. Little growth in fire perimeter is expected.
 
Planned Actions:
Beaver Fire – Firefighters will scout for additional areas to construct line. Brush clearing to open existing road system continue to create a fuel break from Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 road. Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Nighttime operations using log trucks and loaders are being used to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread.
Marion Fire – Firefighters will monitor and extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneakfoot Meadows and east of Tom Beal Rd 320 and south of Salvage Pass Trail.

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, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

Beaver & Marion Fire Update, September 9, 2020  
 
E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests 
Twitter: @NPClwNFs 
Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 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, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire: 719 acres, Marion Fire: 220 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 122 
 
Current Status:
Beaver Fire- The fire has burned to the 368 road. Helicopters worked the west side of the fire yesterday. Fire poses a threat to cross Road 368 in several locations. Crews are positioned to keep the fire from crossing he road. High pressure continues to build. Warming and drying can be expected each day.Expect active surface fire with small group-tree torching and short range spotting. Modest growth in fire perimeter anticipated.
Marion Fire – Expect limited surface fire activity with tree torching and short range spotting Low rate of spread and little growth in fire perimeter anticipated. Crews will monitor for and extinguish any new spots east of Sneakfoot Meadows. 

Planned Actions:
Beaver Fire - Crews continue to brush and open existing road system to create a fuel break from Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 Rd. Scout and possibly create a second fuel break. Nighttime operations using log trucks and loaders are being used to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread. 
Marion Fire - Monitor for and extinguish any new spots east of Sneakfoot Meadows.

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, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATETuesday, September 8, 2020
Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.govFacebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests  Twitter: @NPClwNFs
Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire, detected August 19th, 2020Location: 5 miles East of  Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Granite County
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, cause unknownCurrent Size: Beaver Fire, 719 acres & Marion Fire, 220 acresContainment: 0%Total Resources: 138
Current Status:  Gusty winds from the NE cold front yesterday created hazards and down trees hazards for firefighters on the fire today.  Strong gusty NE winds will be strongest on ridge tops today.  Higher relative humidity and cool temperatures will moderate fire behavior.  Planned Actions: Crews continue to create and improve containment lines to keep the Beaver Fire south and east of private property and the Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 Road.  A fuel break from 368 Road to tie in with existing fuel break to keep fire South and East of private property and the Round Top RAWS.  
Crews on the Marion Fire will look for and extinguish any new spot fires east of Sneakfoot Meadows. 
 Night operations with log trucks and loaders are being used to remove log and reduce fuels.
 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, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

The National Weather Service is forecasting the current timing for the arrival of potentially strong east winds on the Beaver fire is between 0900 and 1000 PDT. The precipitation will be very showery and of short duration near the fire, however, the humidity will likely rise throughout the day. Longer, the ridge of high pressure builds back in, especially Wednesday and later. This will cause a return to warm, dry weather with terrain driven winds.

The Marion Fire has had continued slow growth.  Infrared photograph from last night show one spot east of Sneakfoot meadows.  Fire crews are aggressively suppressing this spot with the aid of aerial resources.  The fire was not greatly affected by the cold front winds experienced yesterday afternoon and evening, with only continued slow, backing fire growth and limited spotting behavior downslope toward the meadows.  The Walton Lakes Trail 79 continues to be closed to protect the safety of the recreating public.  Depending upon fire behavior, closure of FS Road 360 (elk summit Road) may be necessary to protect the public and suppression resources accessing the area of the fire.