The Shissler fire near Elk City was more active yesterday on all sides as weather warmed and fuels in the area dried out. Yesterday morning fire crews were able to successfully contain a portion of the fire that had crossed the 505 Trail on its northeastern edge. Aerial resources were ordered to respond to other areas of the fire that had or threatened to cross the 505 Trail, and ground crews continued to strategically reduce fire fuels and strengthen existing fire lines along the trail.

Yesterday, the western edge of the Shissler fire near Elk City reached the 505 Trail, where fire crews have been working to hold the fire at established fire lines. Burn-out operations yesterday were very successful and allowed fire crews to strategically remove wildfire fuels along the established fire line to hold the wildfire at that location. Today, fire crews will continue to hold the line as the fire continues to progress both south and north along the 505 Trail. Acreage of the Shissler Fire remains at approximately 2,800 acres. Closures remain in place for public safety during this fire; see Closures tab for more info.

Yesterday's weather brought increased fire activity to the Shissler fire near Elk City compared to the past several days, with fire size now at approximately 2,800 acres. The majority of fire activity yesterday was seen in the Meadow Creek drainage, but increased activity was noted in the Butter Creek drainage and old fire scars on the north end of the fire. The fire also continues to progress up-slope towards the 505 Trail System and established fire lines. Fire crews are continuing to improve and hold the fire lines established along the 505 Trail System.

For those recreating in the Elk City area for the holiday weekend, please be advised that roads, trails, and camping areas near the Shissler fire remain closed for public safety and to accommodate traffic by fire management personnel. See "Closures" tab for more information.

The Shissler fire near Elk City is approximately 2,700 acres. Local fire resources are continuing to improve the fireline along the 505 Trail system. Overall, fire activity has remained calm following the light precipitation earlier in the week. As fuels begin to dry out, some areas of the fire have begun to see some increase in activity. Light to moderate smoke can be expected in the area for the foreseeable future. Officials will continue to work to protect values at risk in the fire area and improve fireline along the 505 Trail system.

Shissler Fire

August 31, 2020

Daily Update 9:00 a.m.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-553-1674

Size: Approximately 2700 acres                         Containment: 15%                   Cause: Lightning

Location: Two miles south of Red River Hot Springs near Elk City, Idaho

Structures destroyed: 0

Fire management actions:   FINAL UPDATE Fireline construction east of Trail 505 has been completed.  Today firefighters will clear snags and remove alpine fire from the fireline for safety purposes. Weeks’ Type 3 team will hand over management of the fire to the Red River Ranger District Tuesday.  Snow was reported this morning on the Shissler fire which, along with cooler temperatures and higher humidity, moderating fire behavior today.  Additional precipitation is expected for today and this evening.

Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure along Hot Springs Road and Red River Hot Springs.

Evacuations and Closures:  Trails, roads and campgrounds remain closed for public safety.  Future changes to these closures will be published by the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests.  The current closure order and map may be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014 under the Closures and Maps tabs.  The following roads, trails, and campgrounds are closed to public traffic:

505 Trail – From the Montana Road (FSR 468) to the intersection with the 668 Trail, continuing to Black Hawk Mountain.

504 Trail – In its entirety, from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

541 Trail – From FSR 234 to Green Mountain

588 Trail – In its entirety from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

Bridge Creek Campground

Butter Creek – Undeveloped Campground

FSR 1170

FSR 1166

Magruder Road and Green Mountain Road remain open.

Use caution on FSR 234 (Hot Springs Road) due to increased fire vehicle traffic.

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  Cooler temperatures and higher humidity are predicted for Monday and Monday evening.   Tuesday will see a return of the warm dry weather through much of the week.  Breezy ridge top winds may occur periodically.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember, that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!

Shissler Fire

August 30, 2020

Daily Update 9:00 a.m.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-310-0317

Size: Approximately 2700 acres                         Containment: 10%                   Cause: Lightning

Location: Two miles south of Red River Hot Springs near Elk City, Idaho

Structures destroyed: 0

Fire management actions:  Fire growth was estimated at about 30 acres yesterday. Fortunately, the high winds did not materialize over the fire as predicted.  Fireline construction east of Trail 505 is near completion.  Weeks’ Type 3 team will hand over management of the fire to the Elk City Ranger District on Tuesday.  The fire is now listed as 15% contained.  Containment means that a line has been constructed, mopup is ongoing, and the spread is stopped, at least for now.  The percent containment reflects the fireline that has been constructed along the western perimeter.  The east side of the fire is burning in the Meadow Creek Inventoried Roadless Area, where precipitation, terrain features, and burn scars are expected to provide containment.

Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure along Hot Springs Road and Red River Hot Springs.

Evacuations and Closures:  Trails, roads and campgrounds remain closed for public safety.  The current closure order and map may be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014 under the Closures and Maps tabs.  The following roads, trails, and campgrounds are closed to public traffic:

505 Trail – From the Montana Road (FSR 468) to the intersection with the 668 Trail, continuing to Black Hawk Mountain.

504 Trail – In its entirety, from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

541 Trail – From FSR 234 to Green Mountain

588 Trail – In its entirety from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

Bridge Creek Campground

Butter Creek – Undeveloped Campground

FSR 1170

FSR 1166

Use caution on FSR 234 (Hot Springs Road) due to increased fire vehicle traffic.

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  Temperatures are much cooler today due to the cold front settling over the area.  Fire behavior is expected to be moderated by the current weather conditions.  Cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity are predicted for Sunday and Monday, with wetting rains likely near the Montana border.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember, that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!

Shissler Fire

August 29, 2020

Daily Update 9:00 a.m.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-310-0317

Size: Approximately 2594 acres                         Containment: 10%                   Cause: Lightning

Location: Two miles south of Red River Hot Springs near Elk City, Idaho

Structures destroyed: 0

Fire management actions:  The structure protection group is working on fire prevention activities around the Red River corrals today.  Firefighters are still working on the fire line and fuel break along the 505 Trail.  Fire behavior has been moderated by cooler temperatures; however, winds are expected to pick up today and may cause increased fire activity.  Due to predicted high winds, extra precautions are being taken for firefighter safety.

Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure along Hot Springs Road and Red River Hot Springs.

Evacuations and Closures:  Trails, roads and campgrounds remain closed for public safety.  The current closure order and map may be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014 under the Closures and Maps tabs.  The following roads, trails, and campgrounds are closed to public traffic:

505 Trail – From the Montana Road (FSR 468) to the intersection with the 668 Trail, continuing to Black Hawk Mountain.

504 Trail – In its entirety, from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

541 Trail – From FSR 234 to Green Mountain

588 Trail – In its entirety from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

Bridge Creek Campground

Butter Creek – Undeveloped Campground

FSR 1170

FSR 1166

Magruder Road and Green Mountain Road remain open.

Use caution on FSR 234 (Hot Springs Road) due to increased fire vehicle traffic.

Weather & Fuel Conditions:  Red Flag Warning today through 2100 this evening as a cold front passes through the area, bring the potential for gusty, westerly winds.  Gusts of up to 30 mph are predicted.  This combined with low humidities has prompted the area-wide Red Flag Warning.  Breezy west/northwest winds will continue into Sunday as a cold air mass settles over the region.  Possible light precipitation may occur on Monday along with otherwise normal seasonal temperatures.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember, that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!

Shissler Fire

August 28, 2020

Daily Update 9:00 a.m.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-310-0317

Size: Approximately 2692 acres                         Containment: 10%                   Cause: Lightning

Location: Two miles south of Red River Hot Springs near Elk City, Idaho

Structures destroyed: 0

Fire management actions:  Firefighters have nearly completed the fuel break east of the 505 and improvements along FSR 1166.  The structure protection group continues working with private landowners on fire prevention activities around homes and businesses on Hot Springs Road.  Due in large part to precipitation, fire behavior has been low over the past few days allowing good progress to be made.  Predicted gusty winds on Saturday could increase fire behavior.

Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure along Hot Springs Road and Red River Hot Springs.

Evacuations and Closures: Additional trail closures were implemented on August 26th for the Shissler Fire to provide for public safety.  The current closure order and map may be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014 under the Closures and Maps tabs.  The following roads, trails, and campgrounds are closed to public traffic:

505 Trail – From the Montana Road (FSR 468) to the intersection with the 668 Trail, continuing to Black Hawk Mountain.

504 Trail – In its entirety, from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

541 Trail – From FSR 234 to Green Mountain

588 Trail – In its entirety from junction with FSR 234 to Trail 505

Bridge Creek Campground

Butter Creek – Undeveloped Campground

FSR 1170

FSR 1166

Use caution on FSR 234 (Hot Springs Road) due to increased fire vehicle traffic.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: The weather today continues to be cool and dry.  Winds gusting to 20 mph are predicted for Saturday.  Moisture is expected to follow behind the cold front later in the weekend.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember, that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!

Shissler Fire

August 27, 2020

Daily Update 9:00 a.m.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-310-0317

Size: Approximately 2650 acres                         Containment: 10%                   Cause: Lightning

Location: Two miles south of Red River Hot Springs near Elk City, Idaho

Structures destroyed: 0

Fire management actions:  Firefighters continue constructing fire line east of the 505 Trail to protect structures and infrastructure.  They are minimizing equipment use on the trail as much as possible.  The structure protection group continues working with private landowners on fire prevention activities around homes and businesses on Hot Springs Road.  Heavy equipment continues to improve access on FSR1166 for future control line construction.

Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure along Hot Springs Road and Red River Hot Springs.

Evacuations and Closures: Additional trail closures were implemented for the Shissler Fire yesterday to provide for public safety.  The current closure order may be found on Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014 under the Closures tab.  The following roads, trails, and campgrounds are closed to public traffic:

505 Trail – From the Montana Road (FSR468) to the intersection with the 668 Trail, continuing to Black Hawk Mountain.

504 Trail – In its entirety, from junction with 234 road to Trail 505

541 Trail – From Forest Service Road 234 to Green Mountain

588 Trail – In its entirety from junction with Road 234 to Trail 505

Bridge Creek Campground

Butter Creek – Undeveloped Campground

FSR 1170

FSR 1166

Magruder Road and Green Mountain Road remain open.

Use caution on FSR 234 (Hot Springs Road) due to increased fire vehicle traffic.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: This afternoon brings a slight chance of more thunderstorms, increasing the potential for wind driven fire growth.  Thursday and Friday are predicted to be calm weather days.  A cold front will move through the area on Saturday bringing the potential for gusty winds.  Cooler, wetter weather will follow the cold front on Sunday.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember, that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!