Orofino,Idaho-Window on the Clearwater
Traditional news Today's technology

Fire fighters take aggressive action on Lolo Branch fires

Friday, fire fighters working on the Clearwater Complex were able to keep the fires in the complex from spreading in most locations and took aggressive actions in two locations where movement occurred, according to the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team.

In the Texas Creek/ Schmidt Creek area and also between the 2013 Incendiary Fire and Three Mile Road, aircraft made numerous drops of water and retardant to supplement the work of the ground forces on the Lolo Branch fires near Weippe.

Elsewhere, crews completed dozer lines, mopped up existing lines, and patrolled the fire's edge to ensure that spot fires did not occur. A hot shot crew found a spot in the Hidden Valley area and teamed up with an engine crew to secure it before it could spread.

Weather will be favorable Saturday for fire fighters to move from a reactive posture to a more proactive approach. Light winds and mild temperatures will allow them to complete direct line in areas where in the past several days they have had to go indirect. Operations Chief Mark Goeller described Saturday as a "golden opportunity" to make significant progress in securing active parts of the fire complex.

An inversion will remain over the area this morning, with by temperatures warming to the upper 70s and low 80s. Winds will be light and mostly terrain-driven at 4 to 7 miles per hour and the relative humidity will drop to around 18 percent.

There will be a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Pierce at the Community Hall. Representatives from fires in the area will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

U.S. Highway 12 and State Highway 11 remain open to all traffic but may periodically have a pilot car moving traffic through the fire area.

The incident management team has an information center at the Idaho Department of Lands in Kamiah. Fire information and updates can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov or call either (406) 309-0371 or (208) 507-2621.

Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544
Phone: (208) 476-0733
Fax: (208) 476-4140
Email