Dense smoke grounds air operations on Motorway Complex

Dense smoke grounded air operations on the Motorway Complex for the second consecutive day.

The mile-deep layer of smoke also slowed fire growth, keeping temperatures slightly lower and fuel moistures higher. Smoke also affected planned burnout operations on the Woodrat and Slide Fires. Smoky conditions are expected again Tuesday, with possible relief later in the week, when thunderstorms could move into the area.

Numerous crews and resources have been arriving to help, including a 26-person Canadian handcrew, which was assigned to the fire Monday.

More than 35 lightning-caused fires burning on the Lochsa-Powell, Moose Creek and North Fork Ranger Districts form the Motorway Complex. The fires include Woodrat, Slide, Big Hill and several fires near the Lolo Motorway. Eighteen other fires in the complex have already been declared out.

Rick Kusicko's North Idaho Incident Management Team assumed command of the complex on Thursday. The Incident Command Post is at the Kooskia airstrip.

Woodrat

Crews were able to perform burnout operations north of Smith Creek Rd., beginning late Monday afternoon and continuing into the evening, as they attempt to secure Syringa. In the absence of wind, the burn progressed slowly. Firefighters will continue burnout operations Tuesday, as conditions allow. Crews also will contain spotfires on the west side and improve dozer line on the 07 Ridge. A feller-buncher and handcrews will work at hazard-tree removal on Smith Creek Rd.

Slide

The dense smoke halted burnout operations for the second consecutive day, as visibility was so poor that firefighters hiking on the west flank were unable to locate the fire edge progressing down the canyon. They remained patient and instead continued structure protection along the Selway River Rd. from the CCC trail downriver to Fenn Ranger Station. The fire did not spread significantly up or down the Selway River Monday. To the north, shrub fields and rocky patches have so far naturally checked fire growth.

Motorway Fires

Firefighters, with help from dozers and feller-bunchers, continued to strengthen indirect lines around the Musselshell Creek and 535 Fires Monday. More than five miles of line have been completed, about two-thirds of the perimeter. Handcrews will be needed to construct the remaining line. None of the fires in the vicinity of the Lolo Motorway grew significantly Monday. Tuesday, firefighters will hold and patrol the constructed line, and improve it with heavy equipment. Some of the Motorway fires are visible from Pierce, about seven miles to the west.

Field observers are also scouting fires north, south, and east of the Mussellshell Creek and Woodrat fires, in preparation for future suppression action after higher priority fires are contained.

Evacuations

Syringa and Smith Creek Rd. remain under Level 3 evacuation orders. Level 2 evacuation warnings are in place for Suttler Creek Rd. and along U.S. Highway 12 from Suttler Creek Rd. to the western boundary of Lowell. For the Slide Fire, Level 2 evacuation warnings are in effect for the Selway River Rd., from the eastern boundary of Lowell to O'Hara Rd. Level 1 alerts remain in effect for Lowell, as well as for US 12 corridor east of Lowell up to Pete King Rd. Residents should remain alert, as conditions can change rapidly.

Significant Forest and Selway River area closures are in effect because of wildfire activity. Closures are listed at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/nezperceclearwater/alerts-notices. Closures can change, so check back regularly.

Fire information and updates are available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov, where people can opt to follow specific fire updates via Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets.

Fire Information Line: 208-926-4170
Email: motorwaycomplex@gmail.com