Orofino,Idaho-Window on the Clearwater
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28,805-acre Gwen Fire now 10% contained

The 28,805-acre lightning caused Gwen Fire is not at 10% containment.

It was reported July 24 and there are currently 224 personnel on the fire, according to the update from Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three, Bill Waln, Incident Commander.

Current situation:

  • Due to the hard work of the firefighters and local resources, the Gwen fire is now 10% contained. The containment is located along the fire's perimeter south of the Arrow Bridge to just east of the intersection of the N. Tom Beall and Middle Tom Beall roads.
  • The fire area received approximately two tenths (0.2) of an inch of rain overnight and into Tuesday morning hours.
  • Firefighters will take the opportunity of the brief break in the weather to make progress in reducing the threat of the fire moving outside the current footprint.
  • Crews will be walking the perimeter on the south and west portions of the fire mopping up or extinguishing hot spots along the fire's edge. When fire managers are confident that the perimeter in these areas are secure, they will be added to the containment of the fire.
  • Hazards from the fire remain along roadways and around structures within the fire perimeter. These hazards include fire traffic and firefighters along the roadways, falling fire-weakened trees, and rocks and debris on the roadways.
  • Active fire remains in the Pine Creek Drainage. Crews and aviation resources were successful at keeping the fire in check Monday and they will continue to focus cooling hot spots in the Pine Creek Drainage. Secondary containment lines have been established east of the drainage as a contingency plan if the fire were to spot across the drainage.

Evacuations:

Level 1 Get Ready; Level 2 Get Set; Level 3 Go. For the safety of responders please Go if asked to leave. The fire behavior is very unpredictable and life threatening.

Air Quality Information:

Please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for resources on smoke and air quality. Air quality monitors indicate moderate conditions throughout the region Tuesday afternoon. However, conditions change throughout the day and evening.

Weather and fire behavior:

Winds will be lighter Tuesday with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Relative humidity will remain lower Tuesday and temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees cooler. Hot, dry conditions will return on Thursday.

Closures:

The Idaho Transportation Department opened US Highway 12 last night. State Highway 3 corridor is now open as well. Hazards remain along the highway, please use extreme caution when traveling in and around the fire area.

Gwen Fire Information

Fire Information Phone line: (208) 843-3534 (Time: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.) Email: 2024.Gwen@firenet.gov

A community meeting was held Monday in Lapwai. The recording can be viewed at this link.
Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544
Phone: (208) 476-0733
Fax: (208) 476-4140
Email