One new wildfire found on Clearwater National Forest

There is one new wildfire on the Clearwater National Forest according to National Interagency Fire Center in Boise.

The Mink Wildland Fire Use (WFU) Fire is 400 acres and is being managed to accomplish resource objectives. It is 25 miles east of Lowell and is burning in timber. Minimal fire activity is reported.

The Meadow Fire on the Nez Perce National Forest (NPNF) is at 7,200 acres and 15 percent contained. There are 65 personnel. There is also one excavator and one engine on the fire. Fire fighting costs to date are $1,100,000, according to information from NPNF.

Though little rain fell over the fire on Thursday, fire activity was slowed by the significantly cooler temperatures and higher humidity. As a result of significantly reduced fire activity, the general public was allowed to enter the Magruder Corridor (Montana Road) and the Green Mountain Lookout Road, escorted by pilot cars to travel through the fire area. The area closure was reduced in size to open up some areas to the east and northeast of the fire. This was a welcome relief for many hunters who had gathered in the area in anticipation of the opening of the general rifle hunting season on Friday. The fire has burned to within several hundred yards of the Magruder Corridor in several locations between Fourmile Creek and Granite Springs Campground. With a continuing forecast of cooler temperatures, and the approach of a cold front with rain beginning Friday evening, fire fighters began to take down some structure protection equipment prior to predicted freezing temperatures. Additional mapping that was completed Wednesday evening has resulted in a change of the fire size to 7,200 acres.

Fire activity still has the potential to increase, especially if warm, dry conditions return to the area which is common in late summer and early fall. The Incident Command Post for the Meadow Fire is located at Red River Ranger Station and the fire camp is located at York's field. Please reduce speeds when driving through this area due to increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic.

Hunters and other recreationists need to be alert for dead standing trees (snags) that may fail, especially during windy periods. Be on the lookout for smoke from holdover lightning strikes from last week's storms that may still show up, and report them as soon as possible. These holdover lightning fires have been showing up every day for the past week. Hunters are also reminded to put all fires dead out, both camp fires and warming fires, so they do not contribute to additional fire starts. Fire crews and equipment are moving through the area so please drive defensively as you travel through the Red River area. The fire area remains closed to camping and travel by foot, horseback or vehicle except when accompanied by a pilot car along the routes specified above. This includes foot travel for hunting, the news release said.