Fire information receiving calls from hunters

Fire information is receiving many calls from hunters regarding access for the upcoming general rifle season on Sept. 15.

In addition, grouse, bear, archery elk and special permit hunts are already in progress. As the days move closer to fall and temperatures drop at night, resulting in cool mornings, hunters are reminded to make sure any fires they may use are dead out before leaving the area. As temperatures rise during the day, these fires often rekindle and escape. Hunters are reminded to do everything possible to avoid human-caused fires. Please use caution with fire when hunting and recreating in the forest.

Nez Perce National Forest

The Meadow Fire, located 12 airline miles southeast of Elk City in the Red River area, is currently 6,140 acres. Resources include 178 personnel (five 20-person crews including 2 hot shot crews), 1 feller buncher, 1 dozer, 1 skidgine, 4 engines, 3 water tenders and 1 excavator.

Primary emphasis will continue to be structure protection along Forest Road 234 between Red River Corrals and Red River Hot Springs and to construct fire line in the area where the fire has entered the Red River drainage, focusing on the northwest corner of the fire. Crews are patrolling for spot fires along the Magruder Corridor (Montana Road) and providing structure protection at 14-mile trailhead, Granite Springs Campground and Green Mountain Lookout. The fire has burned within several hundred yards of Granite Springs Campground.

For public safety, an area closure is in effect that includes roads and trails in the vicinity of the Meadow Fire. Access to the forest will be closed at the following locations: Forest Road 234 (except to local residents) and the Magruder Corridor (Montana Road) at the Red River Ranger Station; Poet Creek on the east side of the Magruder Corridor; and Black Hawk Mountain.

Turman's Type 2 Incident Management Team is managing the Meadow Fire and the Incident Command Post is based out of the Red River Ranger Station. For more information on the Meadow Fire, please contact Information Officer Mike Cole at (208) 842-9225.

The Red River District reported six new fires from last night's lightning storm in their area - five of those fires are staffed. Moose Creek District reported one new suppression fire in the Horse Creek area - it is staffed and two new Wildland Fire Use (WFU) Fires (May and Otter Fires). No new fires were reported on the Salmon River and Clearwater Ranger Districts.

Clearwater National Forest

Powell District - No new fires were reported. The district did experience lightning yesterday, but no fires have been detected yet. The WFU Rabbit Fire is 1500 acres. The fire is located approximately 8 airline miles south of Powell.

North Fork District - No new fires were reported, however, the district did experience lightning yesterday.

Lochsa District - No new fires were reported and there was no change on the Milepost 128 Fire. Eagle Mountain Trail 206 is closed from its junction with Nez Perce National Forest Trail No. 3 south of Chimney Creek to its crossing with Old Man Creek.

Several wildland fire use fires in the Clearwater National Forest's backcountry are being allowed to burn to improve forest conditions and big-game habitat. Information about these fires is posted on the forest's website: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater.

For public safety, additional road and trail closures remain in effect. Specific information is posted at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/VisitorInfo/Assets/travel_info.

Heaven's Gate Complex

The Heaven's Gate Complex is currently 27,000 acres. It is 50 percent contained with a full containment date projected for Nov. 15.

The complex is currently made up of the following four fires: Black Butte Fire, located in the Gospel-Hump Wilderness east of Riggins is estimated at 23,000 acres (includes the Plummer Spot). The three fires west of Riggins are the Green Acres Fire, located on the Nez Perce National Forest and Hells Canyon National Recreation Area is estimated at 4,120 acres; Horse Heaven Fire, (south of Green Acres Fire) in Hells Canyon is estimated at 55 acres; and McCrea Creek Fire on the Nez Perce NF is estimated at 325 acres.

Current Resources include one Type 1 hotshot crew, and one Type 2 crew; fourteen engines & water tenders, one dozer, five helicopters and 238 total personnel are assigned to the fire.

Reconnaissance flights and water bucket drops will continue on all fires as conditions allow. The goal on the Black Butte is to keep all fire movement below the 394 road. Crews will continue to prepare eight miles of line for burnout along Roads 394 & 9916 and Trail 121. This action is critical to containing this fire from moving west towards Riggins. Crews will continue to provide structure protection as needed, as the fire progresses west along the Salmon River or north towards Florence. The structure preparation in Gasper creek should be completed today. Crews will continue checking for spot fires along the Big Salmon River Road and Road 394 on the western flank. Green Acres crews plan to complete mop-up and pull equipment today.

There are two area closures in effect due to the Black Butte Fire in the Gospel-Hump Wilderness and the Green Acres Fire in the Hells Canyon Wilderness. For detailed descriptions and maps, please call local Forest Service offices or visit our web site below.

Grant's Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team is managing the complex with the Incident Command Post located in Riggins. Please contact Information Officer Ted Pettis at (208) 628-3589 for further information regarding the Heaven's Gate Fire Complex.

Additional information regarding the current status of fires and related closures is available at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/nezperce/gvc or http://www.inciweb.org