Harpers Bend Fire 50 percent contained

Fire crews in the air and on the ground were able to get the Harpers Bend Fire, one mile west of Peck, 50 percent contained today, according to Mary Fritz, Idaho Department of Lands.

The fire was reported Tuesday about 1 p.m. in steep terrain with timber and brush and had grown to 200 acres by 5 p.m. The size is estimated at 370 acres today. Full containment is expected by Saturday. Fritz said that at this point, no structures are threatened.

The fire is in the jurisdiction of the Idaho Department of Lands and a Type III management team was put in place today. One-hundred twenty personnel are working on the fire with five engines, five dozers, four water tenders, four helicopters and two single engine air tankers (SEAT), Fritz said.

Dozer and hand line were built around most of the perimeter during the day. The helicopters and SEAT planes focused water and retardant drops on the east flank. Additional suppression resources have been ordered and have been arriving for duty.

A burn out operation is scheduled to start at 6 tonight on the east flank. Crews and engines will be on the fire during the night. Motorists on U.S. Highway 12 should be aware of safety factors such as rolling debris, heavy smoke and fire traffic, added Fritz.

Crews involved in addition to IDL are: rural fire departments, Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, Bureau of Land Management, Nez Perce Tribe, Nez Perce County and private parties.

There have been no injuries to date, according to the news release.

Photo: This is a photo of the Harpers Bend Fire looking southeast. The canyon to the left is the Peck Canyon. The canyon running left and right in front of the fire is the Clearwater River. (Photo courtesy of Rusty Eck)