Stateline Complex Wildfire update for Aug. 4

Highlights: To provide for public and firefighter safety in the vicinity of the Stateline Complex, the Idaho Panhandle National Forest issued an expanded fire closure order yesterday for the St. Joe Ranger District. More information can be found at the Inciweb link above.

Weather is predicted to bring a chance of thunderstorms over the fire area today, potentially creating unstable fire behavior activity. Firefighters are positioned and ready to respond as needed.

Tumbledown Fire: 9,478 Acres | 0% Contained Fire managers are planning to use a heavy equipment taskforce to construct mechanical fire line on the north, northwest, west and southwest flanks of the fire where most of the recent growth occurred. Yesterday crews were able to stop the spread of a ten acre spot fire in Nugget Creek with a wet line. Today they will complete handline around the perimeter to further secure it. A structure protection group is performing structural assessments and mitigation work at Avery, Idaho. Firefighters continue to identify access and suppression opportunities in Bluff Creek on the south flank of the fire. The Simmons Fires will be patrolled by air and a structure protection group will continue prep work of Forest Service infrastructure at Red Ives.

Dolly Creek Fire: 825 Acres | 0% Contained Yesterday, crews were able to secure the north and east flank of the fire. Today, two engines will work to complete containment line on the south and west flanks.

Weather and Smoke: Above average temperatures are expected today, with highs in the low to mid 90s. Relative humidity will be significantly lower than yesterday, and there is a 30% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm. Showers or thunderstorms may continue through Friday. Westerly, mild winds are anticipated. Lower temperatures, higher humidity and stronger winds are expected Friday through Sunday. Smoke may improve after 12 p.m. For more information on smoke conditions, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Evacuations & Closures: On Tuesday, July 27, Shoshone County Sherriff’s Office issued a closure expansion for Forest Highway 50 (St. Joe River Road) from the east fork of Gold Creek down to Eagle Creek Forest Road 1214 to the Stateline on Gold Pass into Montana. Several other emergency closures remain in effect due to increased fire activity on the Stateline Complex. For more information on county issued closures and evacuations call the Shoshone County Sheriff’s office at (208) 556-1114.

An expanded closure order was issued for the St. Joe Ranger District. For more information on the USFS Idaho Panhandle National Forest closures go to the Stateline Complex Inciweb site at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7627/.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: USDA USFS, Idaho Department of Lands, Shoshone County, and Shoshone County Sheriff.