Character Complex wildfire update for Aug. 16

Deceitful Fire

Acres burned: 7,836

Containment %: 37%

Cause: Lightning

Date Detected: 07/10/2021

Firefighters injuries: 11

Structures threatened: 160

Structures damaged/lost: 0

Crews: 4

Camp Crews: 1

Engines: 14

Helicopters: 3

Heavy Equipment: 8

Total Resources: 222

Highlights: Beaver Creek Road is now closed between Babin’s Junction and King’s Pass Road. To alleviate access concerns and flow of traffic, the Coeur d’Alene River Road is now reopened for through traffic only. Please do not stop, park, or recreate in the area between Graham Creek and Babin’s Junction.

Forest Area Closures remain in effect. Sunday night operations were successful in monitoring the anticipated fire advancement up to Carpenter Gulch down to Beaver Creek Road. On Monday, operations focused on managing the fire in the Rock Gulch Area.

Crews worked on an indirect line that ties into the edge of the fire located north of Rock Gulch and making improvements on the 933 Road. Helicopters and single engine air tankers will be critical in slowing the advancement of fire around Rock Gulch.

Structure Protection Areas will continue to receive infrastructure improvements that include pumps and sprinklers. Mop up and patrol will remain for existing containment lines in the White Peak, Moon Saddle, Graham Creek, and Avista Power line corridor areas.

The Prichard fire is 100% contained.

Weather and Smoke: Monday brought cooler temperatures to the Silver Valley and northern Idaho. High temperatures will be in the mid 80’s with low relative humidity (~20 percent). Winds are forecasted to be between 10-20 miles per hour with up to 25 mph gusts on the ridges. Air quality for the area will be Moderate. For more information on air quality, please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Evacuations and Closures: All evacuation orders remain in effect. The Beaver Creek — Dobson Pass North Protection Area remains in the GO category and is now accompanied with a road closure listed above in the highlight.

For more information, please visit the Character Complex’s Closure Inciweb page: https://bit.ly/3CeiJPO or call the Sheriff’s office at 208-556-1114.