Stateline Complex Wildfire update for Aug. 18

Stateline Complex quicks information:

Size- 12,757 acres

Containment %- 14%

Firefighter injuries- 2

Structures threatened- 0

Structures damaged/lost- 0

Highlights: A cooler, damp system moved over the fire area late Tuesday morning and into the early afternoon, bringing a fair amount of precipitation to the fire area. No additional growth was recorded Wednesday morning, but some did occur Tuesday evening into the night hours.

The Stateline Complex has a full suppression strategy that utilizes a mix of tactics (direct, indirect and point protection) when and where the probability of success is high and the risk is commensurate to the identified values.

Tumbledown Fire: 10,677 Acres | 20% Contained: Fire activity has decreased due to precipitation over the fire area. Fire activity in the Nugget Hill, Nugget drainage area, and Eagle Point area were low. Firefighters were able to access these areas before more persistent precipitation set in. Crews, engines, and heavy equipment will continue to stay on task building direct and indirect fire lines around the perimeter. Firefighters will adjust tactics to keep areas of unlined fire perimeter in check.

Weather and Smoke: The unseasonably cold upper-level trough which delivered widespread precipitation Tuesday will drop steadily southward today, resulting in a gradual warming trend, with drying conditions developing by the afternoon. Nonetheless it will remain quite cool and moist for the middle of August. On Wednesday, conditions will be mostly cloudy through midday with a chance of showers, then partial clearing during the afternoon. High temperature will be near 70 degrees F in the fire area. Relative humidity will be 50-60% with N-NE winds 3-6 mph and gusts to 10 mph. Decreasing smoke is expected with cooler temperatures. For more information on smoke conditions, visit: https://fire.airnow.gov/.

Evacuations & Closures: The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office has issued road closures in the area, including the St Joe River Road. For more information call the Sheriff’s office at (208) 556-1114. A fire closure order was issued for the St. Joe Ranger District.

For more information on the USFS Idaho Panhandle National Forests closures go to the Stateline Complex Inciweb site at: https://bit.ly/StatelineComplexClosure.