Stateline Wildfire update for Aug. 19

Stateline Complex quick information:

Size- 12,757

Containment %- 15%

Firefighter injuries- 2

Structures threatened- 0

Structures damaged/lost- 0

Highlights: There was decreased fire activity on Wednesday due to rain over the fire area. There was also minimal smoke seen. However, the fuels within the fire’s footprint consists of a thick, continuous canopy cover with brush and heavy dead/down component of understory.

These understory fuels are still burning. Thursday will be sunnier helping fuels dry and making them more likely to continue burning. Firefighters are taking advantage of the decreased fire activity to expand containment. However, the fire is burning in very steep rugged terrain.

Tumbledown Fire: 10,677 Acres | 20% Contained: Fire activity has decreased due to precipitation over the fire area. The fire has heavy equipment machinery building indirect and direct fire line. Division supervisors will be scouting areas of the fire to deploy their heavy equipment taskforces to gain better access points. Hose lays were installed between Fuzzy and Bluff creek to help secure the fire’s edge where it is burning between roads. Engines, one fire crew 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: A weak ridge will build over the fire today resulting in warming and drying. It will be mostly sunny this morning with increasing clouds by afternoon. Temperatures will be in the 70’s with variable winds and gusts up to 10 mph in the afternoon. Tonight, there is a chance of sprinkles or light showers. Relative humidity’s will be 80-90%. 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.