Deceitful wildfire update for Aug. 23

Deceitful wildfire quick information:

Size: 12,255 acres

Containment %: 40%

Firefighter injuries: 13

Structures threatened: 160

Structures damaged/lost: 3

Total resources: 306

Highlights: The fuel break created to secure the town of Murray has been finished. Containment line has been completed on the west and south ends from Graham Creek and will be in Patrol status. Crews continue to build hand and machine line for direct attack southwest of Fancy Gulch as well as from Beaver Creek to Kings Ridge. Crews are clearing roads for access, mopping up, and will be removing hoses and pumps due to containment.

Weather: Drier air is moving into the area and becoming slightly cooler with a high around 70 degrees. Minimum relative humidities will be in the upper 20s to low 30s. Windy conditions remain with gust up to 20 mph over ridges.

Road Status Updates:

• Kings Pass Road remains closed

• Coeur d'Alene River Road and Old River Road are open

• Prichard Creek Road/Thompson Pass Road is open

• Beaver Creek Road is open

Evacuations: Communities currently in the “SET” evacuation category will be downgraded to “READY,” except for Murray and Eagle, which will remain in “SET.” Communities currently in the “READY” category will be lifted from evacuation. Communities currently in the “READY” category have been lifted from evacuation; this includes the Silver Valley. For more information, please see the evacuation map.

Communities in “SET” include:

• Murray

• Eagle

Communities in “READY” as of Aug. 23, 2021:

• Coal Creek (Coeur d’Alene River Road MM 13 at Steamboat east to MM 21 at Prichard)

• Prichard (up to Avery Creek at road NF-602)

• Beaver Creek from the transmission line at Dobson Pass north to Kings Pass

Road closures are subject to change, particularly due to changes in fire activity, public and firefighter safety, tumbling debris, aircraft operations, and/or other suppression activities and motor vehicle and equipment operations on the road. The duration of these closures can vary and will be communicated as soon as possible.

Other area closures issued by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests (IPNF) remain in effect: the area closures associated with the Deceitful Fire and Prichard Fire. Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) closures also remain in effect for access roads off the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River road at Mile Marker 8 and Mile Marker 10. USFS still strongly encourages people to stay out of these closures for public and firefighter safety. IPNF area closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices.

During evolving incidences, it is important that people not engaged in fire suppression activities stay away from the area. These interferences hinder fire management activities, evacuations, and ties up resources that could be better served elsewhere.