Character Complex Wildfire update for July 22

Size: 4,404 acres

Personnel: 397

Structures Lost: 0

Deceitful Fire (3,165 acres, 0% contained): The Deceitful Fire is burning in a heavily timbered, inaccessible area, making direct attack on the fire difficult. Large segments of indirect line have been completed around the perimeter and heavy equipment crews are widening contingency lines. Fire managers are scouting for and may have some opportunities for direct attack along Graham Creek. They are assessing an option to open the 620C Road to use as a control line before the fire moves north into the riparian area. The plan is to confine the fire between Graham Ridge, Graham Creek, Cedar Creek, and the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River.

Crews completed structure prep work in Moon Gulch and continue to work along the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River corridor and in Montgomery Gulch on structure protection and property assessments. Firefighters that were staged for initial attack responded to two new fire starts yesterday. Both fires were contained and kept under 1/10 of an acre.

Prichard Fire (1,239 acres, 40% contained): Firefighters continue to make progress on the Prichard Fire, including completing, improving, and securing fireline. The fire continues to back downhill to the east towards West Fork Eagle Creek into a riparian zone and fire fuels continue to burn out within the control lines. The structure protection group is working in the area and will be available should new starts occur.

Weather and Fuel Conditions: Yesterday, cloud to ground lightning occurred which could result in additional fire starts. There were areas of wetting rain; however, a dry cold front with gusty winds and very dry air moved into the area last night, resulting in lower relative humidity and the strongest winds yet seen on these fires. Westerly winds up to 10 mph with 20 mph gusts could affect fire behavior today. Fuels are so dry that aircraft retardant and water drops or light precipitation will only temporarily decrease fire behavior.

Evacuations and Fire Closures: The Shoshone County Sheriff has residents within the Coal Creek – Prichard Zone in “Set” status and they are encouraged to move trailers and recreational vehicles out of the area. Additionally, residents on Eagle Creek and West Fork Eagle Creek Roads remain in “Set” status. Fire managers and Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office have prepared a population protection plan for both fire areas. For more evacuation information, contact the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and refer to the InciWeb page for more details.

Road, trail, and area closures are in effect on Idaho Panhandle National Forest lands around the fire areas. Closure orders and maps are posted on InciWeb and the Idaho Panhandle National Forest Facebook page. The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office has closed the following roads: Eagle Creek Road, Montgomery Ridge Road, and Bobtail Road at Prichard Creek for the safety of private landowners and firefighters working in the area.

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in effect for Shoshone County and all of northern Idaho.

Special Messages: There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area. For the safety of aerial resources and firefighters on the ground, please do not fly unmanned aircraft (drones) in the fire vicinity. If you fly, we can’t. For public and firefighter safety, watch out for fire traffic and decreased visibility due to smoke. Please drive with caution near the fire areas and avoid the areas if possible.

Primary and Cooperating Agencies: USFS, IDL, Shoshone County, Shoshone County Sheriff, Prichard/Murray VFD, Stimson Lumber, Molpus Woodlands Group, Avista Utilities, and Bonneville Power Administration.