Cougar Rock Complex Wildfire update for July 22
Size: 5,160 acres
Containment: 25%
Personnel: 376 Start
Date: July 6, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Total Fires in Complex: 14
Update: Yesterday, winds out of the west cleared some smoke from the Cougar Rock Complex, thus resulting in limited fire growth on the Scott, Benton Ridge, and Benton Nob fires. With the clearer air and improved visibility, helicopters were able to fly and support firefighters working on the flare ups. Reinforced by air support, crews worked with hand tools to dampen down the fires where access and terrain allowed. In other areas of the fire, great progress has been made on securing and widening the containment lines. Only five of the fourteen fires have grown over the past 24 hours.
Fire behavior specialists stated that the smoke coming from out of region fires has dissipated and most of the smoke lingering on our complex is from fires burning locally. Additionally, the fire behavior specialists mentioned that while the recent rains moistened the fine fuels, there was not nearly enough rain to really help the fire situation.
One thing of note, this is the last shift of one of our esteemed firefighters who has served with the firefighting community for over 49 years. He is retiring at the end of this shift. We want to thank him for all he’s done in his service.
Resources: 1 type 1 crews, 5 type 2 crews, 1 type 3 helicopter, 14 dozers, 8 engines, 7 water tenders, 5 excavators, 9 feller bunchers, 2 skidgeons, 1 graders, 2 skidders
Weather: Warm and dry conditions are expected until the end of the week. Minimum relative humidity will drop compared to Wednesday. Westerly winds will be a bit gusty each afternoon under mostly sunny skies. Overnight relative humidity recoveries will struggle on the mid slopes as well.
Closures:
• Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR) are in place for the air space over the fires to lessen impacts to local aviation operators. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you fly, we can’t!
• Two closures remain in place for firefighter and public safety: 1) Granddad Bridge on the Dworshak Reservoir and 2) at Captain’s Cabin near Elk River. These roads remain open for fire and industrial traffic.
Stage II fire restrictions are in effect for the Grangeville Fire Restriction Area.
For more information regarding current fire restrictions visit: Fire Restrictions Finder.
Daily updates about local smoke conditions can be found at the deq website.: https://cloud.deq.idaho.gov/s/Gd8YXWqJ6o6TkGc.