Character Complex Wildfire update for July 28

Size: 5,524 acres

Personnel: 281

Structures Lost: 0

Deceitful Fire (4,191 acres, 0% contained): Hot temperatures, low humidity and dry fuels will continue to feed the Deceitful fire in spite of a brief respite of overnight showers. The southeast corner of the fire reached White Peak on Tuesday. Firefighters and aircraft are working in the upper end of Cedar Creek to keep fire spread to the south and east in check. On the western side of Cedar Creek, the fire continues to back slowly towards the North Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River. Tuesday night, firefighters began a burnout operation along the ridge west of Moon Saddle. This blackened area will deprive the fire of fuel as it works its way south. Fire continues to remain to the east of Graham Creek where the fire slowly burns downhill towards the river. In the northeast corner, the fire continues to crawl beneath the Bonneville Power Authority (BPA) lines. The fire is estimated to reach the Avista power line corridor by Wednesday or Thursday. The wooden poles have been wrapped with fire protective materials and crews are installing sprinkler systems beneath the lines. Firefighters continue to improve and build firelines, provide structure protection and monitor as needed.

Prichard Fire (1,333 acres, 75% contained): Firefighters continue to secure the edges of the fire and patrol for potential spot fires. The unburned fuel within the fire’s perimeter continues to dry and cure, so fire crews are monitoring for any new activity. Although containment lines around the Prichard Fire are quite secure, previously unburned fuels in the fire’s interior do have the potential to torch and produce embers or spot fires outside the control lines.

Weather and Fuel Conditions: Light rain on Wednesday morning gives little relief to fire efforts as temperatures climb towards the century mark in the next few days. The chance for thunderstorms into Wednesday evening is small. The exceptionally dry fuels and persistent heat create the potential for significant fire growth.

Evacuations and Fire Closures: Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson announced Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. that both the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Road and the Old River Road are closed to all traffic except for local residents and egress, in anticipation that the fire could begin impacting the primary River Road with rolling debris. Also, due to the potential fire behavior and expected weather conditions, Sheriff Gunderson announced that the Beaver Creek – Dobson Pass population protection zone is now in “Set” or Level 2 evacuation status. Residents within the Coal Creek – Prichard Zone remain in “Set” status. Eagle Creek and West Fork Eagle Creek Zone remain in “Ready” status. All area residents should remain alert for changing conditions and potential fire growth. For more evacuation information, contact the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office and refer to the InciWeb page for details.

Road, trail, and area closures are in effect around the fire areas. Closure orders and maps are posted on InciWeb and the USFS Idaho Panhandle National Forests Facebook page. The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office has closed the following roads to non-residents: North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Road and Old River Road (from approximately Steamboat Pond to Babin’s Junction), Eagle Creek Road, Montgomery Ridge Road, and Bobtail Road at Prichard Creek.

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, please drive with caution and avoid fire areas, if possible. Recreationists are urged to stay out of the evacuation zones.

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.