Stateline Complex Wildfire update for July 29

Acres: 4,225 acres

Personnel: 348

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 3%

Location: All Fires are SW of St. Regis, Tumbledown ⁓16.5 miles; Dolly Fire ⁓12.5 miles; Simmons Ridge Fires ⁓15.5; Fly 3 ⁓20 miles.

Fuels: Mixed conifer

Announcement: Hotter and dryer conditions are anticipated through today and over the course of the next 3 days, which will support longer burning periods and continued active fire behavior. As a reminder, a closure order for Forest Highway 50/St Joe River Road, was issued on Tuesday, July 27. The closure includes the following: Little Joe Creek Road (highway 282) from St. Regis to the St. Joe River Road (FH50) via Gold’s Pass/Stateline and FH 50 is closed at Gold’s Pass/Stateline; St. Joe River Road (FH 50) traveling up river from Avery is closed at the intersection of the Eagle Creek forest road (FS 1214).

Overview: As the Stateline Complex continues to show active fire behavior with steady progression through all fuel types, residents and visitors are advised to anticipate a long-duration incident that could persist for several weeks or until a season-ending event such as significant rain or snow. Personnel continue to communicate area closures and restrictions via social media and various online resources (see “Know Before You Go”, below). The Stateline Complex includes the following fires: Berge Peak - contained, Broadaxe - contained, Deception – 154 acres; Dolly Creek – 735 acres Fly 3 Fire – 104 acres; Fly Creek – 31 acres; Simmons Ridge – 116 acres; Simmons Ridge 2 – 328 acres; Simmons Leg – 56 acres; Swimming Bear – 24 acres; Tumbledown – 2,673 acres; Wampus Creek – 3.9 acres.

Fire Update: A drying trend is anticipated across the fire area, resulting in increasing temperatures and longer burn periods for the Stateline Complex. Crews are working steadily and continue to scout control lines for the Tumbledown and Fly fires. On the remaining fires, crews will continue to monitor fire activity. Where needed, direct and indirect line will continue to be constructed via handline and heavy equipment to assist in firefighting efforts across the Complex.

Weather: Temperatures will trend much higher over the next 3 days as very strong high pressure builds over the Idaho Panhandle and the Stateline Complex. Anticipate that these will be the hottest consecutive days over the complex thus far. Much drier air will accompany these hot temperatures, which will result in critically low humidity Friday and Saturday afternoon.

Smoke: An increase in smoke production is expected due to the hot and dry conditions across the Stateline Complex. Most areas will also see spikes into unhealthy air quality. Air quality will start to degrade this afternoon and into tomorrow. Larger fires burning to the west of the Complex are also contributing high level smoke to the forecast area.

Closures: On Tuesday, July 27, Shoshone County Sherriff’s Office issued a closure expansion for Forest Highway 50 (St. Joe River Road) from Quartz Creek down to Eagle Creek forest road 1214 to the Stateline on Golds Pass into Montana. Several other emergency closures remain in effect due to increased fire activity on the Stateline Complex. Access to Diamond and Cliff Lakes remains closed as well as the following roads and trails: Diamond Lake Road #7843, from milepost 0.00 at junction with Dry Creek Road #342 to the end of the road; Diamond Lake Trail #56, from milepost 0.00 at junction with Diamond Lake Road #7843 to the end of the trail; Cliff Lake Trail #100, from milepost 0.00 at junction with Diamond Lake Road #7843 to the end of the trail; and Dry Creek Divide Trail #203, from milepost 11.94 at junction with Dry Creek Road #342 to the end of the trail.   

Additionally, a temporary flight restriction remains in place for the entirety of the Stateline Complex area and several other areas remain closed, including Quartz Creek as well as the following: FSR 1216 from its junction at Highway 218 to its terminus; Gold Flat Campsite (T16N, R30W, Section 23); several trails and areas within the St. Joe Ranger District. The latest information is available at the links below. All closure information will continue to be available on the Stateline Complex Inciweb page (link below). Dry Creek Road #342 remains open for motorized use. 

Restrictions: Stage II Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Idaho Panhandle (Coeur d’Alene and Grangeville dispatch areas).

Know Before You Go: The Stateline Complex and incidents to the west and across the region are anticipated to persist into the coming weeks, resulting in area closures, visible smoke, decreased air quality, and impacts to travel and recreational activities. Local community members and visitors to the towns and recreation areas within and around the Idaho Panhandle National Forests are encouraged to stay informed of the fire activity within and around the Stateline Complex. The following links provide on-going updates on fire activity, closures and restrictions, and maps.

Stateline Complex Daily Updates on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7627/

Idaho Panhandle National Forests Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USFSIPNF

Lolo National Forest: https://www.facebook.com/USFSIPNF

Idaho Fire Map: https://idfg.idaho.gov/ifwis/maps/realtime/fire/

Idaho Smoke Information: http://idsmoke.blogspot.com/

Fire Information for Idaho Hunters & Anglers: https://idfg.idaho.gov/fire

Fire Restriction Information: http://www.idahofireinfo.com/ and https://www.mtfireinfo.org/

Area Closure Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ipnf/alerts-notices.