Stateline Complex Wildfire update for July 30

Acres: 4,225 acres

Personnel: 377

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 3%

Start Date: Wednesday, July 7, 2021

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: Southwest Incident Management Team 5 will be hosting a public meeting tonight at 8pm MDT via Facebook Live on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest Facebook Page. As a reminder, a closure order for Forest Highway 50/St Joe River Road, was issued on Tuesday, July 27. St. Joe River Road (FH 50) is closed between Gold’s Pass/Stateline and Eagle Creek Forest Road (FS 1214). St. Joe River Road (FH 50) traveling up river from Avery is closed at the intersection of the Eagle Creek Forest Road (FS 1214), and is closed at Gold’s Pass/Stateline traveling Little Joe Creek Road (highway 282) from St. Regis.

Overview: Tumbledown Fire within the Stateline Complex showed highly active fire behavior Thursday with all other fires showing moderate behavior. The high temperatures and low humidity are expected to increase over the next serval days. 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: There was no infrared (IR) flight last night over the fire, expect acreage updates soon. The drying trend will continue across the fire area through Sunday, resulting in increasing temperatures and longer burn periods for the Stateline Complex. With increased activity, fires are beginning to burn through live fuels. Crews will remain alert to the probability of direct lines being compromised by Southeasterly winds pushing on the fires over the next few days. 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: Today was the first day of a hot and dry string of three days. Temperatures in the valleys exceeded 102F with ridgetops in the upper 80s. The hot dry trend is expected to continue for a critical fire weather day today with Saturday being the hottest day. Moisture and wetting rain chances increase Sunday night through Monday, which would improve recovery and decrease fire activity.

Smoke: With the continued hot and dry conditions we're going to see more smoke and Air Quality continue to be 'Unhealthy' and 'Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups'. We may see short spikes into Very Unhealthy in communities closer to the fires. Moisture, cooler temperatures, and improved Air Quality are on the way later in the weekend and into Monday.

Closures: On Tuesday, July 27, Shoshone County Sheriff’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.