Single Publication

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three

Bill Waln, Incident Commander

Location: 5 miles east of Lapwai, Idaho      Date Reported: July 24, 2024         Cause: Lightning

Size: 28,805 acres                                                           Containment: 65%                                                                                          Total Personnel: 307

Current Situation: (Refer to the map for Division locations)

• Firefighters worked the north, west and south fire perimeter (Divisions R, A, and C) by mopping up and securing the firelines, resulting in an increase of the fire containment to 65 percent.
• In Division C above Little Potlatch Creek, crews will assess smoldering, fire-weakened trees on slopes near the fire perimeter. Firefighters will remove hazard trees where it is safe to do so.
• Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) will continue to scout for hot spots and document areas disturbed by suppression activities. Fixed wing aircraft will also conduct infrared surveillance to verify ground and UAS findings. Yesterday’s infrared flights confirmed minimal to no hot spots.
• Crews will work along the eastern fireline in Divisions F, Z  and N, seeking out and mopping up hot spots. The Structure Protection Group will continue to mop up and secure structure protection around structures inside the fire footprint and along the Highway 12 and Highway 3 corridors.
• There are a few isolated, burning trees and areas where smoldering material inside the fire footprint continues to produce visible smoke. 
• Clearwater Electric is continuing their efforts to fully restore power and will be working along the Highway 3 corridor. Be aware there may be temporary delays along the highway. For additional information go to https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterPower/.

Evacuations: All evacuations are now level 1 (Ready)

Air Quality Information: Please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for resources on smoke and air quality. Air quality monitors indicate unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Lapwai area. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Increased temperatures will reach from the high 90s to low 100s, and relative humidity will decrease into the high teens and low twenty percentiles. Northeast winds at 4-9 mph will switch to the southwest at 3-7 mph with gusts up to 12 mph after noon today over the fire except for the area down-valley east of Cherry Lane where the winds will remain northeasterly.

Closures: All roads and highways are open to the public.  Hazards remain along the highway, please use extreme caution when traveling in and around the fire area. 

GWEN FIRE INFORMATION

Fire Information Phoneline: (208) 843-3534 (Time: 7am-7pm)                           Email: 2024.Gwen@firenet.gov

Facebook: @IdahoDepartmentofLands    InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov