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Conditions increase fire activity in Idaho

Fire activity report from the
National Interagency Fire Center,
as of Friday, Aug. 17

Active fires: 55
Acres: 1,416,610
New fires: 9
WFU (Wildland Fire Use) fire: 5
WFU acres:88,683

Update: Wildland fires remain active due to the dry and windy weather conditions. Idaho and Montana have a total of 31 fires burning 1,074,562 acres.

Weather Discussion: Thunderstorms are expected over the Great Basin, Montana and Wyoming today with gusty winds extending from the Sierra and Cascades eastward to the Rockies. Very warm and dry conditions will continue in southern California.

Source: National Interagency Coordination Center

The Idaho Transportation Department provides information about road closures on-line at 511.idaho.gov or dialing 5-1-1.

Visit the Boise National Forest website for fire restriction information.

Visit the Payette National Forest website for fire restriction information.

Cow Creek (Twin Falls District, Bureau of Land Management): This fire was contained at 5,500 acres.

Mitchell (Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management): 9,307 acres at 50 percent contained. This fire is 10 miles north of Holbrook. Several structures remain threatened. Backing fire with group tree torching was reported.

Information: Call 702-622-5754

Bridge (Clearwater National Forest): 26,000 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 45 miles southwest of Missoula. Torching and crowning with medium-range spotting was observed. No further information was received.

Information: Call (208) 942-3113 or visit the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch web site.

Middle Fork Complex (Boise National Forest): This fire was contained at 17,416 acres.

Poe Cabin (Craig Mountain Area Office, Idaho Department of Lands): 58,520 acres at 93 percent contained. This fire is 23 miles southwest of Grangeville. Moderate fire behavior with downslope runs and single tree torching was reported.

Information: Call (406) 203-4954 or visit the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch website.

Cascade Complex (Boise National Forest): 127,620 acres at 16 percent contained. This complex is 16 miles northeast of Cascade. Active fire behavior with long range spotting was reported. The Warm Lake community is threatened. Evacuations are in order and the Warm Lake Highway is closed.

Information: Call (208) 632-2810. For information on road closures, contact the Valley County Sheriff at 208-382-7150

Landmark Complex (Boise National Forest): 42,775 acres at 18 percent contained. This complex consists of two fires. Active fire with torching and short crown runs was reported. Structures continue to be threatened.

Information: Call 208-633-2807. For information about road closures visit the Central Idaho Fires web site.

East Zone Complex (Payette National Forest): 176,470 acres at 10 percent contained. This complex is made up of three fires. This fire is 25 miles northeast of McCall. Isolated torching and spotting was reported. The communities of Secesh, Warren, and South Fork remain evacuated.

Information: Call (208) 634-1890 or visit the Payette National Forest website.

Rattlesnake (Nez Perce National Forest): 83,795 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is 25 miles south of Elk City. Active surface fire with short runs, torching and short-range spotting was reported. The community of Concord and other structures are threatened.

Information: Call (208) 842-9225 or visit the Grangeville Interagency Dispatch website.

Shower Bath (Salmon-Challis National Forest): 30,500 acres at zero percent contained. The fire is located 18 miles northwest of Challis. Active fire behavior with running, torching and short range spotting was reported. Structures are threatened.

Information: Call 208-861-1568.

Cleveland (Idaho Falls District, Bureau of Land Management): 16,269 acres at 92 percent contained. The fire is 12 miles northeast of Preston. interior burning and torching was reported. Structures are threatened

Information: Call 702-622-5754.

Boundary Junction (Clearwater National Forest): 7,700 acres at an unknown percent contained. This fire is 15 miles southeast of Pierce. Active fire activity with torching runs and spotting was reported

Information: Call 208-926-4274.

Red Bluff (Salmon-Challis National Forest): 15,000 acres at zero percent contained. The fire is burning 31 miles northwest of Challis. Moderate fire behavior was reported. Structures are threatened.

Wood (Idaho Falls District, BLM): 3,000 acres at 60 percent contained. This fire is 44 miles south of Pocatello and is burning in grass. Moderate fire behavior was reported. Structures are threatened.

Clear Sage (Salmon Cahllis National Forest): 1,530 acres at unknown percent contained. This fire was previously reported and is 25 miles northwest of Salmon burning in brush. Spotting and creeping was reported.

NEW Phillips (Twin Falls District, BLM): 2,500 acres at 30 percent contained. this fire is 3 miles northeast of Carey and is burning in grass. Extreme fire behavior with spotting was reported.

NEW Bear Den Butte (Twin Falls District, BLM): 20,000 acres at 80 percent contained. This fire started on private land and is 35 miles north of Minidoka and is burning in grass. Extreme fire behavior with spotting was reported.

WFU: Moose Creek (Nez Perce National Forest): 18,315 acres. Previously reported WFU incident. This WFU is five miles northeast of Elk City.

WFI: Trapper Ridge (Boise National Forest): 18,423 acres. This Wildland Fire Use (WFU) is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. It is located 28 miles northeast of Idaho City. Torching, short runs, creeping and smoldering was reported.

Information: Call (208) 259-3361.

WFU: Krassel Complex (Payette National Forest): 40,353 acres. This Wildland Fire Use (WFU) complex is being managed to accomplish natural resource objectives. It is located four fires is 44 miles northeast of Yellow Pine. Active fire behavior with group tree torching and short crown runs were reported.

Information: Call 208-634-0983 or visit the web site.