Papoose Fire Update July 17 2013

The Papoose fire gained approximately 800 acres since yesterday (16 Jul 2013), burning grass, brush and pockets of timber in steep, rugged, and inaccessible terrain. Firefighters are coordinating with affected river outfitters to minimize the impact of the fire on campsites and boaters. Fire personnel are also clearing ground litter around trees where necessary. No injuries have been reported on the fire. Currently there are 39 people assigned to the incident. “We’ve increased the number of fire personnel on the Middle Fork River to ensure the safety of the public and firefighters, and provide up-to-date information to river visitors and fire managers,” said Incident Commander Tim Metzger. Thunderstorms swept across the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the fire area Tuesday, and are expected to remain in the area through Wednesday night. Visitors to the forest should be prepared for possible flooding and damage to roadways. Heavy rains and winds can also topple trees and loosen rocks from hillsides. Please use caution while traveling in the area.

Basic Information

Incident Type	Wildfire
Cause	Lightning
Date of Origin	Monday July 08th, 2013 approx. 08:00 PM
Location	Salmon-Challis N.F.
Incident Commander	Tim Metzger

Current Situation

Total Personnel	39
Size	4,500 acres
Fuels Involved	grass, brush, timber
Fire Behavior	moderate

Outlook

Planned Actions	point protection
Growth Potential	high
Terrain Difficulty	extreme

Current Weather

Wind Conditions	5 mph SE
Temperature	89-93 degrees
Humidity	17-21%