Papoose Fire Grows In To 2 New Fires Near Challis Idaho - Bradley Fire and Lodgepole Fire - July 20 2013

Forest Fire smoke fills the Big Lost River Valley July 20 2013 late evening.

The Papoose Fire was active today (20 July 2013) in gusty winds, burning about 800 acres since yesterday. The fire is burning grass, brush and small stands of timber in rugged, inaccessible terrain above the Middle Fork Salmon River. Trail closures are pending in the Papoose Fire area. Closure announcements will follow Sunday. Firefighters are patrolling the river corridor by boat to assess campsites between Big Creek and Goat Creek, removing ground fuels as needed. Boaters are checking in at the Flying B Ranch to coordinate with forest personnel to receive camp and fire information. Boaters are asked to be flexible regarding space-sharing, and possible campsite reassignments. The safety of the public and firefighters is the priority of Papoose Fire Managers. Two new fires started on the Salmon-Challis N.F. today - their causes are still undetermined. The Bradley Fire started 13 miles northwest of Stanley, burning 250 acres in grass, brush and timber. The Bradley Boy Scout Camp was evacuated this afternoon. No injuries were reported. A Type-3 incident commander and smokejumpers were ordered for the fire. A Type-2 incident management team is en route to the 400-acre Lodgepole Fire, burning grass, brush and timber in rugged terrain ten miles west of Challis. Two forest engines, two forest hand crews and aircraft responded. Fire managers are working to keep the fire off private land. Four rappellers continue progress on the one-acre Marble Fire, started by lightning on Wednesday, seven miles north of the Middle Fork Salmon River.

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	40
Size	6,470 acres
Fuels Involved	grass, brush, timber
Fire Behavior	creeping, short runs

Outlook

Planned Actions	point protection
Growth Potential	high
Terrain Difficulty	extreme

Current Weather

Wind Conditions	4-8 mph W
Temperature	94, min 55 degrees

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%

Fire Season Begins North of Mackay Idaho About 40 Miles West of Salmon and is Known As the Papoose Fire - July 16 2013

Incident Overview

The Papoose fire gained approximately 900 acres from yesterday, Jul 15 2013. The fire continues to burn grass, brush and pockets of timber in steep, rugged and inaccessible terrain. The fire is burning primarily in the Middle Fork river corridor, burning across the slope and backing downhill toward the river. Visitors in the area are asked to use caution while traveling in the area. Hazards include rolling rocks, falling trees and dense smoke. Severe thunderstorms are predicted for the Salmon-Challis National Forest and the fire area Tuesday through Wednesday of this week. Visitors are advised to prepare for possible flooding and damage to unimproved roads. Heavy rain and winds can also topple trees and loosen debris that may block roadways. Firefighters from Montana’s Lewis and Clark Fire Module are boating down the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, reducing ground fuels to minimize fire’s impact should the fire reach campsites and heritage sites. Boaters on the Middle Fork of the Salmon River are required to check in with forest personnel at the Flying B Ranch to determine if there are changes in campsite reservations, based on fire activity or fire operations.

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	45
Size	4,419 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 SW
Temperature	89-93 degrees
Humidity	17-22%