Lightning-caused fires keeping firefighters busy
Firefighters made good progress overall this week as they dealt with more than 20 remote wildland fires started last weekend by lightning. But though many of the smaller fires had been contained and controlled by Thursday, three larger fires remained active and promised to keep resources busy for the coming days.
Davis, Porcupine fires
A Type 2 Incident Management Team assumed oversight of both the Davis and Porcupine fires on Tuesday.
“Crews are getting good work done on both fires,” states an incident report. “Road access to the fires is greatly improved and fireline construction is progressing well.”
Located about two miles east of Northwest Peak Scenic Area, the Davis fire was reported 12:51 p.m. Sunday, July 29, and hit 50 acres in size that night before growing Monday. By Thursday afternoon it was reported to be about 215 acres and zero percent contained.
Firefighting crews improved access along the fire’s eastside Wednesday, and were expected to “continue to improve access and firelines” on Thursday, according to an incident report.
On Tuesday, the Forest Service closed trails and roads in the area. Trail closures include Northwest Peaks Trail #169, Burke Lake Trail #170, Davis Trail #355, Lower Hawkins Lake Trail #173, Midge Creek/Rock Candy Trail #177, Upper Hawkins Lake Trail #183, Garver Mountain Trail #8, Rock Candy Trail #461, and Canuck Peak Trail #724. Road closures include FS 338, Pete Creek Road above the junction of FS 5932, and Whitetail Road.
The Porcupine fire, located about 11 miles west of Rexford, was reported about 4 p.m. Sunday, July 29. By Thursday it was holding steady at about 12 acres, and containment was reported at 20 percent.
“[Wednesday], firefighters improved the fireline and used a skidgen to help suppress the fire,” states an incident report. “Crews worked late into the night on the fire and started work again [Thursday] at the ‘crack of dawn’ to get a jump on the fire before the predicted winds pick up later in the morning.”
Heavy equipment was to continue to improve road access so additional resources could be brought into the fire, the incident report states.
FS 92 has been closed east of Basin Creek Road and west of Boulder/Sullivan Cutoff Road.
A public meeting was scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Yaak Fire Station.
Ten Mile fire
The Ten Mile fire was reported Tuesday morning in the Rexford/Fortine District. As of 2 p.m. Thursday, it was reported at “40+” acres and zero percent contained.
Fire activity on Wednesday, including the “group torching” of trees, forced fire crews on the ground off the fire line and caused the fire to burn “actively all afternoon,” the Forest Service reported.
“Air resources were critical to allowing engagement [Thursday],” states an incident report.
A Type II Incident Management Team was expected to arrive Thursday and assume management of the fire following a 5 p.m. briefing.