Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests NEWS RELEASE

Nez Perce National Forest

104 Airport Road Grangeville, ID 83530 (208)983-1950 http://www.fs.usda.gov/nezperce

Clearwater National Forest

12730 Highway 12 Orofino, Idaho 83544 (208)476-4541 http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/clearwater/

Contact: Laura A. Smith

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: September 13, 2011

Nez Perce-Clearwater Fire Zone Update

Grangeville, ID--Although evenings are cool (even freezing), the lack of precipitation has greatly influenced the East Fork Fire, which has grown generally in all directions to an estimated 8,000 acres. The fire is located 20 miles east of Elk City, Idaho. It remains in monitor status, and is being managed for mountain pine beetle-infested lodgepole pine, to reduce dead and down fuel loadings that could contribute to extreme fire behavior during very dry years, and to improve elk and deer habitat. The fires growth, together with the predicted higher winds in the forecast for Wednesday and/or Thursday, prompted Fire Staff and the District Ranger to enforce an area closure. This decision was not made lightly in view of hunting season, but was made for the safety of both firefighting personnel and the public. The Special Area Restriction is posted on Inciweb at http://inciweb.org and includes the general legal description and a map of the area. If you prefer, please contact the Red River District office at (208) 842-2245 for more specifics. The Sisters Complex on the North Fork Ranger District is comprised of five fires and is currently 315 acres. (West Sister, West Sister 2, 3, 4 and Fern Creek) The Black Mountain Lookout is wrapped for structure protection. Black Mountain Trail 396 is closed. The Storm Complex Fire on Powell Ranger District (3 fires combined) is currently 4000 acres. The fires in the complex are being managed for ecological objectives, specifically to reduce dead and downed vegetation and maintain wilderness characteristics in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The fire complex is located in the Storm Creek drainage south of Beaver Ridge Road 369. Current trail closures around the fire area include Beaver Meadows Trail #77, Storm Creek Trail #99, Siah Lake Trail #59, Maud-Dan Ridge Trail #70, Beaver Ridge Trail #47 and Crab Creek Trail #914. The Williams Range Complex Fire on the Powell Ranger District is made up of 3 separate fires (Williams Range, Cayuse and a spot fire) and is 500 acres. The fires in the complex are being managed for ecological objectives, specifically to reduce dead and downed vegetation and maintain roadless characteristics in the area. The fire complex is located in the Cayuse drainage, north of FS

Road 500 and east of FS Road 581D. Current trail closures around the fire area include Silver Creek Trail #248 and Blacklead Trail #35 from Cayuse Road to Lost Lake Trail #13. The Friday Ridge Fire on the Powell Ranger District is currently 250 acres. The fire is being managed for ecological objectives, specifically to reduce dead and downed vegetation and maintain wilderness characteristics in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. The fire is located west of Friday Ridge near Hungry Creek and south of Wind Lakes. Current trail closures around the fire area include Pouliot Trail #30, Friday Pass Trail #45 and Saturday Ridge Trail #89. The Storm Complex, Williams Range Complex and Friday Ridge Fire are being monitored from the air by helicopters and through remote camera systems. Powell Ranger District fire information will be updated based on significant fire activity or closures. Visitors are encouraged to call the Powell Ranger District at (208) 942-3113 or stop by the office for the latest closure details, fire information and maps. The Otter Fire, located 19 miles southeast of Lowell, Idaho on the Moose Creek Ranger District, is 2600 acres, had continued growth into Meadow Creek. The fire is being managed to provide a variety of resource objectives such as improving ecosystem health by reintroducing fire into a dependent ecosystem and reducing catastrophic fire events in the future. The Paradise Fire on the Moose Creek Ranger District is 100 acres. It is burning in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness eight miles east of Selway Lodge. The fire is being managed for hazardous fuel reduction and maintaining wilderness characteristics. The Rock Fire, also a managed fire on the Moose Creek Ranger District, is 45 acres and located three miles west of Bear Creek Pass. The Liz Butte Fire on the Lochsa Ranger District is 400 acres. Closures associated with the Liz Butte Fire include the Liz Butte Road #560 from the junction of Lolo Trail Road 500 to Liz Butte Cabin, and Liz Butte Trail #649 from the junction of Liz Butte Road to the junction of Yokum Creek Trail #650. Fire information, maps and photos can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/. Additional information is posted at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/nezperce/fire. ###