Orofino,Idaho-Window on the Clearwater
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Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three assumes command of Gwen Fire

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three (RM CIMT3) assumed command of the Gwen Fire Sunday morning at 6 a.m. Pacific Time.

The fire (a combination of Gwen and River fires) is now at 35,402 acres with 0% containment.

RM CIMT Three and cooperating agencies for the Gwen Fire are planning a community meeting on Monday, July 29. The time and location are to be determined and provided later Sunday.

Current Situation:

  • Operations are integrating with the local and current firefighter resources today (Sunday) to reinforce the work begun by the local landowners and emergency responders.
  • Public and firefighter's safety remain a top priority while crews work to protect values at risk including homes, farmland, and cultural sites.
  • The Idaho Panhandle Hotshots are working in conjunction with heavy equipment to construct direct and indirect firelines to keep the fire east of Spalding, and Catholic Creek, and south of the communities of Juliaetta and Kendrick, and west of the communities of Amos Bench and Bedrock Canyon.
  • Team Three will also be assisting Rockcreek Fire crews with logistical and operational support. Rockcreek Fire is a very remote fire located approximately 16 miles southwest of Keuterville.

Evacuations: Level 1 Get Ready; Level 2 Get Set; Level 3 Go. For the safety of responders please Go if asked to leave. The fire behavior is very unpredictable and life threatening.

Air Quality Information: Please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for resources on smoke and air quality. Sunday afternoon, air quality monitors indicate unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Lapwai, Juliaetta, Kamiah and Weippe areas. It is in the moderate range for Orofino, Peck and Lenore areas.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Continued hot and dry conditions with very low relative humidity. General winds from the west at 7-15 mph are predicted, but terrain will affect local wind direction and speed. Very active fire behavior can be expected with an increase in fire spread.

Closures: Highway 12 corridor is closed both directions between Spalding (milepost 11) and Lenore (milepost 28). State Highway 3 is closed between Arrow Bridge and Kendrick. Gifford and Ruebens Road is also closed. Team Three is working diligently with local law enforcement and Idaho Department of Transportation to reopen US 12 as quickly as possible. Watch idaho.511 for updates and be sure the tab for closures is selected.

Gwen Fire Information

Fire Information Phone line: (208) 843-3534 (Time: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.) Email: 2024.Gwen@firenet.gov

Click for a larger map of the fire.
Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544
Phone: (208) 476-0733
Fax: (208) 476-4140
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