Orofino,Idaho-Window on the Clearwater
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Community meeting planned Monday for Gwen Fire at 6 p.m. Monday

A community meeting is planned at 6 p.m. for the Gwen Fire at Lapwai Elementary School, 170 Agency Rd., Lapwai, that will be live streamed on the Idaho Department of Lands Facebook page.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three, with Incident Commander Bill Waln, is now in command of the fire operations.

The lightning caused fire is at 28,805 acres with 0% containment. Total personnel on the fire is 204.

According to one of the briefings on the Idaho Department of Lands Facebook page Monday, there are about 480 structures witin the fire perimeter. In the briefing, farmers are recognized for the work they have done, in addition to the fire crews.

Current situation:

  • Firefighters were able to make good progress on the northwest corner of the fire. Crews will continue to extinguish hotspots along the fire perimeter to secure that line Monday.
  • Dozer line was completed on the northwestern portion of the fire Sunday. Monday, hotshots will secure this line by reducing the fuel loading between the dozer line and the active fire. This action will increase the probability of the fire staying west of Pine Creek drainage.
  • As fields are harvested, farmers are discing along the edge of their fields creating a very effective fireline. This is aiding in the fire suppression efforts on the south and west portions of the fire.
  • The structure protection group is securing structures within the fire perimeter by extinguishing any residual heat in the unburned pockets of fuel that have the potential to reburn and threaten values at risk.
  • The night shift engines will be patrolling and monitoring the fire area for any threats to the values at risk.
  • oTeam Three continues to work with the local law enforcement agencies in evaluating road closures and evacuations. All closures and evacuations are in place for the safety and well-being of the public and the firefighters. As soon as it is safe to do so the roads will be opened, and the evacuations levels will be reduced.

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. Air quality monitors indicate moderate conditions throughout the region Monday afternoon. However, conditions change throughout the day and evening.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Temperatures over the fire will reach up to 90 degrees with humidities ranging from 22-27 percent. Northwest winds from 2-7 miles per hour in the morning, shifting west to northwest Monday afternoon at 10-18 mph with gusts to 25 mph in the upper slopes/ridges, and 5-10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph mid-slope/valley. Rain showers in the late evening continuing overnight with a slight chance of thunderstorms that could bring 30-40 mph wind gusts.

Closures:

The Idaho Transportation Department opened State Highway 3 Sunday night - Existing Evacuations remain in place. US Highway 12 corridor is closed between Spalding and Lenore.

Gwen Fire Information

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

LC Valley News shared these photos of the area around Arrow Junction and State Highway 3 Monday. State 3 is now open to motorists.
Window on the Clearwater
P.O. Box 2444
Orofino, ID 83544
Phone: (208) 476-0733
Fax: (208) 476-4140
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