BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATESaturday, September 19, 2020 Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests   Twitter: @NPClwNFs  Start date: Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020  Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020Location: 5 East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County  Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning Current Size: Beaver Fire, 2,992 acres  Marion Fire, 1,520 acres Containment: 0% Personnel: 93 
ALERT:  Air quality forecast indicates continued smoke from wildfires burning in Idaho, Oregon, and California. A high pressure ridge will keep smoke in our area today. Air Quality is expected to remain in the UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS category. For more air quality information:  
                         Montanawildfiresmoke.org     www.todaysair.mt.gov airquality.deq.idaho.gov
Current: Beaver Fire – Fire is following fuels and terrain. Active surface fire with group tree torching and short-range spotting. Primary carrier is dead, down woody material. However, thick smoke will moderate fire behavior at lower elevations. Wetting rain forecast throughout the weekend.  Marion Fire – Heavy dead and down material will maintain active surface fire. Scattered standing dead trees contribute to group tree torching and snag hazards. Continued perimeter growth in all directions. Wetting rains forecasted for Saturday will decrease fire behavior. Dense smoke is reducing visibility and moderating fire intensity by limiting solar radiation.   Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Create and improve containment lines to keep fire south and east of private property and Round Top RAWS. Steep difficult terrain and fire behavior makes building direct suppression difficult. Resource numbers are being reduced in anticipation of wetting rains.
Marion Fire – Difficult access to fire area increases risk to fire personnel. Continue fire movement will threaten USFS bridges and Colt Creek pack bridges. Firefighters will continue to protect bridges with sprinklers. Resource numbers are being reduced in anticipation of wetting rains.
Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity. 
For the current closure and map visit InciWeb.nwcg.gov

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Friday, September 18, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests   
Twitter: @NPClwNFs  
Start Date: Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020. Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National                  Forests, Idaho County  
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning 
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 2,053 acres. Marion Fire, 1,013 acres 
Containment: 0% 
Personnel: 140 

ALERT: Air quality forecasts indicates continued smoke from wildfires burning in Idaho, Oregon, and California. A high pressure ridge will keep smoke in our area today. Air Quality is in the UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY category and is forecasted to remain in this category for Thursday. For more air quality information:                 Montanawildfiresmoke.org    www.todaysair.mt.gov    airquality.deq.idaho.gov

Current: Beaver Fire – Fire continues to utilize steep terrain to spread and spot across USFS Road #368 and has become established. Dry, warm, and gusty conditions, coupled with very poor overnight relative humidity recovery, will continue to be conducive to active fire behavior. However, thick smoke will moderate fire behavior at lower elevations. Rain showers will begin late Friday evening and persist throughout the day on Saturday slowing down fire spread. 

Marion Fire – Heavy dead and down material will maintain active surface fire. Scattered standing dead trees contribute to group tree torching and snag hazards. Higher temps and lower RH will allow for continued fire growth. Dense smoke is reducing visibility and moderating fire intensity by limiting solar radiation. Forecast is showing high chances of rain starting Friday night and persisting through the day on Saturday.  

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Reinforce fuel breaks from the Round Top RAWS to FSFS Rd #368 to direct fire away from private lands. Bucket drops will continue the W end of Beaver Fire. Log removal and processing on the 368 road will terminate today. Logs were being removed to create a fuel break.

Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail. Sprinkler systems are in place to protect bridges and the SNOTEL site along the 360 road. A remote-start sprinkler system is installed near Colt Creek Trailhead. Heavy snag components creates hazards for direct suppression activities

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity. 

For the current closure and map visit InciWeb.nwcg.gov

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE 
Thursday, September 17, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests   
Twitter: @NPClwNFs  

Start date: Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020 Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County  
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning 
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 1,955 acres. Marion Fire, 913 acres 
Containment: 0% 
Personnel: 138 
 
ALERT: Air quality forecasts indicates continued smoke from wildfires burning in Idaho, Oregon, and California. A high pressure ridge will keep smoke in our area today. Air Quality is in the UNHEALTHY to VERY UNHEALTHY category and is forecasted to remain in this category for Thursday.For more air quality information:  Montanawildfiresmoke.org    www.todaysair.mt.gov     airquality.deq.idaho.gov
 
Current: Beaver Fire – Fire continues to utilize steep terrain to spread and spot across USFS Road #368 and has become established. Thick smoke at lower elevations will moderate fire behavior. Drier and warmer conditions are expected today with poor relative humidity (RH) overnight recoveries. Significant fire growth in fire perimeter is expected. The fire will exhibit active surface fire behavior with short uphill runs, group tree torching and short-range spotting. Winds from the SW will drive the fire to the ENE today.  

Marion Fire – Active surface fire in down woody material continues. Winds from the S, SW will continue to move the fire to the E, SE with short runs and active surface fire spread burning in predominantly Sub-Alpine Fir stands. RH values will be higher on the Marion Fire than the Beaver Fire resulting in less fire spread than the Beaver Fire. 

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Firefighters will continue to improve the fuel break from the Round Top RAWS to FSFS Rd #368 and tie into the road systems and existing fuel breaks. Medium aircraft is working to provide bucket drops on the W end of Beaver Fire.  Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Logs are being removed via the 368 road and are being processed.  
 
Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak Foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail. Sprinkler systems are in place to protect bridges and the SNOTEL site along the 360 road. A remote-start sprinkler system is installed near Colt Creek Trailhead.
 
Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity. 

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Wednesday, September 16, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook:        Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests 
Twitter: @NPClwNFs  
 
Start date: Beaver Fire was detected August 21, 2020 and Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020 
Location:  5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County  
Cause:            Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightening 
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 1,923 acres              Marion Fire, 913 acres 
Containment: 0%
Personnel:      149 

ALERT:  Expect continued thick wildfire smoke from fires burning on the west coast. Air quality is forecast to be UNHEALTHY for much of the region.
For more information:  Montanawildfiresmoke.org          www.todaysair.mt.gov airquality.deq.idaho.gov
 
Current:  Beaver Fire – Fire continues to utilize terrain to spread and spot across road #368 and has become established along the road.  Active surface fire with group tree torching and short-range spotting is occurring. Smoke impacts may moderate fire behavior, particularly within lower elevations where smoke is thicker and reduces solar radiation. Crews are consolidating and removing fuel decks. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout.  Snags and steep rugged terrain present hazards to firefighters. Bucket water drops were utilized on the west side of the fire to cool and reduce fire spread. 

Marion Fire – Sprinkler systems are in place to protect bridges on Forest Road #360 and the SNOTEL weather station as active surface fire in down woody material continues.  Active surface fire with group tree torching and short-range spotting continue with backing and flanking. The fire will continue to move east and northwest following fuels and terrain.  

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Firefighters will continue to improve containment lines and consolidate and haul log decks to reduce available fuels. Crews will work to keep the fire south and east of private property and Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into Forest Road #368.  Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. A helicopter for water drops is available if needed.  

Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneakfoot Meadows and  North of Savage Pass Trail. Crews are setting up additional sprinkler systems for point protection at the Colt Creek Camp on Forest Road #359. 

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes and Trail #50 is closed from the junction with FSE 368 to the trail crossing over Crab Creek.

 BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE

Tuesday, September 15, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov 
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Twitter:  @NPClwNFs  

Start date:  Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020, Beaver Fire detected on August 21, 2020
Location:   5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County  
Cause:             Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, lightning 
Current Size:   Beaver Fire, 1,677 acres, Marion Fire, 536 acres 
Containment:  0% 
Personnel:       152
 

ALERT:  Air quality forecasts indicates continued smoke from wildfires burning in Idaho, Oregon, and California. A high pressure ridge will keep smoke in our area today. 

Current:  A continued warming and drying trend will be conducive to active fire behavior, however smoke over the fires may moderate fire activity.  
Beaver Fire – Fire has spotted across road #368 and has become established along the road. Firefighters pulled back from the area yesterday due to heat from the flames. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout.  Snags and steep rugged terrain present hazards to firefighters. 

Marion Fire – Active surface fire in down woody material continues. Fire will continue to move to the SW and E, SE with group tree torching, short-rang spotting, and surface spread uphill.

Planned Actions: Beaver Fire – Firefighters will continue to improve the fuel break from the Round Top RAWS to FSFS Rd #368 and tie into the road systems and existing fuel breaks. A helicopter will be available for water drops if needed.  Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult.  Nighttime operations are in place using log trucks and loaders to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread. 

Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail. Sprinkler systems are in place to protect bridges and the SNOTEL site along the 360 road.

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, and FSR #360 for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #50 and #79 are closed due to wildfire activity.

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Saturday, September 12, 2020

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Twitter: @NPClwNFs

Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 1147 acres, Marion Fire, 308 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 134

ALERT: Expect hazy skies from fires burning in Idaho. The general haze is likely to turn into thick smoke late Saturday night into Sunday as smoke from fires burning on the west coast makes its way to Idaho and Western Montana. For more information: Montanawildfiresmoke.org www.todaysair.mt.gov airquality.deq.idaho.gov

Current: 
Beaver Fire – Fire has spotted across road #368 and has become established along the road. Active fire behavior along USFR #368 is slowing the removal of fuel decks from fuel break. Fire fighters had to pull back from the area yesterday due to heat from the flames. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout. Snags and steep rugged terrain present hazards to fighters
Marion Fire – Active surface fire in down woody material continues. Fire will continue to move to the SW and E, SE with tree torching and surface spread uphill.

Planned Actions: 
Beaver Fire – Firefighters will create and improve containment lines to keep the fire south and east of private property and Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 road. Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Nighttime operations are in place using log trucks and loaders to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread. A Helicopter for water drops is available if needed.
Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail.

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality issued an Air Quality Forecast and Caution today for the Coeur d’Alene area (Kootenai, Boundary, Bonner, Shoshone, and Benewah Counties outside of tribal boundaries) and the Lewiston area (Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, and Idaho Counties off of the Nez Perce Reservation). Due to wildfire smoke, air quality may be unhealthy for sensitive groups and burning restrictions are in effect. Learn more on our Smoke Information page at  http://ow.ly/WLty50BoF1M

Before heading out this weekend check Idaho DEQ's real-time air quality map at http://ow.ly/tNfU50BoF1O and smoke blog at http://ow.ly/diFD50BoF1P.

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Friday, September 11, 2020 

Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Twitter: @NPClwNFs
 
Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 882 acres, Marion Fire, 254 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 133 

ALERT: A significant smoke event from the west coast fires is predicted to move east and mix with smoke from smaller fires in Idaho to impact the air quality. 
For more information: Montanawildfiresmoke.org  www.todaysair.mt.gov  airquality.deq.idaho.gov 

Current: 
Beaver Fire –  Fire has spotted across the USFS road #368 and has become established along the road. Active fire behavior along USFR #368 is slowing the removal of fuel decks from fuel break. Fire fighters had to pull back from the area yesterday due to heat from the flames. Retardant was dropped in the area to slow the spread of fire. Continued warming and drying trend with poor RH recoveries will lead to active fire behavior and spread with long range spotting possible. The fire will continue to move uphill and to the NE threatening to spot and cross Rd 5683 below Roundtop Lookout. Significant growth in the fire perimeter is anticipated.
Marion Fire – Active surface fire with tree torching and short range spotting. Fire will continue to move to the SW and E, SE. 

Planned Actions: 
Beaver Fire – Firefighters will create and improve containment lines to keep the fire south and east of private property and Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 road. Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Nighttime operations are in place using log trucks and loaders to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread.
Marion Fire – Firefighters will extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneak foot Meadows and North of Savage Pass Trail.

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

BEAVER AND MARION FIRE UPDATE
Thursday, September 10, 2020
 
Fire E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests
Twitter: @NPClwNFs

Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire, 719 acres, Marion Fire, 220 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 122

Current Status
Beaver Fire - Fire has burned to the 368 road and is expected to continue to bump up against the road. Firefighters are positioned to keep the fire from crossing the road. Poor relative humidity recovery is causing the fire to be active at night. Expect active surface fire with small group-tree torching and short range spotting. Significant growth in the fire perimeter is anticipated today.
Marion Fire – Expect limited surface fire activity with tree torching and short range spotting Low rates of spread given current site specific weather variables. Little growth in fire perimeter is expected.
 
Planned Actions:
Beaver Fire – Firefighters will scout for additional areas to construct line. Brush clearing to open existing road system continue to create a fuel break from Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 road. Steep terrain makes building suppression lines difficult. Nighttime operations using log trucks and loaders are being used to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread.
Marion Fire – Firefighters will monitor and extinguish any new spots to keep the fire west of Sneakfoot Meadows and east of Tom Beal Rd 320 and south of Salvage Pass Trail.

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.

Beaver & Marion Fire Update, September 9, 2020  
 
E-mail: 2020.Beaver@firenet.gov
Facebook: Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests 
Twitter: @NPClwNFs 
Start date: Beaver Fire and Marion Fire detected August 19, 2020 
Location: 5 miles East of Lochsa Powell Ranger District, adjacent to the Selway Bitterroot Wilderness boundary and within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County
Cause: Beaver Fire, lightning; Marion Fire, cause unknown
Current Size: Beaver Fire: 719 acres, Marion Fire: 220 acres
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 122 
 
Current Status:
Beaver Fire- The fire has burned to the 368 road. Helicopters worked the west side of the fire yesterday. Fire poses a threat to cross Road 368 in several locations. Crews are positioned to keep the fire from crossing he road. High pressure continues to build. Warming and drying can be expected each day.Expect active surface fire with small group-tree torching and short range spotting. Modest growth in fire perimeter anticipated.
Marion Fire – Expect limited surface fire activity with tree torching and short range spotting Low rate of spread and little growth in fire perimeter anticipated. Crews will monitor for and extinguish any new spots east of Sneakfoot Meadows. 

Planned Actions:
Beaver Fire - Crews continue to brush and open existing road system to create a fuel break from Round Top Remote Automated Weather Station (RAWS) site to the West and South to tie into the 368 Rd. Scout and possibly create a second fuel break. Nighttime operations using log trucks and loaders are being used to remove log decks which could provide fuel for fire spread. 
Marion Fire - Monitor for and extinguish any new spots east of Sneakfoot Meadows.

Closures: An emergency closure is in place for National Forest System lands on the Lochsa-Powell Ranger District, within the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The closure includes portions of Forest Service Road #368 (Beaver Ridge Road), FSR #369, for public safety due to active wildfire in the area. Trail #79 is closed from Savage pass to Walton Lakes.