Trestle Creek Complex efforts stagnant

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Wildfires continue to burn through the Idaho Panhandle in the throes of the fifth driest year on record, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Experiencing less than one-tenth of an inch of rainfall in July, fire crews said they are fighting the conditions as much as they are fires.

Still at 0% containment, no significant strides were made on the Trestle Creek Complex fires, said Jess Harvey, public information officer for the Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 3 overseeing the fire.

Crews are expecting rising temperatures, winds from the north, and no rain for the next couple days, Harvey said. Crews expect an increase in fire activity due to dry conditions, northerly winds, and an absence of rain. Burning 3,586 acres, the fire is being fueled by timber and brush as a Nevada Type 3 team continues to fight the fires located four miles north of Hope. Crews are working on opening roads on the west side of the fire in efforts to better combat the blaze. Sam Owen Fire continues to protect private residences in Trestle Creek by using hoses, sprinkler systems, and pumps, Harvey said.

The 355-acre Pioneer Fire continues to be 100% contained with pre-evacuation orders lifted as of Aug. 6.

In Montana, two fires burning around Troy will see a change in command. Great Basin Incident Management Team 5 will take over the South Yaak and Burnt Peak fires. There is no update on the size of the fires because there was no infrared camera available to survey the acreage, fire officials said. The South Yaak fire is 44% contained, and the Burnt Peak fire is 46% contained. At last measurement, the fires burned a combined total of 13,971 acres. Hot and dry weather is expected to remain in the area.

Burnt Peak road closures remain in place for Callahan Creek Road 427 and Callahan Historic Trail 153 in the interest of public safety.

Closures for the South Yaak fire include National Forest Service Roads 752 and 2380. Kilbrennan Lake, Eastside Road, and some of NFSR 471 remain closed. Trail closures include Skyline, Prospect/Gunsight, Hemlock Ridge, Feeder Creek, Feeder Mountain, Arbo Creek/Wee Lake, Kedze Creek, and Quartz.

The South Yaak closures will remain in effect for the rest of the year or until further notice.

The Stateline Complex, located southwest of St. Regis, Mont., has burned 11,372 acres and is 21% contained. Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team is using equipment and hand crews to establish containment lines. Increasingly hot and dry conditions are expected to dry vegetation in the area, expecting to increase fire activity over the next few days. Road closures from Aug. 3 remain in place.

The Character Complex, located three miles north of Kellogg, has burned 8,178 acres, and is 35% contained. A crew of 337 fire personnel is working to connect containment lines on the larger fire in the complex, the Deceitful Fire. The smaller Pritchard Fire is 100% contained. Road closures from July 15 remain in place. Close by is the 100% contained Graham Ridge Fire where mop-up efforts continue.

For up-to-date information on wildfires in the area and across the nation, go to inciweb.nwcg.gov.