TCC crews work to build fire line

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Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the new containment percentage as of Sunday morning.

HOPE — Crews on the Trestle Creek Complex are focusing containment efforts on the fire's western and southern flanks, fire officials reported Saturday.

"We are continuing to build the fire break line along the western most side of the fire, said Jess Harvey, public information officer for the Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team 3 overseeing the complex.

Harvey said fire crews reported some spotting along the northern end of the fire along Trestle Creek, pushing the fire a little further north. The fire, which is located about 4 miles north of Hope, has now burned 4,554 acres and is 5% contained, according to an update on InciWeb Sunday morning.

Mastication — or mulching of forest fuels — along roads in the area, along with previous efforts, is proving to be successful in helping slow movement of the fire, Harvey said.

"Crews are closely monitoring that and directly engaging where possible," he added.

Firefighters are working the southern-most edge of the fire along Trestle Creek, and have also been checking the hose lays and pumping systems in the area, Harvey said. Crews will continue to test them to make sure everything is ready in the event they are needed.

"With the rough and steep terrain where the fire is located, direct attack remains unattainable with the resources currently assigned, '' Harvey said. "Therefore, crews are mainly using heavy equipment to construct a contingency line along the south and west sides of the fire, [and] crews and engines are building direct containment lines where possible."

Cooling temperatures are predicted for today with increased winds today and Monday ahead of a predicted cold front expected to pass through the area on Monday.

The smoke blanketing the area is coming from large fires west and north of Trestle Creek, Harvey said. That smoke and haze, which have pushed air quality into the "Unhealthy" range are not expected to clear until after the front passes.

All areas near the complex are listed as "Ready" under the "Ready, Set, Go" evacuation program. "Ready" indicates people should be aware of the threat and to create a plan. "Set" indicates they should be aware the threat is growing and to begin implementation of their plan. Under "go," the threat is considered imminent and residents should evacuate.

In other major fires in the region:

Stateline Complex

Located on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, the Stateline Complex has burned 11, 377 acres and is 21% combined. The largest of the fires in the complex are the Tumbledown Fire, which has burned 9,307 acres and is 20% contained; and the Dolly Creek Fire, which has burned 853 acres and is 81% contained.

Crews remain alert as slightly stronger winds are expected to increase fire activity, fire officials said in a daily update on the complex. As conditions allow, air attack resources will be available to assist fire suppression efforts.

On the Tumbledown Fire, crews, engines and heavy equipment are building a direct fire line between Bluff and Fuzzy creeks on the fire's southwest corner. Also, firefighters continue to monitor spread in the Nugget Creek area, Eagle Peak drainage and along FSR 3723 on the north flank.

On the Dolly Creek Fire, aircraft will be used to monitor fire activity and ground crews will be available to assist if it picks up and threatens perimeter fire lines.

Character Complex

The Character Complex — comprised of the Deceitful and Prichard fires — has burned 8,731 acres and is considered 37% contained.

The Deceitful Fire — the largest of the two fires, has burned 7,389 acres and is 18% contained. Fire behavior was expected to increase over the weekend due to higher temperatures, lower humidity, and increased winds. The Prichard Fire has burned 1,342 acres and is 100% contained. Crews continue to monitor containment, conduct chipping operations, and patrol the fire’s perimeter.

“Go” evacuations were enacted for Road 620 C and Beaver Creek Road, the junction of Road 933 and a portion of the Blue Jay Lane areas. The evacuation was ordered due to fire behavior caused by existing fuel conditions and weather factors, including low humidities, higher temperatures and winds. Further closures as possible as conditions change, officials said in a daily report on the fire.

South Yaak Fire

Located about 4 miles northwest of Troy, Mont., the South Yaak Fire has burned 10,500 acres and is 47% contained.

Heavy smoke over the fire area continued to keep helicopters grounded for most of the day Friday. Firefighters continued patrolling and mopping up hot spots on the fire's west flank along Eastside Road and on its southeast edge along Kilbrennan Lake Road and 2380 Road. Saturday, crews monitored the fire as it moves along those areas, mopping up hot spots that could threaten structures and attempting to complete containment along these roads.

Low to moderate fire behavior was observed along the north and east flanks of the South Yaak Fire, officials said in a daily update on the fire. They noted that, as the fire backs down into drainages, there is a potential for up-hill runs, possibly resulting in more moderate fire behavior. If this happens, officials said active crown fire could result in dense timber stands.

Burnt Peak Fire

Located 9 miles southwest of Troy, the Burnt Peak Fire has burned 3,730 acres and is 36% contained.

While fire growth was expected Saturday with a forecasted record high in the triple digits for the lowlands and low humidity values, fire officials said relief should come by Monday with cloud cover and somewhat cooler temperatures.

Friday, firefighters tied in the containment line from the 4309A Road to the Benning Creek drainage and added hose lays to assist with mop up and direct suppression, officials said. The north edge of the fire continues to back down the slope toward North Fork Keeler Creek, where crews plan to hold the fire at the 404C Road.

For information on fire restriction, the "Ready, Set, Go" evacuation program, Idaho Firewise and more, go online to idahofireinfo.com/. For up-to-date information on smoke, go online to fire.airnow.gov/.