Crews are nearing full containment on a wildfire burning northeast of Harvard, Idaho. Solid firelines have prevented the Strychnine Fire from growing beyond containment lines for over a week. The 1,000 acre fire is 90 percent contained, and the area closure order will be lifted on Thursday.
Several closures remain throughout north-central Idaho as more than 40 fires are currently burning on the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. Three fires make up the 2,200 acre Coolwater Complex burning on or near Coolwater Ridge. Crews are protecting homes and other structures near Lowell with a fuel break at the confluence of the Selway and Lochsa rivers.
A number of fires are being monitored in the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness, including the 3,700 acre Chute Creek fire, which made run to the northeast from Dead Elk point. Forest officials say there has been no change to the 12,400 acre Lone Pine fire, the 3,900 acre Buck Lake fire, and the Moose Creek 1 fire, which is burning on 16,800 acres.
The Hidden Fire on the Lochsa/Powell Ranger District grew by more than 700 acres over a 24-hour-stretch and now covers 12,100 acres. The bulk of activity was on the northwest portion where it crossed Big Sand Creek.
Crews have reached 88 percent containment on the Hanover Fire, now estimated at 26,500 acres, with most growth to the northwest along the wilderness boundary. (Idaho Department of Lands, U.S. Forest Service)
