The 69,000-acre Cache Creek Fire moved into the Imnaha Rive drainage, prompting fire officials to close the Lower Imnaha/Dug Bar road at the town of Imnaha.
The fire continues to move south between the Snake River in Hells Canyon and into timber and grassland to the west. The fire stretches from the Grand Ronde River in Washington on the north to the Imnaha drainage in Oregon. Officials list it as about 40 percent contained.
The Cougar Lane Fire, located west of Kooskia, has torched 100 acres and burned several structures, including two homes. The fire, which originated in a home before spreading to nearby grass and timber, is located south east of the Old Winona Grade, also known as the Tram Road. Approximately eighty firefighters are currently fighting the blaze. Structures have been destroyed, including residential homes, though the number of structures have not been confirmed. All of the homes on the first two miles of Winona Grade were evacuated.
The Orogrande area, in the middle of the Nez Perce National Forest south of Elk City, was evacuated due to the McGuire Fire Complex. The McGuire Fire grew to 250 acres by Tuesday afternoon. The complex also includes the Bagley Fire, at 150 acres, and the Herman Fire at a couple of acres.
On the Red River Ranger District, a 16-person smokejumper crew was dropped on the Dent Fire, burning near Anderson Butte and Green Ridge, about five miles northeast of Elk City. A prison crew is also being dispatched to the area.
The Posthole Fire north of Craigmont is holding steady at about 277 acres. The fire is contained and a crew of about 120 firefighters will continue to mop up the lines Wednesday.
