Crews on Wednesday mopped up a 100 acre wildfire west of Kooskia, though officials say it’s still too early to consider the blaze controlled.
The Cougar Lane Fire started Tuesday afternoon in a house along the Old Winona Grade, just west of the Clearwater River. The fire spread quickly through dry grass to a second residence, then burned three outbuildings and four camper trailers. It torched several trees, brush, and grass before being halted around midnight. Residents were evacuated Tuesday night, although some were being allowed back into the area Wednesday to retrieve some belongings.
Overall, fire activity was moderate on Wednesday.
A voluntary evacuation notice remains in effect at Orogrande in the middle of the Nez Perce National Forest, as the 10,000-acre McGuire Fire is within two miles of the community. A hot shot crew is staged there and is providing structure protection.
The Hot Springs Fire, north of the Magruder Road, made a push during a cold front that swept through the region Tuesday evening. The fire, which is part of the Porcupine Complex, moved north, away from the road and toward Three-Prong Mountain. The backcountry route remains open, but motorists can expect delays during periods of active burning.
The two complex fires burning south and east of Powell have been combined into one incident. It has grown to 22,000 acres.
