HARVARD – The Prospect Fire had some help to focus the day’s efforts yesterday. In the early morning hours, fire managers from the Idaho Department of Lands deployed an unmanned aerial system (UAS) equipped with an infrared camera to fly over the fire area and record heat signatures. The data gathered helped operations focus firefighter efforts on areas with the highest concentration of heat along the fireline. It also validated areas along the fireline declared contained and determined a more precise geo-referenced fire perimeter. The fire is now 15% contained and 291 acres. The acreage increase reflects this new information – the fire did not grow. Fire behavior has been minimal.
Today firefighters will continue their hard work to increase containment. Working in a grid pattern to make sure no heat is left behind that could smolder and reignite in the future, they dig out hot spots and douse with water that they carry on their backs or pipe to the location with hose lays. The fire will continue to creep and smolder through internal islands of green fuels and logging slash.
The weather today will be favorable to achieving the goals of containment with good overnight humidity recovery, lower temperatures, and light winds.
There are no road or area closures; caution when driving near the fire area is strongly advised. Roads are narrow and winding with blind curves and steep drop-offs. Logging and fire equipment are very large, very heavy, and have less maneuverability than standard vehicles. Please use alternative routes to avoid the area if possible.
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a TFR in place for air space over the Prospect Fire (FDC-2/1591) for the safety of all firefighting resources both ground and air. The TFR also applies to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. All aviation resources will be grounded if the TFR is violated. If you fly, we can’t!
Cooperating Agencies: Idaho Dept. of Lands, Potlatch Rural Fire, Latah County Sheriff, Deary Rural Fire, Moscow Rural Fire, PotlatchDeltic, USDA Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forests