IDAHO COUNTY, ID – A wildfire burning north of US Highway 12 in the Nez Perce – Clearwater National Forest, known as the Post Fire, is now under command of Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 5.
The fire was first reported on Tuesday afternoon and is located about 20 miles west of the Idaho-Montana border. As of Saturday morning, it is still considered 0% contained and 148 acres in size.
Incident Commander Joe Sampson took over operations early this morning at 6:00 a.m. The fire is currently burning on a steep and rocky slope, particularly on a south-facing ridge near the highway, which initially allowed the fire to spread rapidly after it was first spotted. However, a break in the weather has helped reduce fire activity.
While the Post Fire had an active start, recent light rainfall—approximately 0.10 inches—along with cloud cover on Friday, helped slow its spread. Firefighters are capitalizing on the reduced fire behavior, working aggressively in areas where it’s safe to do so. Crews have made progress building a direct fireline near Post Office Creek in the Lochsa River corridor. They have also successfully gained access to a spot fire on the northeast side of the main blaze.
The firefighting efforts remain focused on protecting the Highway 12 corridor, which is a critical route for travelers and recreationists. The objective is to minimize the fire’s impact on this key transportation route, along with the surrounding recreation areas, Forest infrastructure, and natural resources.
In addition to ground crews, three helicopters have been deployed to support firefighting efforts. The helicopters will assist with water drops and surveillance, as needed. Fire crews will continue to attack the fire directly as conditions allow, and will remain on high alert for any potential flare-ups, particularly with increasing temperatures expected over the next few days.
Fire officials noted that this year’s exceptionally dry spring has resulted in fuel moisture levels in the Lochsa River canyon that are usually seen later in the summer. This has made firefighting more difficult. Despite this, the light precipitation and cloud cover received on Friday have reduced fire activity, providing crews with a critical window to make progress.
As of today, temperatures in the canyon are expected to reach into the 80s, with the ridgelines cooler in the 70s. Light thunderstorms, with small hail, are possible and could affect fire behavior. While the fire’s intensity has diminished, large fuels inside the fire area will continue to smolder, causing visible smoke along Highway 12.
Authorities are asking the public to remain cautious as smoke may linger in the area, especially along the highway. Travelers are advised to stay updated on fire conditions, and forest visitors are reminded to be mindful of potential fire-related hazards.
Firefighters will continue their efforts throughout the day, hoping that the cooler temperatures and favorable weather conditions will help them contain the fire.
