Crews battle wildland fires
<p>Lightning started several fires in the region, including the Blacktail Fire near Priest Lake and the Bakers Camp Fire near Bonners Ferry. (Courtesy map)</p>
PRIEST LAKE — While firefighters were able to snuff a few of the fires caused by lightning on June 29, they weren’t able to extinguish them all.
When Priest Lake Ranger District firefighters weren’t able to extinguish all of the fire in the initial attack, officials called in the North Idaho Type III Incident Management Team, said Jill Cobb, fire information officer.
IMT crews are overseeing the Blacktail Fire on the Priest Lake Ranger District and the Bakers Camp Fire on Bonners Ferry Ranger District, Cobb said in a press release.
There are no structures threatened by the fires, which were first reported Wednesday.
“The public can easily see both the Blacktail and the Bakers Camp fires from Priest Lake,” she said.
The Blacktail Fire has burned about 6 acres and is about 20 percent contained, according to IMT officials.
The remaining five fires on the Priest Lake Ranger District are being managed by the district’s fire staff. The largest of these fires is the Granite Fire, which is an estimated 15 acres, Cobb said. The remaining fires range from a few trees to a couple of acres.
“The public will see a variety of aircraft in the area supporting fire operations,” Cobb said in the release. “Because of the potentially dangerous situation with aircraft, please keep a safe distance when you see aircraft operating.”
Despite westerly wind gusting up to 30 mph, temperatures in the mid-90s and a spot fire, crews made good progress in fighting the lightning-sparked fires, Cobb said in a press release.
Firefighters spent most of the day building handline to contain the fire with helicopters carrying water supported fire suppression efforts on the steep, dry hillslope.
“In the late afternoon, the crew successfully caught a spot fire that started when wind gusts fanned the fire and sent embers flying outside the fireline,” Cobb said in the release. “Most of the burning is now occuring in timber.”
Cobb said firefighters plan to take advantage of slightly cooler temperatures and reduced winds to reinforce the newly-constructed fireline and extend it around the fire perimeter.
“Because the fire is burning in timber, the public should anticipate seeing smoke from the fire, especially in the afternoon hours,” Cobb said.
As of Saturday, there were 32 firefighters assigned to fight the Blacktail Fire.
While there have been no evacuations, Blacktail Mountain trails 292 and 324 have been closed and the public is prohibited from entering the area.