Fire danger remains high
SANDPOINT — While some fires on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest have been contained, crews are still working on others.
Much of the ongoing fire activity follows last week’s lightning storm; however, some of the fires are believed to be human-caused and are under investigation.
The fire danger on the forests remains high with above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation, said public information officer Kary Maddox in a press release. Those heading out into the woods are advised to be very cautious with fire.
Six of the last seven wildfire starts on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District have been human caused, Maddox said in the release. If recreating outdoors, folks are reminded to make sure their campfires are completely extinguished and cool to the touch before leaving. They also are encouraged to stay on designated routes and reminded to dispose of cigarettes responsibly.
“Human-caused starts, particularly in the wildland-urban interface, pose a threat to the public as well as requiring valuable firefighting resources that may be needed elsewhere,” she said. “We are doing everything we can to suppress these fires as quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, as safely as possible.
The biggest fire in the immediate area — the North Fork Hughes Fire — sits at 136 acres. The fire, located just north of Hughes Meadows in the Salmo Priest Wilderness on the Idaho/Washington state line, was caused by a June 28 lightning storm. The fire smoldered for a few days before firefighters located it July 4.
A fire use module of eight wildland fire specialists are gathering data and assisting with tactics feasibility and planning, Maddox said.
The agency released the following updates on other fires on the Sandpoint, Bonners Ferry, Priest Lake and Coeur d’Alene River ranger districts.
On the Sandpoint Ranger District:
- The 15-acre Trestle Peak Fire is 100-percent contained. The only closure still in place for the area of the Trestle Peak Fire is Trail 526.
On the Bonners Ferry Ranger District:
- The East Fork of Meadows Fire (1/10 acre) was reported Thursday, July 27, and put out the same day. The fire is suspected to be human-caused and is currently under investigation.
On the Priest Lake Ranger District:
- The Happy 302 Fire (2/10 acre) was put out Thursday, July 27. Reported Tuesday, July 25, it was started by lightning.
- The Huff Fire (1 acre) was expected to be contained Friday. Reported July 22, the fire is lightning-caused.
- The 311 Fire (6/10 acre) is located near Athol and Granite creeks. Reported July 22, the fire is currently staffed with an engine as well as a 20-person crew. It was controlled on Wednesday, July 26.
This fire was human-caused and is under investigation.
- The Reeder Mountain Fire (4 acres) is located eight miles north of Nordman on the northeast side of Reeder Mountain and is burning on a steep rocky slope. Due to the steep slopes and terrain, engines are not able to access the fire. The crew assigned to this fire expected to have it controlled Friday, July 28.
Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District:
- The Badger Fire (1/10 acre) was reported controlled Wednesday, July 26. Reported Tuesday, July 25, it was located on Badger Mountain near Hudlow Saddle and was human-caused.
- The Petty Fire (1/10 acre) was reported Tuesday, July 25, and put out the same day. It was located in the Teddy Flat dispersed camp area on the North Fork of the Coeur d Alene River and was human-caused.
- The Hudlow Fire (1/10 acre) and the Skitwish Fire (1/4 acre) were controlled Monday, July 24. Both were human-caused.