Crews battle Bandy Fire

PRIEST RIVER — Fire crews are battling a brush fire approximately 100 acres in size, according to Idaho Department of Lands official.

The fire, which is about five miles as the crow flies from Spirit Lake, is in a remote area on a privately-owned ranch. The ranch is surrounded by private forest land, as well as state endowment forest land managed by the Idaho Department of Lands, according to a press release issued by the department late Monday.

The Bandy Fire was reported about 2:30 p.m. Monday, prompting a series of Nixle alerts and a brief evacuation order for nearby homes. IDL officials said the fire, which started in grass, threatens nearby structures and timber.

For the safety of residents and fire crews, IDL asked the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office to evacuate residents on nearby roads to the north and east of the fire at 5:30 p.m. Those evacuation orders were lifted and residents told they could return home around 7:30 p.m.

IDL crews are being assisted by rural fire resources. Additionally, there are air resources including a large air tanker, a helicopter, and several other aircraft dropping water and retardant, IDL officials said Hoses are being used on the ground and a dozer is on the way to dig a fire line.

Temperatures have been in the high 80s locally and wind added to the fires complicating firefighting efforts, officials said. Shifting winds changed the fire’s original direction of spread. Fire activity has slowed as the front changed fuel types and entered timber. There is no containment estimate currently.

The fire’s cause is under investigation and IDL fire investigators are on scene.