Rains continue to dampen area fires
Containment of the Diamond Watch Fire has reached 80 percent, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said Thursday.
(Courtesy photo)
NEWPORT — Containment of the Diamond Watch Fire has reached 80 percent, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said Thursday.
The fire has burned 1,449 acres and is staffed by a crew of five IPNF personnel.
Officials said firefighters plan to conduct suppression repair actions in the area south and west of Diamond Creek Road as well as north and east of Forest Service Road 308.
"Using heavy equipment and hand tools firefighters work to take measures to repair damage to areas where firefighting action has occurred as well as remove some lingering dangers left by the fire," officials said.
Firefighters also will begin to remove equipment and snags as they reassess the area dangers and safety concerns as it impacts public use and travel, they said in a Thursday press release. As part of this, log decks and slash piles will be created as firefighters "remove and restore natural areas." Removing anything from the piles is prohibited.
Detected in mid-July, the lightning-caused Diamond Watch Fire is visible from Highway 57 near Priest Lake and is burning on a ridge east of Diamond Peak, located 5.5 miles west of Nordman. Burning in Pend Oreille County, Wash., the fire is primarily burning in "timber litter with jackpots of heavier fuels."
With normal seasonal temps in the 30s to 40s — and a moderated chance of rain this coming week — officials said the combination is result in slow to minimal fire growth. However, smoke can still be seen from some areas still smoldering from the fire.
Closures of Forest Service Roads 311, 308, 1362H, and the area near the Diamond Watch Fire were rescinded Thursday. However, FSR 657 remains closed to public use, officials said.
Little has changed on the Kootenai River Complex in Boundary County, where completion of goals to bring the fires to containment have increased to 87 percent.
Boundary County commissioners have rescinded the emergency declaration for the Kootenai River Complex fires on Monday, Oct. 24, after a weekend of rain.
On Sept. 2, commissioners declared an emergency due to the numerous wildfires within the county and resultant threat to structures in Katka Peak and Scotch Creek.
As of Oct. 2,1 the complex has burned an estimated 25,402 acres. There are 54 personnel assigned to the fire.
The temporary flight restriction in place for air space over the Russell Mountain Fire were lifted Oct. 22, at 8 a.m.