Area wildfires prompt emergency declaration

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BONNERS FERRY — Most of the fires in the Panhandle National Forest's northern zone are in Boundary County, some of which have prompted the initial steps which could lead toward evacuation.

The fires also prompted Boundary County commissioners to declare a local state of emergency to help fire crews battle a half-dozen fires.

Several dozen homes in the county were notified a fire was close enough to warrant either "Set" or "Ready" status for evacuation. Under "Set" status, residents are advised to prepare to evacuate in every way besides actually leaving. Under "Ready" status, residents are advised to have an evacuation plan in place and be ready to implement it.

On Westside Road, about 12 homes between Burton Creek and Ball Creek were placed under "Set" status in case the Scotch Fire comes closer or if multiple spot fire ignitions complicate fire suppression efforts in that area. On Katka Road up from the lookout point and on Two-Tail and Misty Mountain roads, about 24 homes were placed on "Ready" status.

The third stage of the Ready-Set-Go evacuation procedures is "Go," which means there is an imminent threat and evacuation should happen immediately.

Existing fires in the region have seen an increase in fire behavior and smoke this week, with moderate to significant growth, Kary Maddox, USFS public information officer, said Friday in a press release.

"After a month of record heat, the last day of August brought a fast-moving system to the region that moved across the Panhandle with gusty winds, lightning and little-to-no precipitation," Maddox said. "Wildfires in exposed locations, or in drainages aligned with wind were impacted the most by this system."

The need for closures is being assessed and is expected on several fires, Maddox said. In addition, several new fires are in the early stages of initial attack.

The Forest Service is managing five significant fires in Boundary County. Late on Thursday the Eneas Peak fire was 1,123 acres; the Trout Fire was 678 acres; the Russell Mountain fire was 3,107 acres, and the Scotch fire was 494 acres. The Eneas Peak, Trout and Russell Mountain fires are all located in the Selkirks on the west side of the Kootenai River Valley, Maddox said.

"The largest fire, the Russell Mountain Fire, did show significant wind-driven growth overnight to the east, but is still miles from private values," Maddox said.

Several fires were reported in the Bonners Ferry area since Thursday night’s storm, with the Katka Fire the first to be confirmed and staffed on Friday, Maddox said.

Substantial aerial efforts Thursday on the Katka Fire — including use of large air tankers, FireBoss aircraft, and helicopters — helped to cool hot spots and reduce fire spread to approximately 35 acres, officials said. However, Friday’s inversion could reduce visibility and impede aircraft.  

An interagency hotshot crew began working on the Katka Fire on Thursday, focusing on scouting for safe and efficient locations to directly engage the fire, as well as constructing suppression fire lines around another adjacent small fire. Additional resources were ordered to assist in firefighting efforts.

"Due to observed fire behavior and the proximity of Katka Peak to private property, a heavy initial attack is underway. Current resources consist of numerous fixed wing and rotor wing firefighting aircraft, along with engines and ground crews," she added.

The large number of wildfires in the county — and resultant threat to structures in Katka Peak and Scotch Creek — prompted Boundary County commissioners to declare a state of emergency Friday.

The fires potentially threaten public safety, structures, private timber, livestock and crops, the commissioners said in approving the emergency declaration.

The declaration mainly opens up the county’s spending authority and eases other requirements so the county can respond quickly to the wildfires. It also opens the door to potential funding from state and federal agencies in case the county incurs extraordinary expenses in responding to the fires, Andrew O’Neel, Boundary County Emergency Management director, said

The Diamond Watch Fire on the Priest Lake Ranger District is holding at 835 acres, showing very little growth. All fuelbreaks, machine line, hand line and sprinklers have held the fire within the indirect suppression lines.

The fires hampered air quality in Bonner and Boundary counties as well, with both rated as unhealthy for sensitive groups with an index of 115 for Sandpoint and 121 for Boundary County on Friday afternoon.

On the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, USFS crews are managing two fires with an indirect suppression strategy.

The Columbus Fire, approximately 6 miles northeast of Murray, saw significant growth due to recent weather. It is now estimated at 300 acres and can be seen from the Thompson Falls, Mont., area. A few miles to the south is the Bear Gulch Fire, which has seen only 10 acres of growth this week and is now 60 acres.

Both fires are steep terrain with limited access opportunities. A closure order is forthcoming for these fires, Maddox said.

"New starts continue to be detected and receive initial attack resources, but none show barriers to suppression," she said.

The largest fire on the St. Joe Ranger District is the Blackburn Fire at 225 acres. The road closure on FSR 320 has been lifted, but caution is advised when traveling around active wildfires.

"Each thunderstorm has brought a new round of lightning-starts to the St. Joe, but the majority have been quickly contained or controlled," Maddox said.

There are currently no road or area closures on the St. Joe Ranger District associated with fire activity, but a closure is in place on a segment of FSR 326 for road work.

Closures and evacuations

On the Diamond Watch Fire, closure orders are in effect for Forest Service roads 311, 308, and 1362H in the vicinity of the fire. However, FSR 1362 remains open. Petit Lake and is associated campsites are within the closure area. USFS officials reminds residents that all methods of travel are prohibited (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and area.

On the Eneas Peak and Trout fires, residents are asked to avoid Trout Creek Road (Forest Service Road 634) as well as nearby trails to allow for fire suppression efforts in the vicinity. Trails included are Fisher Peak (No. 27), Pyramid Lake (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Trout Lake (No. 41) and Ball and Pyramid Lakes Trail (No 43).

On the Thor Fire, FSR 2200300 is closed to public use.

All methods of travel are prohibited (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and area.

As a reminder, civilian drones are not allowed around active fires. Flying drones near an emergency scene is against the law and will interfere with firefighting aircraft, working against the firefighters on scene.

Information: InciWeb.nwcg.gov

Staff Writer Caroline Lobsinger contributed to this report.