Priest Lake fires continue unchecked

NORDMAN — Crews continue to mop up hot spots and are holding a fire line on the ridge of the Plowboy fire with the help of helicopter bucket drops, according to U.S. Forest Service fire reports.

A total of 89 personnel are assigned to the Hughes 32, Hughes East and Plowboy fires, which have burned an estimated 1,400 acres to date. The fires are about 5 percent contained.

The fires within the Hughes 32 Complex range in size from 253 (Plowboy) to 869 (Hughes East). The Hughes 32 fire is 278 acres.

The National Weather Service is calling for cooler temperatures with a 30 percent chance of rain. Forecasters also are predicting afternoon winds of about 15-20 mph with stronger gusts in the evening.

The winds are expected to continue expansion of the fires even as crews continue to mop up hot spots, according to fire reports.

Two fires on Hughes ridge, including the Hughes East fire, are unstaffed. Crews are monitoring the fires from the air. While managers do not have enough resources to send people to the fire, they are looking at setting up sprinklers to protect old growth habitat.

The Hughes East fire has burned to the river and reached the Little Snowy Lookout, which is wrapped in fire-reflective material. Helicopters have also dropped water around the lookout for additional protection.

Public safety in Priest Lake are a concern along with lack of resources. Fire managers request boaters exercise caution in areas where aircraft are dipping water from the lake.