Crews keep battling area forest fires

PRIEST LAKE — Indirect fire lines were constructed on the north and south ridgetops east of the existing lines in the Plowboy fire as crews continue to battle fires around the region.

The Plowboy fire is among those in the Hughes 32 Complex fires, which has burned 1,659 acres since it was started by lightning. The fire, along with the Ulm Peak fire southwest of Noxon, is about 4 percent contained, according to fire information officials.

On the Ulm Peak fire, firefighters will continue burnout operations on the north side if conditions allow.

Crews and equipment continue contingency line preparation on the north and northeast flanks and when available, air support will be used to pick up any hot spots outside the fire perimeter. A bulldozer is being used on the southwest side of the fire to open up an old logging trail into a timber harvest unit to use as a contingency line, officials said.

Public safety in Priest Lake continues to be a concern along with lack of resources and heavy fuel loads. Continued dry weather and the area's steep terrain also are posing challenges to fire crews in the region, according to Hughes 32 fire managers.

Helicopters dropped water on Little Snowy Top Lookout for additional protection and are continuing to dip from Upper Priest Lake to help battle the Hughes 32 Complex fires. The Hughes 32 fire is estimated at 280 acres, the Plowboy fire is estimated at 426 acres and the Hughes East, which surrounded the historic Little Snowy Top lookout, is estimated at 953 acres.

A burnout operation on the Ulm Peak fire's northern front was 30 percent complete when rain suspended efforts. Engines assisted in holding actions along the northeast side of the Ulm Peak fire and firefighters repaired the fire-resistant wrap on the Gem Lookout damaged in recent winds, officials said.

A total of 290 firefighters are battling the Ulm Peak fire and 72 people are fighting the Hughes 32 Complex fires, which are about 10 miles north of Nordman.

Cooler temperatures Wednesday and Thursday helped limit fire activity on both the Ulm Peak and Hughes 32 Complex fires, fire managers said.

On the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, an area closure is in effect for section of Stateline Road, and the Kootenai National Forest has implemented an area closure for the Ulm Peak fire area.