Crews keep Parker Ridge Fire from advancing
<p>A firefighter from the Helena Hotshots patrols a handline dug on Aug. 12. The hoses on the ground are what’s called a progressive hoselay, said Kary Maddox, Parker Ridge Fire public information officer. The larger main hose supplies smaller offshoot hoses that give crews the ability to overlap spray coverage, she said. “The black up to the line is exactly what they want to see, because it will not burn again.” (Photo courtesy IDAHO PANHANDLE NATIONAL FOREST)</p>
BONNERS FERRY — Amazing work by firefighters kept the Parker Ridge Fire from advancing past the Farm to Market Road near Porthill after it jumped the Kootenai River and forced the evacuation of homes in the area.
“Nobody expected it to jump the river,” said Kary Maddox, public information officer for the Parker Ridge Fire. “It was a very unusual weather pattern and very unusual fire behavior.”
Maddox said the fire was able to jump the river because it got into what remained of the crops — most of which had already been harvested. When fire gains access to such “flashy fuels,” it becomes lighter than air and can be carried over a long distance such as a river, she said.
At this point, Maddox said there is no estimate on how much of this year’s crops have been lost to the fire. However, they’ve been told many of the crops have already been harvested so the hope is the damage will be minimal.
No homes have been lost to the fire, but one outbuilding was lost.
While residents living on the east side in the area between Highway 1 to Copeland to Porthill area were allowed to return home, a mandatory evacuation order remains in effect for about residents on the west side of the Farm to Market Road. The evacuation involves about 40 residences, Maddox said.
About 96 firefighters are assigned to the fire with another team ordered in and expected within a few days. In addition, Maddox said crews with experience fighting wildland fires from the Creston and Canyon-Lister fire departments were on standby at the border in case they were needed. Border Patrol kept the border until 1 a.m. when the danger eased and their assistance was no longer needed, she said.
“There was just huge cooperation between Canadian and American officials last night,” added Maddox.
Extreme fire conditions and high winds — estimates have Friday night’s winds at 50 mph — are behind the fire’s recent growth, with about 6,500 acres burned. The terrain is steep with timber and brush, combined with heavy dead and downed trees due to beetle kill, contributing the bulk of the fire’s fuel.
After the fire overran Westside Road and moved north where it jumped the river, Maddox said crews did an amazing job halting the fire. Crews worked diligently through the night and into the early morning hours, stopping the fire’s advance at Farm to Market Road to the east and Long Canyon Creek to the northwest.
“We’re stretched thin right now,” Maddox said. “The fact we were able to catch it with crews already working a double shift is amazing.”
Crews from the day shift stayed late and crews from the night shift already on scene jumped in early, giving firefighters double coverage and helping stop the fire from spreading past Farm to Market Road.
There have been no injuries to either firefighters or evacuees and the community’s support has been wonderful with offers of everything from water and food to thank you notes.
Maddox said crews are spending the day assessing strategies and engaging the fire. Combined resources from private, county, state and federal agencies are working closely together in a coordinated effort to minimize the fire’s spread.
Concern for firefighter and public safety remains the top priority, and structure and private timber protection are significant concerns.
Reconnaissance flights will continue over the fire as long as winds stay below 25-30 mph.
Copeland Road is closed to public access and the Westside evacuation area is closed to everyone except fire and emergency traffic. Closures also remain in effect for the Parker Ridge, Fisher Peak and Long Canyon trails.