Area wildfires keeping fire crews busy

SANDPOINT — No rest for the weary, as area firefighters are working late into the morning hours to fight the multiple fires in northern Idaho.

The Parker Ridge Fire, northwest of Bonners Ferry, has burned 6,139 acres and is 0 percent contained.

The crews are working day and night to shore up the north and south flanks of the fire, and stubble fields were burnt Wednesday as a suppression strategy.

Dan Scaife, the liaison officer, said the local farmers burnt out their fields overnight to burn out the fuels. He said the high winds were a cause for concern and they did not want the erratic fires that hit the valley last Friday.

About 117 firefighters are battling the blaze, down from 125 people on Tuesday. One heavy and light helicopter is still assigned to the fire. They will be dropping water as weather, terrain and smoke conditions allow.

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