Fire burning near Priest Lake

PRIEST LAKE — A lightning-caused wildland fire has burned about six acres in the rough terrain near Priest Lake.

The fire, which officials with the Priest Lake Fire District estimate began Monday, June 29, was reported on Wednesday. The fire is located about four miles west of Priest Lake and about six miles north of Nordman on the Priest Lake Ranger District.

In addition, IMT officials said multiple smaller fires are burning in the area.

The North Idaho Type III Incident Management Team took over command of the Blacktail Fire from the Priest Lake Ranger District on Friday. Hot temperatures ranging from 95 to 100 degrees, combined with variable westerly winds of 8 to 13 mph are challenging firefighters, said Jill Cobb, fire information officer.

The fire is burning mostly grass with limited timber, Cobb said in a press release.

There are currently 52 firefighters assigned to fight the wildland fire and multiple air resources have been assigned to the fire, including several helicopters and the newest generation of tanker retardant planes, Cobb said.

Fire crews will use a complement of helicopters and retardant planes to contain the fire and construct fireline as conditions permit, she said in the press release.

“Based on past fire behavior in the area, it is expected that the Blacktail Fire could spread during periods of active burning,” she said in the press release.

With Saturday’s forecast calling for a shift in the wind direction with gusts up to 30 mph from the north and air temperatures in the 90s, IML officials said the fire could grow in size.

While there have been no evacuations, Blacktail Mountain trails 292 and 324 have been closed and the public is prohibited from entering the area.