Evacuation notice lifted in Clark Fork

CLARK FORK — The Level 1 evacuation notice in Bonner County associated with the Clark Fork Complex fires was lifted on Friday, according to Sheriff Daryl Wheeler.

The notice was in effect for residents south of River Road, between the Montana border and Johnson Creek.

"This decision was based upon the progress made in controlling the Whitetail Fire's spread and forecasted precipitation event over the coming days. We encourage residents to continue to monitor local emergency services information updates," Capt. Ror Lakewold said in a news release.

The Whitetail Fire, one six conflagrations that composed the complex, was of concern in Bonner County. Fire managers warned that a Level 2 evacuation would likely be issued if the fire spread into the Dry and Twin creek drainages.

The lightning-caused series of fires began on Aug. 13 in the Idaho Panhandle and Kootenai national forests. The 15,744 acres of fires is forecasted to be contained by Sept. 18. There has been minimal fire behavior with creeping and smoldering, according to a Friday post on InciWeb.

Crews and equipment will be de-mobilized as divisional objectives are met. Holding and mop-up will continue along private and U.S. Forest Service boundaries.

Water-handling equipment is being moved into the Ro Creek Cedars Scenic Viewing Area for future use, according to InciWeb.

Fire managers said there are still jackpots of heavy fuels continuing to smolder and burn, in addition to snags. However, increasing cloud cover and relative humidity is expected to thwart fire growth. Predicted rains are expected to minimized fire growth.

As much as a quarter-inch of rain is forecasted to fall in the area of Clark Fork Complex.?