Firefighters battling Alpine Fire

SANDPOINT — Firefighters are battling a 30-acre fire north of Sandpoint, according to the Idaho Department of Lands.

The Alpine Fire is located about a mile and a half north of Caribou Lake, which is 11 miles north of town.

There was zero containment on Thursday and there is no estimated containment date.

The Idaho Department of Lands has jurisdiction over the fire, which began on July 28 following a lightning strike. The U.S. Forest Service and South Boundary County Fire District are cooperating agencies.

A total of 52 firefighters are working the fire. Equipment on the scene includes two water tenders, a bulldozer, two excavators and a feller buncher. Air resources include two helicopters and air tankers are available if needed.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team is scheduled to take command of the fire on Saturday.

The fire is burning on industrial timberland in subalpine fir. Fire lines are being constructed utilizing the dozer, excavators and hand crews. Some spotting has occurred across the line and crews are working to contain the spots. As a preventative measure, a fuel break is being constructed beyond the fire line to reduce the threat of the fire’s spread, according to IDL.

A red flag warning is in effect for gusty winds from 2-9 p.m. on Thursday. Ridge and upper slopes winds are from the southwest 8-12 mph and relative humidity 12-22 percent.

No structures are threatened and no evacuation notices have been issued, IDL officials said.

Info: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6087/

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.