Few changes seen in Cougar Fire
Bob Wood captured this photo of a wildfire from USFS Road 278 on Vulcan Hill. (Photo courtesy BOB WOOD)
HOPE — There was few changes at the scene of the Cougar Fire on Thursday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
The fire, which is burning approximately five miles east of town, was at 3,900 acres.
Fire behavior included uphill runs and single-tree torching, in addition to some rollouts and short-range spotting throughout the day.
Fire behavior was expected to moderate as nightfall overtakes the area.
“The fire will continue up Silvertip ridge toward Lightning Peak and the repeater site. The south perimeter will continue to spread downhill to the Porcupine Road. The fire to the east of Lightning Creek Road is expected be influenced by outflow winds and continue spreading to the north and northeast into Button Creek,” the Forest Service said in a post to InciWeb.
The fire’s targeted containment date remains November.
The Surprise Creek Fire, meanwhile, has grown to 2,100 acres on the east side of Lake Pend Oreille.
The conflagration is exhibiting moderate fire behavior which includes single-tree torching and short-range spotting.
Heavy equipment and crews assisted by the Idaho Panhandle Hotshots are expected to reach Forest Service Road No. 205 today or on Saturday. Road No. 205 runs east-to-west along the northern edge of the containment area.
“Perimeter growth is expected in Surprise and Ermine creek drainages. Incremental growth into Snow Creek is also anticipated,” the Forest Service said in an InciWeb post.