Crews battle regional wildfires

SANDPOINT — While crews have made progress on the Hunter 2 Fire near Blanchard, crews continue to fight the Bernard Fire near Bayview and the Callahan Fire just over the border southwest of Troy, Mont.

Discovered on Labor Day, the Bernard Fire is burning in steep terrain near Bernard Point, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille. Estimated at 640 acres, Idaho Department of Lands officials said Saturday that the fire is human-caused and remains under investigation.

"As heavy regional and local smoke impacts continue through the weekend, aircraft will support suppression efforts when visibility allows," IDL officials said in a press release.

Fireline construction continues on the west flank of the fire near Bernard Peak. However, steep terrain and access challenges pose containment issues on the lake face of the fire to the north.

A temporary flight restriction has been put in place for the Bernard Fire, including drones which can interfere with firefighting efforts. Boaters are also asked to stay clear of firefighting aircraft that are using Echo Bay to fill buckets and scoop water, officials said.

To ensure firefighter and public safe, the area around the fire was closed Wednesday, Sept. 9.

On the Hunter 2 Fire, officials said the fire is holding at about 740 acres and is 75% contained. Ground crews and engines will continue working to put out hot spots and mop-up inside the fire's boundaries today.

Bonner County Sheriff's Office has lifted all the evacuation restrictions so that residents can return to their homes. While all roads outside the fire boundary are open to the public, access to areas within the area is limited to residents only to allow for continued fire suppression efforts while ensuring the safety of firefighters and public

Anyone entering the fire area is reminded to be to be alert to potential hazards such as burned snags and trees, stump holes and ash piles that may still be hot.

Idaho Department of Lands is expected to take back responsibility for fighting the fire on Sunday, Sept. 13.

To the east, the Callahan Fire has grown to about 400 acres since it was detected Sept. 8, U.S. Forest Service Officials said. The fire is burning in timbered, steep terrain south of Smith Mountain on the Kootenai National Forest on the Three Rivers District.

There are no evacuation orders in place for the fire, which is located about nine miles west of Troy just over the Idaho/Montana border. However, a closure order is in effect for firefighter and public safety.

USFS officials said the fire is burning in an old fire scar from 1992 located in the South Callahan Creek Drainage.

Fire personnel are currently on scene and additional resources are being ordered to assist with the suppression efforts, including aircraft.

Caroline Lobsinger can be reached at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.