Crews continue to battle Pioneer Fire

▶️ Listen to this article now.

PRIEST RIVER — Fire crews made a direct attack on the Pioneer Fire Friday as the wildfire grew to more than 300 acres.

The wildland fire was reported early Thursday afternoon and quickly grew to 200 acres by early evening and forcing evacuations of several dozen homes in near proximity to the fire. As of Friday evening, the fire has burned 358 acres, according to Caroline McGough, North Idaho Type 3 public information officer. The cause of the fire, which is under the Pend Oreille Forest Protective District, is under investigation.

The fire is burning in light logging slash and mixed conifer forest with moderate amounts of dead fine fuels and logging slash that will contribute to surface fire spread.

There is active group torching with uphill runs and fire spotting, McGouch said in an incident update on InciWeb, an incident management clearinghouse website.

A Type 3 incident management team is expected to take over management of the fire at 6 a.m. on Saturday.

Bonner County Sheriff's officials said 31 homes were evacuated on Thursday after the fire's proximity. While none of the residents utilized a shelter set up at the Priest River Community Church, some families took the Newport Rodeo Grounds up on an offer to board their animals at the facility, BCSO Capt. Tim Hemphill said.

No structures have been lost or damaged, McGough said. However it is critical for people to give crews the space to fight the fire.

"During evolving incidences like this, it is important that people who are not engaged in the fire suppression activities stay away from the area," she said. "These interferences hinders fire management activities, evacuations, and ties up resources that could be better served elsewhere."

Crews are working to suppress the fire with direct attack with dozers, engines, and hand crews as well as aerial support, McGough said. On the south end of the fire, crews are installing hose lay and on the fire's east flank, crews are engaged in a direct attack and implementing structure protection along Skunk Cabbage and Slippery Slope roads. Crews are also assessing structure protection for houses in the Saddler Creek area and further north around the Whiski Creek area, she said.

More than 98 personnel have been assigned to the fire, including two 20-person hand crews, 12 engines, and six water tenders. Also assigned to the fire are a heavy equipment boss, four dozers, two skidders, 11 jumpers and a felling module. Air support is being provided by 7 Fire Bosses, six air tankers and a Type 2 ship. Two heavy helicopters, a Type 2 ship and two Type 2 hand crews have been requested to help fight the fire, McGough said.

Areas evacuated included the Slippery Slope Trail, Skunk Cabbage, Saddler Creek, Bodie Canyon, and Kacy Bear Lane areas. Areas advised to get "set" to evacuate include Whiski, West Whiski, Moose Crossing, Stone Johnny, and Cuban Creek roads, and USFS 984. Areas advised to get "ready" to evacuate" are Pup Paw and Beaver Pond trails, Sno-tika Road, and Bear Paw Road (up to and including Snow Valley Road).

Evacuations are given a "ready," "set" and "go" designation to give residents a clear breakdown of the threat level and the steps they should take under each.

Under "ready," residents are advised to be aware of the threat in the area and to begin an evacuation plan. Among the items residents should prepare are a three-day supply of water, a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a first aid kit, and important family papers.

Under "set," residents should be aware the threat is growing and to begin implementation of their plan. Livestock should begin being moved to safe locations and residents should stage all necessary supplies in one area and make sure vehicles are fueled up and ready to go.

Under "go," residents are advised threat is imminent and evacuation should begin immediately.

In addition to the Pioneer Fire, other major fires on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests are:

• Trestle Creek Complex, close to 500 acres in five fires (8 miles northeast of Hope, Idaho)

• Character Complex, burning nearly 6,400 acres in two fires: the Deceitful Fire (about 3 miles north of Kellogg, Idaho and one mile south of the North Fork Coeur d’Alene River) and the Prichard Fire (about one mile from Eagle, Idaho)

• Stateline Complex, burning over 4,200 acres in 12 fires (about 6 miles southwest of St. Regis, Montana)

• Larkins Complex, burning about 2,500 acres in 12 fires (20 miles southeast of Avery, Idaho)

In addition, several large fires are burning on lands adjacent to the IPNF in Idaho and Montana.