Road closed near Diamond Watch Fire
Area and road closures near the Diamond Watch Fire have been implemented.
Mapped by an infrared flight, the fire was reported at 341 acres Thursday, up from the 270 acres measured Tuesday. The fire is zero percent contained with much of the heat from the fire showing up on the south slope the Diamond Peak Ridge in Pend Oreille County, Washington.
Roads included in the order, which took effect Thursday, include Forest Service roads 311, 308 and 1362H, as well as the area in the vicinity of the Diamond Watch Fire. Petit Lake and its associated dispersed campsites are within the area closure. However, FSR 1362 remains open, , U.S. Forest Service officials said in a Thursday press release.
"This closure is for public safety due to heavy equipment operations and wildfire effects of the Diamond Watch Fire, and prohibits all methods of travel (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and area," officials said.
The fire, which was started by a lighting strike on July 14, is highly visible from Highway 57 near Nordman — about 5.5 miles away.
"Soon after initial attack, it became evident that direct suppression was not a safe or effective option for this fire," USFS officials said. "Fire managers immediately began working on an indirect suppression strategy to confine and contain the Diamond Watch Fire. Using natural and man-made features that contributed to the greatest probability of success, crews and heavy equipment went to work to construct fireline."
A fuel break along FSR 308 forms the largest portion of the containment line so far, however, officials said other line construction has occurred and is planned.
A combination of tactics, including machine line, handline, sprinklers systems, and wet riparian areas will be used to
contain the fire, USFS officials said.
"Although miles of containment line have been completed, the containment percentage for this fire cannot increase until
the fire reaches those lines, and the lines hold," they said in the release.
Closures & evacuations
Closure of Forest Service Roads 311, 308 and Petit Lake are currently in the process to provide for safe heavy equipment operations and fire suppression activity. FSR 311 will be closed from the 311/308 junction to Petit Lake and FSR 308 will be closed from the 311/308 junction to the 308/1362 junction
Best access to the Priest Lake area from the Colville National Forest will be through Newport, Washington via north U.S. 2 and Priest River via Highway 57.
“There are NO evacuations currently in place. However, when living in fire prone areas it is recommended that all area residents have an evacuation plan in place including having all important documents, pictures, prescriptions, and pets gathered up and easily transportable,” said the release.
Residents of Bonner County or Pend Oreille County can visit nixle.com or text their home zip code to 888777 to sign up for emergency alerts.
