Weather helps crews control fires

BONNERS FERRY — With the weather grounding mapping flights, it's hard to say how much — or if — the Kootenai River Complex has grown, Forest Service officials said.

However, the low intensity fire is "mostly smoldering and creeping with minimal growth," officials said in a Monday press release. The inversion layer that kept flights grounded also contributed to the prominence of smoke seen in the region.

The fire has burned 20,908 acres in northern Boundary County. The fire, which is located about seven miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, is being fought by a crew of 263 personnel attached to Type 2 Eastern Area Incident Management Team Gold.

Forest Service officials said crews are wrapping up in the north and moving south near Trout Creek Road, working to strengthen dozer and handlines as well as test structure protection equipment near adjacent homes. Mop up, patrol and monitoring are ongoing.

Minimal fire activity was observed over the Katka Fire by a patrol helicopter and no additional heat was reported from a few recent lightning strikes in the area, officials said.

While recent cooler weather has helped moderate fire activity, fire behavior is expected to be slightly more active. The Katka Fire, as well as the recent lightning strikes, will be monitored by air patrol.    

The active fires in the region means closures of national forest trail and road closures.

"Closures near the Westside Road are intended to keep people safe from active fire and responding suppression equipment, but they also keep visitors from areas where the risk of falling hazard trees is extreme," officials said. "Anyone looking to get out into the Selkirk Mountains still has access to spots to the north or south of the fire like Smith Creek or Roman Nose Mountain."

If folks want to get out into the woods, Forest Service officials said their best bet is to swing by the Bonners Ferry Ranger Station to pick up a map or chat with USFS staff to discuss options.

"Remember, fire season is still upon us and it’s important to comply with these closures for your safety and the safety of our firefighters," they said.

Diamond Watch Fire

Located 5.5 miles due west of Nordman, the Diamond Watch Fire remains at 49% containment. Due to the area's rugged, steep and dangerous terrain, the fire is being fought using a contained/confined strategy.

Almost 7 miles of containment lines have been completed and are holding the fire in place as it reaches the perimeter, Forest Service officials said.

"The fuel break that was created by heavy machinery on Forest Service Road 308 was crucial in holding the fire within the completed containment line," they added.

Engine crews from Priest Lake Ranger District continue to patrol and suppress the fire where they can safely access the fire’s edge. In addition, firefighters continue to use heavy equipment to improve forest roads in the area.

The fire has burned a total of 1,035 acres since it was sparked by a lightning strike in mid-July.

Boulder Mountain Fire

Full suppression fire tactics are being utilized to keep fire activity away from Tacoma Creek Road and to protect Tacoma Creek, a crucial habitat for bull trout, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.

The fire is located east of Little Pend Oreille Wildlife Refuge, and north of Calispell Peak and North Fork Tacoma Creek.

"Firefighters use screened intake valves to mitigate adverse effects to resources resulting from fire suppression activities," officials said. "Reducing erosion in and around critical river habitat, hand crews use water bars spaced out along control lines.

On the north end of the perimeter, pockets of fire activity remain in areas of heavy fuel and rugged terrain. Firefighters are focusing their efforts on these areas as other flanks of the fire are put into control status and crews continue to pull hose off the line where there is perimeter containment.

The fire is listed as 74 percent contained and has burned 2,310 acres. A total of 414 personnel are assigned to the fire, which is impacting a mix of state, federal and private lands.

Thor Fire

Now a mix of four fires — Thor, Slate, Salmo and Gypsy Ridge — the fires have burned a combined 2,257 acres with 50 personnel assigned to the fire.

The largest of the fires, the Thor Fire, has burned 1,300 acres; the Slate Fire, 620; Salmo, 320; and Gypsy Ridge, 17.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team is managing four fires in the same general area. Each fire is burning in remote and rugged terrain with poor access. The fires are not threatening critical infrastructure, wildlife habitat, nor watershed integrity.

Closure, evacuations and information

• On the Kootenai River Complex, the following Forest Service trails and roads are closed: Ball Creek Road (FR 432), Trout Creek Road (FR 634), Russell Mountain (No. 12), Russell Ridge (No. 92), Ball and Pyramid Lakes (No. 43), Pyramid Pass (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Fisher Peak (No. 27), Trout Lake (No. 41), McGinty Ridge (No. 143), Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182), Myrtle Peak Trail (No. 286), and Burton Peak Trail (No. 9). Westside Road is limited to residents only.

• On the Diamond Watch Fire, closure orders are in effect for Forest Service roads 311, 308, and 1362H in the vicinity of the fire. However, FSR 1362 remains open. Petit Lake and is associated campsites are within the closure area.

Some camping areas along the southwest portion of Sullivan Creek Road have been notified that they are on a “set” be ready evacuation status and should be ready to leave if asked by local authorities.

• On the Thor Fire, roads connecting to the Idaho Panhandle National Forest are closed starting at the junction of FSR 302 and FSR 1013.

• On the Coeur d'Alene Ranger District, closures include Trail 148 along Casper Creek, Trail 7 from the intersection with Trail 774 to Thompson Pass, Trail 1107 near the state line, Trail 763 near the state line, Forest Service Road 938, FSR 430 and FSR 604CZ.

• All methods of travel are prohibited (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and area.

• A temporary flight restriction is in place on the Katka Fire as well as on Scotch Creek, Russell Mountain, Eneas Peak and Trout fires. As a reminder, civilian drones are not allowed around active fires. Flying drones near an emergency scene is against the law and forces fire crews to ground their flights.

• A fire watch is in effect Tuesday through Wednesday evenings, with dry and unstable weather conditions predicted. In addition, gusty winds and dry conditions are predicted for Wednesday.

• Current evacuation status information in Boundary County is available in a recorded message on the Boundary County Emergency Information Line at 208-696-BOCO (2626)

Information: InciWeb.nwcg.gov