Crews make gains on area fires

CLARK FORK — Crews continue to battle on a number of fires in the region.

And, while the percentage of containment may vary, officials said progress is either being maintained or increased.

Buckskin 2 Fire

Activity on the Buckskin 2 Fire has slowed slightly, giving fire crews a chance to increase containment of the fire.

The fire, which is estimated to have burned 226 acres, is at 25% containment, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said Friday. There are 84 personnel assigned to the fire, which is being managed by a Type 3 team from INPF’s Sandpoint Ranger District.

Efforts to build a direct fireline along the fire’s eastern and western flanks are continuing, as are structural assessments in the Twin Creek and Rearden Creek drainages. Meanwhile, an indirect line is being constructed by a dozer crew on the north and south side of the fire.

Activity on the fire is moderate, with isolated torching observed, officials said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The fire is about 1.8 miles from the nearest residences in the two drainages, officials said.

Residents in the Twin Creek and Rearden areas remain on "Ready" status and advised to be aware of the possible threat and begin preparations to evacuate if it becomes necessary.

Under the "Ready" status of the ‘Ready, Set, Go’ evacuation planning stages, residents are advised to have a plan to evacuate if necessary. "Set" status asks residents to begin putting their plan into place. Under "Go" status, residents are told to leave immediately due to an imminent threat.

Bee Top Fire

Containment on the Bee Top Fire remains at 80%, USFS officials said in an update on the fire, located 5 miles northeast of Clark Fork in the Lightning Creek drainage.

The fire, which has burned an estimated 45 acres, was sparked by lightning July 1.

There are eight personnel assigned to the fire, which is being monitored to ensure it stays within containment lines.

Consalus Fire

Containment of the Consalus Fire sits at 80%, USFS officials said Friday. Crews continue to patrol and monitor the fire, which has burned an estimated 475 acres.

The Consalus Fire, located 10 miles west of Coolin, Idaho, in Pend Oreille County, Wash., was reported on June 30. There is minimal smoldering, creeping and backing behavior being observed on the fire.

The fire is listed as being 80% contained. There are 44 personnel assigned to the fire.

Ridge Creek Fire

Reported Aug. 3, the Ridge Creek Fire has burned an estimated 2,402 acres and is 5% contained. Officials said the fire is believed to be human-caused.

The Eastern Area Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Steve Miller, assumed command of the fire Monday, Aug. 7.

The Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management has issued an alert to inform residents in the vicinity of the Bunco Road and Hayden Lake of a pre-evacuation status of “ready.”

While containment is estimated at 5%, officials said crews and heavy equipment operators have made substantial progress in building, reinforcing, and connecting containment lines. Hand and dozer crews are working on the fire's southern end along Forest Service Road 437, east through Hell’s Canyon to Lakes Divide Road and north up to Hudlow Saddle. On the fire’s northeastern side, crews are working on a fire line using FSR 406 in order to protect homes and structures near Cedar Saddle. From there, officials said crews are working to extend the fire line along FSR 625 to FSR 437 to contain the fire’s western flank.

Road and trail closures

Consalus Fire: Forest Service Road 1108 is closed from the junction with FSR 333 to the junction with FSR 659. FSR 1094 will remain open for the first 4.5 miles from the junction with FSR 312, however, the remainder will be closed to the junction with FSR 1108. FSR 659 is closed from the junction with FSR 312 to the junction with FSR 659B; and FSR 333 from the junction with FSR 2730 to its end.

There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area. Flying civilian drones is prohibited and could ground firefighting crews.

Buckskin 2 Fire: The intersection of USFS roads 203 and 332 as well as the intersection of 1021 and 332 and also 1533 and 306 in Clark Fork are closed. UTV Trail 77 goes right into the drainage where the fire is burning and is also being closed.

There is a temporary flight restriction over the fire area.

Ridge Creek Fire: An emergency closure order is in effect in the area impacted on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District, and prohibits all methods of travel (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on Forest Service Roads 392, 428A, 437, 1511, 1530, 1552, 1587 and Forest Service Roads 206 and 406 north of their junction, Forest Service Trails 69, 78, 234, and 802 as well as within the described area.

Information: inciweb.nwcg.gov