Crews make progress on fires

SANDPOINT — Despite unseasonably hot, dry weather, officials said crews are making good progress on area fires.

Buckskin 2 Fire

Containment on the Buckskin 2 Fire has increased to 20% as firefighters work to strengthen firelines. However, existing lines around the perimeter are expected to be tested by the winds forecasted later this week and weekend, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials said.

"Considering all the hard work that has taken place and with the increase in resources assigned to the fire, [we] expect to see little to no growth during the wind event," IPNF officials said.

Crews dispatched to help with the Sarah Loop Fire near Athol, which briefly closed the highway and prompted evacuations, have returned to the Buckskin 2 Fire.

Aircraft utilized on the fire are based in Coeur d'Alene and are being shared with other fires in the region, officials said.

Pockets of unburned fuels are expected to continue to burn and cause some tree torching. As a result, some smoke may be visible at times.

Residents of the Twin Creek and Rearden areas remain on "Get Ready" status of the "Ready, Set, Go" evacuation planning stages. Under this status, 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.

There area 170 personnel assigned to the fire, which has burned 264 acres. There are six hand crews, three firefighting modules and a variety of heavy equipment on the fire, located eight miles south of Clark Fork.

Ridge Creek Fire

The Ridge Creek Fire saw additional aircraft assigned to the fire, IPNF officials said Wednesday.

Tuesday's hot weather saw active fire behavior and some fire growth on the Ridge Creek Fire, located 3.5 miles east of the north tip of Hayden Lake. The fire is now estimated at 3,124 acres and is 15% contained.

"Previous efforts to reinforce containment lines served to limit expansion of the fire," IPNF officials said in a daily update.

Strategic firing operations — the controlled use of low-intensity fire to reduce fuels and add depth to fireline — are planned on the east flank of the fire, officials said.

In addition to four Fire Boss fixed-wing scoopers, two Large Airtankers and a Very Large Airtanker, two "super scooper" air tankers out of Alaska are being assigned to the region to help battle the fire.

The Ridge Creek Fire has burned an estimated 3,124 acres and is 15% containment. Fire crews and heavy equipment operators continue to make progress in reinforcing and strengthening containment lines, officials said.

Operations Wednesday will continue the effort to bring a strengthened fireline from the Hudlow Saddle area southward along FSR 406 in the southeast area of the fire. The use of a night shift of engines will continue to be used to patrol the perimeter of the fire to monitor fire behavior.

A total of 458 personnel are assigned to the fire, along with 12 engines and six pieces of heavy equipment. The fire is human-caused and is under investigation.

Bee Top Fire:

Fire activity on the Bee Top Fire is minimal and containment is at 80%. The fire is 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 on 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, which has burned an estimated 475 acres, is at 80%. Crews are monitoring the fire and working to address hazard trees and increase an indirect fireline.

The Consalus Fire, located 10 miles west of Coolin, Idaho, in Pend Oreille County, Wash., was reported on June 30. There are 43 fire personnel assigned to the fire.

Road and trail closures

Bee Top Fire: No 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: There is a 24-hour-per-day temporary flight restriction in place, which applies to both civilian aircraft and drones.

An emergency closure order is in effect for areas surrounding the fire 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