Gains made on region's fires

Crews continue to make strides on area fires, officials said.

Containment of the Buckskin 2 Fire has increased to 85% and while the number of acres estimated burned in the Ridge Creek Fire has increase, officials said much of that is due to more accurate mapping of the fire.

Progress also is being made on nearby fires in Washington state, with containment of the Oregon Fire now at 33% and the Gray Fire at 68%.

Buckskin 2 Fire

The fire, located 8 miles south of Clark Fork, has not grown in several days, said Brian Hicks, Type 2 incident commander in charge of the fire for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

"Fire behavior is just a smoldering interior allowing crews and equipment to improve the direct line along the west flank of the fire," Hicks said.

Given the low activity, the fire team will be given back to district authority and moved to a lower level incident command beginning Saturday.

The fire is 1.8 miles from the nearest structure, and a forest closure remains in place around active operations, officials said.

The fire has burned an estimated 242 acres. There are 68 personnel assigned to the fire, including an engine, two hand crews, 2 firefighter modules and a water tender.

Ridge Creek Fire

While the Ridge Creek Fire is now listed at more than 4,300 acres, that increase is due to more accurate mapping, Forest Service officials said Friday.

Crews are working to secure a fire line with adequate depth on the south and southwest perimeters. In addition, a dozer line has been completed on the Sage Creek Saddle.

Mastication — meaning the shredding of timber and brush to minimize fire fuels — continues on the 406 Road which has been opened to the fire’s edge. That could create an opportunity to attack the fire directly.

Crews on the fire's north and northeast sides — are mopping up and have a grader working on the North Chilco Road. Firefighters on the fire's eastern flank are working on indirect line to hold the fire’s progression. Officials said they expect the line to take another seven to 10 shifts to complete.

Higher temperatures and drier conditions are expected over the weekend, which could increase fire behavior as well as smoke in the valleys.

A daylight temporary flight restriction remains in place and Stage II fire restrictions remain in place in North Idaho's five northern counties.

Located 3.5 miles east of the north tip of Hayden Lake, the Ridge Creek Fire is estimated at 4,347 acres and 25% containment. There are 547 personnel assigned to the fire with 20 pieces of heavy equipment, 17 engines and 16 firefighting crews.

Oregon Fire

Fire crews are working around the clock to protect buildings near the fire as well as minimize any additional spread.

In addition, efforts include fire line construction, mop up efforts, and direct suppression through the use of engines, hand crews, and bulldozers. Drones were used to scout the fire's eastern flank for pockets of heat and to boost containment line location.

"Great progress has been made in containment line strength, notably on the west flank, and structure protection, with none lost in the last 48 hours," officials said.

Level 3 "Go" evacuations remain for areas south of Blanchard, north of Deer Creek and east of Elk-Chattaroy roads, officials said.

Officials said 126 homes and 258 outbuildings, including sheds, barns and pump houses, were destroyed by the fire.

The fire has burned an estimated 11,063 acres with containment at 33%. There are 1,011 personnel assigned to the fire with 71 engines, 25 firefighter crews, 10 bulldozers, 21 water tenders and four helicopters.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Gray Fire

First reported Friday, Aug. 18, shifting winds quickly spread the fire first to the east and then to the southwest. Crews from around the region have continued to arrive in the area, focusing on structure protection and securing line, officials said.

Fire activity in the Medical Lake, Silver Lake, and Four Lakes areas have moderated and crews are working on containment lines as well as to minimize fire fuels.

Numerous hot spots continue to be discovered and suppressed within the current perimeter, officials said.

"[There was] minimal surface spread today with no external perimeter change," they said.

The fire has burned an estimated 10,016 acres; there are an 638 personnel assigned to the fire.

Road and trail closures

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.

Ridge Creek Fire: — 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