Crews continue gains on area fires

As August wanes, crews continue to make strides on fires in the region, increasing containment and boosting defenses.

Buckskin 2 Fire

With low activity and no growth, management of the Buckskin 2 Fire has been handed back to the Sandpoint Ranger District.

A smoldering interior has allowed crews to improve a direct line along the fire's west flank.

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, two firefighter modules and a water tender.

Ridge Creek Fire

Firefighters continue to make progress on all flanks of the Ridge Creek Fire, with containment up to 32% Saturday. The fire has burned an estimated 4,358 acres since it was reported Aug. 3, said officials with the Southern Area Incident Management Gold Team, which has been assigned to the fire.

Hand crews, in combination with heavy equipment, are working to improve roads and shore up fuel breaks on the fire's east side. To the north, crews are boosting fire lines as they make their way along Bunco Road toward industrial and private lands.

IMT officials said crews on the fire's western front have completed contingency lines while securing fire lines to the south as they look for safe area to directly attack hot areas.

To the southeast, firefighters continue to secure the fire line with a move toward patrol status. Meanwhile, a structure protection group is with local officials to prepare for future wildfires in the Bunco and Hayden Lake communities.

"The last few days we’ve identified a couple more opportunities to come in a little closer to the fire, pick up the fire edge and work in a little bit,” operations trainee Rocky Beery said in a video briefing Friday. “Our goal is to pick up this where we can, where it’s safe for firefighters, and secure that west side.”

The evacuation status is at Level 2 — Get Set — in the Bunco Road area. Residents are encouraged to have a plan in place to relocate livestock and large animals.

Flight restrictions are in place so residents are asked not to have any drones in the air near the burn areas. Drones ground air support and can hinder suppression efforts.

Stage II burn restrictions are also in place, so any burning is prohibited in the five northern counties, including smoking on forest roads or use of internal combustion engines like chainsaws or two-stroke engines on forest roads.

Oregon Fire

Twenty-hour operations continue on the Oregon Fire as activity on the fire's interior shifts to mop-up and suppression repair, officials said Saturday.

Crews are expected to focus efforts on wireline improvement and mop, which will be augmented by the use of specialty equipment to access steep terrain.

On the fire's southern and western flanks, firefighters are focusing efforts on suppression repair and mop up along the perimeter. 

"The hard work of fire crews performing fire suppression around property, damage assessments and mop up has contributed to the lowering of evacuation levels," officials said in a daily update on the fire. "The public is cautioned to remain vigilant to post wildfire hazards when returning to their property and evaluating potential damage to their structures and property."

As efforts continue to shift to mop up and repair, crews will be released to respond to other needs in the region.

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

All evacuation zones for Spokane and Pend Oreille counties are at Level 1, or Ready, or Level 2, Set. There are currently no Level 3, or Go, evacuation zones.

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

Heavy fire traffic continues around the Gray Fire, where crews have brought containment to 73%.

As mop-up work continue along the fire's perimeter, firefighters are also working within the interior to assess structure, fall-hazard trees, suppress hot spots, and secure structure perimeters, officials said.

Drones are being used to help identify remaining hotspots on the fire, and firefighters continue mop up operations. Hand-held infrared and drone systems are being used by firefighters to assist in the efforts both on and within the fire's perimeter, officials said.

Crews are also working along the interior of the fire to suppress hot spots, including near the I-90 corridor.

The fire has burned an estimated 10,085 acres; there are an 638 personnel assigned to the fire. Containment is at 73%.

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