Wildfires reported in county, region
Smoke can be seen from the Bee Top Fire, which has burned an estimated 25 acres since it was reproted Saturday. The fire is located near Bee Top Mountain, approximately 5 miles up Lightning Creek, outside of Clark Fork.
(Photo courtesy USDA FOREST SERVICE)
SANDPOINT — Summer just arrived and fires are already starting to pop up across Bonner County and the rest of the Idaho Panhandle.
Two fires have been reported in the county in the past week – the Bee Top Fire and a fire on Derr Island. The Bee Top Fire, located approximately five miles up Lightning Creek, has burned roughly 25 acres so far and is not contained.
On the Bee Top Fire, USDA Forest Service public information officer Kary Maddox said district resources and smokejumpers are engaged in direct suppression action on the fire, with the Boise Hotshots en route. Additional resources have been ordered, including a Type 3 Incident Management Team from the Northern Rockies, who will be assuming command of the fire.
A nearby fire on Derr Island was believed to be started by sparks carried from fireworks lit off near Johnson Creek. Crews were quick to contain that fire and it has been completely put out.
Fires have also been reported on the Priest Lake and Coeur d’Alene River ranger district, officials said.
In the Priest Lake District, the Consalus Fire is at an estimated 50 acres, burning in Pend Oreille, Wash. A 10-person district module, a 20-person crew from Grangeville, a bulldozer and an excavator are engaged in direct suppression efforts. Two additional 20-person crews were expected to arrive yesterday.
In Coeur d’Alene, the Hill Creek Fire was contained at 0.4 acres and the Buckskin Fire was contained at .2 acres. The Big Elk Fire has burned roughly .8 acres and is proving harder to contain due to the excess of downed timber in the area. An additional 20-person crew has been called to help.
Because of how rapidly the area is drying up and how many sparks are already flying, it is important to be extremely careful with Fourth of July fireworks this year, USFS officials said. Fireworks are still prohibited on all public lands, regardless of weather conditions or holidays.
Always be sure to check local fire bans on idfg.idaho.gov/fire/home before lighting fireworks or starting fires of any kind, whether while camping or in a backyard fire pit. Regardless of the immediate area, embers can travel a long way, igniting brush up to five miles from its original location. Fires that are found to be started by fireworks are considered negligent and the person found responsible will be billed for the entire cost of fighting the fire.
If there are no burn bans in place, always be sure to completely drown any fires before leaving the area. Fires should be cold to the touch to be considered safe to leave unattended. Make sure fires are kept small and contained to enclosed or designated fire rings.
Additionally, it is unsafe to drive or park on dry grassy areas. Hot exhaust pipes can easily ignite dry areas. Tow chains that are left to drag on the ground can also create sparks, so be sure that nothing is left hanging before driving.
For more information and tips on how to prevent fires this summer, check out www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation.