Crews keep pace with area fires

SANDPOINT — Crews are headed up to the mid-mountain camp as they continue to fight the Bee Top Fire.

On the Consalus Fire, firefighters kept a handle on the fire's northern edge, keeping growth of the fire to a minimum.

Bee Top Fire

A helicopter landing zone has been completed above the fire as crews continue to test hose and pumps, and build a saw line, a type of fireline where tree limbs are removed to roughly shoulder height and brush removed. Interagency Hotshot Crews are pushing around the fire, building a saw line along the full perimeter of the Bee Top Fire.

Crews spent Thursday building a handline around the fire's perimeter and, once completed, previously built indirect firelines will form a contingency line around the fire.

All threw hotshot crews — Boise, Plumas and Mad River — were expected to spend the night at the mid-range camp, Idaho Panhandle National Forests officials said. That will allow crews to improve firelines and extinguish hot spots over the next few days.

"With the steepness of the terrain, rollouts are a primary concern," IPNF officials said.

Reported July 1, the lightning-sparked fire has burned 45 acres and is listed at 16% contained. A total of 128 fire personnel are assigned to the fire as are two engines, three helicopters and three hand crews. The fire is being managed by Northern Rockies Team 9 led by Shane Martin.

"Crews have been able to effectively attack the fire and mitigate risk while working on steep and rugged slopes," said INPF officials in a press realize.

Consalus Fire

While the Consalus Fire grew roughly 16 acres, much of which on its northern edge where the fire was the most active, helicopters slowed its spread with water drops throughout the day Thursday.

Firefights continue to strengthen and improve a complete heavy equipment line along the northeastern perimeter as heavy equipment crews make progress on the fire east side.

Additional faller modules have arrived on the fire, felling trees several tree lengths in to mitigate hazardous trees, often referred to as snags. Crews also continue to set up sprinkler systems along a fireline constructed on the fire's southwestern side.

Reported June 30, the Consalus Fire has burned 264 acres and is 10% contained. A total of 210 fire personnel are assigned to the fire, located 10 miles west of Coolin in Pend Oreille County, Wash. There are two engines, six-plus hand crews, and faller, water tender and ambulance crews assigned to the fire as well as an assortment of heavy equipment.

Road and trail closures

• Bee Top Fire

There are no closures listed.

• Consalus Fire

Several road closures went into effect at midnight Thursday, July 13. 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. The public is asked to avoid the following roads: the section of FSR 1094 not closed; FSR 312 (from the junction with FSR 333 to the junction with FSR 659); FSR 659 in its entirety; and FSR 333 (from Highway 57 to the junction with FSR 1108).

Those accessing the Crystal Mine area off FSR 659 may need to pull over to allow heavy equipment and fire crews to access the area.

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

Information: inciweb.nwcg.gov