Crews hold line on fires

PRIEST RIVER — For a second straight day, the Consalus Fire tested its perimeters, aided by winds.

And, for the second straight day, the line held and the Consalus Fire remained within its existing footprint and at 40% containment.

"Firefighters continue to find and extinguish areas of heat in the no name drainage and Consalus Creek areas, which are on the south and southeast sides of the fire," Northern Rockies Type 3 Incident Management Team officials said Wednesday. "Specialized tree fallers are working to clear the remaining hazard trees and snags in Consalus Creek as well."

Crews are backhauling unneeded equipment from the fire's western side, including sprinklers hose and pumps. In addition, heavy equipment that is no longer needed on the fire is continuing to be demobilized, officials said.

A helicopter assigned to the fire has been assisting fires in the surrounding area while remaining available to fight the Consalus Fire.

A fire suppression repair plan, which will outline needed repairs to areas impacted by fire suppression activities, is in the review process. Once complete, the plan will be ready to guide firefighters in repairs.

Reported June 30, the Consalus Fire has burned 475 acres on the Priest Lake Ranger District. Located 10 miles west of Coolin, Idaho, in Pend Oreille County, Wash., the fire is 40% contained. There are 205 fire personnel assigned to the fire, as well as a helicopter, five hand crews as well as a district fire unit, two engines, three faller modules, six water tenders and other equipment. Firefighting efforts are being managed by Northern Rockies Type 3 Incident Management Team led by Dan Brown.

Bee Top Fire

The Bee Top Fire was placed in "patrol status" July 18, meaning that crews will check on the fire on a regular basis but will not need to build any additional containment lines.

The Sandpoint-based Kaniksu Wildland Fire Module are battling a spot fire that flared up in extremely steep terrain July 19.

Reported July 1, the lightning-sparked fire has burned an estimated 45 acres as of July 18, and is listed at 30% containment. There are six personnel assigned to the fire.

Management of the fire was assumed by the Sandpoint Ranger District on July 19. There are 12 fire personnel assigned to the fire.

Road and trail closures

Bee Top Fire: There are no closures listed.

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.

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. If you fly, they can’t.

Information: inciweb.nwcg.gov