Birthday fire sparks trail and road closures
September 13, 2011
The Birthday Fire currently under attack by firefighters in the Smith Creek Drainage has held steady through today at about 600 acres, but it's prompted U.S. Forest Service fire fighters to close several roads, trails and areas in the vicinity to not only protect citizens, but to enable firefighters to better battle the blaze.

While the chances are remote in the face of cooling temperatures and the possibility or rain by Thursday or Friday, the calm winds of the past several days are predicted to pick up slightly on Wednesday, which could spell trouble.

As of Tuesday, the following areas are closed; Forest Service Road (FSR) 281 in sections 11, 14, 15, 21, 22 and 28 of Township 64 North, Range 3 West; the entire length of Trail 21, starting at the West Fork Trailhead and the junction with Trail 102, the entire length of Trail 347, starting at its junction with Trail 21 to it's terminus at West Fork Mountain, FSR 2545, FSR 2443, and all of Trails 17 and 18.

While the road closures are specific, firefighters and emergency responders request that those who don't have to be in the area please stay away; due to overcast and haze, there are few opportunities to actually see the fire or the plume of smoke, and few chances to get photos.

Firefighters on-site are currently working to keep the Birthday Fire, which has burned federal, state and private land after blowing up Sunday from 15 to more than 600 acres, to prevent futher spread eastward towards the Smith Lake drainage and Lake Mountain, and they're working hard to ensure that two remote structures remain safe.

Those who need additional information can call fire information officer Jennifer Costich, (208) 267-6775, or email birthdayfire@gmail.com, but due to the remoteness of the fire and the fact that all affected property owners are currently aware and involved in all that's going on as regards supression efforts, it's unlikely that any information she can provide will be much different than the information she sends to local officials and media outlets.

Unless of dire importance, please attempt to request information of media first so as to enable those working the fire and local law enforcement agencies to provide support.

You can contact:

Mike Weland, Boundary County Public Information Officer, (208) 267-7212, publicinfo@boundarycountyid.org or by fax, (208) 267-1205.

After hours, Mike Weland, publisher, News Bonners Ferry, (208) 267-5885, publisher@newsbf.com.

Bonners Ferry Herald, Julie Golder, editor, (208) 267-5521, jgolder@bonnersferryherald.com.

Mike Brown, Radio AM 1450, KBFI, (208) 267-5234, mbrown@953kpnd.