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Latest update on IPNF fire situation; hot and
dry |
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July 28, 2017 |
As we go into the weekend, U.S. Forest Service
officials on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest
want to update you on the latest wildfire
activity. The Idaho Panhandle National Forests
have some ongoing fire activity following a
lightning storm last week as well as several
human caused starts.
Please report wildfires and do your part to
prevent new starts.
Here is an update on fire activity across the
forest:
Bonners Ferry Ranger District
• The East Fork of Meadows Fire (1/10 acre) is suspected to be
human-caused and is currently under
investigation. The fire was reported and put out
on 7/27/17.
Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District
• The Badger Fire (1/10 acre) was reported on 7/25/17 and controlled the
next day. It was located on Badger Mountain near
Hudlow Saddle and was human-caused.
• The Petty Fire (1/10 acre) was reported on 7/25/17 and put out the same
day. It was located in the Teddy Flat dispersed
camp area on the North Fork of the Coeur d Alene
River and was human-caused.
• The Hudlow Fire (1/10 acre) and the Skitwish Fire (1/4 acre) were
controlled on 7/24/17. Both were human-caused.
Sandpoint Ranger District
• The Trestle Peak Fire (15 acres) is now 100%
contained. The only closure still in place for
the area of the Trestle Peak Fire is for Trails
55 & 526.
Priest Lake Ranger District
• The Happy 302 Fire (2/10 acre) was reported on 7/25/17, put out on
7/27/17, and was started by lightning.
• The Huff Fire (1 acre) was reported on 7/22/17. The cause of the fire
was lightning and crews expect to have it
contained today, 7/28/17.
• The 311 Fire (6/10 acre) is located near Athol Cr & Granite Cr. It was
reported on 7/22/17 and is currently staffed
with an engine as well as a 20-person crew. It
was controlled on 7/26/27. This fire was
human-caused and is under investigation.
• The Reeder Mountain Fire (4 acres) is located eight miles north of
Nordman on the northeast side of Reeder Mountain
and is burning on a steep rocky slope. Due to
the steep slopes and terrain, engines are not
able to access the fire. The crew assigned to
this fire expects to have it controlled on
7/28/17.
• The North Fork Hughes Fire (136 acres) is located just north of Hughes
Meadows in the Salmo Priest Wilderness on the
Idaho/Washington State line. A lightning storm
on June 28 sparked the fire and it smoldered for
a few days before firefighters located it on
7/4/17. A Fire Use Module of 8 wildland fire
specialists are gathering data and assisting
with tactics feasibility and planning.
Summary
The 14 day weather outlook shows above normal
temperatures and below normal precipitation.
The fire danger across the Idaho Panhandle is
Very High and people are advised to be cautious
with fire. Six of the last seven wildfire starts
on the Coeur d’Alene River Ranger District have
been human caused.
If recreating outdoors, make sure your campfires
are completely extinguished and cool to the
touch before leaving. Stay on designated routes
and dispose of cigarettes responsibly.
Human caused starts, particularly in the
Wildland-Urban Interface, pose a threat to the
public as well as requiring valuable
firefighting resources that may be needed
elsewhere.
We are doing everything we can to suppress these
fires as quickly, efficiently, and most
importantly, as safely as possible. We will keep
you posted as conditions change.
For additional information or updates on fire
activity on the Idaho Panhandle National
Forests, please contact Kary Maddox, Public
Information Officer, at (208) 557-8813. |
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