Weather deceptive…Fire danger higher than it appears

By ELAINE SANDMAN

Staff Writer

A fire last Friday near the Kootenai Wildlife Refuge easily could have gotten out of hand after it jumped a road and began burning out of control.

When fire crews first arrived on the scene they reported that 30 foot flames were shooting up, however with the immediate response time of Steve Jamsa and Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge employee Wayne Wilkerson, who are both volunteer firefighters with South Boundary Volunteer Fire Department, risk to the two nearby homes was kept minimal.

Jim Kibler from the Idaho Department of Lands said that due to the fast response times of local volunteer fire departments, the fire was a simple one to put down.

"North Bench Volunteer Fire Department arrived on scene shortly afterward, but despite how easy it was to put the fire out this time, people need to realize that despite the deceptively cool weather, it is dry out there," Kibler explained. "Even though the recent rains make it appear as if it is safe to burn slash piles, right now we are at the high end of low conditions and moving fast into moderate fire conditions. We are not even quite into June yet, but the public needs to be aware that forests as well as all other areas in the county are very dry."

Due to the terrain, a mutual aide call was issued and Paradise Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Idaho Fish and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service responded to the scene as well.

Although the fire was labeled contained by 6 p.m., three hours after it was first reported, it wasn't until approximately 8 p.m. that the fire was officially under control and firefighters cleared the scene.

Firefighters spent five hours lugging water and foam filled hoses up the steep slopes of the area, as well as deal with the heavy undergrowth.

The property owner did have a burn permit, but Kibler again warned the public to remember that the area is very dry and flammable at this time.

"We want to remind everyone that a burn permit is required for any type of burn, and local citizens need to carefully tend all burns," Kibler said.