Parker Ridge fire increases to 1,000 acres
<p>This photograph was taken from the viewpoint on Highway 95 above Mount Hall and just below the Brush Lake turn off.</p>
BONNERS FERRY — Due to high temperatures and wind, as of Aug. 12, the Parker Ridge fire has greatly increased in size.
The fire now covers an estimated 995 acres. Containment remains at zero percent. Concern among Boundary County residents has increased as the Parker Ridge fire has grown.
On Aug. 6, a community meeting was held at the bleachers of the Bonners Ferry High School football field to allow residents to ask questions and voice their concerns.
Firefighter and public safety remains the number one priority and continues to guide management actions with structure and private timber protection.
Ground crews are preparing homes, installing sprinkler systems and conducing defensive actions for Westside Road properties. Firefighters have also began clearing brush and anchoring a fire line at a residence along Westside Road then moving northwest to protect private property.
Fire managers continue to assess the fire situation with helicopter recon flights. Fifty eight personnel have been assigned to the fire. An increase in lightning strike fire starts throughout Idaho and other western states have stretched resources. Aircraft assigned to the fire are being utilized as fire conditions and terrain allows, conducting bucket drops and monitoring fire activity. An infrared flight was flown over Parker Ridge resulting in an updated map and acreage.
Rodney Weeks of the North Idaho Type III Incident Management Team (IMT), has been assigned to head operations. Weeks was also in charge of Bakers Camp fire.
Closures for Parker Ridge Trail No. 221, as well Fisher Peak Trail No. 14 and dispersed campsites along the route, remain in place. Use of these trails is prohibited as firefighters continue to be concerned for public health and safety. Hikers are still encouraged to alternatively redirect and use the Long Canyon trail No. 16 three miles to the north.
There are no other closures in place at the moment, but those considering recreation should be aware of the high fire danger and fire restrictions and should stay informed of changing conditions. For questions regarding the most current information call Kary Maddox, fire information officer, at 208-267-6773.
The home page for this incident, which includes photos and updates, can be found on InciWeb, which is a good resource for staying informed on other active fires in the area as well (http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/).
Stage II fire restrictions will remain in place.
For more information regarding these restrictions visit: www.idahofireinfo.blogspot.com. Daily information updates about smoke conditions for the area are found at: http://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/monitoring/daily-reports-and-forecasts.aspx.
The Parker Ridge fire is lightening caused and began on July 27 and was detected on July 29. The fire is located at top of Parker Ridge northwest of Bonners Ferry and seven miles southwest of Porthill.