Wildifires update

There were no new fire starts across the Forest as of Aug. 13.. Stage I Fire Restrictions are in effect (http://www.idahofireinfo.com). Forest closures are in effect near wildfire activity (www.fs.fed.us/ipnf).

Northern Rockies Geographic Area Preparedness Level has advanced to level 4. We are now prioritized second nationally. This increase in prioritization level will help when competing for resources nationally; however large fires in Montana are being prioritized over North Idaho within the geographic area.

Fire managers will continue to coordinate, utilize and move resources within the Zone to best optimize suppression efforts. Firefighting personnel working in north Idaho have come from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Alaska, Montana, Colorado, Oregon and (of course) Idaho.

Smoke Dispersion: The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issues an Air Quality Advisory and Stage 1 Air Quality Forecast and caution. Due to smoke from wildfires, north Idaho air quality is forecasted to continue to be degraded for the next several days. The state is divided by a large swath of clear air in central Idaho. The north experienced the heaviest particulate load Tuesday while the south was generally hazy. Aviation pilots are experiencing this thick smoke upward to 10,000 feet causing ability to deliver support to ground crews difficult.

Priest Lake Ranger District is working on three wildfires from lightning received Sunday. The Athol fire was 0.6 acres when it was declared out Tuesday.

see FIRES, B4

FIRES

from B2

The Hungry fire is still at 9 acres and 75 percent contained. The Divide fire is estimated at five acres with aviation resources assisting ground firefighters on scene. The Mush fire is estimated at 20 acres. Rappellers from the Kootenai NF who dropped into the area yesterday were successful in building a helispot. Four local firefighters are on scene determining a course of action to suppress the fire.

The Snow Peak fire continues to be monitored by remote camera. Images are showing little growth except for a small and steady smoke column. The fire is located in the Cooperative Wildlife Management Area between the Forest Service and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game. There are no resources on the ground due to safety concerns of steep rocky terrain abundant with snags. Fire Managers continue to call the fire 40 acres in size.

Weather: Dry and increasingly warm conditions are expected today with poor relative humidity recoveries. Winds will be light and terrain driven. On Thursday evening and possibly Friday some monsoonal moisture will bring a small chance of thunderstorms to the Idaho Panhandle. Mainly dry and warm conditions are expected through the weekend.

Uncontained Wildfires by Name and (RD) and Approximate Acreage:

Rampike (Coeur d’Alene River) 978 Acres

Surprise Creek (Coeur d’Alene River) 1,800 Acres

Snow Peak (St. Joe) 40 Acres

Cougar (Sandpoint) 3,454 Acres

Copper Mtn. (Bonners Ferry) 170 Acres

Smith Creek (Bonners Ferry) 835