Cool nights, rain dampen KRC fires

BONNERS FERRY — Cool nights, rain and shorter days have enabled the Bonners Ferry Fire District to complete all targets needed to bring the Kootenai River Complex to containment.

"This time of year, fire activity is significantly reduced due to precipitation, shorter days, lower temperatures, and higher daytime humidity, ranger district officials said.

While fire activity is minimal, they said area residents and visitors to the county's forest can expect to see continued smoke until the snow falls or significant rain occurs.

"Still, with decreased fire behavior, the threat is much less than it was earlier in the season," BFRD officials said.

That is allowing crews begin assessing where structure protection equipment such pumps and hoses can be removed.  

While there is some flanking, backing and creeping behavior on the complex, ranger district officials said the activity is minimal.

Burning in a mix of timber fuels and mixed shrub understory, the complex's fires have left numerous dead and down logs. Those, along with numerous standing dead trees and steep terrain pose a hazard to firefighters.

Ranger district officials said firefighters plan to conduct suppression repair actions where appropriate in the areas around Trout Road and Ball Creek Road.

"Using heavy equipment and hand tools firefighters work to take measures to repair damage to areas where firefighting action has occurred as well as remove some lingering dangers left by the fire," they said in a press release.

Firefighters are beginning to remove equipment and snags as they reassess the area dangers and safety concerns as it impacts public use and travel. As part of this, log decks and slash piles will be created as firefighters remove and restore natural areas.

"These log decks are not for public consumption," officials said. "When venturing out please note that taking from these piles is prohibited."

Where possible, closures of area roads and trails on the complex have been reduced. Among areas now open are McGinty Ridge Trail, Clifty Trail, Cascade Creek Road, and Fisher Peak Trail.

However, other trails and roads remain closed while firefighters reassess the safety concerns for public use. Areas still closed include the entirety of Ball Creek, Trout Creek, and Burton roads. Also, trails still closed include Parker Ridge, Russell Mountain, Russell Ridge, Ball and Pyramid Lakes, Pyramid Pass, Pyramid Peak, Fisher Peak, Myrtle Peak Trail, Burton Peak, Trout Lake, and Long Canyon. 

"Please note that after our post-fire BAER team analysis, multiple high-risk hazards remain such as potential rock and debris slides, down trees, and snags; the public should not expect Trout Creek Road (FSR634) and Ball Creek Road (FSR 432) to reopen until next year," they said.