Commissioners declare emergency due to fires

Story has been updated.

BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County commissioners have declared an emergency due to the numerous wildfires within the county and resultant threat to structures in Katka Peak and Scotch Creek.

The fires potentially threaten public safety, structures, private timber, livestock and crops, the commissioners said in approving the emergency declaration.

Approval is the start of a process that, if needed, enables the county’s provision of emergency aid and assistance under the Boundary County Emergency Operations Plan, Andrew O’Neel Boundary County emergency manager said in a press release. It also opens the door to potential funding from state and federal agencies in case the county incurs extraordinary expenses in responding to the fires.

The U.S. Forest Service is managing five significant fires in Boundary County. Late on Thursday the Eneas Peak fire was 1,123 acres; the Trout fire was 678 acres; the Russell Mountain fire was 3,107 acres, and the Scotch fire was 494 acres. Fire managers continue to assess opportunities to use aviation resources to confine these four fires in the Selkirks, and engines are working along Westside road to protect private homes.

Also, present at the Sept. 2 meeting were Idaho Department of Lands officials, United States Forestry Service officials, Idaho Office of Emergency Management, Boundary County Sheriff Department officials and Boundary County Emergency Management.

Commissioner Dan Dinning said due to the flag warning taking place, it is prudent to declare an emergency in order to have resources available to fight the current wilderness fires.

Substantial aerial efforts Thursday on the Katka Fire (including use of large air tankers, FireBoss aircraft and helicopters) helped to cool hot spots and reduce fire spread to approximately 35 acres. However, today’s inversion may reduce visibility and impede aircraft.

An Interagency Hotshot Crew began working on the Katka Fire Thursday, focusing on scouting for safe and efficient locations to directly engage the fire, as well as constructing suppression firelines around another adjacent small fire. Additional resources have been ordered to assist.

Approximately 36 homes in Boundary County have been notified that a fire is close enough to be of concern to their property. On Westside Road, about 12 homes between Burton Creek and Ball Creek have been asked to be “Set” to evacuate in case the Scotch Fire comes closer or if multiple spot fire ignitions complicate fire suppression efforts in that area. On Katka Road up from the lookout point and on Two-Tail and Misty Mountain Roads, about 24 homes have been asked to be “Ready” for the possibility that they may be asked to evacuate if conditions change on the Katka Fire.

The County Fair Board is making stalls available at the fairgrounds to house livestock in case evacuees have animals that have no other place to go. Owners are still responsible for care and feeding.

Firefighting aircraft and firefighters on the ground will continue battling the Scotch Fire and Katka Fire throughout the day.

To sign up for Nixle text alerts from the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office text “83805” to the phone number 888777.

Boundary County Emergency Information Hotline is: 208-696-2626. Updates to any emergencies in the county, including evacuations and when it is safe to return from an evacuation, will be in a recorded message on this hotline. Put it in your contacts so you have it handy.

As a reminder, civilian drones are not allowed around active fires. Flying drones near an emergency scene is against the law and will interfere with firefighting aircraft, working against the firefighters on scene.