Fire crews battle area fires

Almost 2,800 acres in the region have been burned in a handful of wildfires, with the largest being the Ridge Creek Fire, roughly 3 1/2 miles east of the northern tip of Hayden Lake.

Fire danger in the region is rated as very high to extreme, prompting the implementation of Stage 2 fire restrictions in the state. Under these restrictions, open burning is prohibited, including campfires, stove fires and recreational fires.

However, the use of charcoal or propane barbecues on private land is permitted, as are fires fueled solely by LPG, so long as the area is cleared of flammable material.

Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building or in an area at least 3 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable materials.

Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails is also prohibited.

Buckskin 2 Fire:.

Containment on an “active” Buckskin 2 fire has increased to 25%, IPNF officials said Saturday. The fire has burned an estimated 226 acres and is located eight miles south of Clark Fork.

The fire, which is estimated to have burned 226 acres, is at 25% containment, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said Friday. There are 84 personnel assigned to the fire, which is being managed by a Type 3 team from INPF’s Sandpoint Ranger District.

Efforts to build a direct fireline along the fire’s eastern and western flanks are continuing, as are structural assessments in the Twin Creek and Rearden Creek drainages. Meanwhile, an indirect line is being constructed by a dozer crew on the north and south side of the fire.

Activity on the fire is moderate, with isolated torching observed, officials said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

The fire is about 1.8 miles from the nearest residences in the two drainages, officials said.

Residents in the Twin Creek and Rearden areas remain on "Ready" status and are advised to be aware of the possible threat and begin preparations to evacuate if it becomes necessary.

Ridge Creek Fire

Officials are holding a community meeting Sunday to discuss the Ridge Creek Fire, Idaho Panhandle National Forest officials said.

The meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Athol Community Center, 30355 Third St. It will also be live-streamed on Facebook at facebook.com/USFSIPNF.

Burning on the northern tip of Hayden Lake, the Ridge Creek Fire has grown to just over 2,400 acres and is 8% contained as of Saturday morning. The fire, which was human-caused, remains under investigation.

Fire crews and heavy equipment operators have made significant progress in building, reinforcing, and connecting containment lines, officials said in a press release Saturday. Containment reflects how much the fire's perimeter has reached the line and is expected to stay there.

Hand crews and dozers continue to work on the south end of the fire along Hayden Creek Road, east through Hells Canyon to Forest Service Road 406, and up to Hudlow Saddle.

Crews continue to improve a fire line through Sage Creek Saddle on the fire’s northeastern side. On the fire’s west flank, crews are reinforcing North Fork Road. Crews are constructing a fire line along a forested ridge to Forest Service Road 406 near Cedar Saddle.

In addition, crews are looking for areas to extend the fireline to the east between FSR 406 and South Chilco Mountain. An additional containment line is also being constructed using Buckles Mountain Road and along Ridge Creek to Hayden Creek Road.

Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation notices are in place for residents in the vicinity of Bunco Road and Hayden Lake. That means residents should keep up with fire information, be familiar with evacuation procedures and harden their homes against flying embers.

Fire activity is expected to increase next week as the weather gets warmer and drier, particularly on the south-facing slopes, USFS officials said.

"We've been stressing that to the crews," said Shane Egan, Ridge Creek Fire incident meteorologist. "It's going to get hot, it's going to get dry."

The weather also makes it likely that Hayden and Hayden Lake residents will see more smoke Sunday.

A total of 359 personnel were assigned to the fire Saturday, along with 14 engines and six pieces of heavy equipment.

Consalus Fire

Fire crews are mopping up around the edge of the Consalus Fire, located 10 miles west of Coolin in Pend Oreille County, Wash. The fire has burned an estimated 475 acres and containment sits at 80%, USFS officials said.

The Consalus Fire was reported June 30, and minimal smoldering, creeping, and backing behavior is observed on the fire. There are 44 personnel assigned to the fire.

Bee Top Fire:

Containment on the Bee Top Fire remains at 80%, USFS officials said in an update on the fire, located 5 miles northeast of Clark Fork in the Lightning Creek drainage.

The fire, which has burned an estimated 45 acres, was sparked by lightning July 1.

There are eight personnel assigned to the fire, which is being monitored to ensure it stays within containment lines.

Information: inciweb.nwcg.gov