COEUR d'ALENE - Fire season in North Idaho is starting to take off.

And the hot, dry weather is providing the fuel.

Monday's high of 94 in Coeur d'Alene broke the previous record of 92 in 1973. It was the eighth straight day above 90, marking the third-longest hot streak in September.

"Everything is bone dry," said Cliff Harris, climatologist.

Harris said that less than a half an inch of rain has fallen since July 13.

Harris said today could top 90 again before a cooling trend kicks in.

"The weekend highs will only be in the lower 70s or upper 60s," he said. "We may even see some clouds or get some showers."

It's a good thing because more than 70 individual fire starts have been reported in the region this month. As of Monday, there were seven fires in North Idaho ranging from 20 to more than 150 acres, according to the Forest Service.

The largest blaze is the 150-acre Birthday Fire on the Selkirk Crest about 20 miles east of Bonners Ferry near Smith Peak. A larger crew was expected to take over management of the fire on Monday night because it is in rugged terrain and difficult to fight on the ground.

"Helicopters are dumping water on it," said Jason Kirchner, spokesman for the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. "Up until Sunday, it seemed like the fire was just going to go out, but wind made the fire take off."

There were also five fires ranging from an acre to 26 acres between 15 and 20 miles southeast of Avery. A 2-acre fire was also reported 18 miles south of St. Regis, Mont.

All of the fires were sparked by lightning, Kirchner said.

Kirchner said the region has ample resources to battle the fires, but crews are concerned about windy conditions before the cooling trend.

Kirchner said the recent hazy conditions in the area are the result of several fires throughout the region.

For more information on the fires, visit Inciweb.org. Information on road and trail closures can be found www.fs.usda.gov or by contacting your local Forest Service office.

"We recognize that hunting season is starting and we'll do our best to keep areas around fires open," Kirchner said. "But public safety is an important and necessary part of dealing with fires."

Several roads are closed near Avery and some near Bonners face the possibility.