COEUR d'ALENE - Firefighters from the Idaho Panhandle National Forest and the Idaho Department of Lands have spent two days battling a small fire in the Wolf Lodge area.

"It's just outside of town, but it's deep within a roadless area," said Jason Kirchner, public affairs officer for the IPNF.

Named the Marie Creek Fire, it is about 4 acres in size. It was most likely started by lightning last week. Kirchner said the fire was finally spotted late Sunday when it was just 1 acre in size.

"It started at least a week ago," Kirchner said. "It just took a while for someone to notice it."

Aerial firefighting crews have been dropping fire retardant and water on the blaze, as ground crews work to cut a fire line.

Kirchner said the ground crews had to hike into the fire scene, and some were flown in.

The fire was considered to be 0 percent contained Tuesday afternoon - mainly because the fire lines had not been tested yet, he said.

The fire is located along Marie Creek two and a half miles north of Interstate 90 and five miles east of the Wolf Lodge exit. Smoke and firefighting aircraft may be visible from the interstate.

Members of the public are urged to remain clear of the area to allow firefighters safe access into the area, Kirchner said.

Firefighting efforts are complicated by the difficult terrain. The closest private property is located more than a mile to the west, but at this time there are no threats to structures.