SANDPOINT — The National Weather Service issued a red flag warning Thursday for the Idaho Panhandle due to dry and breezy conditions.

Despite cooler temperatures, these conditions are increasing fire danger on the Idaho Panhandle National Forests. The fire danger is rated “very high.”

There are no fire restrictions in place. However, with red flag conditions and “very high” fire danger, visitors are reminded to be careful while recreating in the forest. A fire danger rating of very high means that fires start easily from all causes and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite rapidly and immediately after ignition spread rapidly and increase quickly in intensity.

Small fires can quickly become large fires and exhibit extreme fire intensity such as long distance spotting. These fires can be difficult to control and will often become much larger and longer-lasting fires.

Wildfires on the forest that are being actively managed include:

- The Cougar Fire was estimated at 500 acres on Thursday. The fire was reported on July 28 and is approximately 5 miles east of Hope, Idaho. Burning in steep, rugged terrain, this fire is located on National Forest System Lands south of Wellington Creek, southwest of Lightning Creek and north of Porcupine Lake. Smokejumpers were dispatched on Monday. However, they disengaged because of safety concerns with falling trees and steep terrain.

Fire managers are using man-made and natural features to confine and contain this fire. Fire growth has been primarily to the north and east. An infrared flight was over the area on Thursday to accurately map the fire perimeter.

Firefighters are scouting for opportunities to safely engage the fire. An ATV trail (Road 642) will be closed this afternoon to ensure public safety; Road 120 will remain open. Information about this fire is provided on InciWeb.

- The Tarlac Fire was estimated at 2 acres. This fire is located within the Priest River Experimental Forest. Firefighters have a line around the perimeter of the fire.

- The Smith Creek Fire was at 370 acres on Thursday. The fire was reported on July 28 and is burning on National Forest System Lands at the head of Smith Creek on Lions Head Ridge. The fire was caused by lightning and is burning in subalpine fir and shrubs. Fire activity is moderate, smoldering and creeping with an occasional singletree torching. Operations are geared to protect private property values near the fire. Sprinkler systems have been installed adjacent to structures.

- The Slide Creek Fire was at 27 acres on Thursday. Located in the Myrtle Creek municipal watershed, the fire is burning in heavy logging slash on private timber ground. Multiple ground and aerial resources are on scene including a 20 person hotshot crew as well as Idaho State machinery; a dozer, an excavator and a skid-gen. Aviation support includes a type 1 helicopter.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.