CLARK FORK — The U.S. Forest Service is hosting a meeting today to update the community on the Caribou Fire.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Clark Fork High School.

The lightning-cause fire took hold on July 27 and has grown to 763 acres.

“The fire continues to back down slope into Porcupine and Wellington creeks, with isolated single-tree and group torching primarily in subalpine fir areas. On Monday, the fire behavior analyst observed fire activity around the entire perimeter. With increased temperatures and lower relative humidities predicted into the week, fire activity is expected to increase as fuels become drier,” the Forest Service said in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Heavy equipment was used on Tuesday to bolster fuel breaks along Porcupine Creek (all-terrain vehicle Trail No. 642) and Wellington Creek (ATV Trail No. 489). The local Sandpoint Ranger District hand crew module is creating a fuel break along Trail No. 114, between Porcupine Lake and Cougar Peak.

“They’re using hand tools to clear brush and understory. They will also be reducing fuels around the dispersed sites near Porcupine Lake,” the Forest Service said.

A high pressure building over the region will bring hot and dry conditions into the week.

Forecasters are expecting fair to poor humidity recovery in thermal belts within the fire area which could extend the burn periods.

Closures: A closure went into effect on Monday, 6 August 2018. The following trails are closed: 444, 63, 114, 642, 2240, and 120 west of trail 63 and east of trail 444. The following roads are closed: 489 and 419 (Lightning Creek) north of road 1184 and south of Road 473.

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