HOPE — Another fire has been added to the mix while firefighters continue to battle existing fires in the region.

The 6,655-acre Cougar Fire was at 24-percent containment on Friday, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

The lightning-caused fire burning in the Cabinet Mountains about five miles east of Hope is expected to continue its push into upper Rattle Creek. At Wellington Creek, on the north and southwest perimeter, will continue to spread downslope to Porcupine Road in the upper part of the drainage, the agency said in a post to InciWeb.

Planned actions include taking necessary holding actions as fire approaches an established fuel break along the Porcupine Trail and Wellington Creek.

“Fire managers will use air resources as necessary to slow fire advancement toward the Forest repeater and SNOTEL site along with the containment lines in Wellington Creek. Crews will also maintain structure protection measures with the repeater site, SNOTEL site and Keeler warming hut. Additionally, they’ll maintain area, road, and trail closures,” the post said.

The Surprise Creek Fire burning southeast of Lake Pend Oreille was at 2,390 acres its containment was estimated at 20 percent on Friday.

Firefighters will continue working to box in a containment line around the entire fire using the existing system of roads while winds were pushing from the southwest on Thursday.

“The contingency line is staffed with firefighters ready to hold should the need arise,” the Forest Service said.

Moderate to active behavior is expected with rollouts and spotting. Growth is expected in the Surprise and Ermine creek drainages. Increased growth into Snow Creek is anticipated, according to an InciWeb post.

Planned actions include improving road conditions for firefighter access and continuing to maintain the fuel break on Forest Service Road Nos. 332, 205, 332G. Air resources will be used as necessary to slow the fire’s advancement toward containment and additional roads will be assessed for containment-line opportunities.

The Idaho Department of Lands, the Forest Service and local fire districts are battling a fire that started on a hill above the north side of Fleming Creek in Boundary County.

Several homes and a radio tower are threatened. Evacuations are underway and are being coordinated by the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office.

Homes on Holmes Road, Lupine Road and Ginger Lane are currently being evacuated, according to IDL. Law enforcement are requesting that residents on Turner Hill Road and Rocking Tree Road be prepared to evacuate. Holmes Road off of U.S. Highway 95 is closed to anyone other than local residents.

No structures have been lost at this time, IDL said on Friday night. A Red Cross shelter is being set up at Mountain Springs Church, 6789 Main Street, Bonners Ferry.

The fire took hold at noon on Friday and its cause is unknown, according to IDL.

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