Wildland firefighters gaining upper hand
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 3 months AGO
AVERY — Firefighters are gaining the upper hand against the Stateline Complex, officials said Wednesday.
The complex is burning on the St. Joe Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, to the south and west of the Idaho-Montana state line.
The Tumbledown fire, the largest in the complex, has burned about 9,100 acres so far, mostly in rugged terrain.
It is 11% contained as of late Wednesday.
On the fire’s southern flank, hand crews and heavy equipment are building new fire lines while securing lines already in place.
In the Quartz Creek drainage, some fire crews are working west toward Highway 50, while others work east toward Bruin Creek.
The neighboring Dolly Creek fire remains 46% contained.
North of the Silver Valley, the Deceitful fire remains 11% contained.
Burning operations on the Avista corridor and Forest Service Road 620C were completed Wednesday.
Sprinkler systems will be activated as needed to facilitate the reopening of Coeur d’Alene River Road.
Meanwhile, mop up continues within the interior of the Prichard fire, which is 100% contained.
Hot, dry weather expected this week may increase fire activity.
ARTICLES BY STAFF REPORT
Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.