SAMUELS — Crews have a small wildland fire in the Samuels area contained to the initial 2 acres at which the fire was reported.

The Sheep Creek Fire, reported on Sunday afternoon, was hit Monday "with all kinds of stuff," Karen Robinson, Idaho Department of Lands public information officer, told the Daily Bee.

"They're working on mopping it up," Robinson said. "I expect it will be done shortly."

The fire is on timber industry land, under IDL Pend Oreille Supervisory Area fire protection, Robinson said. The fire is burning northeast, in brush and timber, down the ridge into a draw, and toward USFS Idaho Panhandle National Forest land.

A total of 21 firefighters, including two IDL engine crews and six Northside Fire personnel with a water tender are fighting the fire on the ground, while two helicopters and four air tankers have been dropping water and retardant on the blaze. In addition, a bulldozer and a USFS crew arrived to assist late Sunday afternoon.

While a small number of homes are in the area, they are west to south of the fire and less than a mile away. None are threatened at this time and no evacuations were ordered or anticipated, Robinson said.

In the event evacuations are ever necessary, Robinson said Bonner County Sheriff's Office deputies would notify landowners to prepare or to leave, through the NIXLE emergency notification system, direct phone calling, or door-to-door.
Fire crews were able to get a good handle on the fire by Sunday evening, with a fireline built around the fire by Tuesday morning using chainsaws and hand tools.

With recent higher-than-normal temperatures, Robinson said conditions are about a month ahead of normal in terms of dryness. Whether or not it's a bad fire season depends on the community.

"We're really dependent on people not starting fires," she said, noting that 90% of wildland fires are caused by people.

For information about area fires, fire safety, or how to make your residence fire resistant, go online to www.idl.idaho.gov and select the fire news feed. Those interested can also search for the hashtag, #IDLfireinfo, for additional information or fire prevention tips.

Handouts on how to make properties fire resistant are available at the IDL office, 2550 U.S. 2, Sandpoint; or by calling 208-0263-5104.