Deceitful fire prompts road closures
KAYE THORNBRUGH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 5 months AGO
Kaye Thornbrugh is a second-generation Kootenai County resident who has been with the Coeur d’Alene Press for six years. She primarily covers Kootenai County’s government, as well as law enforcement, the legal system and North Idaho College. | July 28, 2021 1:00 AM
KELLOGG — Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson announced road closures Tuesday as the wildfire burning north of the Silver Valley continued to spread.
Beginning Monday at 6 p.m., North Fork Coeur d’Alene River Road and Old River Road will be closed to all traffic except for local residents and egress.
Officials said the Deceitful Fire, which has burned more than 3,800 acres so far and remains 0% contained, could begin impacting those roads with “rolling debris.”
The blaze is reportedly spreading toward the Avista and Bonneville Power Administration power line corridors, as well as across the upper end of the Cedar Creek drainage.
Residents in the Beaver Creek - Dobson Pass population protection zone have been placed under Level 2 evacuation status as of late Tuesday.
This means residents should be prepared to evacuate, with supplies gathered and vehicles fueled and ready to go.
The neighboring Prichard Fire remains 75% contained. It’s burned about 1,300 acres so far.
Although containment lines around the fire are secure, officials said Tuesday that unburned fuels in the interior have the potential to produce spot fires.
Meanwhile, the fires within the Stateline Complex continue to show steady, moderate activity.
The Stateline 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 road closure for Forest Highway 50 has been expanded from Quarts Creek to Eagle Creek Forest Road 1214.
Fire crews in the area have reported that barricades have been moved.
Vehicles are also reportedly driving past barricades to access restricted areas or take pictures of the fire.
The blaze is 3% contained as of late Tuesday.
ARTICLES BY KAYE THORNBRUGH
Rathdrum police seek victims amid burglary investigation
Rathdrum police arrested a suspect Tuesday who they believe to be involved in multiple burglaries, according to a news release.
BLM: Migrating eagle population peaked early this year
The annual migration of bald eagles to Lake Coeur d’Alene to feed on spawning kokanee is past its peak, according to the Bureau of Land Management.
North Idaho ski areas open after slow start
Amid challenges like warm temperatures and strong winds that caused power outages across the region, all three ski areas in North Idaho are open, though operations are limited in some cases.