BONNERS FERRY — A burned area emergency response team has begun assessing the main area of Kootenai River Complex to determine post-fire recovery needs.

"The BAER team looks at water and soil impacts, erosion potential, vegetation issues, archaeology, and more, to decide what needs to be done to help the forests recover," Bonners Ferry Ranger District officials said in a press release.

Equipment remains in place around many properties west of Westside Road which could still be impacted by the fire.

"Firefighters test these systems regularly to ensure they are working," ranger district officials said. "The control lines continue to hold as the fire reaches them in some areas."

In addition, helicopters are dropping water to slow fire spread where necessary. Rehabilitation work also continues on some equipment lines, including reseeding, installing water bars to control erosion, and using excavators to pull lines back in some areas.

The fire, which was sparked by lightning in mid-August, has burned an estimated 23,970 acres. A total of 48 fire personnel are assigned to the fire, and officials said goals which should help contain the complex have risen to 87%.

Those gains have allowed officials to lift trail closures on McGinty Ridge (No. 143) and Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182). However, ranger district officials advised anyone traveling to those areas to use caution "as there is still some fire on the landscape, and [they] may encounter associated hazards."

While tremendous strides have been made on the fire, ranger district officials said fire remains on the landscape.

"[But] the threat is reduced from earlier in the season due to shorter days, lower temperatures, and higher humidity," they added. "Expect to see continued smoke until the snow falls or significant rain occur."

While a temporary flight restriction over the Katka Fire has been removed, a TFR over the Russell Mountain Fire remains in place.

In other area fires:

Diamond Watch Fire

Containment of the Diamond Watch Fire has risen to 65% containment. Efforts are ongoing to keep the Diamond Watch Fire from crossing roads on the south, east, west of the fire as well as at Diamond Creek on the north edge of the fire, officials said.

Firefighters are utilizing heavy equipment, including masticators and dozers, to help reinforce containment lines along the forest roads surrounding the fire.

"Clearing away the vegetation that parallels the roads creates a large fuel break where firefighters can work to fight the fire safely," officials said.

Since started by a lightning strike in mid-July, the Diamond Watch fire, has burned 1,336 acres. Located 5.5 miles due west of Nordman, the fire has 16 fire personnel assigned to the fire.

Bull Gin Complex

The Bull Gin Complex is comprised of three wildland fires including the Government Fire, the Billiard Fire, and the Isabella Lake Fire. These fires were the result of the lightning storm activity on August 31, 2022. On Sept. 2, the fires were combined into the Bull Gin Complex.

Located on the Kootenai National Forest in Montana, the fire continues to slowly creep and smolder through dried fuels, containment lines are in place. Firefighters continue point protection of structures and fire progression monitoring, U.S. Forest Service officials said.

The fire, which is located 2 miles northeast of Heron, Mont., the fire was reported on Sept. 2. Since then, it has burned an estimated 4,281 acres and is 44% contained.

Closure, evacuations and information

• On the Kootenai River Complex, the following Forest Service trails and roads are closed: Ball Creek Road (FR 432), Trout Creek Road (FR 634), Russell Mountain (No. 12), Russell Ridge (No. 92), Ball and Pyramid Lakes (No. 43), Pyramid Pass (No. 13), Pyramid Peak (No. 7), Fisher Peak (No. 27), Trout Lake (No. 41), McGinty Ridge (No. 143), Clifty Mountain and Clifty/Burrow (No. 182), Myrtle Peak Trail (No. 286), and Burton Peak Trail (No. 9). Westside Road is limited to residents only.

• On the Diamond Watch Fire, closure orders are in effect for Forest Service roads 311, 308, and 1362H in the vicinity of the fire. However, FSR 1362 remains open. Petit Lake and is associated campsites are within the closure area.

• All methods of travel are prohibited (foot, mechanized, motorized and stock) on the closed roads and area.

Information: InciWeb.nwcg.gov