Sagle fire destroys two homes
CAROLINE LOBSINGER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 6 months, 4 weeks AGO
I grew up in the Tri-Cities, Wash., and have always loved to write. I attended the University of Washington, where I earned a double major in journalism and political science, with an area of emphasis in history. I am the fifth out of six kids — don't believe any of the stories that my siblings tell. To be able to tell others stories and take photos for a living is a dream come true — and I considered myself blessed to be a community journalist. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hiking and spending time outdoors, genealogy, reading, and watching the UW Huskies and the Seattle Seahawks. I am a servant to my cat, Frankie, who yes, will eat anything and everything in sight … even wedding cookies. | July 30, 2024 11:35 AM
SAGLE — Two homes were among a handful of buildings destroyed in a Monday afternoon fire in the Sagle area, according to Selkirk Fire officials.
Two outbuildings were also reported to have been destroyed in the fire, which was reported at 1:11 p.m. in the 100 block of Schneiders Road. When firefighters arrived on the scene of the fire, they found multiple structures involved and the fire spreading to nearby vegetation, Selkirk Fire's Brandon Vaccaro told the Daily Bee.
While erratic winds hampered firefighting efforts, Vaccaro said air tankers were able to make retardant drops on the fire, which helped reduce the growth of the fire. As of Monday evening, the vegetation fire remained under 4 acres.
"This fire will require an extended attack to reach full containment," Vaccaro said. "Along with the vegetation, we expect challenges from the weather, with potentially unfavorable weather over the next 24-48 hours."
When crews arrived at the scene, they found multiple buildings on fire and flames spreading to the nearby vegetation. Selkirk Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong took command of the incident and immediately requested additional resources, a request that was complicated by an accident near the Long Bridge, which hampered response from north of Lake Pend Oreille.
A unified command with the Idaho Department of Lands was established once the fire spread into the heavy brush and timber near the structures, Vaccaro said.
Firefighters made a direct assault on the fire at about 3:41 p.m. with the assistance of aerial resources, Vaccaro said.
Residents in the Schneiders Road area were briefly placed on "Ready" status under the Ready-Set-Go evacuation protocol Monday afternoon before it was lifted at about 6:40 p.m.
Under the "Ready" status, residents are advised to have a plan to evacuate if necessary. Under the "Set" status, residents are advised to begin putting their plan into place. Under "Go" status, residents are told to leave immediately due to an imminent threat.
The fire was turned over to the Idaho Department of Lands just after 7 p.m. as the primary agency as firefighters continued working on containment of the vegetation fire. IDL advised it would remain at the scene overnight to continue suppression work on the fire.
Vaccaro said the public should monitor Nixle alerts from the Bonner County Sheriff's Office to stay up to date on the fire as well as Selkirk's social media.
Selkirk Fire officials thanked all the assisting agencies, including the Idaho Department of Lands, Timberlake Fire, Northside Fire, and Bonner County Sheriff. Three engines from Selkirk Fire were among the equipment responding to the fire, with 12 firefighters from the Selkirk and Northside fire districts responding to fight the fire.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
MORE FRONT-PAGE-SLIDER STORIES
ARTICLES BY CAROLINE LOBSINGER

Dogs, cat have fun at annual keg pull
Dozens of dogs, at least two youth and a cat took part in this year's Winter Carnival Keg Pull.

Annual luncheon offers a 'Ray of Hope'
Local event scheduled for March 20
North Idaho CASA is hosting its annual Ray of Hope luncheon this spring. Money raised at the program, and other held by the association, is used locally to help youths like the brothers and the other 19 teens — as well as other youths who have a CASA advocate.

BCSO seeks approval for app
The Bonner County Sheriff's Office is going mobile as the department is seeking approval for funds to create and build an app to help it connect to the community and provide a secure place to share information and tips.